Bible Studies for Life: February 8

Jesus Saves • Acts 2:22-24, 2:32-41 

By Sydney Charlton

Jesus saves all who trust in Him. I cannot think of a more important statement, as this is foundational to our very existence. Ecclesiastes 3:11 explains the human longing for meaning, stating that God has placed eternity in the hearts of mankind. Though many religious groups have designed systems of morality and teach their own ideas regarding salvation, Scripture is clear: Salvation is found in no one else, for there is no other name under heaven given to mankind by which we must be saved (Acts 4:12, NIV). God made us in His likeness, and part of this grand design includes a longing to be with Him.

Through our understanding and acknowledgement that truth resides in Jesus and that He matters, as we discussed in previous lessons, we will be drawn to trust Him. The more we spend time with Jesus through prayer, Bible study, and church gatherings, the more we find Him to be trustworthy.  

Acts 2:22-24

Salvation comes through the death and resurrection of Jesus. Jesus was sent to be our Savior. 

The God of the universe, the Creator of all things, chose to send His perfect, holy Son to the world to take on the punishment mankind deserved for sin. The wreckage sin caused in Genesis 3 is still present, but because God chose to send Christ to the world so sinners could be reconciled to Him, there is hope! 

Jesus Christ humbly came to earth to be born of a virgin. He grew up in a sinful world, but He never sinned. Being fully God and fully human, He bore the weight of sin on Calvary’s cross, but He didn’t remain there! He was buried in a borrowed tomb, and God raised Him from the dead three days later.

Our Savior defeated death for mankind to have the opportunity to be made alive! “As for you, you were dead in your transgressions and sins, in which you used to live when you followed the ways of this world and of the ruler of the kingdom of the air, the spirit who is now at work in those who are disobedient. All of us also lived among them at one time, gratifying the cravings of our flesh and following its desires and thoughts. Like the rest, we were by nature deserving of wrath. But because of his great love for us, God, who is rich in mercy, made us alive with Christ even when we were dead in transgressions — it is by grace you have been saved” (Ephesians 2:1-5, NIV). 

Acts 2:32-36

Jesus is unlike us. No one else has led a sinless life and has chosen to lay down their life for others to have the opportunity to be part of God’s eternal Kingdom. 

Upon being raised back to life, God exalted Jesus as Lord. Who else is worthy of such honor? As Messiah, Jesus arrived as the promised deliverer to save people. As Lord, Jesus rules and reigns with all authority and power over all things. Only Jesus Christ is to be esteemed as Savior and Lord.

Acts 2:37-41

As we learn about Jesus, we are much like the people referenced in this passage. We want to know how we, too, can have this salvation from sin and its consequences. 

God did not complicate this, I believe, because He knew we are simple beings. Peter’s response in this passage is the same response we can share with those asking about saving faith through Christ: “Repent and be baptized, every one of you, in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins. And you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit” (Acts 2:38, NIV).

We must acknowledge our sinfulness, our actions that displease our Holy God, and repent of those things. Turning to God requires turning from sin. And salvation from our sin becomes our reality when we repent and turn to Jesus. Our sinfulness needs a Savior! Jesus becomes our Savior when we trust in Him. We must surrender to Christ daily and trust in His plan for our lives. He guides us and instructs us how to live (Luke 9:23). 

It is good news for all of us that God has chosen to offer salvation through Jesus Christ! As the old hymn says, “All to Jesus I surrender, All to Him I freely give.” He has given us a new life, free from the bondage of sin, and He is worthy of our full surrender. 

Charlton is the OneHope Missions Assistant at Crossgates Baptist Church, Brandon.