In Acts 16...
The Philippian jailor asks Paul and Silas a very important question: "What must I do to be saved?"
According to Jesus' response to Nicodemus, you must be 'born-again' in the Spirit. That's how we are saved. Unless men and women are reborn in the Spirit, they cannot see the Kingdom of God, or Heaven. (Jn. 3:3). If we seek Heaven instead of hell, we seek to be saved from sin.
A person who is 'saved' is: free from sin, which is disobedience towards God and His commandments; and free from sin's repercussions, which are God's wrath (Rom. 1:18), and ultimately, eternal death (Rom. 6:23). God hates and punishes sin. God does not dwell where there is sin. (Ps. 5:4).
We must first recognize that we are sinners. (Rom. 3:23). And learn that, if we do not abandon our sinful desires, our sins will lead us to hell (after physical death) and eternal separation from God. (1 Th. 1:8, 9). God is ready to forgive us of our sins. However, because of the "wages of sin", that is death (Rom. 6:23), we have an outstanding price to pay in exchange for all of the damage we caused: our life.
The good news of the Gospel is that: God sent His Son, Jesus Christ, to intercede and pay the price for our sins. Jesus Christ gave up His own life in obedience to God's will (Jn. 3:16); and He died and shed blood on the cross for the sins of every generation. He became the perfect sacrifice. (Rom. 5:19). And He resurrected from death after three days. (1 Cor. 15:4, 17). So that we can be fully forgiven of sin. (Mat. 26:28). So that we can have eternal life. (Jn. 3:16). So that we can have a personal relationship with God. And not have religion. Sin has a price. And Jesus Christ paid it.
““And He Himself is the propitiation for our sins, and not for ours only but also for the whole world.””
According to 1 John 1:9 & Romans 10:9, in order to become saved and forgiven, we must simply: Confess with our mouth our sins before God and ask for His forgiveness; accept Jesus Christ as Lord and His gift of salvation by faith; and believe in Jesus Christ's death on the cross and resurrection on the third day.
Lord Jesus, I know that I am a sinner and that I cannot save myself. By faith I receive your gift of salvation. I trust you as my Lord and Saviour. I believe you are the Son of God who died on the cross for my sins and rose from the dead on the third day. Thank you for the gift of eternal life. I believe your words are true. Come into my heart, Lord Jesus. In Jesus' name. Amen.
Congratulations on your decision to accept Jesus Christ! Please tell us about how you found Christ today. The journey does not end here. Christianity is a lifestyle and personal relationship with our Saviour.
If we choose not to accept the gift of salvation through Jesus Christ, we are acknowledging that we can (and are) paying the price for sin on our own. And in doing so, we condemn ourselves to death.