“What must I do to be saved?”
(How
to get to heaven)
“What must I
do to be saved?” This is the single most important question anyone
can ever ask. Our souls will exist for
eternity but on the Day of Judgment when Jesus Christ judges all who have ever
lived, He will divide the saved from the unsaved. The saved will go to eternal
life while the unsaved will go to eternal punishment (Matthew 25:31-46). This is why it is imperative we be on the right
side of the dividing line before that day arrives.
The Bible teaches, “all have sinned and fall
short of the glory of God” (Romans 3:23). So everyone is in need of salvation.
Salvation comes through Jesus Christ. And “salvation is found in no one else,
for there is no other name under heaven given to men by which
we must be saved." (Acts 4:12).
To be saved we must:
1.) Hear the “good
news” (i.e. the gospel) of Jesus Christ (Romans 10:14)
2.) Believe (Hebrews 11:6; Acts 8:37; Mark 16:16; John 8:24)
3.) Repent of our sins (Luke 13:3,5; Acts 2:38; Acts 17:30; Mark 10:15)
4.) Confess faith in Jesus
Christ (Acts 8:36-37; Romans 10:9) {Footnote}
5.) Be baptized (in water)
for the forgiveness of sins (Acts 2:37-41; 1Peter 3:21; John 3:3-5; Acts 22:16; Romans 6:3-8; Colossians 2:12; Galatians 3:26-27; Mark 16:15-16; Acts 8:34-39; Titus 3:5; Ephesians 4:5)
6.) Remain
faithful for the rest of our lives and carry our cross daily (Revelation 2:10; Matthew 24:13; Luke 9:23) (What
about, “Once saved always saved”?)
This process of “remaining faithful” consists of striving to develop and
form Christ
within you—the goal behind the gift of the Holy Spirit received at
baptism.
We become saved (conversion occurs) and we come into contact with the blood of Christ (or enter into Christ), at baptism, after steps 1-4 have been fulfilled.
ANSWERS TO
SOME COMMON ARGUMENTS AGAINST BAPTISM
(and why infant baptism is not biblical)
God’s
Plan of Salvation:
Ephesians
1:11-14
In him we were also
chosen, having been predestined according to the
plan of him[*] who works out everything in
conformity
with the purpose of his will, in order that we, who were
the first to hope in Christ, might be for the praise of his glory. And you
also were included in Christ when you heard[1] the word of truth, the gospel of
your salvation. Having believed,[2,3] you were
marked in him with a seal, the promised Holy Spirit,[5] who is a deposit guaranteeing our inheritance until
the redemption
of those who are God's possession--to the praise of
his glory.
*God’s plan of salvation:
1. Hear
2. Believe
3. Repent—implied by “having believed”
4. Confess—implied, taken at moment of baptism
5. Be baptized—See Acts 2:38; Galatians 3:26-27,4:6-7; 2Corinthians 1:21-22 at baptism is when we receive the gift of the Holy Spirit.
For more, click here
Jesus Christ is coming soon.
Surrender to Him while there is still time.
John 3:5
The
work of the cross is God’s offer of life…
Baptism
is our acceptance.
“Likewise, I say to you, there
is joy in the presence of the angels of God over one
sinner who repents.” –Luke 15:10
“…I
will build my church and the gates of hell will not prevail.” –Matthew
16:18
Then Jesus
came to them and said, "All authority in heaven and on earth has been
given to me.
Therefore
go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them
in the name
of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey
everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very
end of the age."-- Matthew 28:18-20
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