How Did People Become Christians? Examples of Conversion in Acts
At Pentecost, a crowd asked Peter and the other apostles what they should do. On the road to Gaza, a man who had heard Philip preach Jesus asked what hindered him from being baptized. In Philippi, a jailer asked Paul and Silas what he must do to be saved. Their accounts show what was preached, how people responded, and how they began to live as disciples of Jesus Christ.
Acts also gives shorter reports. Sergius Paulus believed. Many in Berea believed. A great number in Antioch believed and turned to the Lord. Were these people saved through the same gospel preached at Pentecost, where Peter commanded repentance and baptism for the remission of sins? Yes. Jesus gave one commission, and His messengers carried the same gospel from place to place. The fuller accounts show what obedience to that gospel involved. Crispus is a particularly clear example because Luke reports that he believed and Paul tells us that he baptized him.
1 Corinthians 15:3–4 — KJV
3 For I delivered unto you first of all that which I also received, how that Christ died for our sins according to the scriptures;
4 And that he was buried, and that he rose again the third day according to the scriptures:
The gospel declares what Christ did for our salvation. Jesus also told the apostles what to preach and how those who heard were to respond.
Mark 16:15–16 — KJV
15 And he said unto them, Go ye into all the world, and preach the gospel to every creature.
16 He that believeth and is baptized shall be saved; but he that believeth not shall be damned.
Christ’s commission gives us the standard for reading the accounts in Acts. We can examine what He commanded and see how the people who received the word responded.
Hear the Gospel
In Samaria, Philip preached Christ. Luke identifies what Philip taught and how his hearers responded.
Acts 8:12 — KJV
But when they believed Philip preaching the things concerning the kingdom of God, and the name of Jesus Christ, they were baptized, both men and women.
The Samaritans heard about the kingdom of God and the name of Jesus Christ. They believed the message and were baptized. Luke records the same connection at Corinth.
Acts 18:8 — KJV
And Crispus, the chief ruler of the synagogue, believed on the Lord with all his house; and many of the Corinthians hearing believed, and were baptized.
At Philippi, Lydia was already a worshipper of God. Acts 16:14–15 records that she heard Paul, that the Lord opened her heart to attend to what Paul said, and that she and her household were baptized. In Samaria, Corinth, and Philippi, people heard the word before they acted on it.
Believe in Christ
Paul and Silas had been beaten and put in the inner prison with their feet in the stocks. At midnight, while they prayed and sang praises to God, an earthquake shook the prison, opened its doors, and loosened the prisoners’ bands. The jailer awoke, supposed the prisoners had escaped, and was about to kill himself. Paul called out that they were all still there. The jailer called for a light, came in trembling, and fell down before Paul and Silas (Acts 16:23–29). Then he asked what he must do to be saved.
Acts 16:30–34 — KJV
30 And brought them out, and said, Sirs, what must I do to be saved?
31 And they said, Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ, and thou shalt be saved, and thy house.
32 And they spake unto him the word of the Lord, and to all that were in his house.
33 And he took them the same hour of the night, and washed their stripes; and was baptized, he and all his, straightway.
34 And when he had brought them into his house, he set meat before them, and rejoiced, believing in God with all his house.
What Did the Jailer Do When He Was Told to Believe?
Verse 31 gives the jailer an instruction. Luke reports the response in the verses that follow. In verse 32, Paul and Silas teach the word of the Lord to him and to everyone in his house. That teaching gave the household a basis for faith in Jesus.
Romans 10:17 — KJV
So then faith cometh by hearing, and hearing by the word of God.
In verse 33, the jailer washes their stripes, and he and his household are baptized that same hour. In verse 34, Luke describes the jailer rejoicing, believing in God with all his house. Luke places that description after the teaching and baptism. Acts 16:32–34 answers a faith-only reading of Acts 16:31. The jailer’s response to the instruction to believe included hearing the word and being baptized that night. That fits what Jesus taught in Mark 16:16.
Where Is Repentance in the Jailer’s Conversion?
