I remember years ago, watching the Cas Walker show each weekday morning. He had several clichés and sales ad slogans that came to be memorized. A pair of scissors with the words: ‘Cost cutter savings’; ‘Stop and shop at the sign of the shears and the name Cas Walker was another. Another cliché that he had was in reference to his prices versus competitors: ‘Compare and save’.
What relevance does this have in religion? It is especially important in answer to the most important question that could be asked: What must I do to be saved? “COMPARE AND SAVE”
We find a uniform answer CONSISTENTLY given in the New Testament, following the death, burial, and resurrection of Jesus. Every recorded case of conversion contained a pattern, which if followed, will result in man being forgiven of his sins.
This ‘form of doctrine’ is mentioned by the apostle Paul in Romans 6:17-18. It says, 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. Being then made free from sin, ye became the servants of righteousness.
If the same “form of doctrine” is preached today that was preached then, the same action will be taken by the sinner. In other words, the same doctrine will be “obeyed from the heart”. THEN AND ONLY THEN will the sinner be “made free from sin”.
The problem today is that the same “form of doctrine” is no longer preached. Thus, we need to “compare and save” in terms of what is preached in answer to the most important question in life: What must I do to be saved?
Let us first note the three locations in the book of Acts where this question was asked:
It was asked by those who heard of salvation thru Jesus for the first time in Acts 2:37. Peter had convinced them of the murder of the Christ (v. 36). They then asked: “Men and brethren, what shall we do?”
The ‘form of doctrine’ delivered (vv 38-41):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. For the promise is unto you, and to your children, and to all that are afar off, even as many as the LORD our God shall call. And with many other words did he testify and exhort, saying, Save yourselves from this untoward generation. Then they that gladly received his word were baptized: and the same day there were added unto them about three thousand souls.
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Next, Saul of Tarsus asked this question and there are three parallel accounts of the answer: Acts 9; Acts 22; Acts 26
In Acts 9:6, he asked: Lord, what wilt thou have me to do?
The ‘form of doctrine’ delivered (vv 7-18): And the Lord said unto him, Arise, and go into the city, and it shall be told thee what thou must do. And the men which journeyed with him stood speechless, hearing a voice, but seeing no man. And Saul arose from the earth; and when his eyes were opened, he saw no man: but they led him by the hand, and brought him into Damascus…And there was a certain disciple at Damascus, named Ananias; And the Lord said unto him, Arise, and go into the street which is called Straight, and enquire in the house of Judas for one called Saul, of Tarsus…And Ananias went his way, and entered into the house; and putting his hands on him said, Brother Saul, the Lord, even Jesus, that appeared unto thee in the way as thou camest, hath sent me, that thou mightest receive thy sight, and be filled with the Holy Ghost. And immediately there fell from his eyes as it had been scales: and he received sight forthwith, and arose, and was baptized.
In the account of Acts 22 we read: “And I said, What shall I do, LORD?” (v. 10)
The ‘form of doctrine’ delivered (vv 10-16): And the Lord said unto me, Arise, and go into Damascus; and there it shall be told thee of all things which are appointed for thee to do. And when I could not see for the glory of that light, being led by the hand of them that were with me, I came into Damascus. And one Ananias, a devout man according to the law, having a good report of all the Jews which dwelt there, Came unto me, and stood, and said unto me, Brother Saul, receive thy sight. And the same hour I looked up upon him. And he said, The God of our fathers hath chosen thee, that thou shouldest know his will, and see that Just One, and shouldest hear the voice of his mouth. For thou shalt be his witness unto all men of what thou hast seen and heard. And now why tarriest thou? arise, and be baptized, and wash away thy sins, calling on the name of the Lord.
In the Acts 26 parallel account it says: “And I said, Who art thou, Lord?” (v. 15)
The ‘form of doctrine’ delivered (vv 15-19): "And he said, I am Jesus whom thou persecutest. But rise, and stand upon thy feet: for I have appeared unto thee for this purpose, to make thee a minister and a witness both of these things which thou hast seen, and of those things in the which I will appear unto thee; Delivering thee from the people, and from the Gentiles, unto whom now I send thee, To open their eyes, and to turn them from darkness to light, and from the power of Satan unto God, that they may receive forgiveness of sins, and inheritance among them which are sanctified by faith that is in me. Whereupon, O king Agrippa, I was not disobedient unto the heavenly vision…”.--------------------------------------------------------
The third person who asked this question was a jailer in Acts 16. He asked in verse 30: “Sirs, what must I do to be saved?” The ‘form of doctrine’ he was told (vv 31-33): “And they said, Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ, and thou shalt be saved, and thy house. And they spake unto him the word of the Lord, and to all that were in his house. And he took them the same hour of the night, and washed their stripes; and was baptized, he and all his, straightway."
The ‘form of doctrine’ (Romans 6:17-18) is seen from these three examples in the book of Acts.
If only this form of doctrine were still preached today, the same results would occur: reconciliation by the death of Christ and salvation by His life.
Romans 5:10 – “For if, when we were enemies, we were reconciled to God by the death of his Son, much more, being reconciled, we shall be saved by his life.”
What does His ‘life’ here have reference to? John 6:63, 68; 12:47-50; Luke 6:46
Salvation is so easy to understand if not ‘theologized’ and rationalized away by human wisdom and uninspired doctrines and commandments of men (Matt. 15:8-9)
Today, what various ‘forms of doctrine’ are preached in response to the simple question from sinners, “What must I do to be saved?”
Check the web sites, creeds and publications of various denominational bodies for their answers. Then, 'search the scriptures' (John 5:39), and as old Cas would say, “Compare and save”.
RDB
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