This question or similar questions indicating a desire to have salvation appear several times in the Bible. Men today still generally desire salvation, so the answer to this question is just as important today as it was when asked in the New Testament. Let's analyze the question to see what is indicated by the very words of the question. The word "WHAT" suggests something is required in the process of obtaining salvation. The word "MUST" indicates we have no choice in the things done in obtaining salvation, they are specified and are an absolute necessity. The word "I" reveals individual responsibility is involved in salvation. God has done His part, it is now the individual's responsibility to take advantage of what God has done for them. The word "DO" suggest there must be activity on man's part in being saved. The words "TO BE SAVED" show a state of being, that is the object sought, the saving is done by another.
How shall we answer this question? We can't answer it from the feelings and opinions of men, because they vary with different individuals. It is evident from the religious confusion and division so prevalent today, that men give different answers to this question. There is no real source of answers except the Bible, the word of God. So, as we answer this question we will go to the word of God and find the answer as it was given to those who ask it.
This question was first asked in Mark 10:17. This man came running to Jesus and asked, "Good Master, what shall I do that I may inherit eternal life?" Jesus told this man to "keep the commandments." After being informed by the ruler that he had kept the commandments from his youth, Jesus told him to sell his goods and give to the poor and come and follow him. The Law of Moses was still in effect at this time. Therefore, this question could not be answered in the same way today because we are living under a different law from the one this man lived under (Heb 9:15-17).
This question was asked on the first Pentecost after the resurrection of Jesus, at which time the Law of Christ went into effect. The Jews on that occasion asked: "Men and brethren what shall we do?" (Acts 2:37). Peter answered in verse 38: "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." Some have argued that the phrase "for the remission of sins" means "because of the remission of sins." However, if this is the case then Christ shed His blood, because of the remission of sins, since the same Greek word is used in Matt 26:28, where the text says Christ shed His blood for the remission of sins. And we know that Christ did not shed His blood because of the remission of sins, but in order that we might have the remission of sins.
This question was asked when the Lord appeared to Saul of Tarsus on the road to Damascus. Saul asked: "Lord what wilt thou have me to do?" The answer that Jesus gave was: "Arise and go into the city, and it shall be told thee what thou must do." Acts 9:6. Some contend Saul was saved on the road to Damascus, however, this is not true. If Saul was saved there on the road to Damascus, he was saved in his sins. In Paul's account of his conversion in Acts 22:16 he relates Ananias saying to him: "And now why tarriest thou? Arise and be baptized, and WASH AWAY THY SINS, calling on the name of the Lord." This shows very clearly that Saul still had sins after the Lord appeared to him on the road to Damascus. This passage also tells us what Saul was told to do after he came into the city, as the Lord had instructed him. Ananias was sent by God to tell Saul what he must do, and he told him to: "Arise and be baptized and wash away thy sins, calling of the name of the Lord." Jesus' appearing to Saul was not to save him but to qualify him as an apostle Acts 26:16; 1Cor 15:8. Saul had to do the same thing all others have to do to have salvation.
In Acts 16:30 the Philippian jailer ask Paul and Silas, "Sirs what must I do to be saved." Paul said in verse 31 "Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ, and thou shalt be saved and thy house." Then in verse 32, in order that faith might be produced, they; "Spake unto him the word of the Lord and to all that were in his house." Rom 10:17 says faith comes by hearing and hearing by the word of God. The actions of the jailer, in taking care of the wounds where Paul and Silas had been beaten, indicate his repentance . After he repented he was baptized, "he and all his, straightway" (immediately).
We have noticed three different answers to the same basic question. Is there a contradiction in the word of God? Certainly not. Notice each account again and the condition of the person's life at the time the question was answered. The jailer was an unbeliever, so he was told to believe, after which Paul and Silas preached to him to develop faith (Rom 10:17). He then repented and was baptized. The people on Pentecost were already believers when the question was answered for them. It is evident that they were believers, for had they not believed what Peter had said about Christ, they would not have been "pricked in their hearts" (Acts 2:37). Since they were already believers, they were told to repent and be baptized for the remission of their sins (Acts 2:38). Saul was a believing penitent man. He had already demonstrated his faith in Christ on the road to Damascus and when he came into the city he demonstrated his repentance by fasting and praying instead of doing what he came to Damascus to do. Ananias then told Saul to be baptized for the remission of his sins (Acts 22:16). In each case a different answer was given. But as we have noticed, each one had progressed to a different point in their search for salvation. A person on a journey of a hundred miles who has already traveled fifty miles of that journey is not told they still have to travel a hundred miles to complete their journey. Likewise it was not necessary to tell one who was already a believer to believe on Jesus Christ, or to tell one that had believed and repented to believe and repent. If one had completed these requirements then all that was needed was to be immersed in water for the remission of sins.
At what point are you in your search for salvation? If you feel that you have salvation already and have not completed these requirements, then you really have not yet found salvation. If you believe Jesus to be the Son of God and are willing to repent of your sins and acknowledge your faith in Christ by confessing it publicly as Jesus said in Matt 10:32, then all that is lacking is your being baptized into Christ and thereby putting on Christ (Gal 3:27). The answer to this question then depends on how far along you are on the road to salvation. Wherever you find yourself there is an answer for you. Won't you seek the answer that applies to you and be saved from you past sins and then have hope of eternal salvation in heaven. The Christians who make up the Northside church of Christ are ready to assist you any way they can in your study of God's word as well as assist you in your obedience to the Gospel of Christ.