Acts 16:33 records that the jailer washed the stripes of the men he had secured in the inner prison. Verse 34 records that he brought them into his house and fed them. These actions show a change in his conduct and are consistent with repentance. Luke leaves the words and details of the household’s repentance unstated. Paul’s own description of what he preached supplies the connection.
Acts 26:20 — KJV
But shewed first unto them of Damascus, and at Jerusalem, and throughout all the coasts of Judæa, and then to the Gentiles, that they should repent and turn to God, and do works meet for repentance.
Paul taught people to turn to God and act in ways that fit repentance. He also taught that God commands all people everywhere to repent (Acts 17:30). That requirement applied in Philippi. In the chart, washing the stripes appears under repentance as conduct consistent with repentance. The requirement itself rests on the gospel Paul preached.
Repent of Sin
At Pentecost, Peter preached that Jesus had been crucified, that God had raised Him from the dead, and that Jesus is both Lord and Christ (Acts 2:22–36). His hearers were pricked in their hearts and asked what they should do (verse 37).
Acts 2:38 — KJV
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.
Peter’s hearers were already distressed. Repentance required them to turn from sin and submit to the Jesus they had rejected. Peter joined repentance to baptism in Jesus Christ’s name for the remission of sins.
At Solomon’s Porch, Peter again called his hearers to turn. Acts 3:19 connects repentance and conversion with the blotting out of sins. Acts 3:26 describes the blessing of being turned away from iniquity. Acts 4:4 reports that many who heard the word believed. Peter’s preaching in Acts 3 and his instruction in Acts 2 help us understand the kind of response that follows hearing the gospel.
The same call reached the Gentiles. When Peter told the brethren in Jerusalem what happened in Cornelius’s household, they acknowledged that God had granted the Gentiles repentance unto life (Acts 11:18). In Athens, Paul preached God’s command for all people everywhere to repent (Acts 17:30).
Confess Christ
Philip began with the passage the Ethiopian eunuch was reading and preached Jesus to him. When they came to water, the eunuch asked what hindered him from being baptized.
Acts 8:35–38 — KJV
35 Then Philip opened his mouth, and began at the same scripture, and preached unto him Jesus.
36 And as they went on their way, they came unto a certain water: and the eunuch said, See, here is water; what doth hinder me to be baptized?
37 And Philip said, If thou believest with all thine heart, thou mayest. And he answered and said, I believe that Jesus Christ is the Son of God.
38 And he commanded the chariot to stand still: and they went down both into the water, both Philip and the eunuch; and he baptized him.
Before going down into the water, the eunuch declared his faith that Jesus Christ is the Son of God. His response illustrates what Paul teaches in Romans 10:9–10. Faith in the risen Lord is held in the heart and confessed with the mouth. Acts 8:39 records that the eunuch went on his way rejoicing.
Be Baptized into Christ
Saul of Tarsus
The risen Jesus appeared to Saul on the road to Damascus and told him to go into the city for further instruction. Acts 9:9–11 records that Saul went three days without sight, food, or drink, and that he was praying. When Ananias came to him, he gave Saul this instruction.
Acts 22:16 — KJV
And now why tarriest thou? arise, and be baptized, and wash away thy sins, calling on the name of the Lord.
Acts 9:18 records that Saul was baptized. In Acts 22, Saul recounts Ananias’s instruction and gives the connection between baptism, the washing away of sins, and calling on the name of the Lord. The two passages tell us about the same conversion.
Cornelius and His Household
Peter preached Jesus’ death and resurrection and declared the promise of forgiveness to those who believe in Him.
Acts 10:43 — KJV
To him give all the prophets witness, that through his name whosoever believeth in him shall receive remission of sins.
While Peter was speaking, the Holy Ghost fell on those who heard the word. The Jewish believers with Peter were astonished that the gift had been poured out on Gentiles (Acts 10:44–46). Peter then addressed whether these hearers should be baptized in water.
