What Must I Do To Be Saved?

Pondering upon this verse:

Act 16:30  And brought them out, and said, Sirs, what must I do to be saved? 

John Gill's commentary on the verse:

And brought them out,.... Of the inner prison, to some part of the prison that was more free and open: 

and said, Sirs, what must I do to be saved? he treats them with great reverence now, and addresses them under a title and character of honour and respect; whom but a few hours ago he despised and abhorred, and perhaps knew no name bad enough for them; he now saw himself lost and perishing, and wanted their instructions, advice, and assistance; and as most persons under first awakenings are, so he was, upon the foot of works; thinking he must do something to procure his salvation, and desires to know what it was he must do, that he might set about it directly; and it may be he had heard what the damsel possessed with a spirit of divination had frequently said of Paul and Silas, that they were the servants of the most high God, and showed unto men the way of salvation, Act_16:17 and therefore he desires that they would acquaint him with it: his language shows, he was in earnest, and expresses great eagerness, importunity, and haste.

Act 16:31  And they said, Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ, and thou shalt be saved, and thy house.

And they said, believe in the Lord Jesus Christ,.... Not with a bare historical faith, as only to believe that he was the Son of God, and the Messiah, and that he was come in the flesh, and had suffered, and died, and rose again, and was now in heaven at the right hand of God, and would come again to judge both quick and dead, for there may be such a faith and no salvation; but so as to look unto him alone for life and salvation, to rely upon him, and trust in him; to commit himself, and the care of his immortal soul unto him, and to expect peace, pardon, righteousness, and eternal life from him; the answer is much the same our Lord returned to the Jews, when they asked, though not with the same affection and sincerity as this man, what they must do to work the works of God, John 6:28. 

And thou shalt be saved; from sin, and all its miserable effects and consequences; from the curses of the law, from the power of Satan, from the evil of the world, from the wrath of God, hell and damnation: this is to be understood of a spiritual and eternal salvation; for it is said, after that the jailer was inquiring about it, being terrified in his conscience with a sense of sin and wrath; and between believing in Christ, and being saved with an everlasting salvation, there is a strict and inseparable connection, Mark 16:16 though not faith, but Christ is the cause and author of salvation; faith spies salvation in Christ, goes to him for it, receives it from him, and believes unto it: 

and thy house; or family, provided they believe in Christ also, as they did, Acts 16:34 or otherwise there can be no salvation, for he that believeth not shall be damned.

The Salvation of All Men

John Calvin

For this is good and acceptable in the sight of God our Savior: Who will have all men to be saved, and to come unto the knowledge of the truth. For there is one God, and one mediator between God and men, the man Christ Jesus. —1 TIMOTHY 2:3-5.

When we despise those whom God would have honored, it is as much as if we should despise Him: so it is, if we make no account of the salvation of those whom God calleth to Himself. For it seemeth thereby that we would stay Him from showing His mercy to poor sinners, who are in the way to ruin. The reason why St. Paul useth this argument, that God will have all the world to be saved, is that we may, as much as lieth in us, also seek the salvation of those who seem to be banished from the kingdom of God; especially while they are unbelievers.

We must always observe what the condition of the world was in the days of St. Paul. It was something new and strange to have the gospel published to the world in those days: for it appeared that God had chosen the stock of Abraham, and that the rest of the world would be deprived of all hope of salvation. And indeed we see how Holy Writ setteth forth the adoption of this people: but St. Paul commandeth us to pray for all the world; and not without cause, for he addeth the reason, which is here mentioned: to wit, because God will have all men to be saved. As if he should say, my friends, it is reasonable that we should observe what the will of God is, and at what He aimeth; that every one of us may employ himself to serve Him aright.

Therefore, seeing it is the will of God that all men should be partakers of that salvation which He hath sent in the person of His only begotten Son, we must endeavor to draw poor, silly, ignorant creatures to us, that we may all come together to this inheritance of the kingdom of heaven, which hath been promised us. But we must observe that St. Paul speaketh not of every particular man, but of all sorts of men, and of all people. Therefore, when he saith that God will have all men to be saved, we must not think that he speaketh of them individually, but his meaning is this: that whereas in times past He chose a certain people to Himself, He meaneth now to show mercy to all the world: yea, even to them that seemed to be shut out from the hope of salvation.

