'And now why do you delay? Arise, and be baptized, and wash away your sins, calling on His name.' Acts 22:4-16 (NAS)

When they asked or prayed for the way to be saved, God gave the same answer:

"He who has believed and has been baptized shall be saved; but he who has disbelieved shall be condemned. Mark 16:16 (Jesus speaking to His disciples before He ascended to heaven - NAS)

Peter preached the same to those in Jerusalem when the church was established.  Peter first began by reminding them of the prophesy of Joel and, among other things, that all who called upon the name of the Lord would be saved:

'And it shall be, that everyone who calls on the name of the Lord shall be saved.' Acts 2:21 (NAS)

When the people responded and asked specifically what they must do, Peter said:

Now when they heard this they were pierced to the heart, and said to Peter and the rest of the apostles, "Brethren, what shall we do?" And Peter said to them, "Repent, and let each of you be baptized in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins; and you shall receive the gift of the Holy Spirit. "For the promise is for you and your children, and for all who are far off, as many as the Lord our God shall call to Himself." Acts 2:38-39 (NAS)

The Example of Cornelius

As we mentioned earlier, after Jesus' death, there are two notable examples of people who prayed to God who had not yet been forgiven of their sins.  The first example is that of Saul which we just covered.  The second is the example of Cornelius.  Cornelius was not a Jew like Saul, but was a Gentile (a non-Jew):

Now there was a certain man at Caesarea named Cornelius, a centurion of what was called the Italian cohort, a devout man, and one who feared God with all his household, and gave many alms to the Jewish people, and prayed to God continually. Acts 10:1-2 (NAS)

As in the example of Saul, God heard Cornelius pray and sent Peter to teach Cornelius.  Cornelius and his household (all Gentiles) were also commanded to be baptized (just as Saul was):

And he (Peter) ordered them to be baptized in the name of Jesus Christ. Then they asked him to stay on for a few days. Acts 10:48 (NAS)

Are you willing to search the scriptures to find the answers that God has given to those who pray?

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