Liberty Letter - 109 The Five Steps To Salvation (Part 1 of 2)

“For even hereunto were ye called: because Christ also suffered for us, leaving us an example, that ye should follow his steps” (1 Peter 2:21, KJV).
STEP 1: HEAR THE WORD OF GOD
Loved ones, for anyone today to be saved and thus become a Christian, he or she must do five things. The first thing is to HEAR the word of God.
God approaches man through his ears and eyes, his understanding. Thus, the Bible was given to be read, studied, understood, and obeyed (Matthew 7:24-29).
In Acts chapter two, the Gospel was preached for the first time to the Jewish people who were gathered in Jerusalem to celebrate the feast of Pentecost. At that time the apostles preached the Gospel, telling the people how Jesus had died for their sins, been buried, and rose from the dead on the third day.
The apostles told the people that God had made the man Jesus, whom the leaders had just crucified, both Lord and Christ. In Acts 2:37, the Bible says, “Now when they HEARD this, they were pricked in their heart, and said unto Peter and the rest of the apostles, Men and brethren, what shall we do?” This is one of the many verses in the Bible that shows the importance of HEARING the word of God.
Why Was The Word (The Bible) Written?
Jesus is the author of salvation to the obedient (Hebrew 5: 8-9), but to no one else. We cannot obey Him unless we learn His will, and we cannot learn His will out­side of the Bible.
Jesus said, “If a man love me, he will keep my words: and my Father will love him, and we will come unto him, and make our abode with him” (John 14:23). Thus, no one can find God, the Savior, or the Holy Spirit, without HEARING the word of God.
To be saved one must “call upon the name of the Lord.” Before this can be done, one must believe, and in order to believe, he must HEAR (Romans 10:13-14).
The Holy Spirit says, “So then faith cometh by hearing, and hearing by the word of God” (Romans 10:17). We know that without faith it is impossible to please God (Hebrew 11:6), so again the Bible teaches that HEARING is so very important.
We must hear the word of God discerningly. One should not be a gullible hearer. The noble Bereans searched the scriptures daily to see whether the things they HEARD were true (Acts 17:11). Like them, we must not accept or reject what is preached until we have examined it carefully in light of all the Bible teaches.
We must hear the word of God eagerly. The Bible says, “Wherefore my beloved brethren, let every man be swift to hear, slow to speak, slow to wrath” (James 1:19).
We must hear the word of God with proper motives.
Jesus taught, “Therefore whosoever heareth these sayings of mine, and doeth them, I will liken him unto a wise man, which built his house upon a rock…and everyone that heareth these saying of mine, and doeth them not, shall be likened unto a foolish man, which built his house upon the sand” (Matthew 7:24-26).
2 Timothy 3:16-17… The Word was written and is profitable for our “doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness.” It makes us completely furnished to do all good works.
Romans 15:4… The Word was written in the Old Testament for our learning and to give us hope.
Romans 10:17… The Word was written so we will have faith.
John 20:30-31… The Word was written so we will believe that Jesus Christ is the Son of God.
James 1:25… The Word was written because it’s the perfect law of liberty (freedom).
John 17:17… The Word was written because it’s the truth.
1 Thessalonians 2:13… The Word was written because it’s the Word of God.
What Will The Word Do For Us?
Luke 11:28… The Word will bless us.
John 8:32… The Word will make us free.
2 Timothy 3:15… The Word will make us wise unto salvation.
James 1:21… The Word will save our souls.
What Will Judge Us In The Last Day?
John 12:48… The Word.
STEP 2: HAVE BELIEF OR FAITH IN JESUS.
The second step that one must take to become a Christian is to believe or have faith in Jesus as the Son of God. In approaching this point about FAITH, we are mindful of the things we just studied in Step 1 about HEARING the Word.
If there is no hearing, faith will not be present because hearing is the basis of faith. The Bible says, “So then faith cometh by hearing, and hearing by the word of God” (Romans 10:17). This tells us that real Bible faith (the only acceptable faith) must be based upon the Word of God.
Since Jesus is the Word, Paul says, "For other foundation can no man lay than that is laid, which is Jesus Christ” (1 Corinthians 3:11). Therefore, our faith must rest on Jesus Christ.
The Bible speaks of walking by faith (2 Corinthians 5:7), keeping the faith (Revelation 14:12), building on faith (Jude 20), and a bearing of faith as part of the fruit of the Christian life (Galatians 5:22). Indeed, the entire response one makes to God is a process of faith.
