I agree , but understand that Paul is not saying that's all that have to be done. Lets continue and skip down to verse 16:33 And he took them the same hour of the night, and washed their stripes; and was baptized, he and all his, straightway.
So we see another part of the word of God that must be done. In order to be baptized, certain events must take place: You must give up a lifestyle where sin has dominion, (ruler ship) over you. Sin according to 1 John 3:4, Whosoever committeth sin transgresseth also the law: for sin is the transgression (breaking) of the law. You must be taught "The Word", before you can adhere to God's commandments (judgments\statues). Paul said in Romans 2:7 To them who by patient continuance in well doing seek for glory and honour and immortality, eternal life: 8 But unto them that are contentious, and do not obey the truth, but obey unrighteousness, indignation and wrath, 9 Tribulation and anguish, upon every soul of man that doeth evil, of the Jew first, and also of the Gentile; 10 But glory, honour, and peace, to every man that worketh good, to the Jew first, and also to the Gentile: 11 For there is no respect of persons with God. 12 For as many as have sinned without law shall also perish without law: and as many as have sinned in the law shall be judged by the law; 13 (For not the hearers of the law are just before God, but the doers of the law shall be justified. Read all of Paul writing before you destroy your self and others.
Rom 3:20
For by works of the law no human being will be justified in his sight, since through the law comes knowledge of sin.
If you want to know what "
work" we are to do for salvation, Jesus tells us what that is.....
Joh 6:27
Do not labor for the food that perishes, but for the food that endures to eternal life, which the Son of Man will give to you. For on him God the Father has set his seal."
Joh 6:28 Then they said to him, "
What must we do, to be doing the works of God?"
Joh 6:29 Jesus answered them, "
This is the work of God, that you believe in him whom he has sent."
To simply believe the Word of God is the only
"work" we as Christians do. Any other works we do would be called "
iniquity"
Jesus speaks about a group of people who will do works as a means of getting salvation. They thought through faith and works salvation is received. They will have a big surprise on that day when Jesus tells them,
"I never knew you, you who work iniquity"
Mat 7:21
Not every one that saith unto me, Lord, Lord, shall enter into the kingdom of heaven; but he that doeth the will of my Father which is in heaven.
Mat 7:22
Many will say to me in that day, Lord, Lord, have we not prophesied in thy name? and in thy name have cast out devils? and in thy name done many wonderful works?
Mat 7:23 And then will I profess unto them,
I never knew you: depart from me, ye that work iniquity.
We are
not saved by faith and works, but only by "
grace" No amount of faith and works can save anyone without grace being the means of our salvation. What is the will of his Father in Heaven? To believe the Word of God!! Faith and works are not done by us! It is not our responsibility to work faith as faith can only be done by God himself. "
Faith works by Love (God)" Since God is love, then only God can do the works of faith, not man!!! You seem to believe in a works based salvation, and not saved by grace.
Jesus the Son of God said this about himself......
John5:30,
I can of mine own self do nothing: as I hear, I judge: and my judgment is just; because I seek not mine own will, but the will of the Father which hath sent me.
Joh 14:10 Believest thou not that I am in the Father, and the Father in me?
the words that I speak unto you I speak not of myself: but the Father that dwelleth in me, he doeth the works.
Jesus the Son of God claimed that he could do nothing on his own, and that it was his Father that was dwelling in him that was doing the works!! And then we hear Jesus telling his Apostles....
Joh 15:5 I am the vine, ye are the branches: He that abideth in me, and I in him, the same bringeth forth much fruit: for
without me ye can do nothing.
If Jesus said he could do nothing of him self, and we can do nothing without him how is it you say you can?
Do you know something Jesus did not know? Are you stronger than him? Can you do righteousness on your own? Is there anything you can do that is good? The Bible is not about man doing anything except believing the word of God. It is all about God doing for man what man could not possibly do, and not only is about God doing for man what he could not do, but it is still about God doing for man what he still can not do!!!! Since Christ is our life, it is only through him we can do anything good, and not us. The very moment you think you are doing anything for your salvation, you are in deep trouble.