"As for God, His way is perfect; The word of the Lord is proven; He is a shield to all who trust in Him." - Psalm 18:30
What Must I Do To Be Saved?
We should never take for granted the death of Jesus Christ for our salvation from sin's consequence, which is spiritual death (Romans 6:23; Ephesians 2:1). Jesus Christ died for the world! (John 3:16; 1 John 2:2) He died for our sins! (I Corinthians 15:3) The shedding of His blood was for "the remission of sins" (cf. Matthew 26:28). The Bible teaches that we are saved by "the gospel of Christ" (Rom. 1:16), by God's grace through faith (Ephesians 2:8-9), and by His "abundant mercy" (I Peter 1:3). However, the Scriptures also teach that Jesus is "the author of eternal salvation to all who obey Him" (Hebrews 5:9). This means that not all people will be saved; but all can be saved if they so desire by obeying the Lord! There a need to "[obey] the gospel" (Romans 10:16). There are certain steps which must be taken, in obedience to the commands the Lord in the New Testament, in order to be saved. At the same time this will make one a member of the church of our Lord Jesus Christ. (see What is the Church of Christ?) But for now, consider and study the following.
True biblical FAITH results from HEARING the Word of God (Romans 10:17), and is essential to salvation (Mark 16:16; John 8:24; 20:30-31; Hebrews 11:6). And the grace of God came from God, but is appropriated by our faith or belief in what God says (cf. Ephesians 2:8-9).
REPENTANCE is a change of mind or heart which causes one to turn away from sinful practices. Repentance is a command for everyone everywhere (Acts 17:30), and an essential part of the plan of salvation (Acts 2:38; 3:19). Understanding that even Christians sin (cf. 1 John 2:1), our attitude must be to work on correcting any and all sinful practices. (Cf. Romans. 6:1; 1 John 1:5-10). God's grace teaches that we must "deny" worldly practices. (Titus 2:11ff.)
CONFESSION is a verbal confession of faith in Jesus as the Son of God and as one’s Lord (Matthew 10:32; Acts 8:37; Romans 10:9-10) and a crucial part of the salvation plan.
BAPTISM is not a "church ordinance" or teaching of men but rather a command of Christ. The New Testament teaches baptism to be an act of faith which is essential to salvation (Mark 16:16; Acts 2:38; 22:16; Colossians 2:12; 1 Peter 3:21).
Proper subjects for baptism are:
Taught persons (Matthew 28:19)
Believing persons (Mark 16:16)
Penitent persons (Acts 2:38)
Persons who have confessed Jesus Christ as the Son of God (Acts 8:37)
Scriptural baptism must be an immersion in water. The Greek word baptize (βαπτίζω baptizo) means "to dip repeatedly, to immerse, to submerge" (Thayer). The Scriptures illustrate the mode of baptism as being a burial (Acts 8:35-39; Romans 6:3-4; Colossians 2:12) in water (Acts 8: 38-39; 10:47).
The New Testament sets forth the following purposes for baptism:
It is to enter the kingdom (John 3:3-5)
It is the "water" of the new birth (John 3:5) and the "washing" (Titus 3:5)
It is to contact Christ's blood (Romans 6:3-4)
It is to get "into Christ" and to "put on Christ" (Galatians 3:27)
It is "for [Gr. eis = into] the remission of sins" (Acts 2:38)
It is to "wash away" sins (Acts 22:16)
It is a vital part of our salvation (Mark 16:16; 1 Peter 3:21)
It is to get into the Lord's church (1 Corinthians 12:13; Ephesians 1:23) . *Note that "the Lord added to the church daily those who were being saved" in Acts chapter 2:47. Therefore, when one responds to the requirements of the gospel, the Lord automatically adds them to His church, the church of Christ.
The Scriptures teach that without the shed blood and death of Jesus Christ (See Heb. 9:22; I Cor. 15:3; Rev. 1:5), and the grace of God (Ephesians 2:8-9), there would be no salvation or even hope for it; however, we must respond to what God has offered. (cf. John 3:16; Matthew 7:21; Hebrews 5:9).
Additionally, no one of these things listed above stands alone in our salvation; these all work together in one beautiful response to the plan and will of God. God's grace and our faith (Ephesians 2:8-9) coupled together bring us into a relationship with the heavenly Father through Christ. (Cf John 14:6.)
FINALLY, THE CHRISTIAN MUST REMAIN FAITHFUL. In 1 Cor. 15:1-2 we understand that we are "saved" by the gospel if we "hold fast that word" which was preached to us, as it was to the Corinthians. Consider the promise from Christ: "Be faithful until death, and I will give you the crown of life." (Rev. 2:10). "Once saved always saved" is not a biblical teaching. But there is security for the "faithful"!
Jesus said, "Come to Me, all you you who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest.
Take My yoke upon you and learn from Me, for I am gentle and lowly in heart, and you will find rest for your souls.
For My yoke is easy and My burden is light." - Matthew 11:28-30
"And the Spirit and the bride say, 'Come!' And let him who hears say, 'Come!' And let him who thirsts come. Whoever desires, let him take the water of life freely." - Revelation 22:17
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What Must I Do To Be Saved?
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What Must I Do To Be Saved?
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