Acts 2:38 is a verse of the Holy Bible that explains the only Bible plan of Salvation.  The book of Acts chapter 2 gives the history of the birth of the New Testament church.  The apostle Peter preached to the multitude in that day: “Now when the heard this, they were pricked in their heart, and said unto Peter and the rest of the apostles, Men and brethren, what shall we do?

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.  For the promise is unto you, and to your children, and to all that are afar off, even as many as the Lord our God shall call” (Acts 2:37-39).

 

But why should we obey the instructions of Peter?  Where does he get the authority?

 

 “Jesus said unto him…I will give unto you the keys of the kingdom of heaven (Mathew 16:16-20).

Before ascending into heaven, Jesus told his disciples that they should wait in Jerusalem until they received the promised of the Holy Ghost.  “But ye shall receive power, after that the Holy Ghost is come upon you: and ye shall be witnesses unto me both in Jerusalem, and in Judaea [the Jews] and in Samaria [the Samaritans], and unto the uttermost part of the earth [people of the world]” (Acts 1:8).  On the day of Pentecost those in the first church received the Holy Spirit for the first time, and Peter preached the first message about the Great Plan of Salvation that we have in Jesus.

 

     *  Peter used the keys that Jesus gave him with his preaching the message of salvation which opened the door of  

        Salvation  for the Jews in Acts 2:38-39.  

     *  Afterward. Peter used the keys with his preaching to open the door of salvation for Samaritans in Acts 8:14-17 

     *  Peter then used the keys with his preaching to open the door of salvation for the Gentiles in Acts 10:34-48

 

But Jesus said in John 3:1-8 that we have to be born again of water and of Spirit to be able to enter into the kingdom of God.  Also the Bible teaches us that we must believe and obey the gospel of Jesus Christ.  If you keep reading, you will understand how to complete these requirements by obeying Acts 2:38.

 

According to 1 Corinthians 15:1-4, the gospel message is the DEATH, the BURIAL, and the RESSURECTION OF JESUS CHRIST and is for all to have salvation that believe and obey.

 

How are we to be born again and enter into the kingdom of God? We must die to our sins, be submerged in water in baptism, and received a new life in the Spirit.

THE DEATH          =    REPENTANCE [death to sin]

THE BURIAL         =    BAPTISM IN JESUS NAME [burial in water]

RESURRECTION  =    BAPTISM in the HOLY SPIRIT [resurrection power]

In Acts 2:38 Peter utilized the keys Jesus gave him to open the door of salvation through preaching and the explanation of the way we can truly be born again and apply the gospel to our lives so that we can be saved.  Then, what must we do to be saved?

1. Repent and Believe the Gospel.  Ask the Lord Jesus to be the Saviour of your life: Luke 24:27; Acts 3:19; 20:21; Mark 16:16. What is repentance? It is a decision to leave the actions that will bring us death (sin). On the inside it is a change of our mindset towards sin; On the outside it is a change of direction. In repentance, the “old man” will die to sin. 

      

2. Baptism in water in the Name of Jesus Christ is the New Testament circumcision of the heart: Col. 2:11-12 Rom. 2:28-29; a commandment: Acts 2:38, 4;12, 8:12, 10:48, 22:16; in baptism in water by submersion the “old man” is buried: Rom 6:4-6; Eph. 4:22; Col.3:9; Cor. 5:17.  Baptism has always been done using the Name of Jesus.  Every time someone was baptized in the Bible, this formula was always used.  It was the completion of Matthew 28:19 command by Jesus to use the name.

 

3. The HOLY SPIRIT is given to the believers:  “And these signs shall follow them that believe…in my name…they shall speak with new tongues” (Mark 16:17).  “And they were all filled with the Holy Ghost, and began to speak with other tongues, as the Spirit gave them utterance” (Acts 2:4; Acts 2:38).  “Forasmuch then as God gave them the like gift as he did unto us, who believe on the Lord Jesus Christ” (Acts 11:17).  Have you received the Holy Ghost since ye believed? (Acts 19:2.6) “…the Holy Ghost came on them; and they spoke with tongues…”

 

These 3 parts are necessary for Salvation!
 
You must obey Acts 2:38 and Receive Salvation Now!
 ” Jesus is the same yesterday, and today, and forever” (Hebrew 13:8).
 He has not changed the plan of salvation; it’s still the same and He wants to save your soul!
 

If you would like a Bible Study that explains this message of salvation, please contact us: 604-210-1907