Faith is essential, vital, and necessary. Without it there can be no salvation. Repentance, confession of Christ, and water baptism (other steps in God’s plan) are all proceeded by faith. Without faith they cannot take place!
What Is Faith?
The Hebrew writer says, “Now faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen” (Hebrews 11:1). Faith involves believing that God is – that He exists.
The Bible says, “But without faith it is impossible to please him: for he that cometh to God must believe that he is, and that he is a rewarder of them that diligently seek him” (Hebrews 11:6).
This passage shows the need to please God. Therefore, faith is taking God at His word (Romans 4:21). Faith gives us the assurance that in seeking God there are rewards promised, and we expect to receive them.
Faith is NOT something merely felt, or something imagined, and it is not something read or heard that is NOT the truth of the Bible. Many people can speak of having “faith” in this or that, but it may only be something imagined, something they desire to believe, or something they believe based on false information. None of these would be the faith spoken of and honored in the Word of God.
Hearing the word will not profit anyone if it is not mixed with faith (Hebrew 4:2).
Also, a faith that merely says, “I Believe,” but has no persuasion toward obeying, is NOT acceptable to God. James makes that point in reference to the devils. He says:
“Thou believest that there is one God; thou doest well: the devils also believe, and tremble (James 2:19). Satan and his hosts indeed know that God exists, and that Jesus is the Son of God, but these do not act to obey God and Christ.
The only acceptable faith in God is an active obedient faith – a faith that “works by love” (Galatians 5:6). A faith that does not obey is a dead faith (James 2:17, 26).
Remember: man is justified (or made right) by faith (Romans 5:1), but we must hasten to point out that man is NOT justified by “faith only” (James 2:24). Always, the faith that pleases God is that which is obedient to the will of God (Romans 1:5, 26).
Jesus is the author of salvation only to those who obey Him (Hebrews 5:9). The only people who will make heaven their eternal home are the ones who DO the will of God by faith (Matthew 7:21).
What Must We Believe?
Mark 1:15… We must believe the gospel. The facts of the gospel include the death, burial and resurrection of Jesus for our sins (1 Corinthians 15:1-4).
John 2:22… We must believe the Scriptures (Old and New Testament).
John 14:1… We must believe in God, the Father and in Jesus, His only begotten Son.
James 2:19… We must believe there is (ONLY) one God.
John 12:36… We must believe that Jesus is the light. Then we can become children of light.
John 17:1, 21… We must believe God sent Jesus.
John 14:26… We must believe God sent the Holy Spirit to reveal His Word through the Bible.
John 6:69… We must believe Jesus is the Christ (Messiah), the Son of the living God.
Acts 10:39… We must believe Jesus was put to death on a tree or cross.
1 Thessalonians 4:14… We must believe Jesus died and rose again.
1 John 1:7… We must believe Jesus’ blood cleanseth us from all sin.
What Will Happen If We Believe?
John 20:29… If we believe we will be blessed.
Mark 9:23… If we believe all things will be possible.
What Will Happen If We Do Not Believe?
Mark 16:16… If we don’t believe we will be damned or cursed.
John 8:24… If we don’t believe we will die in our sins.
STEP 3: REPENT Of SINS!
The third step towards salvation in Christ is repentance of sins.
“Freewill” is a natural part of man’s being. God made man with the attribute of “freewill” and man, therefore, is fully capable of choosing to serve either God or Satan (cf. Joshua 24:15).
Since all accountable persons have exercised their freewill in choosing to sin – “For all have sinned and come short of the glory of God” (Romans 3:23) – it is equally true that the freewill of sinful man is necessarily involved in his choice to return to God.
The Lord, our only Savior, requires repentance of taught believers. He did “not come to call the righteous, but sinners to repentance" (Matthew 9:13).
Jesus said, “Except ye repent, ye shall all likewise perish” (Luke 13:3).
Luke's account of Christ’s last words tell us that Jesus required, "Repentance and remission of sins (to) be preached in His name to all nations, beginning at Jerusalem" (Luke 24:47).
What is involved in the mind and life of one when he or she repents? This question must be answered, because if one would be saved by God that person must repent (Acts 17:30).
Repentance is a simple word. Its most basic meaning is "to think differently." Repentance is about changing direction. It also signifies "to change one's mind or purpose." It always involves a change for the better. One makes a change in direction from a lifestyle that was separated from and rebellious against God and turns to Him.
Isaiah summed it up: "Cease to do evil; learn to do well” (Isaiah 1:16-17). Repentance is the way we get ready and prepared for the coming of salvation.
