Now we'll check out a second "case study," an example of the salvation of Jesus Christ taking place in the lives of people like you and me. Let's look together at Acts chapter 2.

Some background info: Here in Acts 2, it is just weeks after Jesus has resurrected from the dead, appeared to people, and ascended to heaven.

• He left his apostles in Jerusalem with a promise that he (Jesus) would send them the Holy Spirit to empower them, equipping them to carry his message starting from Jerusalem.
• This promise was fulfilled when, here in Acts 2 on the Day of Pentecost (a Jewish holiday), the apostles received the Spirit in this way.
• The Spirit enabled them to speak in foreign languages (tongues). (2:1-4)
• There were people there from various lands and nations, and they were surprised to hear that the apostles were suddenly speaking and preaching in their (the foreigners') native languages. (2:5-12)
• However, some of them mocked and made fun of the apostles, thinking they were drunk, and ridiculed them. (2:13)

Let's pause it right there and just take a look at these people at this particular point in time:

Pretty easy to see that these guys are not saved yet. Let's see what happens next.

Starting in verse 14, the apostle Peter preaches the message of Jesus to them. He tells them about who Jesus is and concludes with the powerful statement of verse 36, that Jesus is Lord and Christ, this same Jesus whom these people crucified!

Now see their response in verse 37.

What effect did the message have on them?

• They were "pierced to the heart" or "pricked" or "cut" to the heart. This means they believed the message about Jesus, and understood the wrong they did, their personal guilt. They were moved.

Are they saved yet?

Now, you may remember with the example of Saul in the previous page, we got the rest of the story when we continued reading. So let's read on...

What question did they ask (verse 37)?

• "What must we do?" They were looking for the answer of how they could make it right... That means it wasn't right yet...

Verse 38 -- What answer was given?

• Repent
• Be baptized

What reasons are given for them, having believed and repented, to be baptized?

• For the forgiveness of sins.
• To receive the gift of the Holy Spirit.

If their sins still needed to be forgiven, were they saved before their baptism?

Verse 41

How did they respond to this?

• They repented.
• They were baptized that day!

What about you? Think back to the answers you gave to the questions about salvation a couple emails ago. Did you answer that you had been saved before you were baptized (or that you were saved and never were baptized?) In light of what we learned above, you owe it to yourself to stop and sincerely think about the questions below...

1. When does Jesus / God's word say a person will be saved (have his sins forgiven)?
2. Why does Jesus want someone to be baptized, for what purpose?
3. Is the way you thought you were saved the same way the Bible says in the examples we've just seen?
4. If you were not baptized to have your sins forgiven (washed away), were you baptized with the baptism that Jesus commands?
5. If you were not baptized with the baptism Jesus commands, were you saved?
6. Do you want to be saved the way the Bible says?
7. If you want to, and want to now, can we help you find true Christians (saved people) near you to get in touch with?