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The Bible's answer to this question can be put plainly: repent, be baptised, and receive the Holy Spirit. (Acts 2:38) Repent To repent is to 'change your mind' or 'think again' about a matter. In the context of salvation repentance is to believe that Jesus died for you personally and rose from the dead. The Bible statement to "confess with your mouth the Lord Jesus, and believe in your heart that God has raised him from the dead" is something you will be lead to say (or similar) at baptism. It is not the exact form of words that is important, though; it is the meaning and personal belief attached to them in your heart (inner being).
Be baptised
Baptism in the Bible is a simple step. Paul the Apostle likens it to a symbolic burial of our old life, that we may rise up into our new life. Everybody baptised in the Bible was fully immersed in water - that's how it was done, and that's what the word means. People who are baptised are those that have decided to do so - no babies were baptised in the Bible. Most revival centres use a baptism tank - large enough to baptise adults inside the meeting hall.
Receive the Holy Spirit The receiving of the Holy Spirit is something definite and unmistakable. As they did on the day of Pentecost when the Holy Spirit was first "poured out" on people, you will speak in tongues. That is, you will speak in a language that you have not learned. More here about speaking in tongues This supernatural experience is God's personal confirmation for you. The tiny spark of belief (and hope) you had at repentance is now overwhelmingly strengthened as you personally receive your own "Pentecost" (see next column).
Don't settle for anything less Jesus didn't promise anything less (see Acts 1:4-8). Peter didn't preach anything less (see Acts 2:38). Nothing has changed (see personal stories).
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Where the fire falls
In an old testament story in the Bible we are told of a prophet of God named Elijah. Elijah faced people who just weren't sure who the real God was. They had been given other religious ideas and were confused. Elijah put forward a simple test, which they accepted readily - "let the God that answers by fire" be the one worthy of worship. God still 'answers by fire'. John the Baptist contrasted the baptism he administered, by water, with the coming of the Holy Spirit sent by Jesus: "he shall baptise you with the Holy Spirit and with fire".
A good question If you are asking yourself "what shall I do" you are asking a good question. The question "what shall we do?" was asked in the Bible by a crowd that had gathered because of the sound of 120 people speaking in different languages (speaking in tongues). The crowd was in Jerusalem for an Old Testament feast day: "Pentecost". God had now given this day a whole new meaning.
Peter the Apostle had just finished preaching to that crowd about the fact that Jesus Christ had come, had been crucified, and was now risen from the dead. Peter also told them it was Jesus that had given the Holy Spirit that they could now "see and hear". Peter's reply to the question was not some throwaway line. It came at a pivotal point in the history of the Church. His reply is both a call to action and a promise of results: " Repent, and be baptised every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins, and you shall receive the gift of the Holy Spirit." (Acts 2:38)
He also assured us that this was not some special promise just for the people there: "for the promise is unto you, and to your children, and to all that are afar off, even as many as the Lord our God shall call". Was Peter discussing salvation? The very next verse makes it clear he was: "and with many other words did he testify and exhort, saying, save yourselves from this untoward generation".
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Fulfillment of an old testament example In the Old Testament of the Bible we read of the worship style that God set up before Jesus had come. This is described in the Bible as a "type" or example of what was to come after Jesus. God commanded His people in the Old Testament to set up a "tabernacle" - a portable temple. He specified every aspect of the tabernacle - and in particular that there was only one gate and one way in to the "holy place". At the outer gate stood an altar of sacrifice. This was fulfilled by the sacrifice Jesus made. It should lead us to repentance. After that was the laver of water where those entering had to wash themselves ceremoniously. This relates to the command for baptism. However, the place you met God, the place where the 'fire' was, was in the tabernacle itself. In Old Testament days this was divided by a veil into the "holy place" and the "holiest of holies" where God manifested His presence. At the death of Jesus the separating veil was ripped in two - signifying that the way to God's presence was now open. This relates to the receiving of the Holy Spirit, bringing us into God's presence.
Go all the way Some stop at repentance. Some stop at baptism. But the fire, the presence of God is all the way in - receive the Holy Spirit Follow the Bible pattern. You will not be disappointed.
Suggested Bible reading Listen to a talk about salvation
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Salvation - Listen now (29:20)
Salvation - Download (3.9mb)