How can I be saved?
The Bible tells us that each individual is created in the image of God (Genesis 1:27). Throughout the Bible, God has communicated His will for how we should live. The Old Testament was a covenant with the Jewish people (also called the Hebrews or Israelites). The New Testament is a covenant with both Jews and non-Jews (all mankind). When we begin to know right from wrong and we don’t live up to God’s will, we will miss the mark…or in other words, we “sin.” Once we know the difference between right and wrong, none of us can be perfect. The New Testament says that we have all sinned and fall short of the glory of God (see Romans chapter 3). Our sins separate us from God and as a result, the punishment or consequences of our sin is that we will die spiritually and eternally (Isaiah 59:2 and 2 Corinthians 7:10.)
While we were sinners, God demonstrated His mercy and grace by sending Jesus to die on the cross to bear the penalty that we deserve for our sins (see John 3:16, Titus 2:11, and Acts 2:22-37). Jesus died on a cross in A.D.30, then was buried in a tomb for three days, then was raised from the dead on the first day of the week (Sunday). The gospel (the “good news”) of Jesus Christ, in short, is Jesus’ death, burial and resurrection (see 1 Corinthians 15:1-8). The reason that our sins can be forgiven, is not because we earn our salvation through good things we do, but instead, through Jesus’ blood that was shed on the cross for our sins, which is the payment made for our sins (see Romans 8:34, Hebrews 9:12, and Ephesians 1:7). The apostle Paul describes the gospel as “the power of God for salvation to everyone who believes, to the Jew first and also to the Greek (Romans 1:16).
So, are all men and women automatically saved as a result of Jesus paying the penalty for our sins? According to the New Testament, the answer is “No.” Jesus says that there are things that we must do to accept this gift that has been given to us. After Jesus’ resurrection from the dead and before He ascended to heaven, he told his disciples; “All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all that I have commanded you. And behold, I am with you always, to the end of the age” (Matthew 18:20). Jesus then went on to tell his disciples “Go into all the world and proclaim the gospel to the whole creation. Whoever believes and is baptized will be saved, but whoever does not believe will be condemned” (Mark 16:15-16). After we are saved, we should not sin intentionally so that God’s grace will increase…instead we need to walk in newness of life, walking in the light as He is in the light, and being faithful to God unto death (see Romans 6, 1 John 1, and Revelation 2:10).
Obeying the Gospel
What are some examples of obeying the gospel:
Shortly after Jesus ascended into heaven, Peter preached the first gospel sermon on the day of Pentecost. When the crowd gathered in Jerusalem heard about the death, burial and resurrection of Jesus (Acts 2:22-36), those who believed the gospel message asked Peter, “what should we do?” Consistent with what Jesus taught them prior to His ascension, Peter told them “Repent and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins, and you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit. For the promise is for you and for your children and for all who are far off, everyone whom the Lord our God calls to himself” (Acts 2:38 – 39). And with many other words Peter bore witness and continued to exhort them, saying, “Save yourselves from this crooked generation” (Acts 2:40). “So those who received his word were baptized, and there were added that day about three thousand souls” (Acts 2:41). Peter wasn’t adding people to Jesus’ church, but the scriptures say, “the Lord added to their number day by day those who were being saved.” After they were saved, the New Testament says, “And they devoted themselves to the apostles’ teaching and the fellowship, to the breaking of bread and the prayers” (Acts 2:42).
If you look at how Paul the Apostle was saved, you can see this same message. Paul (then called Saul) was persecuting the church, but Jesus appeared to him on the road to Damascus. Jesus told Saul to go into Damascus and he would be told “what he must do.” If you read these accounts (see Acts chapter 22 and chapter 9), after Saul prayed and fasted for three days, he was not yet saved. God sent Ananias to meet with Saul to tell him what he must do. In Acts 22:16, Ananias told Saul “And now why do you wait? Rise and be baptized and wash away your sins, calling on his name.”
Other examples are found throughout the book of Acts (e.g., Acts 8:12-13, Acts 8:25-39, Acts 9:18, Acts 10:47-48, Acts 16:25-34, Acts 18:8, and Acts 19:1-5).
Where can I find more information about obeying the gospel?
In Paul’s letter to the Christians in Rome, he explains how by being immersed* in water (baptism), we share in the death, burial and resurrection of Jesus. We first choose to die to sin (we decide to turn away from sin, or repent). Then we are buried in the waters of baptism with Christ. And we arise from the waters of baptism to walk in newness of life (see Romans chapter 6). Paul, referring to himself and the Christians in Rome, saying “thanks be to God, that you who were once slaves of sin have become obedient from the heart to the standard of teaching to which you were committed, and, having been set free from sin, have become slaves of righteousness.” When we are baptized into Jesus Christ, we no longer are slaves to sin… we have obeyed the gospel…we have become “obedient from the heart to the standard of teaching to which we are committed.” For some additional information on this subject see Galatians 3:26-27, 1 Peter 4:17, 2 Thessalonians 1:8, Romans 10:16, 1 Peter 3:21 and Titus 3:3-7.
*When the New Testament was originally written in the Greek language, the Greek word Baptizó (βάπτισμα) meant to immerse or dip. Paul described it as being buried in water.
What happens at my baptism?
If you want to get baptized, we’ll be thrilled to help you at our church’s baptistery, at a swimming pool, or any other body of water. Someone will meet you there and, if you're at the church building, will explain where you can change your clothes and how to make your way into the waters of baptism.
Once in the water, the one baptizing you will ask if you believe in Jesus and the gospel, if you are ready to repent of your sins, and will ask for your verbal confession that you believe that Jesus is Lord. Then they will gently let you down into the water where you will be buried with Christ and spiritually clothed with Christ (Romans 6 and Galatians 3:26-27), then will raise you up from the water so that you can walk in newness of life.
What should I wear?
At the church building we have special baptismal clothes and changing rooms near the baptistery, so you don’t really need to bring anything. At a pool, tub, lake or other body of water, you might choose to wear shorts and a top, and bring a towel.
Whom should I invite?
We hope you will invite your friends and family to see you get baptized. Nothing is more important to us than our relationship with Jesus, and this is a great opportunity to celebrate it. We have found that even those in your family and circle of friends who are not religious, or who have not made a commitment to Christ, are usually happy to attend and support you.
What if I have special needs?
Please let us know if you have special needs, and we will figure out what will work best for your special circumstances.
If you’d like to get baptized or learn more about baptism, please contact the church office at 602-840-2661.