Acts 10:47–48 — KJV
47 Can any man forbid water, that these should not be baptized, which have received the Holy Ghost as well as we?
48 And he commanded them to be baptized in the name of the Lord. Then prayed they him to tarry certain days.
The same apostle who promised remission of sins to believers commanded those same hearers to be baptized in water. When Peter explained the event in Jerusalem, the brethren acknowledged that God had granted the Gentiles repentance unto life (Acts 11:15–18). Peter later described the Gentiles hearing the gospel and believing (Acts 15:7–9). The same gospel that called Jews to repent and be baptized at Pentecost reached the Gentiles in Cornelius’s house.
The Twelve at Ephesus
Paul asked the disciples whether they had received the Holy Ghost since they believed. Their answer led him to ask unto what they had been baptized. They had received John’s baptism (Acts 19:1–3).
Acts 19:4–5 — KJV
4 Then said Paul, John verily baptized with the baptism of repentance, saying unto the people, that they should believe on him which should come after him, that is, on Christ Jesus.
5 When they heard this, they were baptized in the name of the Lord Jesus.
John’s baptism had been a baptism of repentance for the remission of sins during his ministry (Mark 1:4). John directed his hearers toward the Christ who was coming. After Jesus’ death and resurrection, the disciples at Ephesus heard Paul’s teaching and were baptized in the name of the Lord Jesus. Their response shows why we must examine the baptism we received in light of what Christ authorized.
How Our Obedience Follows the Form of the Gospel
Romans 6:3–4 — KJV
3 Know ye not, that so many of us as were baptized into Jesus Christ were baptized into his death?
4 Therefore we are buried with him by baptism into death: that like as Christ was raised up from the dead by the glory of the Father, even so we also should walk in newness of life.
Romans 6:17–18 — KJV
17 But God be thanked, that ye were the servants of sin, but ye have obeyed from the heart that form of doctrine which was delivered you.
18 Being then made free from sin, ye became the servants of righteousness.
| What Christ did · 1 Corinthians 15:3–4 | How we respond · Romans 6:3–6, 17–18 |
|---|---|
| Christ died for our sins. | In repentance we turn from sin, and in baptism we are baptized into Christ’s death. Paul describes the old man as crucified with Him so that we should no longer serve sin. |
| Christ was buried. | We are buried with Him by baptism into death. |
| Christ rose again the third day. | We are raised to walk in newness of life and to serve righteousness. |
Jesus said His blood was shed for the remission of sins (Matthew 26:28). John witnessed the blood and water that came from Jesus’ pierced side (John 19:34–35). Acts 2:38 states that baptism in Jesus Christ’s name is for the remission of sins. Romans 6 explains how we are baptized into Christ and into the death in which He shed His blood for us. Those who obey from the heart are made free from sin and become servants of righteousness.
Continue Faithfully
Acts 2:41–42 — KJV
41 Then they that gladly received his word were baptized: and the same day there were added unto them about three thousand souls.
42 And they continued stedfastly in the apostles’ doctrine and fellowship, and in breaking of bread, and in prayers.
Luke follows the baptism of the Pentecost hearers with their life together. They continued in the apostles’ teaching, in fellowship, in breaking of bread, and in prayers. Acts 2:47 records that the Lord added the saved to the church. That sequence helps explain later reports of believers being added and churches growing.
Simon’s case shows what a Christian must do when he sins. Simon believed and was baptized in Samaria (Acts 8:13). When he later tried to buy the power to impart the Holy Ghost, Peter told him to repent of that wickedness and pray to God for forgiveness (Acts 8:18–24). The command in Acts 8:22 addresses a sin Simon committed after his baptism.
