It's an interesting question. If we follow the world, the answers to this specific question is all over the place, because the world doesn't hold to an absolute. But in the gospels - Matthew, Mark, Luke and John - we are introduced to the one and only absolute -- His name Jesus for He shall save His people from their sins. Emmanuel, being interpreted, God with us! (Matthew 1:21-23)
And thus, from walking with the Lord Jesus, the apostles knew the answer to the question -- what must we do? Indeed, all twelve apostles stood in one accord on the day of Pentecost, when Peter responded, saying, "Repent, and be baptized every one of you in the name of the Lord Jesus Christ for the remission of sins, and ye shall receive the gift of the Holy Ghost." (Acts 2:38-39)
And thus, from walking with the Lord Jesus, the apostles knew the answer to the question -- what must we do? Indeed, all twelve apostles stood in one accord on the day of Pentecost, when Peter responded, saying, "Repent, and be baptized every one of you in the name of the Lord Jesus Christ for the remission of sins, and ye shall receive the gift of the Holy Ghost." (Acts 2:38-39)
As we understand from the Acts 2 account, there were 3,000 souls baptized that day -- which marked the beginning of the New Testament church. These people had repented of their sin, and water baptized in the name of the Lord Jesus Christ, as was every other individual baptized in the new testament after the cross.
Other scriptures pointing to the Lord Jesus?
"And it shall come to pass, [that] whosoever shall call on the name of the Lord shall be saved." (Acts 2:21)
"He that believes on the Son hath everlasting life: and he that believeth not the Son shall not see life; but the wrath of God abides on him." (John 3:36)
"For God so loved the world, that He gave His only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in Him should not perish, but have everlasting life." (John 3:16)
Jesus answered and said unto him, "Verily, verily, I say unto thee, Except a man be born again, he cannot see the kingdom of God" (John 3:3)
John the baptizer answered, saying unto [them] all, "I indeed baptize you with water; but One mightier than I cometh, the latchet of whose shoes I am not worthy to unloose: He shall baptize you with the Holy Ghost and with fire." (Luke 3:16)
"I indeed baptize you with water unto repentance: but He that cometh after me is mightier than I, whose shoes I am not worthy to bear: He shall baptize you with the Holy Ghost, and [with] fire." (Matthew 3:11)
"And I will pour upon the house of David, and upon the inhabitants of Jerusalem, the Spirit of grace and of supplications: and they shall look upon Me whom they have pierced, and they shall mourn for Him, as one mourns for [h/His] only [s/Son], and shall be in bitterness for Him, as one that is in bitterness for [h/His] firstborn." (Zechariah 12:10)
"Blessed [are] they that do His commandments, that they may have right to the tree of life, and may enter in through the gates into the city." (Revelation 22:14)
"And they overcame him by the blood of the Lamb, and by the word of their testimony; and they loved not their lives unto the death." (Revelation 12:11)
"For Christ also hath once suffered for sins, the just for the unjust, that He might bring us to God, being put to death in the flesh, but quickened by the Spirit." ( I Peter 3:18)
"Who His own self bare our sins in His own body on the tree, that we, being dead to sins, should live unto righteousness: by whose stripes ye were healed." (I Peter 2:24)
"Take, my brethren, the prophets, who have spoken in the name of the Lord, for an example of suffering affliction, and of patience." (James 5:10)
"Thou believes that there is one God; thou does well: the devils also believe, and tremble." (James 2:19)
"Now we command you, brethren, in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ ..." (II Thessalonians 3:6)
"Buried with Him in baptism, wherein also ye are risen with [Him] through the faith of the operation of God, who hath raised Him from the dead." (Colossians 2:12)
"For by Him were all things created, that are in heaven, and that are in earth, visible and invisible, whether [they be] thrones, or dominions, or principalities, or powers: all things were created by Him, and for Him." (Colossians 1:16)
"That at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, of [things] in heaven, and [things] in earth, and [things] under the earth." (Philippians 2:10)
"One Lord, one faith, one baptism." (Ephesians 4:5)
"For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: [it is] the gift of God." (Ephesians 2:8)
God's plan then was to redeem man back to Himself. This is why God Himself as a Son was manifest in the flesh. (I Timothy 3:16; Acts 20:28) He came to seek and to save you and I who would have otherwise been lost for all eternity. Why? Because we required a Saviour and because there was none other in heaven earth who was righteous enough to pay the price in full -- for the redemption of man, He came Himself.
Now that is love! Abundant everlasting love for you and I -- and He was willing to shed His precious, holy blood on a cross so that you and I might have everlasting life. Yes, Jesus is the Way, the Truth and the Life, and if ye have seen Him, ye have seen the Father and know Him. (John 14:6-12)
Stand in the offering plate.
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