He saith in another place, the heathens were without God, and void of all promise; because they were not as yet brought to the fellowship of the Jews. This was a special privilege that God had given to the descendants of Abraham. Therefore St. Paul’s meaning is not that God will save every man, but that the promises which were given to but one people are now extended to all the world: for as he saith in this same epistle, the wall was broken down at the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ. God had separated the Jews from all other nations; but when Jesus Christ appeared for the salvation of the world, then was this difference, which existed between them and the Gentiles, taken away.

Therefore, God will now embrace us all: and this is the entrance into our salvation. For if that had always continued, which God ordained but for a season, then should we be all accursed; and the gospel would not have been preached to us: we should have had no sign or token of the love and goodness of God. But now we have become His children; we are no more strangers to the promises, as were our fathers: for Jesus Christ came to be a Savior to all in general; He offered the grace of God the Father, that all might receive it.

As St. Paul speaketh of all nations, so he likewise speaketh of all conditions; as if he should say, God will save kings and magistrates, as well as others: we must not restrain His fatherly goodness to ourselves alone, nor to any certain number of people. And why so? For He showeth that He will be favorable to all: thus we have St. Paul’s meaning. To confirm this matter, he addeth it is God’s will that all should come to the knowledge of the truth. We must mark well why St. Paul useth this argument; for we cannot know the will of God, unless it be made known to us; unless we have some sign or token whereby we may perceive it. It is too high a matter for us to know what God’s counsel is; but as far as He showeth it to us by effect, so far we comprehend it.

The gospel is called the mighty power of God, and salvation to all them that believe: yea, it is the gate of paradise. It followeth then, if through the will of God the gospel be preached to all the world, there is a token that salvation is common to all. Thus St. Paul proveth that God’s will is that all men should be saved. He hath not appointed His apostles to proclaim His name only among the Jews, for we know that the commission was given them to preach to all creatures; to be witnesses of Jesus Christ from Jerusalem to Samaria, and from thence throughout all the world.

Are the apostles sent to publish the truth of God to all people, and to all conditions of men? It followeth then that God presenteth Himself to all the world, that the promise belongeth to both great and small, as well to the Gentiles now, as to the Jews before. But before we go any farther, it is necessary to beat down the folly, or rather the beastliness, of those who abuse this passage of St. Paul; who endeavor to make the election of God of no effect, and to utterly take it away. They say, if God will have all men to be saved, it follows that He hath not chosen a certain number of mankind, and cast the rest away, but that His will remaineth indifferent.

They pretend that it is left to the choice of men to save themselves or not; that God letteth us alone, and waiteth to see whether we will come to Him or not; and so receiveth them that come unto Him. But in the mean time, they destroy the ground work of our salvation; for we know that we are so accursed that the inheritance of salvation is far from us: if we say that Jesus Christ hath come to, remedy that, then must we examine the nature of mankind. We are so contrary in our nature, and such enemies to God, that we cannot but resist Him: we are so given to evil and wickedness that we cannot so much as conceive a good thought. How then can it be that we may become partakers of that salvation which is offered in the gospel, unless God draw us to it by His Holy Spirit? Let us now see whether God draw all the world to it or not. No, no, for then had our Lord Jesus Christ said in vain, "No man can come to me, except the Father, which hath sent me’ draw him" (John 6:44). So then we must needs conclude that it is a special grace that God bestoweth upon such as pleaseth Him, to draw them, and teach them in such a manner, that they believe the gospel, and receive it with true faith.

And now, why doth God choose one, and leave another? We know that men cannot come to God by their own deserts, neither are those who have been chosen deserving any such thing as to be preferred to their companions, as though there were some worthiness in them. It followeth then that before the world was made (as St. Paul saith in the first to the Ephesians), God chose such as pleased Him: and we know not why this man was chosen in preference to that. And still we must confess that whatsoever God doth is done justly, although we cannot comprehend it. Therefore, let us receive that whereof we are so thoroughly certified in Holy Writ; and not suffer ourselves to be lead astray, under a shadow of vain reason, used by men, who are ignorant of the Word of God.

Read more -->HERE

Do You Think You Are Converted

By JC Ryle

“Repent ye therefore, and be converted” – Acts 3:19

The subject which forms the title of this paper is one which touches all mankind. It ought to come home to all ranks and classes, high or low, rich or poor, old or young, gentle or simple. Any one may get to heaven without money, rank, or learning. No one, however wise, wealthy, noble, or beautiful, will ever get to heaven without CONVERSION.

