Acts chapter 3 salvation teaching

            Here is the powerful story in Acts three and the first few verses of chapter 4 of the healing of the guy of the temple gate, and its aftermath which brought many thousands of people to the Lord in the early days of the church. It is a story of God’s mercy on one person through the apostles

In Acts chapter 3 tells of the miraculous healing of the man at the temple gate and also another message of salvation again encouraging people to repent and be baptized for refreshment

(Acts 3:1)  Now Peter and John were going up to the temple at the hour of prayer, the ninth hour.

(Acts 3:2)  And a man lame from birth was being carried, whom they laid daily at the gate of the temple that is called the Beautiful Gate to ask alms of those entering the temple.

(Acts 3:3)  Seeing Peter and John about to go into the temple, he asked to receive alms.

(Acts 3:4)  And Peter directed his gaze at him, as did John, and said, "Look at us."

(Acts 3:5)  And he fixed his attention on them, expecting to receive something from them.

(Acts 3:6)  But Peter said, "I have no silver and gold, but what I do have I give to you. In the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth, rise up and walk!"

(Acts 3:7)  And he took him by the right hand and raised him up, and immediately his feet and ankles were made strong.

(Acts 3:8)  And leaping up he stood and began to walk, and entered the temple with them, walking and leaping and praising God.

(Acts 3:9)  And all the people saw him walking and praising God,

(Acts 3:10)  and recognized him as the one who sat at the Beautiful Gate of the temple, asking for alms. And they were filled with wonder and amazement at what had happened to him.

(Acts 3:11)  While he clung to Peter and John, all the people, utterly astounded, ran together to them in the portico called Solomon's.

(Acts 3:12)  And when Peter saw it he addressed the people: "Men of Israel, why do you wonder at this, or why do you stare at us, as though by our own power or piety we have made him walk?

(Acts 3:13)  The God of Abraham, the God of Isaac, and the God of Jacob, the God of our fathers, glorified his servant Jesus, whom you delivered over and denied in the presence of Pilate, when he had decided to release him.

(Acts 3:14)  But you denied the Holy and Righteous One, and asked for a murderer to be granted to you,

(Acts 3:15)  and you killed the Author of life, whom God raised from the dead. To this we are witnesses.

(Acts 3:16)  And his name--by faith in his name--has made this man strong whom you see and know, and the faith that is through Jesus has given the man this perfect health in the presence of you all.

(Acts 3:17)  "And now, brothers, I know that you acted in ignorance, as did also your rulers.

(Acts 3:18)  But what God foretold by the mouth of all the prophets, that his Christ would suffer, he thus fulfilled.

(Acts 3:19)  Repent therefore, and turn again, that your sins may be blotted out,

(Acts 3:20)  that times of refreshing may come from the presence of the Lord, and that he may send the Christ appointed for you, Jesus,

(Acts 3:21)  whom heaven must receive until the time for restoring all the things about which God spoke by the mouth of his holy prophets long ago.

(Acts 3:22)  Moses said, 'The Lord God will raise up for you a prophet like me from your brothers. You shall listen to him in whatever he tells you.

(Acts 3:23)  And it shall be that every soul who does not listen to that prophet shall be destroyed from the people.'

(Acts 3:24)  And all the prophets who have spoken, from Samuel and those who came after him, also proclaimed these days.

(Acts 3:25)  You are the sons of the prophets and of the covenant that God made with your fathers, saying to Abraham, 'And in your offspring shall all the families of the earth be blessed.'

(Acts 3:26)  God, having raised up his servant, sent him to you first, to bless you by turning every one of you from your wickedness."

(Acts 4:1)  And as they were speaking to the people, the priests and the captain of the temple and the Sadducees came upon them,

(Acts 4:2)  greatly annoyed because they were teaching the people and proclaiming in Jesus the resurrection from the dead.

(Acts 4:3)  And they arrested them and put them in custody until the next day, for it was already evening.

(Acts 4:4)  But many of those who had heard the word believed, and the number of the men came to about five thousand.

This does not count women and children either, so as with the feeding of the 5000 likely the number is much higher. I back this story up with these five verses in acts chapter 5 where the apostles do more healing and even more were coming to the Lord

(Act 5:12)  Now many signs and wonders were regularly done among the people by the hands of the apostles. And they were all together in Solomon's Portico.

(Act 5:13)  None of the rest dared join them, but the people held them in high esteem.

(Act 5:14)  And more than ever believers were added to the Lord, multitudes of both men and women,

(Act 5:15)  so that they even carried out the sick into the streets and laid them on cots and mats, that as Peter came by at least his shadow might fall on some of them.

