Hear the word of God
Jesus told us that He was given all authority in heaven and on earth (Matthew 28:18). He taught many things when He was on earth and He chose His apostles to spread His message. As Peter began to share with people the message of Christ and the way that they could be saved, he was giving them opportunity to hear the word of God (Romans 10:17). Likewise, we must be willing to hear what God teaching in regard to our salvation.
Believe the word of God
Before Jesus left His disciples to ascend into heaven, He gave what is known as the Great Commission (Mark 16:15). After telling His audience to spread the gospel, He said that he who believes and are baptized would be saved. Therefore, we must believe in Jesus Christ in order to be saved.
Repent of past sins
After the Jews on the day of Pentecost were sorrowful and asked what they must do, Peter informed them that they must repent and be baptized. Also, in Peter’s second sermon, he told his audience that they must repent and be converted. Repentance is a change of mind. We must determine that we are not going to sin anymore and repent in order to be saved.
Confess that Jesus is the Son of God
The Ethiopian eunuch was traveling from Jerusalem back to his home and was reading from the prophet Isaiah. He did not understand what he was reading, so the Lord sent Philip to explain it to him. After preaching Christ to him, the eunuch wanted to be baptized for the remission of his sins. Philip asked him if he believed and the eunuch confessed that he did believe that Jesus Christ is the Son of God. We are also told that we must confess our faith in order to be saved (Romans 10:9-10).
Be baptized for the remission of sins
The New Testament is clear that baptism is necessary to have our sins forgiven (Mark 16:16; Acts 2:38; Acts 3:19; Romans 6:4; Galatians 3:27; 1 Peter 3:21). Many examples are given throughout the book of Acts that show the ones being saved were baptized for the remission of their sins. Paul (Acts 9:18; Acts 22:16), the ones in Samaria (Acts 8:12-13), The Ethiopian eunuch (Acts 8:36-38), Lydia (Acts 8:14-15), The Philippian jailor (Acts 16:30-33), and others.
Live a faithful life
It is not enough to follow the plan of salvation in order to become a Christian. Once one is a Christian, he/she must be faithful for the rest of his/her life (Revelation 2:10). Christians must show endurance through this life and work hard everyday in order to receive the promise (Hebrews 10:36).
We must realize that even through we must serve the Lord, obey his commands, and stay faithful, that we do not earn our salvation. We are saved by God’s grace and mercy through faith (Ephesians 2:8-9), but faith without works is dead (James 2:17, 20, 26).