There is no salvation where there is no repentance. What is required is not that we try to escape from predicaments and crises, but a repentance wherein one sincerely turns to and walks with God.
What Produces Repentance?
The Bible says, “GODLY SORROW produces REPENTANCE” (2 Corinthians 7:8-10). Repentance then results in a REFORMATION OF LIFE (Luke 3:8).
Therefore, repentance is both an effect and a cause. It is the effect of godly sorrow and the cause of a reformation of life.
God uses His word in two ways to bring mankind to repentance: First, from the Word of God we are caused to see the fearful and eternal consequences of a life lived in sin (Matthew 11:20-24).
Second, from the same Word we also see that the goodness of God leads us to repent (Romans 2:4-5).
If Godly sorrow over sin and the goodness of God do not cause a person to repent, such a person will never be brought to repentance!
Our time in this life is limited. Indeed, God has set the time of the end (Ecclesiastes 3:2). The time when He is calling out for repentance will not go on forever. Consequently, the apostle Paul said in the epistle addressed to the church at Corinth:
“Now is the accepted time; behold, now is the day of salvation" (2 Corinthians 6:2).
We should not take lightly God's forgiveness of those who come to Him repenting, and God's abundant loving kindness, forbearance, and endurance which allows us to live in a righteous relationship with Him.
Remember: repentance means to turn away from sin (change your mind about sin) and turn to God.
Who Commands Us To Repent?
Matthew 4:17… We are commanded to repent by Jesus, the Son.
Acts 17:30… We are commanded to repent by God, the Father.
Of What Should We Repent?
Acts 8:22… We should repent of our wickedness.
What Will Happen If We Repent?
Luke 15:7… If we repent there will be joy in Heaven.
What Will Happen If We Do Not Repent?
Luke 13:3… If we don’t repent, we will perish.
To be continued with Steps 4 and 5 in Part 2…God is good. Love you all. Samuel
THE FIVE STEPS TO SALVATION (Part 2 of 2)
STEP 4: CONFESS CHRIST!
The fourth step in becoming a Christian is confession of faith in the Lord.
The central theme that runs through the Bible is the salvation of man through Jesus Christ to the glory of God.
Genesis through Malachi says, “Christ is coming.” Matthew through John says, “Christ has come.” Acts through Revelation says, “Christ is coming again.”
Since God now speaks to us through His Son (Hebrews 1:1-2; cf. Deuteronomy 18:18-19), to obey God is to obey Christ. To obey Christ is to confess Christ.
“Confession” means to declare openly by way of speaking out freely. Such confession is the effect of a deep conviction of facts.
Jesus said, "Whosoever therefore shall confess me before men, him will I confess also before my Father which is in heaven. But whosoever shall deny me before men, him will I also deny before my Father which is in heaven” (Matthew 10:32-33).
Paul said, “For with the heart man believeth unto righteousness; and with the mouth confession is made unto salvation” (Romans 10:10).
Since Jesus Christ is the Son of God, and since there is no salvation in any other name under heaven (Acts 4:12), the confession made “unto salvation” has to do with the deep convictions of an individual believing that Jesus is LORD, the Christ, the Son of the living God. This belief is based on the facts and evidences that are presented in the Word of God (John 20:30-31). But more than that, faith in Jesus also conveys the obedient response which must be rendered throughout life by the one who confesses Christ by the lip.
There are two ways to confess Christ. First, there must be the confession of the Christ on the part of one as he places himself under the obligation to accept the terms of salvation which have been set forth by the Christ.
Part of one’s obedience to the Gospel is the public acknowledgement of his belief in Jesus as the Son of God (Matthew 10:32).
When we reflect back to the time of our Lord’s ministry, those who were going to follow Him had to acknowledge (had to confess) that He was the Christ, the Son of God. Obviously, they had to indicate their belief in Jesus in some way.
This is why it was said (to the shame of some), that even among the chief rulers there were “…many who believed on him; but because of the Pharisees they did not confess him, lest they should be put out of the synagogue: for they loved the praise of men more than the praise of God” (John 12:42-43).
Likewise today, when one comes to be a disciple there must be a willingness to abide in the teaching of Christ and a confessing of Jesus as the Christ. This confession cannot be a secretive or hidden kind of confession. In fact, how can anyone be assisted in their obedience to Christ unless a confession of Jesus takes place? How else can we know their desire? It would be impossible to know unless we find out from them! (cf. Acts 8:26-40).
Second, the one who has made the initial confession with the mouth – that “I believe that Jesus Christ is the Son of God,” and has rendered obedience to the Gospel of Christ, must also add to that initial confession another kind of confession; i.e. – the confession that they belong to Jesus. This confession is made by the way one lives, and will be made as long as they live.