(Act 5:16)  The people also gathered from the towns around Jerusalem, bringing the sick and those afflicted with unclean spirits, and they were all healed.

The Apostles in Acts were merely obeying the instructions in Mark chapter 16 at the end which I give you in obedience to them too, then following this up with the gospel message

(Mark 16:15)  And He said to them, "Go into all the world and proclaim the gospel to all creation.

(Mark 16:16)  He that believes and is baptized shall be saved; but he that does not believe shall be condemned.

(Mark 16:17)  And these signs shall accompany those who have believed: In My name they shall cast out demons; they shall speak with new tongues;

(Mark 16:18)  they shall pick up serpents; and if they drink anything deadly, it shall by no means hurt them; they shall lay hands on the sick, and they shall be well."

(Mark 16:19)  So then, after the Lord had spoken to them, He was taken up into heaven, and sat down at the right hand of God.

(Mark 16:20)  And they went out and preached everywhere, the Lord working with them and confirming the word through the accompanying signs. Amen.

Now in John chapter 3 then Jesus came because God loved the world that He did give up His only Son that all those who believe in Him might be saved and won.

In John chapter 3 Jesus then states that He must be lifted up and that God sent Him in this world so that people may have eternal life, those who believe in the Name of Jesus.

(John 3:14)  And as Moses lifted up the serpent in the wilderness, so must the Son of Man be lifted up,

(John 3:15)  that whoever believes in him may have eternal life.

 (John 3:16)  "For God so loved the world, that he gave his only Son, that whoever believes in him should not perish but have eternal life.

(John 3:17)  For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but in order that the world might be saved through him.

(John 3:18)  Whoever believes in him is not condemned, but whoever does not believe is condemned already, because he has not believed in the name of the only Son of God.

(John 3:19)  And this is the judgment: the light has come into the world, and people loved the darkness rather than the light because their works were evil.

(John 3:20)  For everyone who does wicked things hates the light and does not come to the light, lest his works should be exposed.

(John 3:21)  But whoever does what is true comes to the light, so that it may be clearly seen that his works have been carried out in God."

Here John the Baptist is speaking of Jesus in these two verses

(John 3:35)  The Father loves the Son and has given all things into his hand.

(John 3:36)  Whoever believes in the Son has eternal life; whoever does not obey the Son shall not see life, but the wrath of God remains on him.

These three verses in John chapter 5 further drive home the point of Jesus having life for His believers

(John 5:24)  Truly, truly, I say to you, whoever hears my word and believes him who sent me has eternal life. He does not come into judgment, but has passed from death to life.

(John 5:25)  "Truly, truly, I say to you, an hour is coming, and is now here, when the dead will hear the voice of the Son of God, and those who hear will live.

And it does indeed say yet in another spot in scripture-Romans 10 verse 13 that those who call on the name of the Lord will be saved

Here is a tract featuring some teachings in Romans and in Hebrews. I am starting though by reminding us that we all have fallen short of God’s expectations as stated in Romans chapter 3

(Romans 3:23)  for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God,

(Romans 3:24)  and are justified by his grace as a gift, through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus,

(Romans 3:25)  whom God put forward as a propitiation by his blood, to be received by faith. This was to show God's righteousness, because in his divine forbearance he had passed over former sins.

Also that we were slaves to sin and now, which we were slaves to sin and now we can be slaves to righteousness in Jesus, getting the free gift of eternal life in Jesus

(Romans 6:20)  For when you were slaves of sin, you were free in regard to righteousness.

(Romans 6:21)  But what fruit were you getting at that time from the things of which you are now ashamed? For the end of those things is death.

(Romans 6:22)  But now that you have been set free from sin and have become slaves of God, the fruit you get leads to sanctification and its end, eternal life.

(Romans 6:23)  For the wages of sin is death, but the free gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord

Romans chapter 5 states that Jesus died for us while we were weak and that as sin came through one man righteousness came from one man’s obedience- Jesus to death so that the gift of God can be given- this is verses 6 through 11

(Romans 5:6)  For while we were still weak, at the right time Christ died for the ungodly.

(Romans 5:7)  For one will scarcely die for a righteous person--though perhaps for a good person one would dare even to die--

(Romans 5:8)  but God shows his love for us in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us.

(Romans 5:9)  Since, therefore, we have now been justified by his blood, much more shall we be saved by him from the wrath of God.

(Romans 5:10)  For if while we were enemies we were reconciled to God by the death of his Son, much more, now that we are reconciled, shall we be saved by his life.

