What Must I Do?

In your estimation, what is the most important question that man has ever asked? Some may answer, “Why do hotdog buns come in packs of eight while the hot dogs come in packs of ten?” A child may ask, “Why is the sky blue?” Man has always wanted to ask the question “Is there a God?” When reading Acts 16:30 there is a question that the Philippian jailer asks Paul and Silas. “And brought them out, and said, Sirs, what must I do to be saved?” (Acts 16:30). This is the most important question that any God fearing individual can ask. If one does not know the proper thing one must do in order to be saved, how can one know that he or she is saved? The phrase “What must I do to be saved?” will be broken down word by word to give a better understanding of what the jailor was asking.

What – This word is generally used as a pronoun. In this instance it means, “what action or thing.” The jailor is asking Paul is there is a specific action that must be performed. When giving commandments to His people, God has at times been very specific. Look at the detail he gives to Moses in the building of the Tabernacle (Exodus 26-27). That does not always mean every command is specific. Christ in giving the apostles what we know as the “Great Commission” is not specific of how they are to “go” in teaching all nations (Matthew 28:18-20). That being said, when studying this verse, it is noted that there is something specific in salvation.

Must – The word must is used as a verb and expresses necessity. There is something specific and it is absolutely necessary for one to be saved. Sadly, there are some who look at the issue of salvation and teach that there are things that are important but not necessary. These will often use phrases such as, “We’re going to the same place but on different wagons.” It is the “do what seems right to you” mentality. Christ stated that few would enter the gates of Heaven as opposed to the gates of Hell (Matthew 7:13-14). Furthermore, Christ stated that many would profess to performing many works in the name of Christ but Christ would not know them (Matthew 7:21-23). The reason is they were not fully obedient to God (Matthew 7:21). There is absolute necessity involved in the issue of our salvation.

I – I is a pronoun that reflects back to the speaker or writer. In this instance, it is the Philippian jailer. This word provides information concerning personal responsibility. Now, do not think that this statement is trying to discount the grace of God. God’s grace is fully needed for man to be saved (John 3:16; Hebrews 2:9). At the same time, there is personal responsibility involved in our salvation. We will be judged according to the things we have done whether they be good or evil (2 Corinthians 5:10).

Do – This is an action verb which means “to perform.” If you take these four words together, the jailor in essence asked, “What necessary action am I to perform?”

To Be Saved – This is what occurs when one performs the necessary action. One is saved.

This is the most important question anyone can ever ask. What must one do to be saved? Hear (Romans 10:17), Believe (Hebrews 11:6; John 3:16, 8:24), Repent of One’s Sins (Acts 17:30), Confess (Matthew 10:32-33; Acts 8:37), Be Baptized For The Remission of Sins (Mark 16:16; Acts 2:38; 1 Peter 3:21) and Live Faithfully Until Dead (Revelation 2:10). Only then can one be saved.