WHAT MUST I DO TO BE SAVED?

The first thing that we should learn in studying this question is the deep concern that God has for our salvation. The extent of God's love. "For God so loved the world..." (John 3:16). His love includes all races, the rich, the poor, young and old. God's love is for all.

There are many important questions, the most important one being: What must I do to be saved? The question is not what must Abraham do to be saved in the Patriarchal Age. It was necessary for Abraham to leave his homeland in Ur of the Chaldees (Gen. 11:31; 12:1-3). It was necessary for Abraham to offer his son Isaac on the altar (Gen. 22:2). It is not necessary for us to do that today. The question is not what must David do to be saved in the Mosaic Age. David offered burnt offerings (2 Sam. 24:24-25). God does not require this of us to have our sins forgiven. The question is : What must I do to be saved in the Christian Age?

Faith is the first step that one should take to be saved. "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" (Heb. 11:6). How does one get this saving faith? "So then faith cometh by hearing, and hearing by the word of God" (Rom. 10:17). "But these things are written, that ye might believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God; and that, believing, ye might have life through his name" (John 20:31). Since it is impossible to please God without faith, then faith must be the first step for the sinner. The Bible clearly teaches that the sinner cannot please God without faith and this faith comes by hearing the word of God. The things written in the Bible were written that we might believe. Our faith must be based upon the word of God.

Repentance is the second step that one must take to be saved. Peter commanded people on Pentecost to "Repent, and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ, for the remission of sins..." (Acts 2:38). God commands men everywhere to repent (Acts 17:30). Paul preached to the Gentiles "... that they should repent and turn to God, and do works meet for repentance" (Acts 26:20). Repentance is not merely feeling sorry for sins, rather godly sorrow works repentance or brings repentance (2 Cor. 7:10). Repentance means to turn away from our sins, give up our sins, to forsake sin.

Confession is the third step that one must take to be saved. Jesus taught us to confess him before men (Matt. 10:32). "For with the heart man believeth unto righteousness; and with the mouth confession is made unto salvation" (Rom. 10:10). Since we are to confess Christ and the confession is made with the mouth, it follows that we are to confess with the mouth, Jesus is Lord. These are not empty words, for we are acknowledging Christ as our Savior and promising to follow or serve him as our master. We have an example of the confession being made "unto salvation". Philip preached Jesus to the eunuch from Ethiopia (Acts 8:35). While hearing Jesus preached the eunuch asked, "See, here is water; what doth hinder me to be baptized?" (Acts 8:36). Philip answered his question by saying, "... If thou believest with all thine heart, thou mayest", and the eunuch answered, "... I believe that Jesus Christ is the Son of God" (Acts 8:37). Upon this confession Philip baptized him and when the eunuch came up out of the water he went on his way rejoicing (Acts 8:38-39).

Baptism is the fourth step that one must take to be saved. The Bible clearly teaches that baptism is a condition of salvation just as faith, repentance or confession is a condition. What does the Bible say about baptism and salvation? Jesus said, "He that believeth, and is baptized, shall be saved; but he that believeth not, shall be damned" (Mk. 16:16). Peter said, "... Repent, and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ, for the remission of sins..." (Acts 2:38). Ananias said to Saul of Tarsus (Paul), "... arise, and be baptized, and wash away thy sins, calling on the name of the Lord" (Acts 22:16). Paul said, "... we are buried with him by baptism...we also should walk in newness of life" (Rom. 6:4). Each time that baptism and salvation are mentioned together in a passage of scripture, baptism always comes before salvation. It is at the point of baptism that Christ promised to forgive the sinner.

If you have not taken these steps to be saved, we persuade you to do so at once. When you take these steps to enter Christ, at the same time you become a member of his spiritual body (1 Cor. 12:13), a member of the church (Acts 2:41; Col. 1:18). You are a Christian (Acts 11:26).

God has shown His love for us by sending Christ to die for us (Rom. 5:8). Christ has shown his love for us and has made the way of salvation plain. We persuade you to believe in Christ, repent , confesss Christ and be baptized into Christ today. If we can assist you please call on us.