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Posts Tagged ‘Salvation’

Not a single denominational church was built by Christ for he built his church, one and only, in the first century hundreds of years before any denominations came into existence.  The New Testament scriptures written after the gospels and Acts chapter 2 all refer to the church as a then existing organization.  Paul wrote to various churches.  Jesus in the book of Revelation instructs John to write to the 7 churches of Asia.  The real question men and women need to be seeking an answer to is not how do I get into this denomination or that one but how do I get into the church Christ built? 

One must understand that being in the church Christ built is an entirely different thing than being in a denomination.  One can readily be in a denomination and yet outside the church Jesus built.  If being in a denomination is the same as being in the church built by Jesus then the denomination has no reason for existence and should drop its denominational name and associations and just call itself what it would be under those circumstances – the church of God, the church of Christ, the church, or some other scriptural name or designation.  It would be “the church” and not “a denomination.”

In this article I am not concerned about how one gets into X,Y, or Z denomination but with how one gets into Christ’s church.  Certainly, there are steps to be taken as there are steps to be taken before one can enter any institution.  One must be made aware of the institution, what it does, and what purpose it serves before any desire can be created to join it.  So it is with the church Jesus built.

Many there are that say Jesus is all that matters, not the church.  Why do they say that?  Because they have a denominational concept of the church.  I am the first to agree that there is not a denominational church on earth that matters and everyone of them ought to cease their existence immediately.  But, that is a far cry from saying that the church Christ built does not matter.

The church built by Jesus matters so much that you cannot be saved outside of it, without becoming a member of it.  It is “the church of God which he purchased with his own blood.” (Acts 20:28 NKJV)  If you are outside that church it means you were never bought with the blood of Christ.  It means you are not a part of the body which he is saving.  “He is the Savior of the body.” (Eph. 5:23 NKJV)  What body?  “He is the head of the body, the church.” (Col. 1:18 NKJV)  The church is the spiritual body of Christ of which he is the Savior.

Christians are “members of his body, of his flesh and of his bones. (Eph. 5:30 NKJV)  “You (Christians – DS) are the body of Christ, and members individually.” (1 Cor. 12:27 NKJV)  One is either in that body or he is not, you are either inside or outside, and where you are makes all the difference for salvation.  Yes, the church matters.  It is not Jesus yes and the church no. 

The church is what Jesus gave himself for on the cross.  “Christ also loved the church and gave himself for it, that he might sanctify and cleanse it with the washing of water by the word, that he might present it to himself a glorious church, not having spot or wrinkle or any such thing, but that it should be holy and without blemish.” (Eph. 5:25-27 NKJV)

Salvation is in Christ which is the same as to say in his body, the church.  “Therefore I endure all things for the sake of the elect, that they also may obtain the salvation which is in Christ Jesus with eternal glory.” (2 Tim. 2:10 NKJV)  In Christ one is a new creation (2 Cor. 5:17), a Christian, outside Christ he is not.  In Christ are found all spiritual blessings (Eph. 1:3), outside him none are found.   “In Christ Jesus you who once were far off have been made near by the blood of Christ.” (Eph. 2:13 NKJV)  That is in Christ and not out of him.  The list could go on and on but the point is that to be “in Christ” is absolutely essential to salvation but to be in Christ is to be in his body, the church.  The church is thus essential.           

One cannot join the church Christ built.  God adds the man or woman to it under certain conditions.  “And the Lord added to the church daily those who were being saved.” (Acts 2:47 NKJV).  Who were added to the church?  Those who were being saved.  Who then is in the church?  The saved.  Who is outside the church?  The unsaved.

Does God just add whoever he pleases to the church unconditionally?  If so it would not be a man’s fault if he failed to obtain salvation.  There would be nothing he could do about it as it would be entirely in God’s hands.  It does not work that way.  At the close of the first gospel sermon ever preached Peter exhorted the crowd saying, “Save yourselves from this untoward generation.” (Acts 2:40 KJV)  Other more modern translations use the words “be saved” but the thought is the same.  It is up to the individual.  The individual has something to do.  Salvation is not unconditional and God does not save men adding them to the church unconditionally.