Conversions in Acts at a Glance
Read across each row to see the preaching, response, and result. Unstated means the cited account leaves that detail unreported. A command tells us what the hearers were required to do. A recorded action tells us what the account says they did. Christ’s commission and the apostles’ teaching apply across the accounts (Mark 16:15–16, Acts 17:30, and Romans 10:9–10).
| Conversion account | Teaching or preaching | Hear | Believe | Repent | Confess Christ | Be baptized | Result or promise |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Pentecost · Acts 2:14–47 | Peter proclaimed the crucified and risen Jesus as Lord and Christ (2:22–36). | They heard Peter (2:37). | They received his word. Luke identifies the believers (2:41, 44). | Peter commanded repentance (2:38). | Unstated. | Commanded in 2:38. Those who received the word were baptized in 2:41. | Remission of sins and the gift of the Holy Ghost promised (2:38). About three thousand added. They continued steadfastly (2:41–42, 47). |
| Solomon’s Porch and the hearers in Jerusalem · Acts 3:12–4:4 | Peter preached Jesus and His resurrection (3:12–26, 4:2). | Many heard the word (4:4). | Many believed. The number of the men was about five thousand (4:4). | Peter commanded repentance and conversion (3:19) and spoke of turning from iniquity (3:26). | Unstated. | Unstated in this report. Compare Peter’s instruction in Acts 2:38. | Peter connects repentance and conversion with sins being blotted out and times of refreshing (3:19). |
| The Samaritans · Acts 8:5–12 | Philip preached Christ, the kingdom of God, and Jesus Christ’s name (8:5, 12). | The people gave heed to Philip (8:6). | Men and women believed Philip’s preaching (8:12). | Unstated. | Unstated. | Men and women were baptized (8:12). | Luke reports great joy in the city during Philip’s ministry (8:8). |
| Simon · Acts 8:12–24 | Philip preached in Samaria (8:12–13). | Luke reports Simon’s response to Philip’s preaching (8:12–13). | Simon believed (8:13). | At conversion, unstated. Peter commanded repentance for a later sin (8:22). | Unstated. | Simon was baptized (8:13). | He continued with Philip (8:13). After Peter rebuked him for his later sin, Simon asked for prayer (8:20–24). |
| The Ethiopian eunuch · Acts 8:26–39 | Philip began with Isaiah and preached Jesus (8:32–35). | The eunuch received Philip’s teaching and asked about baptism (8:35–36). | He expressed belief from the heart (8:37). | Unstated. | He confessed Jesus Christ as the Son of God (8:37). | Philip baptized him in water (8:38–39). | He went on his way rejoicing (8:39). |
| Saul of Tarsus · Acts 9:1–20 and 22:6–16 | Jesus spoke to Saul. Ananias brought further instruction (9:4–6, 17 and 22:12–16). | Saul heard Jesus and Ananias (22:7–10, 14–16). | Saul submitted to the risen Lord’s direction (22:10–11). | Saul went from persecuting disciples to preaching Christ (9:1–2, 20). His repentance at conversion is unstated. | Unstated before baptism. He later preached that Jesus is the Son of God (9:20). | Ananias instructed him to be baptized (22:16). Saul was baptized (9:18). | Ananias connected baptism with washing away Saul’s sins and calling on the Lord (22:16). |
| Cornelius and his household · Acts 10:34–48, 11:15–18, and 15:7–9 | Peter preached Jesus’ death, resurrection, and remission of sins through His name (10:34–43). | They heard Peter’s word (10:44). | Peter later described the Gentiles hearing the gospel and believing (15:7). | The brethren acknowledged that God granted Gentiles repentance unto life (11:18). | Unstated. | Peter commanded water baptism in the Lord’s name (10:47–48). | Remission of sins promised to believers (10:43). The Holy Ghost fell while Peter was speaking (10:44). |
| Lydia and her household · Acts 16:13–15 | Paul spoke at the place of prayer (16:13–14). | Lydia heard and attended to what Paul said (16:14). | The Lord opened her heart, and she referred to being judged faithful to the Lord (16:14–15). | Unstated. | Unstated. | Lydia and her household were baptized (16:15). | Lydia invited Paul and his companions to stay in her house (16:15). |