(Romans 5:11)  More than that, we also rejoice in God through our Lord Jesus Christ, through whom we have now received reconciliation

As some of the above verses do remind us, this verse really drives home the point that eternal life from heaven is really a gift from God and cannot be earned in any way by our own works  so God Himself has provided the means to escape hell and to have eternal life with Him.

(Ephesians 2:8)  For by grace you have been saved through faith. And this is not your own doing; it is the gift of God,

(Ephesians 2:9)  not a result of works, so that no one may boast.

(2 Corinthians 9:15)  Thanks be to God for his inexpressible gift!

The scriptures in 1 Timothy which encourage prayer and supplication for God wants all people to be saved as stated in these verses

(1 Timothy 2:1)  First of all, then, I urge that supplications, prayers, intercessions, and thanksgivings be made for all people,

(1 Timothy 2:2)  for kings and all who are in high positions, that we may lead a peaceful and quiet life, godly and dignified in every way.

(1 Timothy 2:3)  This is good, and it is pleasing in the sight of God our Savior,

(1 Timothy 2:4)  who desires all people to be saved and to come to the knowledge of the truth.

(1 Timothy 2:5)  For there is one God, and there is one mediator between God and men, the man Christ Jesus,

(1 Timothy 2:6)  who gave himself as a ransom for all, which is the testimony given at the proper time.

The verses in Titus also stress and reinforce the message in Timothy, above, on salvation

(Titus 2:11)  For the grace of God has appeared, bringing salvation for all people,

(Titus 2:12)  training us to renounce ungodliness and worldly passions, and to live self-controlled, upright, and godly lives in the present age,

(Titus 2:13)  waiting for our blessed hope, the appearing of the glory of our great God and Savior Jesus Christ,

(Titus 2:14)  who gave himself for us to redeem us from all lawlessness and to purify for himself a people for his own possession who are zealous for good works.

(Titus 2:15)  Declare these things; exhort and rebuke with all authority. Let no one disregard you.

These two verses in 1 Peter shed more light on this purpose of Jesus

(1 Peter 2:24)  He himself bore our sins in his body on the tree, that we might die to sin and live to righteousness. By his wounds you have been healed.

(1 Peter 2:25)  For you were straying like sheep, but have now returned to the Shepherd and Overseer of your souls

That message also is here in this 1 Peter 3 verse

(1 Peter 3:18)  For Christ also suffered once for sins, the righteous for the unrighteous, that he might bring us to God, being put to death in the flesh but made alive in the spirit

And so does these two verses in 2 Peter 3 for time is nothing to the Lord and He wants all to come to repentance and is patient

(2 Peter 3:8)  But do not overlook this one fact, beloved, that with the Lord one day is as a thousand years, and a thousand years as one day.

(2 Peter 3:9)  The Lord is not slow to fulfill his promise as some count slowness, but is patient toward you, not wishing that any should perish, but that all should reach repentance.

These two verses in 1 John 2 also state how Jesus was the propitiation for our sins and all mankind’s

(1 John 2:1)  My little children, I am writing these things to you so that you may not sin. But if anyone does sin, we have an advocate with the Father, Jesus Christ the righteous.

(1 John 2:2)  He is the propitiation for our sins, and not for ours only but also for the sins of the whole world.

Also a very similar message is given in these two verses in 1 John chapter 4 how God loved us and sent Jesus to be a propitiation for our sins

(1 John 4:9)  In this the love of God was made manifest among us, that God sent his only Son into the world, so that we might live through him.

(1 John 4:10)  In this is love, not that we have loved God but that he loved us and sent his Son to be the propitiation for our sins.

And here is this passage in 1 John 5 which reinforces the 1 Timothy passage well, stating the power of prayer but also the gospel message of how it is necessary to have the Son of God to have eternal life.

(1 John 5:5)  Who is it that overcomes the world except the one who believes that Jesus is the Son of God?

(1 John 5:6)  This is he who came by water and blood--Jesus Christ; not by the water only but by the water and the blood. And the Spirit is the one who testifies, because the Spirit is the truth.

(1 John 5:7)  For there are three that testify:

(1 John 5:8)  the Spirit and the water and the blood; and these three agree.

(1 John 5:9)  If we receive the testimony of men, the testimony of God is greater, for this is the testimony of God that he has borne concerning his Son.

(1 John 5:10)  Whoever believes in the Son of God has the testimony in himself. Whoever does not believe God has made him a liar, because he has not believed in the testimony that God has borne concerning his Son.

(1 John 5:11)  And this is the testimony, that God gave us eternal life, and this life is in his Son.

