Feature Article

Our Featured Article

WHAT DO I NEED TO KNOW TO BE SAVED? (5)
How Do I Come In Contact With the Blood of Jesus?

In our last article, we established that it by coming in contact with the blood of Jesus that our sins are forgiven and thus we are saved. We briefly mentioned how the act of baptism is key in having our sins removed. But one must understand that baptism ALONE will NOT save anyone. Baptism must be based upon understanding – hence the purpose of this series of articles. The fact is that baptism is the final step that puts one into Christ, BUT it must be preceded by other things. What are those things? Let us take a few moments to study that.

The Five Steps of Salvation. The New Testament records five things one must do that lead directly to one’s salvation.

First, one must hear. This becomes obvious as you consider the commands to follow. Romans 10:17 says, “So then faith comes by hearing, and hearing by the word of God.” Just prior to this Paul said, “…how shall they believe in Him of whom they have not heard? ...” (10:14) When the Philippian Jailer asked Paul and Silas, “Sirs, what must I do to be saved?” (Acts 16:30) he was told to “believe on the Lord Jesus Christ, and you will be saved …” (31). Paul’s introductory statement led to teaching which caused the jailer to hear and understand what he needed to do. This was followed by immediate baptism (16:33). In the New Testament, EVERY example of recorded conversion was the result of having heard the gospel preached directly to them.

Second, one must believe. In John 8:24 Jesus said, “…for if you do not believe that I am He, you will die in your sins.” Jesus taught the importance of belief in John 3:16 when He said, “For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life.” As He was about to ascend to heaven, He instructed His apostles, “He who believes and is baptized will be saved.” (Mark 16:16). Truly, to be saved you HAVE TO believe in Jesus. Exactly what you have to believe is the goal of this study: Jesus DID come to earth and died for our sins to be forgiven. But more than simply believing IN Jesus, you have to BELIEVE JESUS. There is a difference between these two things – one acknowledges existence and perhaps some facts, but the other demonstrates faith (i.e. trust) in Him – a faith that will submit in obedience to His commands.

Third is a call for repentance. In Luke 13:3, Jesus said, “Unless you repent, you will all likewise perish.” The word repent in the original language means “to change one’s mind or purpose” (W. E. Vine’s Expository Dictionary of New Testament Words). But it is more than merely changing one’s mind as we use the phrase today. It is a changing mindset that leads to a lasting change in conduct and purpose. To become a Christian, one needs to resolve that he is going to quit following the path of sin and start following the path that leads to heaven. It is a heart-felt resolve (not just superficial) to change one’s life. Acts 17:31 says that God, “…now commands all men everywhere to repent.” Peter taught on Pentecost that they needed to “repent and let everyone one of you be baptized in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins;…” (Acts 2:38). Friends, it is important that one understand this BEFORE becoming a Christian because many obey the gospel plan of salvation and then shortly thereafter they fall away or revert to their old, sinful ways. In many instances this is a result of a failure to fully understand repentance. (In our next article, we will address this subject in more detail.)

Fourth is a confession. “For with the heart, one believes unto righteousness, and with the mouth confession is made unto salvation.” (Romans 10:10) When we think of the word confession, we think of acknowledging something we have done wrong. James 5:16 calls for us to “confess your trespasses to one another” which means that there is a time for admitting sin and that which you have done wrong. However, the confession that one needs to make toward salvation is an admission of what you believe. Romans 10:9 says, “that is you confess with your mouth the Lord Jesus Christ and believe in your heart that God has raised Him from the dead, you will be saved.” That tells us that before one can become a Christian he must acknowledge that he believes in Jesus Christ (and all things about Him). An example of this is found in Acts 8. Philip was sent by the Lord to speak with a eunuch from Ethiopia on his way back from worshipping God in Jerusalem. As Philip explained that Jesus fulfilled the Law of Moses, we are told that the Eunuch asked Philip to be baptized (note: obviously – a part of preaching Jesus to him included the importance of baptism). Philip responded, “If you believe with all your heart, you may.” The Eunuch responded, “I believe that Jesus Christ is the Son of God.” (8:36-37) That is an example of what one MUST confess before being saved.

Fifth is the act of baptism. After all the things mentioned above, one needs to be immersed (baptized). While this step is dismissed as non-essential by most denominations, it is taught too clearly to misunderstand. In our last article we noted that baptism puts us in contact with the blood of Christ, which is the element that results in the removal of our sins (see Romans 6:3-4, Galatians 3:27,etc.) We also quoted Mark 16:16 where Jesus taught, “He who believes and is baptized shall be saved…” and Acts 22:16 which gives the example of Saul (Paul) being instructed to “arise and be baptized and wash away your sins, calling on the name of the Lord.” These passages associate baptism with being saved and thus becoming a Christian. This is also taught in many other passages. On Pentecost, the day the church began, Peter taught, “repent and let every one of you be baptized in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins…” (Acts 2:38). In the book of Acts, EVERY example where we are given details about what individuals were instructed to do to be saved, baptism is mentioned (cf. Acts 2:38; 8:12,13, 36-39; 9:18; 10: 47-48; 16:15, 32-33; 18:8, 19:5, etc.). Consider also 1 Peter 3:20-21 which reference the fact that Noah and his family were saved “through water.” Peter then says, “There is also an antitype which now saves us – baptism (not the removal of the filth of the flesh, but the answer of a good conscience toward God), through the resurrection of Jesus Christ.” Note that this latter passage addresses baptism as a deliberate act which is the result of one’s understanding of certain things (e.g. the answer of a good conscience toward God).

Why must one know these things? Obviously, because these are the steps GOD has stated one must take to have his sins removed, and thus be in a saved state before Him. Hearing and belief are obvious (and they eliminate the practice of infant baptism). Repentance shows the seriousness of your desire to change and actually serve God. Confessing Jesus for who He is, is a public acknowledgment of your understanding that He is your only hope of salvation (i.e. you need Him). Baptism is the final act, commanded by God which then puts you in contact with His blood and thus washes away your sins. If one does NOT understand these things, he is not ready to become a Christian. If one has eliminated some of these steps, he has not fully complied with God’s instructions, and thus he is NOT saved. And that is a serious thing.

But there is more that needs to be said. There are other things one ought to know to secure his hope of heaven. In our next article we will examine in more detail what true repentance means. We also want to address the importance of living faithfully once one becomes a Christians. There are also other elementary principles that are important to developing in a pleasing manner to Him. We will address these in our study. Until then, I invite you to open your Bible to the passages mentioned and search the scriptures to verify their truthfulness. If you have not submitted to them, do something about it – before it is too late! TATJR