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Salvation – Three Questions – Why Three Different Answers?

In the book of Acts, there are three questions regarding salvation that are similar in nature, but the answers given are different. For example, in Acts 16:30, the Philippian jailor asked, “Sirs, what must I do to be saved?” Paul and Silas’ answer was, “Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ, and thou shalt be saved….” (Acts 16:31). In Acts 2:37, the Jews at Pentecost asked, “Men and brethren, what shall we do?” The answer given by Peter was, “Repent and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins….” (Acts 2:38). And in Acts 22:10, Saul (Paul) recalls the events of Acts 9:1-18, and the question that he asked, “What shall I do, Lord?” The Lord’s answer through Ananias was, “Arise and be Baptized, and wash away thy sins, calling on the name of the Lord” (Acts 22:16).

On these three different occasions, we see three different answers given to the questions asked regarding salvation. One was told to “Believe” (Acts 16:31); Others were told to “Repent” (Acts 2:38); While another was told to “be Baptized” (Acts 22:16). We might ask, “Why were there three different answers given to the same basic question?” The answer is that the people in each of the above instances were at different locations on the road to salvation.

Using local cities around the vicinity of El Paso, Texas, the following illustration is provided: If someone were to stop at Van Horn, then Fabens, and finally Socorro and ask, “How far is it to El Paso,” they would receive three different answers to the same question, because they would be at different locations on the road to El Paso. The Philippian jailor was at Van Horn when he asked his question, and was told he must “Believe” …. (Acts 16:31), and note that after hearing the word of the Lord, he was baptized (Acts 16:32-33; cf. Romans 10:17). On the day of Pentecost, the Jews were at Fabens …. they were told to “Repent” since it is obvious they already believed what Peter was preaching (the gospel – Acts 2:14-36). Note that they too were baptized “the same day” (Acts 2:41). Saul, was in Socorro. He had already believed and repented (he “knew” the Lord’s will – Acts 22:14). Then he was told to “Arise and be baptized….” (Acts 22:16).

Given the above illustration, we thus conclude that one cannot successfully reach the end of the road to salvation without rendering obedience to the three inspired answers provided by Paul and Silas, Peter, and Ananias “” “Believe”; “Repent”; and “be Baptized.”