“For the wages of sin is death; but the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord”
What must I do to be Saved?
The Bible tells us that, "the word of God is quick, and powerful, and sharper than any two edged sword, piercing even to the dividing asunder of soul and spirit, and of the joints and marrow, and is a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart." Hebrews 4:12 . Often people will cherry-pick verses that suit their indoctrination but the bible tells us, "
All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness: That the man of God may be perfect, thoroughly furnished unto all good works (2 Timothy 3:16). With those two verses in mind let' seek the WHOLE counsel of God. The answers to salvation are found in multiple places all throughout the Holy scriptures so let us keep things simple and let the Word of God speak for itself on this issue and may the Spirit of truth guide you to it! The Words of Jesus are highlighted in Red.
Let's start with the #1 most well known verse about salvation in all the Bible regarding our Savior,
..."And he is the propitiation for our sins: and not for ours only, but also for the sins of the whole world". - 1 John 2:2
..."Sirs, what must I do to be saved? And they said, Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ, and thou shalt be saved, and thy house. And they spake unto him the word of the Lord, and to all that were in his house. And he took them the same hour of the night, and washed their stripes; and was baptized, he and all his, straightway. - Acts 16:30-33
..."Then Peter said unto them, Repent, and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins, and ye shall receive the gift of the Holy Ghost. - Acts 2:38
..."if thou shalt confess with thy mouth the Lord Jesus, and shalt believe in thine heart that God hath raised him from the dead, thou shalt be saved. - Romans 10:9 - 10:10
For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God: Not of works, lest any man should boast. - Ephesians 2:8-9
“For the wages of sin is death; but the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord.” - Romans 6:23
He that believeth and is baptized shall be saved; but he that believeth not shall be damned. - Mark 16:16
"Neither is there salvation in any other: for there is none other name under heaven given among men, whereby we must be saved." - Acts 4:12
“I tell you, Nay: but, except ye repent, ye shall all likewise perish." - Luke 13:3
"Remember therefore from whence thou art fallen, and repent, and do the first works; or else I will come unto thee quickly, and will remove thy candlestick out of his place, except thou repent." - Revelation 2:5
Repent ye therefore, and be converted, that your sins may be blotted out, when the times of refreshing shall come from the presence of the Lord. -Acts 3:19
The Lord is not slack concerning his promise, as some men count slackness; but is longsuffering to us-ward, not willing that any should perish, but that all should come to repentance. - 2 Peter 3:9
For godly sorrow worketh repentance to salvation not to be repented of: but the sorrow of the world worketh death. - 2 Corinthians 7:10
"YE MUST BE BORN AGAIN"!
There was a man of the Pharisees, named Nicodemus, a ruler of the Jews:
The same came to Jesus by night, and said unto him, Rabbi, we know that thou art a teacher come from God: for no man can do these miracles that thou doest, except God be with him. Jesus answered and said unto him, Verily, verily, I say unto thee, Except a man be born again, he cannot see the kingdom of God. Nicodemus saith unto him, How can a man be born when he is old? can he enter the second time into his mother's womb, and be born? Jesus answered, Verily, verily, I say unto thee, Except a man be born of water and of the Spirit, he cannot enter into the kingdom of God. That which is born of the flesh is flesh; and that which is born of the Spirit is spirit. Marvel not that I said unto thee, Ye must be born again - John 3:1-7
Therefore if any man be in Christ, he is a new creature: old things are passed away; behold, all things are become new.
- 2 Corinthians 5:17
"And whosoever doth not bear his cross, and come after me, cannot be my disciple." - Luke 14:27
"Then said Jesus unto his disciples, If any man will come after me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross, and follow me." - Matthew 16:24
Enter ye in at the strait gate: for wide is the gate, and broad is the way, that leadeth to destruction, and many there be which go in thereat: Because strait is the gate, and narrow is the way, which leadeth unto life, and few there be that find it." - Matthew 7:13-14
"Every tree that bringeth not forth good fruit is hewn down, and cast into the fire." - Matthew 7:19
“Not every one that saith unto me, Lord, Lord, shall enter into the kingdom of heaven; but he that doeth the will of my Father which is in heaven.” - Matthew 7:21
This people draweth nigh unto me with their mouth, and honoureth me with their lips; but their heart is far from me" - Matthew 15:8
"If ye love me, keep my commandments" - John14:15
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We are saved at the moment of belief/faith like the thief on the cross. Forgiven. Jesus paid it all. Only by the blood of Jesus are we washed clean. Only by what he did is it even possible to stand blameless before a Holy God but be not deceived, it doesn't just end there, there are many warnings he left us with, will you heed to the living Word made flesh? Don't be like the seeds sown among thorns or stony ground, don't be like he who buried his talent...Will you hear the Word of God?
There are many verses we can find written pertaining to the prerequisites of salvation but these few key elements are consistently throughout: an earnest biblical faith/belief in God, the man Christ Jesus and his sacrifice for our sins, followed by repentance, baptism and abiding in Jesus until death. "But be ye doers of the word, and not hearers only, deceiving your own selves (James 1:22). Jesus clearly taught a Salvation for those in obedience to God as did the New and Old testament writers, if we continue to live an unrepentant sinful wicked lifestyle that does not follow the clear teachings and messages of Jesus we deceive ourselves and deny him that bought us. We will touch upon these and other related hot topics on our blog such as "the sinners prayer" and the doctrine of "Once Saved Always Saved" which turns the grace of our God into lasciviousness. For the time being people should be forewarned both are dangerous and deceptive teachings that later on can be a direct cause for many being led astray into apostasy.