(1 John 5:12)  Whoever has the Son has life; whoever does not have the Son of God does not have life.

(1 John 5:13)  I write these things to you who believe in the name of the Son of God that you may know that you have eternal life.

In John 14 Jesus then makes it very clear that nobody can come to God but by Him

(John 14:6)  Jesus said to him, "I am the way, and the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me.

But Jesus also makes it clear in Revelation that He indeed is seeking people always

(Revelation 3:20)  Behold, I stand at the door and knock. If anyone hears my voice and opens the door, I will come in to him and eat with him, and he with me.

The verses in Romans ten state how we are to be saved, believing the word which is near to us, to hear it then confess Jesus as Lord and believe God has raised Him from the dead- in that is our key to salvation

 (Romans 10:8)  But what does it say? "The word is near you, in your mouth and in your heart" (that is, the word of faith that we proclaim);

(Romans 10:9)  because, if you confess with your mouth that Jesus is Lord and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved.

(Romans 10:10)  For with the heart one believes and is justified, and with the mouth one confesses and is saved.

(Romans 10:11)  For the Scripture says, "Everyone who believes in him will not be put to shame."

(Romans 10:12)  For there is no distinction between Jew and Greek; for the same Lord is Lord of all, bestowing his riches on all who call on him.

(Romans 10:13)  For "everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved."

(Romans 10:14)  How then will they call on him in whom they have not believed? And how are they to believe in him of whom they have never heard? And how are they to hear without someone preaching?

(Romans 10:15)  And how are they to preach unless they are sent? As it is written, "How beautiful are the feet of those who preach the good news!"

(Romans 10:16)  But they have not all obeyed the gospel. For Isaiah says, "Lord, who has believed what he has heard from us?"

(Romans 10:17)  So faith comes from hearing, and hearing through the word of Christ.

Now those people are now a new creation in Christ

(2 Corinthians 5:17)  Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation. The old has passed away; behold, the new has come

And also at peace with God being justified by faith

(Romans 5:1)  Therefore, since we have been justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ.

(Romans 5:2)  Through him we have also obtained access by faith into this grace in which we stand, and we rejoice in hope of the glory of God.

These two verses promise no condemnation with those in Jesus

(Romans 8:1)  There is therefore now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus.

(Romans 8:2)  For the law of the Spirit of life has set you free in Christ Jesus from the law of sin and death

Then it also asks if God is for us then who or what can be against us, in these verses towards the end of Romans chapter 8

(Romans 8:31)  What then shall we say to these things? If God is for us, who can be against us?

(Romans 8:32)  He who did not spare his own Son but gave him up for us all, how will he not also with him graciously give us all things?

(Romans 8:33)  Who shall bring any charge against God's elect? It is God who justifies.

(Romans 8:34)  Who is to condemn? Christ Jesus is the one who died--more than that, who was raised--who is at the right hand of God, who indeed is interceding for us.

(Romans 8:35)  Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? Shall tribulation, or distress, or persecution, or famine, or nakedness, or danger, or sword?

(Romans 8:36)  As it is written, "For your sake we are being killed all the day long; we are regarded as sheep to be slaughtered."

(Romans 8:37)  No, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him who loved us.

And nothing can now separate us from the love of God in Jesus, either

(Romans 8:38)  For I am sure that neither death nor life, nor angels nor rulers, nor things present nor things to come, nor powers,

(Romans 8:39)  nor height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God in Christ Jesus our Lord.

I am sure you have now seen enough now to be ready to pray to be saved. I am now including a short prayer that you can say to ensure that you are saved and have eternal life when you die, going to heaven to be with Jesus forever and not end up going to hell.

Dear God in heaven, I come to you in the name of Jesus. I acknowledge to You that I am a sinner, and I am sorry for my sins and the life that I have lived; I need your forgiveness. I believe that your only begotten Son Jesus Christ shed His precious blood on the cross at Calvary and died for my sins, and I am now willing to turn from my sin. You said in Your Holy Word, Romans 10:9 that if we confess Jesus as our Lord and believe in our hearts that God raised Jesus from the dead, we will be saved. Right now I confess Jesus as the Lord of my soul. With my heart, I believe that God raised Jesus from the dead. This very moment I accept Jesus Christ as my own personal Savior and according to His Word, right now I am saved. Thank you Jesus for your unlimited grace which has saved me from my sins. I thank you Jesus that your grace never leads to license, but rather it always leads to repentance. Therefore Lord Jesus transform my life so that I may bring glory and honor to you alone and not to myself. Thank you Jesus for dying for me and giving me eternal life.

Amen.

God bless you and yours