Category: Salvation

Truly, baptism for the remission of sins is one of the most controversial subjects. The reason for this is because men do not want to do it! When we get our hearts right, we will want to do all that God has said. When we love Him, we will keep His commandments (John 14:15, 23-24). Dear reader, please consider your soul, and how important it is (Matthew 16:26)! Christ died for you (Matthew 20:28). Do not turn your back on Him, but do what is right by becoming His child today and living for Him all the days of your life (Romans 12:1-2; 1 Corinthians 15:58; 2 Corinthians 5:14-15).

Conjuring up the confidence to confess Christ before men prior to baptism is an important step unto salvation, but confession does not cease there. Instead, it becomes a daily obligation and blessing, the way in which the rest of the Christian’s life is defined and dedicated to God.

Before one can repent he must become aware of his sin and be sorrowed by it. In such sorrow he must desire to amend his life in harmony with the Lord’s will and then bring forth those fruits of repentance already noted in this study (Psalm 51:1-3,17,7,13-15). Many will be lost in the final day because of a failure to repent, even many claiming to be God’s children. Let us all be careful that we not become stiff-necked, refusing to repent. In fact, every lost person will be in torment because he failed to repent.

It is necessary for each sinner to be taught the truth in order to produce faith (Romans 10:17). His faith must lead to repentance (Acts 17:30; Acts 2:38), to confession (Romans 10:9,10), and to baptism in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins (Acts 2:38). Upon being baptized he is a child of God, an heir of God, and joint heir with Jesus Christ (Romans 8:17), added to the Lord’s church (Acts 2:47), and the recipient of all spiritual blessings in heavenly places (Ephesians 1:3). Truly, this is the man who has been saved by faith (Ephesians 2:1-10).

Do not hesitate to tell those who know not the grace of Christ that in order to know it, they must be baptized for the remission of sins, then they will be added to the Lord’s church, to the redeemed, and if faithful unto death, they will be saved eternally (Acts 2:38, 47; Rev. 2:10).

Do you feel good about yourself? Your relationship with God? Do you feel good about those with whom you have spiritual fellowship? Do you have…

“Where is the wise? Where is the scribe? Where is the disputer of this age? Has not God made foolish the wisdom of this world?…

The plan of salvation is found in the Book of Romans. Not only does Paul tell us what God has done for us through His grace and His Son’s sacrifice (6:23), he also sets forth men’s responsibilities in order to be saved. Even Luther acknowledged that men had to do something when he taught the need for faith. The difference is that he believed that was the totality of men’s obligations whereas the inspired Apostle taught additional requirements.

In other words, if saying that salvation is by the grace of God does not eliminate the love of God and the blood of Jesus, why must faith eliminate repentance, confession, and baptism (Matt. 28:19; Mk. 16:16; Lk. 24:47; Acts 2:38)?

The atonement for the church is universal. God has provided a way for all men to be saved. Christ tasted death “for every man” (Heb. 2:9). “One died for all” (2 Cor. 5:14). However, the fact that Christ’s atonement for the church was universal in its provisions does not mean that all will be saved. Appropriating, contacting, taking advantage of the benefits of the church, of the atonement is clear and conditional according to inspiration. Paul pleads, “Be ye reconciled to God” (2 Cor. 5:20).

There are many reasons why women should come to the Lord and this list could go on. The most important reason is to obtain salvation from the sentence of death caused by our sin. We may be comforted in knowing our Lord’s loving attitude toward women of protection, compassion, honor, and friendship. We can be assured that our Lord loves our children as much as we do and has provided a way for them to be with us forever. One need only to obey the simple plan of salvation given by God in His word.

Faith in Jesus as the Son of God will motivate a person to find and do the righteousness of God found in the gospel of Christ. There is no need to go looking in any other source. The answers are to be found in the good news of Jesus.

Study your Bible. Study the Scriptures inspired of God. {They are one and the same}. Believe the truth contained in God’s word. Obey it. Change your life to conform to His will. In Matthew 18:3 Jesus said, “…Assuredly, I say to you, unless you are converted and become as little children, you will by no means enter the kingdom of heaven.”

Upon a thorough study of the example of the Philippian Jailor’s conversion, three conclusions must be drawn. One, that faith only is not taught in this passage. Two, teaching the word of the Lord includes baptism. And three, baptism should be done without delay.

Today, as it was with Lydia so long ago, the gospel is “the power of God to salvation” (Romans 1:16). Only when people hear it can their hearts be opened to faith and obedience (cf. Romans 10:17; 6:17).

In his obedience to the gospel the Ethiopian Eunuch had cast His burden of sin on Jesus, and had found rest for his soul (Matthew 11:28-29). And because he was no longer a prisoner of sin and death. In his obedience to the law of the Spirit of life in Christ he had been set free from the law of sin and death, and he was no longer a condemned man (Romans 8:1-2).

Every case of conversion you study in the book of Acts will reveal this same pattern. We must follow it today if we are going to be saved from our sins. The promise of God is sure – “Everyone who calls upon the name of the Lord shall be saved.” Do you know who the Lord is on whom you must call for salvation? Do you know what you need to be saved from and what He is willing to save you from? And finally, after our study of this chapter in Acts, do you know what to do to call on the name of the Lord?

When you see how clearly the conditions of salvation are set forth by Jesus, I hope that you will promptly render the “obedience of faith” for which the gospel was preached (Rom. 1:5; 16:26).

God does have a five step plan to for those who are addicted to sin! Each and every sin addict alive today who desires to find relief needs to follow God’s simple five step plan. You’ve got to do the steps!