What Must We Confess?
Matthew 16:15-16; John 11:27; 1 John 4:15… We must confess that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God.
How Must We Confess Jesus?
Matthew 10:32… We must confess Him before men.
Romans 10:9-10… We must confess Him with our mouth.
What Will Happen If We Confess Jesus?
Matthew 10:32… If we confess Jesus, Christ will confess us before His Father in Heaven.
Luke 12:8… If we confess Jesus, Christ will confess us before the angels of God.
What Will Happen If We Deny (Do Not Confess) Jesus?
Matthew 10:33; Luke 12:9; 2 Timothy 2:12… If we deny Jesus, Christ will deny us before His Father in Heaven.
1 John 2:23… If we deny Jesus, we will not have the Father.
STEP 5: BE BAPTIZED (IMMERSED IN WATER)!
The fifth and final step necessary for one to be saved is baptism by immersion in water.
One cannot preach the Gospel of Christ without preaching baptism for salvation by the remission of sins (Mark 16:15-16; Acts 2:38). In fact, water baptism is always a part of preaching Christ (Acts 8:5, 12, 35-39).
Jesus began His personal ministry by being baptized (Matthew 3:13-17), and He ended His earthly stay by commanding baptism (Matthew 28:18-20).
As we said earlier, the death, the burial, and the resurrection of Jesus for our sins are the facts of the Gospel (1 Corinthians 15:1-4). These facts must be believed and obeyed if a soul is to be saved (cf. Romans 6:3-4, 17).
If we do not obey the Gospel, we will be eternally lost (2 Thessalonians 1:7-9).
The command to be baptized was a part of the first Gospel sermon (Acts 2:37-38), because water baptism beautifully portrays the death, burial, and resurrection of Jesus (Romans 6:1-4).
How many baptisms does the Bible demand? "There is…One Lord, one faith, one baptism” (Ephesians 4:5).
What is the action? “Buried with him in baptism, wherein also ye are raised with him through the faith of the operation of God who hath raised him from the dead” (Colossians 2:12).
What Is The One Baptism For?
Baptism washes away our sins by the blood of Jesus (Matthew 26:28; Acts 2:38; 22:16; Revelation 1:5). Baptism brings us into Christ (Galatians 3:27) where all spiritual blessings are found (Ephesians 1:3). These Spiritual blessing include but are not limited to forgiveness of sins (Ephesians 1:7), salvation (2 Timothy 2:10), the indwelling Spirit of God as an earnest and intercessor (Ephesians 1:13-14; Romans 8:26), and eternal life (1 John 5:11).
The only scriptural candidate for water baptism is a taught penitent believer. If one does not believe that Jesus is the Son of God, or has not decided to turn from his sins (repented), he is not a scriptural candidate for baptism. The one being baptized must know about the shed blood of Jesus, where it is to be contacted, and what it does.
If one does not realize that by being baptized into the death of Jesus (Romans 6:3) his sins are washed away by the blood of Christ (Matthew 26:28), and is thus added to the church of Christ by the Lord Jesus (Acts 2:47; 1 Corinthians 12:13), he is not a scriptural candidate for baptism.
Concerning denominational baptism, if a person was baptized, but was ignorant of the significance of baptism to his salvation, he was not baptized scripturally. He needs to be taught right and baptized again with the proper understanding in his heart (cf. Romans 6:17; Acts 19:1-5).
Since baptism is a burial in water (Romans 6:4), a person who simply had a little water sprinkled or poured over his head or body was not scripturally baptized.
So if a person has not been immersed in water with the proper understanding of its significance he has not been baptized scripturally and needs to go back under the water again.
Why Are We Baptized?
Acts 22:16… We are baptized to wash away our sins.
Revelation 1:5… We are baptized to wash away our sins by the blood of Jesus.
John 3:3, 5… We are baptized to be born again.
Romans 6:4… We are baptized to walk in newness of life
Mark 16:16; 1 Peter 3:21… We are baptized to be saved NOW.
Acts 2:41, 47… We are baptized to be added to the church that Jesus built, the church of Christ.
How Are We Baptized?
Acts 8:38-39… We are baptized by going down into the water – immersed – and coming back up out of the water.
Colossians 2:12… We are baptized by being buried in the water.
Into What Are We Baptized?
Galatians 3:27… We are baptized into Christ.
Romans 6:3… We are baptized into Christ’s death.
1 Corinthians 12:13… We are baptized into one body (the church of Christ).
What Will We Receive When We Are Baptized?