There are six points of view in which I wish to consider the subject of this paper. I will try to show that conversion is

I. A Scriptural thing;
II. A real thing;
III. A necessary thing;
IV. A possible thing;
V. A happy thing;
VI. A thing that may be seen.

Let me show, in the first place, that:

I. Conversion Is a Scriptural Thing

I mean by this, that conversion is a thing plainly mentioned in the Bible. This is the first point we have to ascertain about anything in religion. It matters nothing who says a thing, and declares it to be religious truth; it matters nothing whether we like or dislike a doctrine. Is it in the Bible? That is the only question. If it is, we have no right to refuse it. If we reject a Bible truth because we do not like it, we do so at the peril of our souls, and might as well become infidels at once. This is a principle which ought never to be forgotten.

Let us turn to the Bible. Hear what David says: “The law of the Lord is perfect, converting the soul”— ”Sinners shall be converted unto Thee” (Psa 19:7, 51:13). Hear what our Lord Jesus Christ says: “Except ye be converted, and become as little children, ye shall not enter into the kingdom of heaven” (Mat 18:3). Hear what St. Peter says: “Repent ye, and be converted, that your sins may be blotted out” (Act 3:19). Hear what St. James says: “He which converteth the sinner from the error of his way shall save a soul from death, and shall hide a multitude of sins” (Jam 5:20).

I could easily add to this Scriptural evidence. I could quote many passages in which the idea of conversion is contained, though the word itself is not used. To be renewed, to be transformed, to be created anew, to be raised from the dead, to be illuminated, to pass from death to life, to be born again, to put off the old man and put on the new man—all these are Scriptural expressions, which mean the same thing as conversion. They are all the same thing, seen from a different point of view. But enough is as good as a feast, in these matters. There can be no doubt of the truth of my first position: that conversion is a Scriptural thing. It is not a mere device of man’s invention: it is in the Bible.

Read more -->HERE.

Day 117-11

VIII - The Reign of David - 1025-985 B.C. ~ cont.

A. David becomes king ~ cont.

4. Israel's power grows ~ cont.

d. Administrators and officers of kingdom - 2 Samuel 8:15-18; 1 Chronicles 18:14-17

e. Song of deliverance - 2 Samuel 22:1-51; Psalm 18:1-50; 144:115

{pages 518 - 522}

I was chuckling at the length of the song recorded in 2 Samuel.  I do not think I have ever heard that one sung.  Would be quite an undertaking to sing the entire song in one session.

I made a note, used? means? on the following verse:

The LORD is my rock, and my fortress, and my deliverer; my God, my strength, in whom I will trust; my buckler, and the horn of my salvation, and my high tower.  (Psalm 18:2)

my rock - H5553 - From an unused root meaning to be lofty; a craggy rock, literally or figuratively (a fortress).  Used 61 times in 55 verses.  First usage:

Take the rod, and gather thou the assembly together, thou, and Aaron thy brother, and speak ye unto the rock before their eyes; and it shall give forth his water, and thou shalt bring forth to them water out of the rock: so thou shalt give the congregation and their beasts drink.  (Numbers 20:8)

I thought that interesting that the first usage when Moses was when he was to SPEAK to the ROCK.

And gavest them bread from heaven for their hunger, and broughtest forth water for them out of the rock for their thirst, and promisedst them that they should go in to possess the land which thou hadst sworn to give them.  (Nehemiah 9:15)

The phrase 'my rock' is used 12 times (KJV) primarily in 2 Samuel and Psalms.

my fortress - H4686 - From H4685; a net, or (abstractly) capture; also a fastness:.

• H4685 - From H6679; a net (for capturing animals or fishes); also (by interchange for H4679) a fastness or (besieging) tower.
• H6679 - A primitive root; to lie alongside (that is, in wait); by implication to catch an animal (figuratively men); (denominative from H6718) to victual (for a journey).