| The Philippian jailer and his household · Acts 16:23–34 | Paul and Silas told him to believe on Jesus and spoke the word of the Lord (16:31–32). | The word was spoken to him and to all in his house (16:32). | Belief was commanded in 16:31. Luke describes the jailer believing with his house in 16:34. | He washed their stripes (16:33), conduct consistent with repentance. Compare Paul’s teaching in Acts 26:20. | Unstated. | He and his household were baptized that same hour (16:33). | Salvation promised in 16:31. Luke records his rejoicing in 16:34. |
| Crispus and the Corinthians · Acts 18:4–8 and 1 Corinthians 1:14 | Paul testified that Jesus was Christ (18:4–5). | Many Corinthians heard (18:8). | Crispus believed with his household. Many Corinthians believed (18:8). | Unstated. | Unstated. | Many Corinthians were baptized (18:8). Paul personally baptized Crispus (1 Corinthians 1:14). | The two accounts together show that Crispus’s recorded belief was accompanied by baptism. |
| The twelve at Ephesus · Acts 19:1–7 | Paul explained that John directed hearers to believe on Christ Jesus (19:4). | They heard Paul’s instruction (19:5). | Paul asked about their earlier belief and directed them to Christ Jesus (19:2, 4). | Paul describes John’s baptism of repentance (19:4). Their repentance when they heard Paul is unstated. | Unstated. | They were baptized in the name of the Lord Jesus (19:5). | The Holy Ghost came on them when Paul laid his hands on them (19:6). |
What Does Acts Mean When It Says People Believed?
Acts 18:8 says Crispus believed on the Lord with all his house. Paul supplies a further detail about Crispus himself.
1 Corinthians 1:14 — KJV
I thank God that I baptized none of you, but Crispus and Gaius;
Luke says Crispus believed. Paul says he baptized Crispus. Both statements describe the same man. Here Scripture confirms that a person described as having believed also obeyed the command to be baptized. Cornelius illustrates the same connection in one account. Peter promised remission of sins to believers and commanded water baptism. The jailer’s account shows what followed the instruction to believe. His household heard the word and was baptized that night.
Saving faith obeys Christ, including His command to repent and be baptized for the remission of sins. The same gospel reached Sergius Paulus, the Bereans, and the other hearers in Acts. The commands establish what Christ required. The individual accounts tell us which parts of the response Luke records. That lets us recognize obedient faith in a brief report while speaking precisely about the details we can establish from Scripture.
Abraham Shows the Character of Obedient Faith
Romans 4:3 — KJV
For what saith the scripture? Abraham believed God, and it was counted unto him for righteousness.
Hebrews 11:8–10 — KJV
8 By faith Abraham, when he was called to go out into a place which he should after receive for an inheritance, obeyed; and he went out, not knowing whither he went.
9 By faith he sojourned in the land of promise, as in a strange country, dwelling in tabernacles with Isaac and Jacob, the heirs with him of the same promise:
10 For he looked for a city which hath foundations, whose builder and maker is God.
Abraham trusted God enough to go where God called him and to live in expectation of what God promised. James draws on a later event to show his faith working with his actions.
James 2:21–24 — KJV
21 Was not Abraham our father justified by works, when he had offered Isaac his son upon the altar?
22 Seest thou how faith wrought with his works, and by works was faith made perfect?
23 And the scripture was fulfilled which saith, Abraham believed God, and it was imputed unto him for righteousness: and he was called the Friend of God.
24 Ye see then how that by works a man is justified, and not by faith only.
Abraham lived long before the gospel was preached at Pentecost. His obedience shows the character of faith that pleases God. Christ and His apostles give the commands by which that faith responds to the gospel today.
How the Additional Reports Fit the Same Gospel
The comparison below connects Luke’s shorter reports of belief, turning to the Lord, and growth with the gospel taught in the fuller accounts.
