A reader asks for some discussion and clarification on the question, “What must I do to be saved?” This question can never grow old because “all have sinned” and are in need of salvation. “For the wages of sin is death; but the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord” (Rom. 3:23; 6:23). The perfect life and example of Jesus in the flesh condemned the sins of all men as being without excuse. His perfect death and sacrifice provided the basis for the forgiveness of our sins. But how do men receive and accept this wonderful gift of God's grace?

1. Hear The Gospel.

“How shall they believe in him of whom they have not heard? ...So then faith cometh by hearing and hearing by the word of God” (Rom. 10:14,17). That is why Jesus gave his Apostles the Great Commission, “Go ye into all the world, and preach the gospel to every creature” (Mk. 16:15). Those who obeyed the preaching of the Apostles were also taught to teach others. Even when persecuted and driven from their homes, the early Christians “went every where preaching the word” (Acts 8:3-4). The wisdom and the power of God unto salvation are extended to all men through “the preaching of the cross” of Jesus Christ (1 Cor. 3:18; 2:2).

2. Believe The Gospel.

The design of gospel preaching is to convince people that “Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God; and that believing ye might have life through his name” (Jn. 20:31). Jesus said, “For if ye believe not that I am he, ye shall die in your sins,” and, “I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by me” (Jn. 8:32; 14:6). God made the evidence for the deity of Jesus so abundant and so clear that men are without excuse for not believing in him. Every good and honest heart, every heart searching for God and the truth of God [is compelled by the strength of the evidence to acknowledge His Son as the Savior of the world. “He that believeth not God hath made him a liar; because he believeth not the record that God gave of his Son” (1 Jn. 5:10).

3. Repent Of My Sins.

Faith is essential to salvation but faith only will not save. Hearing is essential, but hearing without believing cannot save. Believing without repenting of one's sins will not save. Jesus commanded that “repentance and remission of sins should be preached in his name among all nations, beginning at Jerusalem.” Beginning at Jerusalem, Peter preached, “Repent, and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins” (Lk. 24:48; Acts 2:38). In ancient times the Gentile world rejected God from their minds and their lives, so much so that God gave them up to the sorrows and futility of their sins. But through the gospel of Christ “God also to the Gentiles granted repentance unto life,” and “now commandeth all men everywhere to repent” (Acts 11:18; 17:30). Repentance is a firm decision to turn from the love and practice of sin in order to submit one's heart and life to God.

4. Confess Christ.

Some people hear the gospel and believe it to be true, but they will not openly acknowledge and confess Christ as God's Son.

Nevertheless among the chief rulers also many believed on him; but because of the Pharisees they did not confess him, lest they should be put out of the synagogue:
For they loved the praise of men more than the praise of God (Jn. 12:42-43).

Jesus claimed to be God or deity in the flesh: “Before Abraham was, I am” (Jn. 8:58). Like the Father and the Holy Spirit, Jesus Christ shares the divine nature. He is from everlasting to everlasting. Alpha and Omega, the beginning and the ending, the Almighty (Jn, 1:1; Rev. 1:8,11,17-18). Thomas confessed Jesus, “My Lord and my God,” and so must everyone who wants to be saved (Jn. 20:28; Rom. 10:10).

5. Be Baptized.

Jesus said concerning “every creature” who hears the gospel, “He that believeth and is baptized shall be saved” (Mk. 16:15-16). The Holy Spirit guided Peter to preach, “Repent, and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins” (Acts 2:38). Ananias told Saul, “Arise, and be baptized, and wash away thy sins, calling on the name of the Lord” (22:16). Since our immersion in water is the means of calling on the name of the Lord for salvation through the blood of Christ, it may be said that “baptism doth also now save us” (1 Pet. 3:21). We cannot earn or merit our way to heaven because we have sinned, but we can be saved by God’s grace through faith by accepting and obeying the gospel of Christ.

Ron Halbrook