The above question is found in ACTS 9:6 and was asked by Saul of the Lord on the road to Damascus. It is a question that is asked in different words two other times in the book of Acts_2:37 and Acts_16:30. These questions and their context with accompanying scriptures from other New Testament books give us a clear answer to the question of what Christ would have one to do to have the forgive­ness of sins and be in Christ and His spiritual body, the church,

Let's start to find this answer by considering the answer to the three questions:

Acts_2:38: "Then Peter said unto them, Repent, and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins, and ye shall receive the gift of the Holy Ghost."

Acts_9:6: "And he trembling and astonished said, Lord, what wilt thou have me to do? And the Lord said unto him, Arise, and go into the city, and it shall be told thee what thou must do."

Acts_16:31: "And they said, Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ, and thou shalt be saved, and thy house."

Why is a different answer given to each of these questions? Does God save one person in one way and another in another way? The answer is a resounding no! When we look at these three accounts of conversion and others in the book of Acts, we can determine a sound and accurate answer. Different answers were given to each of our questions because those involved were at dif­ferent stages of their own conversion.

Peter did not tell the Jews in Acts 2 to believe, because their faith was already evidenced in the question: "Men and brethren, what shall we do." Peter had just informed them that "God hath made that same Jesus, whom ye have crucified, both Lord and Christ." If they had not been convicted of that truth by Peter's ser­mon, they would not have asked the question. What then did they need to do? "Repent, and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins."

When we look at the account of Saul's conversion in Acts 9 and 22, we find what he was told to do when he went to Damascus. For three days Saul fasted and prayed. When Ananias came to Saul (Paul) and restored his sight, he immediately arose and was bap­tized (9:18). Paul recounting his conversion says in Acts_22:16 that Ananias said unto him, "And now why tarriest thou? arise, and be baptized, and wash away thy sins, calling on the name of the Lord." Why was not Paul told to repent as were those in Acts 2? Because Paul's repentance was evidenced by his going to Damascus and his three days of prayer and fasting before Ananias came to him.

In Acts 16, why did Paul tell the jailer to "believe on the Lord Jesus Christ, and thou shalt be saved, and thy house"? Because the jailer had not heard the gospel message. Until he did he could not believe, because faith comes by hearing and hearing by the word of God (Romans_10:17). What did Paul and Silas do? "They spake unto him the word of the Lord" (16:32). What happened after Paul spoke the word of the Lord unto him. The jailer took Paul and Silas and washed their stripes and was baptized, along with those believ­ers in his household, the same hour of the night (16:33). Some would say why did you say those in the jailer's house that believed were baptized. Because Paul had already spoken of the necessity of their faith in Christ (Acts_16:30).

What then must one do to be saved? One must hear the gospel (Romans_1:16, 10:17). One must repent (Acts_2:38, 3:19). One must acknowledge one's faith in Jesus as the Son of God (Romans_0:9-10). And one must be baptized for (unto) the remission of one's sins. There is no example found in the New Testament of any other way to have forgiveness of sins and be in Christ! What one must do, all who would be saved must do.

What is the one common act of faith that is found in every example of conversion in the book of Acts? They all by faith were baptized to have their sins remitted by the precious blood of Jesus Christ. Not one earned their forgiveness by so doing. In spite of many denying this Bible truth, the Bible still says it is so. 

Gary Barnes