Conversions in Acts
What did they do to become Christians? (Part 1)
The New Testament clearly reveals what one must do to become a Christian: Recognize you are lost in sin and in need of salvation (Rom. 3:10, 23), hear the Gospel (Rom. 10:17), and then put faith into action by repenting of sins (Acts 2:38a; 17:30), confessing with the mouth that Jesus is Lord (Acts 8:37; Rom. 10:9-10), being baptized into Christ for the remission of sins (Matt. 28:18-19; Acts 2:38; 22:16), growing in Christ (1 Pet. 2:2; 2 Pet. 3:18), practicing true religion (Jas. 1:26-27), and “walking in the Light” (1 John 1:7-9) being faithful unto death to receive the crown of life (Rev. 2:10).
The four Gospel accounts emphasize the birth, life, death, and resurrection of Jesus. This good news (Gospel) is to be re-enacted (1 Cor. 15:1-4) as one dies to sin, is buried with Christ in a watery grave of baptism, and rises to walk in newness of life (Rom. 6:3-6; 2 Cor. 5:17).
The Book of Acts is an incredible, factual, and thrilling account of how the church began and what the disciples did “beginning in Jerusalem, and going to Judea, Samaria, and even to the uttermost parts of the earth” (Acts 1:8; 8:4-5; 28:30-31). Luke was the inspired writer who put forth an accurate account of the powerful events that took place (Acts 1:1-3; cf. Luke 1:1-4; 24:44-53).
This article begins a new series in which we will explore the “Conversions in Acts.” By studying what they did to become Christians and what they did as Christians, hopefully we will be encouraged to do what they did and be who they were as we follow the pattern set forth in the New Testament!
The sermon in Acts 2.
We begin in Acts 2. This chapter is vital to the pulse of the Bible message: The salvation of man by Jesus Christ to the glory of God the Father. Before Jesus ascended back into Heaven, He told His disciples that they would be “endued with power from on high,” meaning they would be inspired by the Holy Spirit:
“Then He said to them, “Thus it is written, and thus it was necessary for the Christ to suffer and to rise from the dead the third day, and that repentance and remission of sins should be preached in His name to all nations, beginning at Jerusalem. And you are witnesses of these things. “Behold, I send the Promise of My Father upon you; but tarry in the city of Jerusalem until you are endued with power from on high” (Luke 24:46-49).
These things were fulfilled as the apostles were filled with the Holy Spirit and began to speak with other tongues (languages) as the Spirit gave them utterance (Acts 2:1-4). Those in the crowd were all amazed and perplexed asking the question, “Whatever could this mean?” (Acts 2:5-12).
Peter, one of the apostles, stood with the eleven and preached the first Gospel sermon in its entirety (Acts 2:12-36).
Peter’s sermon was inspired by the Holy Spirit as it was Scripture-saturated and Christ-centered! He quoted from the Old Testament prophets Joel (Joel 2:28-32; cf. Acts 2:17-21) and David (Psa. 16:8-11; 110:1; Acts 2:25-35) and then connected these passages with the events that were taking place.
The epic and powerful sermon centered around Jesus of Nazareth Who was “sent by God, delivered by the determined purpose of God, crucified and put to death by the lawless and wicked, raised by God, and made both Lord and Christ by God the Father!”
How the people responded.
How did the people respond?
When they heard this (“faith comes by hearing and hearing the Word of God” — Rom. 10:17), they said, “Men and brethren, what shall we do?” In essence, “What shall we do to be saved? How can we make this right?”
Peter responded: “Repent and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins; and you shall receive the gift of the Holy Spirit” (Acts 2:38).
Those who “gladly received his word were baptized; about 3,000 souls (Acts 2:41). The Lord then added to the church (HIS church — Matt. 16:18; Eph. 1:22-23) daily those who were being saved.
How were they saved? They heard the truth, believed it, repented of their sins and were baptized into Christ to have their sins washed away by His blood (Acts 2:38, 41; 22:16; Rev. 1:5).
Today, the same Gospel is preached, the same blood is applied, and the same opportunity is provided for all who will “gladly receive” the Gospel and obey it from the heart (Mark 16:15-16; Rom. 6:17; Rev. 22:17)!
Drew Suttles is a minister for the Quitman church of Christ in Quitman, Georgia. They live stream all their Bible classes and sermons on their YouTube channel.
Drew also hosts the “Weathering the Storm” podcast on the Scattered Abroad Network. Drew talks about facing life’s challenges as a child of God. His podcast will be a blessing to your life.
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