Clinton Church Of Christ

What does the Bible teach about SALVATION?

The Bible is very clear about what it takes to become a Christian. Unfortunately, many in the world teach something different. Some think faith alone saves. Some think that a simple prayer to God will save them. Some think that being kind and loving is all that is needed. But what does the Bible say? That is what really matters.

Step 1: We Must HEAR the Word
Without first hearing the word of God we would never know that we are sinners and that the “wages of sin” is spiritual death (Romans 3:23; 6:23). We also wouldn’t know of Jesus’ sacrifice for our sins and our need for Him.

Step 2: We Must BELIEVE What We Hear
Merely hearing the word of God doesn’t save. We must believe what we hear, or we are not likely to obey the Bible’s commands. In John 8:24, Jesus says, “...if you do not believe that I am He, you will die in your sins.” But belief itself is not enough. We learn this truth in Matthew 7:21. We will not be saved by merely declaring our belief we must “do” what God demands.

Step 3: We Must REPENT of Our Sins
Sin is what separates us from God (Isaiah 59:2). Therefore, if we intend to seek God’s forgiveness, we must be willing to repent of our sins. Repentance means “turning away from sin” and making the effort to sin no more. If we aren’t willing to repent of our sins, we cannot be saved (Acts 3:19; Luke 13:3).

Step 4: We Must CONFESS Our Faith
Those that wish to be saved must confess their faith in Jesus. It was Jesus Christ Himself who said, “Therefore whoever confesses Me before men, him I will also confess before My Father who is in heaven” (Matthew 10:32; cf. (Romans 10:9,10; I John 4:15).

Step 5: We Must Be BAPTIZED
There is considerable religious confusion about baptism. Some think that baptism isn’t necessary, others believe we are saved before we are baptized.

Note what the Bible says baptism does:
1. Baptism shows a good conscience to God (1 Peter 3:21)
2. Baptism washes away sins (Acts 22:16; 1 Corinthians 6:11)
3. Baptism gives entry “into” Christ (Romans 6:3; Galatians 3:27)

In other words, our sins are not washed away, and we are not “in Christ” until we are baptized. Since baptism is for the forgiveness of sins (Acts 2:38), we are still in our sins (and lost) until we are baptized. We should also realize that baptism is a burial or immersion—it is not sprinkling (Romans 6:3,4)—and baptism is for believers, not infants (Mark 16:16).

Is baptism a work? In one sense it is, but Jesus says that belief is a work too (see John 6:29). Do we earn salvation by our works? No! But we must still do those works, including being baptized for the forgiveness of our sins. We are saved by the mercy and grace of God, but He demands that we be baptized to wash away our sins. He does the work of forgiving and saving us, if we follow His instructions.

Step 6: We Must Remain FAITHFUL
While baptism puts us into Christ and washes away our sins, we must still be obedient and faithful to God, otherwise, we will lose our souls. The Bible tells us “...Be faithful until death, and I will give you the crown of life” (Revelation 2:10). Some suggest that once we are saved, we cannot be lost. Doesn’t that contradict what Hebrews 6:4-6 says?

Please study the verses above in your own Bible, pray to God for understanding, and give this some serious thought. Your soul depends on it!

We would love to study this matter further with you and answer any questions you may have. Please contact us!