| Passage | What Luke records | How it connects to obeying the gospel |
|---|---|---|
| Acts 4:4 | Many who heard the word believed. The number of the men was about five thousand. | Peter’s preceding sermon called his hearers to repent and be converted so their sins might be blotted out (Acts 3:19). His instruction in Acts 2:38 joins repentance and baptism for remission of sins. The number in Acts 4:4 describes the men at that point. The number newly converted that day is unstated. |
| Acts 5:14 | Multitudes of men and women were added to the Lord. | Acts 2:38, 41, and 47 shows what being added looks like in a fuller account. The hearers received the word and were baptized, and the Lord added the saved. |
| Acts 6:1 | The disciples multiplied as a dispute arose over the daily care of widows. | Acts 2:41–42 describes how the Jerusalem disciples received the word, were baptized, and continued in the apostles’ teaching. Acts 6:7 connects the growth of that community with the word increasing and people obeying the faith. |
| Acts 6:7 | The word increased, the disciples multiplied, and a great company of priests obeyed the faith. | Luke expressly describes their response as obedience. Romans 6:3–4, 17–18 describes people who were baptized into Christ, obeyed from the heart, and were made free from sin. |
| Acts 9:31 | The churches in Judaea, Galilee, and Samaria had rest, were edified, and multiplied. | Acts 8:5–12 records people in Samaria hearing Christ preached, believing, and being baptized. Acts 9:31 shows the growth and edification of churches that included Samaria. |
| Acts 9:35 | Those who saw Aeneas after his healing at Lydda and Saron turned to the Lord. | After another healing, Peter directed attention to Jesus and called the hearers to repent and be converted for the blotting out of sins (Acts 3:16–19). That preaching gives content to the call to turn to the Lord. |
| Acts 9:42 | News of what happened to Tabitha spread in Joppa, and many believed in the Lord. | Acts 8:6, 12 provides a fuller parallel. People saw signs and heard the preaching, then believed and were baptized. That example shows how people whose attention was drawn to the Lord by signs responded to His word. |
| Acts 11:21 | After the Lord Jesus was preached in Antioch of Syria, many believed and turned to the Lord. | Luke joins belief and turning. Acts 3:19 connects turning with repentance and forgiveness. Acts 2:38 joins repentance with baptism for the remission of sins. |
| Acts 11:24 | Many were added to the Lord during Barnabas’s ministry in the same Antioch account. | Acts 11:21–24 reports believing and turning, being encouraged to cleave to the Lord, and being added. Acts 2:38–47 gives the fuller parallel of receiving the word, being baptized, being added, and continuing faithfully. |
| Acts 12:24 | The word of God grew and multiplied. | Acts 19:18–20 shows what the growth of the word could look like in people’s lives. Believers disclosed their deeds, and many who had practiced curious arts burned their books. |
| Acts 13:7–12 | Sergius Paulus sought to hear the word of God and believed. | Compare Crispus, whom Luke describes as believing and whom Paul says he baptized (Acts 18:8 and 1 Corinthians 1:14). Christ’s commission in Mark 16:15–16 gives the response required of gospel hearers, including those in Cyprus. |
| Acts 13:48–49 | The Gentiles in Antioch in Pisidia heard the message and were glad. Those ordained to eternal life believed, and the word spread throughout the region. | Paul had preached forgiveness and justification through Jesus to those who believe (Acts 13:38–39). Peter’s promise of remission to believers and command to baptize the Gentiles in Cornelius’s house show how that promise fits the command to be baptized (Acts 10:43, 47–48). |
| Acts 14:1 | A great multitude of Jews and Greeks in Iconium believed after Paul and Barnabas spoke. | Paul also addressed Jews and Greeks in Corinth. There Luke records the fuller response of hearing, believing, and being baptized (Acts 18:4–8). |
| Acts 14:20–21 | Paul and Barnabas preached the gospel in Derbe and taught many. They returned through other cities and strengthened disciples (verse 22). | Christ’s commission connects teaching the nations and baptizing them with continued instruction in His commands (Matthew 28:19–20). Acts 14:21–22 shows the preaching and the work of strengthening disciples to continue in the faith. |
