SALVATION
The Steps of Salvation
Understanding Sin
The Bible teaches that sin is a transgression of God’s law (1 John 3:4). All people who know the difference between right and wrong have sinned (Romans 3:23). Our sins separate us from God (Isaiah 59:1-2). The punishment for sin is death (Romans 6:23). This is the second death which is the lake that burneth with fire (Revelation 21:8).
God loves us. He does not want us to be punished for our sins. Therefore, He has provided a way for us to be forgiven (John 3:16). God sent His only begotten Son, Jesus Christ, to die for our sins (1 John 4:10). Jesus suffered the punishment which we should have received for our sins (Isaiah 53:4-6). He did not die for His own sins, for He had none (2 Corinthians 5:21). He suffered for our sins on the cross so that we can be forgiven (Romans 5:6-8; 1 Peter 2:24). In order for us to be forgiven of our sins, and therefore receive eternal life, we must accept the salvation which Christ has made possible. There are five steps which we must take to receive this salvation.
What does one have to do in order to be forgiven of his sins? He must:
1. Hear the Gospel of Christ;
2. Believe that Jesus Christ is the Son of God;
3. Repent of all his past sins;
4. Confess that Christ is God’s Son;
5. Be baptized for the remission of sins.
6. When he does this, he is added by the Lord to His church (Acts 2:41, 47). He is born again (John 3:3-5; 2 Corinthians 5:17). He is in Christ where all spiritual blessings are to be found. (Ephesians 1:3; Galatians 3:26-27). In short, he is a Christian (Acts 11:26; 26:28; 1 Peter 4:16).
Salvation Process
Step 01
Hear
First, we must hear the Gospel of Jesus Christ. The Bible teaches that faith cometh by hearing, and hearing by the word of God (Romans 10:17, KJV). One is not a Christian because his parents are. Faith cannot be inherited (Ezekiel 18:20). Each person must believe in Jesus Christ for himself. Christianity is a religion of teaching (Matthew 28:19-20). Unless one has heard the Gospel and learned that Jesus Christ died for his sins, was buried, and arose from the dead, he cannot be saved (1 Corinthians 15:1-4). The apostle Paul wrote: How then shall they call on him in whom they have not believed? and how shall they believe in him whom they have not heard? and how shall they hear without a preacher? (Romans 10:14) One must first hear the Gospel before he can believe it.
Step 02
Believe
Second, one must believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of the living God (Matthew 16:16). Jesus said: …except ye believe that I am he, ye shall die in your sins (John 8:24). The jailor at Philippi asked Paul and Silas, Sirs, what must I do to be saved? They told him to Believe on the Lord Jesus, and thou shalt be saved, thou and thy house (Acts 16:30-31). Jesus also said: He that believeth and is baptized shall be saved; but he that believeth not shall be damned (Mark 16:16). One comes to believe in Jesus Christ when he hears the Gospel taught. Faith comes only by hearing the Word of God (Romans 10:17). This is the reason it is so important that the Gospel be preached to the whole world (Mark 16:15).
Step 03
Repent
Step 04
Confess
Step 05
Be Baptized
Fifth, one must be baptized in order to be saved. Jesus said: He that believeth and is baptized shall be saved (Mark 16:16). Please note that baptism follows belief. One who does not believe the Gospel cannot be truly baptized. Therefore, babies cannot be baptized for they are too young to (1) have sin, (2) hear the Gospel, (3) repent of sins, and (4) confess that Jesus Christ is the Son of God. Baptism also follows repentance. On Pentecost Day, Peter told those who asked what to do to be saved to Repent ye, and be baptized every one of you… (Acts 2:38). One cannot be truly baptized who has not truly repented.
Baptism is a burial in water (Romans 6:3-4; Colossians 2:12). Therefore, sprinkling and pouring are not proper baptism. Baptism is in order to be saved (Mark 16:16; 1 Peter 3:21). One is not saved before he is baptized! Baptism is unto the remission [forgiveness] of sins (Acts 2:38). Just as Jesus shed His blood for the remission of sins (Matthew 26:28), so we are baptized in order to receive the remission of sins. In baptism, the sinner’s sins are washed away by the blood of Jesus (Acts 22:16).
Seeing It Lived Out
"Issac baptizing"
"NEIE Student Appreciation Day (Jessica's Baptism)"
"Baptism Home mission"
"Issac Teaching and Baptizing"
Have You Taken These Steps?
Are you saved from your sins? Have you taken these simple steps to salvation? If not, why not do so today?