Acts 2:38… We will receive forgiveness of sins and the gift of the Holy Ghost.
After these steps, believers are expected to live a faithful life (Revelation 2:10).
5 STEPS: SUMMARY
Jesus is truly the Son of God (Matthew 27:54). Deity came to earth in the form of lowly man (Matthew 1:21-23; Philippians 2:6-7). He dwelt on this earth in the flesh about 33 years (cf. Luke 3:23).
As He completed the work the Father gave Him to do (John 17:4), He went to the cross and died for the sins of the world (Romans 5:8). He died to cleanse your sins and mine by His blood (Matthew 26:28; Revelation 1:5). But as you know, the Good News doesn’t stop there.
Jesus was buried in a grave (like any dead man should be - cf. Acts 19:39-42; Romans 6:1-7), but on the third day He rose from the grave (1 Corinthians 15:1-4) never to die again (Acts 13:34).
The resurrected Lord appeared too more than people (1 Corinthians 15:5-8). Before His ascension, He told His followers to GO INTO THE WHOLE WORLD preaching the Gospel of Jesus Christ (Matthew 28:18-20; Mark 16:15-16; Luke 24:46-48). He then ascended on high (Acts 1:9) to the right hand of the Father (Romans 8:34). There, He reigns over His kingdom His church as Lord of lords and King of kings (Revelation 11:15; 17:14; 19:16).
He's coming again! (1 Thessalonians 4:13-18; Acts 1:11). When He comes, He will judge the world in righteousness (Revelation 19:11). When He comes, His people will be taken home to glory (Romans 8:18; cf. Matthew 25:34, 46). When He comes, the lost souls will perish (Luke 13:3) – they will be ushered into eternal destruction (2 Thessalonians 1:7-9).
God does not want anyone to perish (2 Peter 3:9). So, God uses preachers and all His people to tell others the Good News about Jesus. We are to tell the lost how to get INTO Jesus so their sins can be forgiven (Matthew 26:28)...so they can be added to the one body, the church of God (1 Corinthians 12:13; Ephesians 1:22-23; 4:4; Matthew 16:18)...so they can receive salvation (2 Timothy 2:10) and the indwelling of the Holy Spirit (Ephesians 3:16-17).
To become a Christian a person must believe and obey Jesus (cf. Hebrews 5:9; Matthew 7:21; Luke 6:46). Our belief comes by hearing the Word of God - the Bible (Romans 10:17). Our obedience comes as we submit to and learn to love the Lord our God (John 14:15).
To become a Christian a person must hear and believe that Jesus died for our sins, was buried, and rose again on the third day (Acts 18:8; 1 Corinthians 15:1-4). A person must believe these facts about the Son of God (John 3:16; 8:24). This heart felt belief in Jesus will cause an honest person (Luke 8:15) to confess Him (Romans 10:9-10), repent of their sins (change their mind about doing wrong – cf. Matthew 21:28-32), and submit their body to be immersed (buried in water - Colossians 2:12) into Christ (Galatians 3:26-27).
Coming up out of that grave of water, the person is born again (John 3:3-5). He is forgiven of past sins (Acts 2:38; 22:16). He is saved (1 Pet. 3:21; Mark 16:16). He is added to the church which Jesus built (Matthew 16:18; Acts 2:41, 47). He receives the indwelling of the Holy Spirit as an earnest of his salvation (Acts 5:32; Ephesians 1:13-14; Romans 8:9-11).
Loved ones, Jesus is the Author of eternal salvation to all who obey Him (Hebrews 5:9).
You now have heard the Word of God! Do you believe what you have heard? Do you believe that Jesus it the Christ, the Son of God? Do you believe that Jesus died for your sins, was buried, and rose again on the third day?
Have you changed your mind about, or repented of your sins?
Are you willing now to confess Jesus as LORD, the Christ, the Son of God?
If so, you are ready to be baptized into Christ for the forgiveness of your sins.
Jesus asked, “And why do you call me Lord, Lord, and do not the things I say?” (Luke 6:46). Have you obeyed Jesus? If not, why not?
Won’t you please trust and commit your life to Him who can save you?
Please contact a congregation of the churches of Christ in your area today (Romans 16:16; 2 Corinthians 6:2). They will gladly assist you in obeying the Lord and becoming “Just a Christian.”
May God bless you to obey from the heart the things you now understand (Romans 6:17).
Read and pray about 2 Thessalonians 1:7-10
The God of Heaven is so good. We love you with the love of the Lord. Samuel