Used 22 times in 22 verses.  David in the hold, David took the strong hold of Zion, David abiding in the fort, David taking the castle of Zion, Job speaking of an eagle and her strong place, a house of defense, a net, a snare, to be hunted.

my deliverer - H6403 - A primitive root; to slip out, that is, escape; causatively to deliver.  Used 26 times in 24 verses.  Deliverer, delivereth, cows calving, delivered, escape, safe.

my strength - H6697 - From H6696; properly a cliff (or sharp rock, as compressed); generally a rock or boulder; figuratively a refuge; also an edge (as precipitous).

• H6696 - A primitive root; to cramp, that is, confine (in many applications, literally and figuratively, formative or hostile).

Used 76 times in 72 verses - first usage:

Behold, I will stand before thee there upon the rock in Horeb; and thou shalt smite the rock, and there shall come water out of it, that the people may drink. And Moses did so in the sight of the elders of Israel.  (Exodus 17:6)

rock - 65 ~ strength - 4 ~ beauty - 1 ~ strong - 2 ~ edge - 1 ~ mighty One - 1 ~ God - 1 ~ mighty God - 1

I will trust - H2620 - A primitive root; to flee for protection (compare H982); figuratively to confide in.  Used 37 times in 36 verses.

And he shall say, Where are their gods, their rock in whom they trusted.  (Deuteronomy 32:37)

The LORD recompense thy work, and a full reward be given thee of the LORD God of Israel, under whose wings thou art come to trust.  (Ruth 2:12)

my buckler - H4043 - From H1598; a shield (that is, the small one or buckler); figuratively a protector; also the scaly hide of the crocodile.

• H1598 - A primitive root; to hedge about, that is, (generally) protect.

Used 63 times in 60 verses...

After these things the word of the LORD came unto Abram in a vision, saying, Fear not, Abram: I am thy shield, and thy exceeding great reward.  (Genesis 15:1)

Short overview of shield and buckler here.  I was searching for a bit more on buckler and found this site.

horn of  - H7161 - From H7160; a horn (as projecting); by implication a flask, cornet; by resemblance an elephant’s tooth (that is, ivory), a corner (of the altar), a peak (of a mountain), a ray (of light); figuratively power.

• H7160 - A primitive root; to push or gore; used only as denominative from H7161, to shoot out horns; figuratively rays.

76 times in 69 verses.  First used of the ram whose horns were caught in the thicket.

my salvation - H3468 - From H3467; liberty, deliverance, prosperity.

• H3467 - A primitive root; properly to be open, wide or free, that is, (by implication) to be safe; causatively to free or succor.

Heh...used 205 times in 198 verses.

And the shepherds came and drove them away; but Moses stood up and helped them, and watered their flock.  (Exodus 2:17)

Say not thou, I will recompense evil; but wait on the LORD, and he shall save thee.  (Proverbs 20:22)

my high tower - H4869 - From H7682; properly a cliff (or other lofty or inaccessible place); abstractly altitude; figuratively a refuge; misgab; a place in Moab.

• H7682 - A primitive root; to be (causatively make) lofty, especially inaccessible; by implication safe, strong; used literally and figuratively.

Used 17 times in 16 verses.  Primarily in 2 Samuel and Psalms, with a couple in Isaiah and once in Jeremiah.

I'll close with a couple from the last phrase.

The God of my rock; in him will I trust: he is my shield, and the horn of my salvation, my high tower, and my refuge, my saviour; thou savest me from violence.  (2 Samuel 22:3)

The LORD also will be a refuge for the oppressed, a refuge in times of trouble. (Psalm 9:9)

Day 343

(C) Book of 1 Peter
1. The Christian's sufferings - 1 Peter 1:1-25; 2:1-20
2. Christ has suffered for us - 1 Peter 2:21-25; 3:1-22; 4:1-19
3. Exhortation to be strong and closing salutations - 1 Peter 5:1-14

1st Peter - Timeless Truths for Tough Times - I have been blessed to be in a ladies Bible study for the past 5+ years studying the book of 1st Peter inductively.  We are finishing verse 5 and will begin verse 6 sometime in 2011.  If you have never availed yourself of the opportunity to study inductively, here are a couple of articles to get you started:  How To Study Inductively, which has an in interesting side story about being observant with that which is placed before you.  The next is an 8 part article also titled, How To Study Inductively, they reference Websters 1828 dictionary for definitions of words.  I have always used the Strong's Concordance which can be found online here or here, or as part of the free Bible software at E-Sword, which also includes a variety of translations, dictionary and commentaries.

