Salvation Questions
What is Salvation?
Salvation can best be defined as deliverance from all curses,
including death. Thus, salvation cannot be limited to the initial
stage of redemption, which is the forgiveness of sins. According to
the Word of God, one will be saved from enemies (Luke 1:71); saved
from sins (Romans 10:1, 9-10); delivered from oppression (Acts
7:25); and saved from physical infirmity (Acts 4:12).
Salvation comes from the Greek word "soteria" which means
deliverance. Salvation is used in the New Testament to describe
material and temporal deliverance from danger and apprehension.
Deliverance means a release from bondage, imprisonment and
liberation from captivity.
Salvation does not mean that one is perfect. However, it does mean
that one has been forgiven (Romans 3:23-24).
What does salvation cost me?
The blood of The Lord Jesus Christ has already paid the price. The
bible says in I Corinthians 6:19-20, that you are not your own, but
have been bought with a price. Ephesians 2:8 says, "for by grace are
you saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift
of God: Not of works (your efforts), lest any man should boast."
It should be understood that salvation is a process that requires
effort. According to Mark 13:13 --"And ye shall be hated of all men
for my name's sake: but he that shall endure unto the end, the same
shall be saved."
Am I going to be tested? Who does the testing?
The bible says in the book of Mark, chapter four that the sower
soweth the Word. As the Word is sown, Satan comes to apply the test.
He comes to steal your freedom and make you stumble. The Bible says
in I Peter 5:8, "the devil as a roaring lion, walketh about, seeking
whom he may devour."
We must realize that all temptation does not come from Satan, but
James 1:13 says, "Let no man say when he is tempted, I am tempted of
God: for God cannot be tempted with evil, neither tempteth he any
man." According to James 1:2-3, "count it all joy when ye fall into
divers temptations; knowing this, that the trying of your faith
worketh patience." Patience when it is finished will leave one
perfect, (complete) wanting nothing.
What does knowing The Lord Jesus Christ have to do with salvation?
Acts 4:12 says there is no other name named whereby we must be
saved. In John 14:6 Jesus said, "I am the way, the truth and the
life: no man cometh unto the Father but by me."
What if I make a mistake?
Now that you have been born again, you are called spiritually a babe
in Christ. Just like a baby in the natural, you will stumble and
fall. Because you are born again of God, you will not stay down. It
is the responsibility of the mature Christian to assist the babe in
Christ in his/her growth, and to encourage them to get up.
How do I keep my gift of salvation?
First, you are responsible for keeping your gift. Once you have
given your life to Christ, God is not responsible for you remaining
saved, and Satan is not responsible for your sins. The Bible says in
Hebrews 7:25, "Wherefore he is able also to save them to the
uttermost that come unto God by him (Jesus) seeing he ever liveth to
make intercession for them."
Second, you are responsible for keeping your gift by studying God's
Word. The Bible says in 1 Peter 2:2, that you are to desire the
sincere milk of the Word that you may grow. John 8:31-32, 36 says,
"If you continue in my Word, then are you my disciples indeed; and
you shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free. If the
Son, therefore, shall make you free, ye shall be free indeed."
Please e-mail me to let me know you have accepted Christ into your
life.
PastorBill@ccm4me.org
Salvation Plan
1. Recognize and admit that you are a sinner.
Psalm 51:5 says, "For I was born a sinner -- yes, from the moment my
mother conceived me” NLT
It is not what you have done, but the position you were born in.
2. Repent of your sin.
A complete change of heart, mind, and direction. (180 - degree turn)
And moving toward God
Repentance doesn’t mean you're sorry, it means you've CHANGED.
3. Confess and Believe
Romans 10:9-10 says "For if you confess with your mouth that Jesus
is Lord and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead,
you will be saved. 10For it is by believing in your heart that you
are made right with God, and it is by confessing with your mouth
that you are saved” NLT
ASK, "Do you believe that God raised Jesus from the dead?"
PRAY, "Jesus, come into my heart and be my Lord and Master."
Once you go through these three steps, you are born again, saved,
and have eternal life. And there are two additional steps to seal
the born-again aspect of salvation, as an outward sign.
4. Water baptism and baptism of the Holy Spirit
Baptism in water is symbolic of the death, burial and resurrection
of The Lord Jesus Christ. It is an outward sign of an inward change.
Be baptized in the Holy Spirit. Acts 1:5 says "John baptized with
water, but in just a few days you will be baptized with the Holy
Spirit" NLT
5. Obedience to God’s Word is, the only way to stay in constant
fellowship with the Father, and live life successfully as a
Christian.
http://www.ccm4me.org/prayer.htm |