Salvation Explained

Have you ever asked yourself, “How can I receive the gift of salvation?” It is possible that you have never made a commitment because of unanswered questions.

WHO IS JESUS?

Jesus Christ is the son of God; He is the second person in the trinity. He came to earth in the form of a baby and grew up among us, to willingly be crucified on a cross, and raised back to life, so that we may have the forgiveness of sin and the gift of eternal life. Jesus has always existed and He will never end.

In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. He was in the beginning with God. – John 1:1-2 (ESV)

I am the Alpha and the Omega, the first and the last, the beginning and the end.” –  Revelation 22:13 (ESV)

AM I A GOOD PERSON?

The Bible says that none of us are good. The truth is we all fall short everyday. We say, think, and do things that are wrong. None of us is without fault.

…for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God. – Romans 3:23 (ESV)

WHAT HAPPENS BECAUSE I FALL SHORT?

The book of Romans teaches us that there are consequences to unforgiven sin.

For the wages of sin is death… – Romans 6:23a (ESV)

HOW CAN I PREVENT THE PUNISHMENT OF MY SIN?

The Bible also clearly says that it is for once that every man should die. However, we do have to die twice. The first death would be considered the physical death that we will all face one day. The second death, is the spiritual death and eternity in Hell that we do not have to face. If we ask Jesus Christ to forgive us of our sins he will do so, and we will have the gift of eternal life.

If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness. – 1st John 1:9 (ESV)

For the wages of sin is death, but the free gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord. – Romans 6:23 (ESV)

HOW CAN JESUS FORGIVE US?

Jesus never sinned as He walked the earth. He is the spotless lamb of God. 

Behold, the Lamb of God, who takes away the sin of the world! – John 1:29b (ESV)

Because Jesus is the spotless lamb of God, He alone could take the punishment for all our sin.

He himself bore our sins in his body on the tree, that we might die to sin and live to righteousness. By his wounds you have been healed. – ^1st Peter 2:24 (ESV)

The book of Romans tells us:

…but God shows his love for us in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us. – Romans 5:8 (ESV)

Jesus Christ died for us! Jesus’ death paid for the price of our sins. Jesus’ resurrection proves that God accepted Jesus’ death as the payment for our sins.

HOW DO I ASK FOR FORGIVENESS?

Just ask.

If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness. – 1st John 1:9 (ESV)

It really is that simple. God the Father forgives us because we have asked God the Son to save us from our sins by His work on the cross. Then the Holy Spirit of God begins to dwell in our hearts.

But he who is joined to the Lord becomes one spirit with him. – 1st Corinthians 6:17 (ESV)

WHAT MUST WE DO?

…if you confess with your mouth that Jesus is Lord and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved. – Romans 10:9 (ESV)

Because of Jesus’ death on our behalf, all we must do is believe in Him, trusting His death as the payment for our sins – and we will be saved! He can do this, because he is the son of God.

For “everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved.” – Romans 10:13 (ESV)

Jesus died to pay the penalty for our sins and rescue us from eternal death. Salvation, the forgiveness of sins, is available to anyone who will trust in Jesus Christ as Lord and Savior.

WHAT ABOUT BAPTISM?

For by grace you have been saved through faith. And this is not your own doing; it is the gift of God, not a result of works, so that no one may boast. – Ephesians 2:8-9

The principle of being in the water of Baptism does not save us. Baptism is the outward expression of inward change that the Lord is making in our heart. Baptism is the first step in obedience to the Lord.

WHAT’S NEXT?

Matthew 28: 18-20 clearly says what we must do after acting salvation.

And Jesus came and said to them, “All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all that I have commanded you. And behold, I am with you always, to the end of the age.” – Matthew 28:18-20 (ESV)

We must allow ourselves to be taught, become involved in a local church, and go out into the world proclaiming the salvation message so that others may believe. Now that we have the Holy Spirit of God living in our hearts, we can go and make disciples!

MORE QUESTIONS?

Contact us and our Pastor will be happy to answer any questions you have!