Do you agree with the following statement?
There is only one plan of salvation.
If you do, then you have to believe Acts 2:38 is it. It was stated on day one. And, it was declared by Peter to be for the entire Church age (Acts 2:39).
If you believe there is more than one plan of salvation, you will have no sense of need or urgency to believe Acts 2:38 because you will claim you’re already saved. And you will feel you’re sincere in your belief. If there is more than one plan of salvation, you will reason yours is as valid as any. And, why not? In this case, you need to correct the first error first.
But, if you believe there is only one plan of salvation, you may be more careful to believe correctly, assuming your desire to be saved is earnest. Realizing the way is narrow also means it is prone to be missed by many, as Jesus said (Matthew 7:13-14). And that’s not how you want to end up. Besides that, it’s not just about you. Because you’re earnest, you care about how your loved ones will fare.
If you’re sincere and honest, the purest forms of earnestness, the Scriptures will lead you to Acts 2:38. (That’s because the Bible is written to sincere and honest people, not those looking for a way around the truth. A sincere and honest person will discover that Acts 2:38 is the only way people were saved in the Christian era. It’s clear from the examples the book of Acts provides.)
Whichever you believe as the plan of salvation, you can check your answer by providing biblical examples of people being saved in the book of Acts the way you propose for salvation. If you are right, there will be thousands of them. (That’s the case with Acts 2:38.) If you’re wrong, not one.
It’s amazing that, when you get really serious, the answer is really simple. The more you want to know, the easier it is to know. Earnestness always wins.
If you’re wrong and you’re willing to settle for non-biblical support for your error, confirmation bias is broadly and heavily supported by the abundance of falsehood that exists in the vast realm of what is called, Christianity. It will come from degreed preachers, tenured professors, and long traditions. But, if all that matters to you is the Bible’s approval, you’ll have plenty of biblical company. You’ll be flanked by Peter and Paul, both of whom received and preached Acts 2:38. Most importantly, you’ll receive the approval of Christ Who, in His Great Commission, inspired Acts 2:38 in the first place. The Apostles simply preached what they were authorized by Christ to preach (Hebrews 2:3). That’s what commission means.
If you’re earnest, you will succeed. Christ’s approbation and the souls you help save, including your own, will be your reward. Maybe, make this your theme going forward: Earnestly onward and upward— because earnestness always wins.