| Acts 16:5 | The churches were established in the faith and increased in number daily. | Later in the chapter, Lydia attends to Paul’s teaching and is baptized, and the jailer’s household hears the word and is baptized that night (Acts 16:14–15, 30–34). These accounts show how preaching led people to obey the gospel. |
| Acts 17:1–4 | In Thessalonica, Paul preached Christ’s suffering and resurrection. Some believed and joined Paul and Silas. | Paul later describes the Thessalonians turning from idols to serve God (1 Thessalonians 1:8–10). His letter shows the change that accompanied their faith. Acts 2:38 explains how repentance and baptism belong to the response to the risen Christ. |
| Acts 17:11–12 | The Bereans received the word readily, searched the Scriptures daily, and many believed. | Acts 2:41 records people receiving the word and being baptized. Romans 10:17 connects hearing the word with faith, and Mark 16:16 connects belief and baptism with salvation. The Bereans illustrate how receiving and examining the message leads to faith. |
| Acts 17:32–34 | Some in Athens mocked, others wanted to hear again, and some believed, including Dionysius and Damaris. | Paul had just preached that God commands everyone to repent and will judge the world by the risen Christ (Acts 17:30–31). The people who believed responded to a message that expressly called for repentance. |
| Acts 19:18–19 | Believers disclosed their deeds, and many who had practiced curious arts burned their books. | Acts 26:20 joins repentance and turning to God with conduct that fits repentance. The burning of the books shows people abandoning a former practice. The baptism of the twelve in the name of the Lord Jesus is recorded earlier in Acts 19:1–7. |
The Connected Biblical Pattern
Hear the Gospel → Believe in Christ → Repent of Sin → Confess Christ → Be Baptized into Christ → Continue Faithfully
The word preached brings people to faith in Jesus. That faith turns from sin in repentance, confesses Jesus as the Son of God, and submits to baptism into Christ for the remission of sins. Those who have put on Christ continue under His teaching. The commands explain what the Lord requires, and Acts shows people responding to those commands.
Personal Examination
| Teaching | Question to ask | Scripture to examine |
|---|---|---|
| Hear the Gospel | Can I explain what the apostles preached about Jesus’ death, burial, and resurrection? | 1 Corinthians 15:3–4 and Acts 2:22–36 |
| Believe in Christ | Does my response to the Lord’s word resemble the jailer’s response when he was told to believe? | Acts 16:30–34 |
| Repent of Sin | What have I turned from, and what has changed in my conduct as a result? | Acts 2:37–38, Acts 26:20, and 1 Thessalonians 1:9 |
| Confess Christ | Have I confessed from the heart that Jesus Christ is the Son of God? | Romans 10:9–10 and Acts 8:35–38 |
| Be Baptized into Christ | Was I baptized in Jesus Christ’s name for the remission of sins? | Acts 2:38, Acts 22:16, and Romans 6:3–4 |
| Continue Faithfully | Am I continuing in the apostles’ teaching and repenting when the Lord’s word exposes sin in my life? | Acts 2:42 and Acts 8:22–24 |
Does My Response Agree with My Profession?
John 14:15 — KJV
If ye love me, keep my commandments.
1 John 2:4 — KJV
He that saith, I know him, and keepeth not his commandments, is a liar, and the truth is not in him.
Jesus connects love for Him with keeping His commandments. John calls the person who claims to know the Lord while refusing to keep His commandments a liar. Applied to conversion, a person who claims to be a Christian while refusing the gospel makes a false profession. A person who has yet to obey the gospel has yet to become a Christian. Galatians 3:26–27 connects being children of God by faith with putting on Christ in baptism.
2 Thessalonians 1:8–9 — KJV
8 In flaming fire taking vengeance on them that know not God, and that obey not the gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ:
9 Who shall be punished with everlasting destruction from the presence of the Lord, and from the glory of his power;
Those who remain in disobedience to the gospel will be lost. Jesus said that the word He spoke will judge the person who rejects it in the last day (John 12:48). Compare your own response with what the apostles taught and what their hearers did. If the word shows a step you have yet to take, do what Christ requires. If you have obeyed the gospel, continue steadfastly as the first disciples did.
Open the Scriptures. Examine the teaching. Follow what God has revealed.
THAT IS THE BIBLICAL PATTERN.
ALLOW SCRIPTURE TO INTERPRET SCRIPTURE.
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