That the trial of your faith, being much more precious than of gold that perisheth, though it be tried with fire, might be found unto praise and honour and glory at the appearing of Jesus Christ: whom having not seen, ye love; in whom, though now ye see him not, yet believing, ye rejoice with joy unspeakable and full of glory: receiving the end of your faith, even the salvation of your souls. (1 Peter 1:7-9)

It was specifically verse 7 that I was focused upon, however I did not want to fragment the verse.  This verse reminds me of another about our works being tried by fire.


1Co 3:13  Every man's work shall be made manifest: for the day shall declare it, because it shall be revealed by fire; and the fire shall try every man's work of what sort it is.

This passage has been brought to my attention time and again.  Father's reminding me to be cognizant of HIS son's eventual return to claim His (Jesus') betrothed.  I am saddened with the thought that I may stand before Him and have nothing left but the foundation.  Will that which I do stand the fire of HIS scrutiny?  Will all that I have done this side of glory be burnt as if hay, wood and stubble?  Will ought of that which I thought to offer unto Him come through as gold, silver or precious gems?

1Pe 4:17  For the time is come that judgment must begin at the house of God: and if it first begin at us, what shall the end be of them that obey not the gospel of God? 

1Pe 4:18  And if the righteous scarcely be saved, where shall the ungodly and the sinner appear? 

We all need to take warning, the Master's return draws closer every day, we are commanded to be diligently looking and craving for that day.  We ought not to be as the unwise servant:


Luke 12:46  The lord of that servant will come in a day when he looketh not for him, and at an hour when he is not aware, and will cut him in sunder, and will appoint him his portion with the unbelievers.

Luke 12:47  And that servant, which knew his lord's will, and prepared not himself, neither did according to his will, shall be beaten with many stripes.

Luke 12:48  But he that knew not, and did commit things worthy of stripes, shall be beaten with few stripes. For unto whomsoever much is given, of him shall be much required: and to whom men have committed much, of him they will ask the more.

Day 335...a wee more

Testifying both to the Jews, and also to the Greeks, repentance toward God, and faith toward our Lord Jesus Christ.  (Acts 20:21)

That is an easily delivered presentation.

Saint:  Repent to God, have faith in Jesus Christ.

Sinner:  Repent, why?

I was browsing for a site which would give information about why someone would need to repent and found this one.  Why would anyone want to repent if they think they have no sin, are not aware of it, or have no clue as to their eternal destination?  The easy believism that is prevalent in our 'churches' today make people think they are 'saved' when in reality they may be deceived.

2Pe 1:10  Wherefore the rather, brethren, give diligence to make your calling and election sure: for if ye do these things, ye shall never fall:

The above verse obviously needs to be read in context...which I prayerfully hope all will avail themselves.  We can not earn our salvation...we do not get to choose, no matter how much we may 'think' we have, in reality, HE chose us.  We do, however, have a responsibility to grow in our relationship with Him.  You can not truly know someone unless you spend time with them.

Pondering on the prophecy concerning Paul and the trials that awaited him in Jerusalem.  Father gave him warning over and over again.  It sometimes helps to have a mental mindset for the worst case scenario (for me anyway) in order to deal with trials and tribulations.  Paul had no qualms about continuing to Jerusalem.

The elders in Jerusalem exhort Paul to show that he walks orderly and keeps the law.  (Acts 21:24)

They then reiterate that the Gentiles are to:  Keep themselves from idols ~ from blood ~ from strangled ~ from fornication.  (Acts 21:25).

The first passage regarding the prohibitions the Gentiles were to avoid included that they (the Gentiles) would hear Moses preached in the synagogue.


Act 15:21  For Moses of old time hath in every city them that preach him, being read in the synagogues every sabbath day.

That passage keeps reverberating within my mind and soul.  Is there significance to why the church elders were satisfied with only the 4 prohibitions, knowing and/or thinking that those who were regenerated would be instructed from the teachings and writings of the OT?  Again that verse:

For whatsoever things were written aforetime were written for our learning, that we through patience and comfort of the scriptures might have hope. Romans 15:4


Beloved of the Lord, are you giving due diligence to study to show yourself approved?  A workman that needeth not to be ashamed?  Taking in the whole counsel of the Word of God?