How do you go to Heaven? Jesus is the only stairway to Heaven. Are you wondering how to be saved? You’ve asked a great question! It’s one the Philippian jailor asked the Apostle Paul:
He (the jailor) rushed in, trembling, and fell down before Paul … and asked, “Sirs, what must I do to be saved (Acts 16:29-30?”)
What Do I Have to Do to Be Saved?
Do? Do What?
‘Do’ is the keyword, and Paul’s answer was simple – and ironic! It didn’t involve doing anything except believing in a Person:
They said, “Believe in the Lord Jesus Christ, and you and your household will be saved (Acts 16:31).”
During Jesus’ time on earth, the Jewish leaders asked Him what they could do:
“They asked Him, “What shall we do that we may work the works of God?” (John 6:28).
The Irony of Believe
Did Jesus tell them to be baptized, forsake all their sins, join a church, give all their money to the poor, or anything else besides believe? No, His answer dripped with irony:
“Jesus answered them, “This is the work of God, that you believe in Him whom He has sent” (John 6:29).
But how can that be? When a person does a basic internet search asking, “How to be saved,” sometimes the results show multiple actions a person must do. But the Bible doesn’t ask us to do anything!
Receive Jesus Christ and Be Saved
Believing isn’t doing something. It isn’t a work; it’s the opposite. When someone gives us a present (unless they tell us otherwise), all we do is receive it. It’s an insult to ask how we can earn it! Don’t insult God or Jesus’ saving work. The Bible tells us that we become sons of God by receiving Jesus, and we do that by believing in His Name:
“To all who received Him, He gave the power to become sons of God, to those who believed in His name, who were born … of God” (John 1:12-13).
Believe in the Name of Jesus
Believe What?
The Apostle Paul told us the essential facts of the gospel. It’s what we must know to believe in Jesus’ Name:
“That Christ died for our sins according to the Scriptures, and that He was buried, and that He was raised on the third day … and that He appeared” (1 Corinthians 15:1-6).
1st Statement: Christ died for our sins–Proof: He was buried.
2nd Statement: He was raised on the third day–Proof: He was seen by more than five hundred brethren.
God promises that when we believe in Jesus we have eternal life (John 3:16).
We Have the Power!
God didn’t give us the power to become sons of God, i.e., to be saved by performing any deeds. He gave us the power to receive it by resting in Jesus. He’s the One who died in our place and rose again. His work is finished; our ‘work’ is to rest (believe). He achieved eternal redemption, and God is satisfied with Jesus. He credits our account when we receive Jesus. After believing, the Philippian jailor “Rejoiced with his entire household believing in God” (Acts 16:34).
So, How are we Saved?
It’s not by doing anything. God gave us the power to become sons of God by believing (not doing) in Jesus’ Name.
Please watch the Great News Video on this page for more about believing and receiving Jesus as your savior.