Does this mean that all who are in the church are saved?  No, for some go astray and live in sin and hypocrisy, in indifference and unconcern, without a deep abiding faith and love, who have fallen away.  It does mean, however, that you must be in the church to be saved for that is where those who will be saved are placed by God.

Upon hearing the gospel before one can be added to the church, before God will do the adding, one must believe what he has heard.  Paul defines the gospel by which we are saved if we believe in 1 Cor. 15:3-4, “For I delivered to you first of all that which I also received:  that Christ died for our sins according to the scriptures, and that he was buried, and that he arose again the third day according to the scriptures.” (NKJV)  This correlates with Peter’s confession of Christ in Matt. 16 when Christ asked, “But who do you say that I am?” (Matt. 16:15 NKJV)  Peter’s reply was, “You are the Christ, the Son of the living God.” (Matt. 16:16 NKJV)  Jesus then says, “on this rock I will build my church.” (Matt. 16:18 NKJV)  It was by the resurrection that Jesus was “declared to be the Son of God with power … by the resurrection from the dead.” (Rom. 1:4 NKJV)  Thus one must believe that Jesus Christ is the Son of God who died for our sins and was raised from the dead.

Jesus Christ as the Son of God is the foundation upon which the church was built “For no other foundation can anyone lay than that which is laid, which is Jesus Christ.” (2 Cor. 3:11 NKJV)  He is the “chief cornerstone” (Eph. 2:20 NKJV) of the church (cornerstone being the rock upon which the church is built).  So a man must believe these things about Christ to be saved.  Faith then is essential.  We are “living stones” (1 Peter 2:5 NKJV) being built up as “a spiritual house” (church – DS) (1 Peter 2:5 NKJV) upon the foundation that has been laid – on Christ Jesus.

But, is this faith enough by itself?  No and all know it who will be honest.  Why do I say that?  Because on the Day of Pentecost in Acts 2 when Peter preached Jesus to the Jews he did not once command them to have faith in Jesus.  Why not?  He did not need to for their faith became evident when they cried out “to Peter and the rest of the apostles, ‘Men and brethren, what shall we do?’” (Acts 2:37 NKJV)  Make no mistake about it these Jews believed everything Peter preached that day in preaching Jesus.

Here is my point – why not dismiss the crowd and go home at that point in time?  If we are saved by faith alone there is no need for any further instructions as to how to become a child of God, a Christian.  No need for further instruction on what is necessary to be saved.  When the men ask “what shall we do” why not tell them to go home now and just continue to believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God, and Savior of the world?

The answer is simple enough to an honest man.  Faith was not all that was necessary.  Peter tells them to, “Repent, and let every one of you be baptized in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins.” (Acts 2:38 NKJV)  There are many who will say that yes they believe in order to be saved one must also in addition to having faith repent of his sins.  However, that is where they want to stop.  They want to separate repentance from baptism in the passage and gladly ignore the fact there is a coordinating conjunction there, the word “and,” that joins the two words making one just as essential as another.  (They do the same thing with the word “and” in Mark 16:16 and in John 3:5.)  It simply will not work.  Peter said they must do both.  If repentance is essential for the remission of sins the same passage that teaches that (this one) teaches also that baptism is.  Both are required. 

I grant you that denominations do not practice this nor do they believe it and you can get into a denomination without it (without baptism for the remission of sins).  But, remember this article is not about how to get into a denomination.  It is how to get into Christ which is the same thing as getting into his body, the church.  None of us should care how you go about getting into a denomination.  Who needs one?  It is the church Christ built into which one must enter for salvation.

The only man prepared to enter into Christ where salvation is found, to enter his body which is the church, is a penitent believer.  In the Great Commission the apostles were instructed to baptize only one group of people – those who were made “disciples.” (Matt. 28:19 NKJV)  One can only know whether or not a person who presents himself for baptism is a believer by asking him.

This brings us to another element essential for salvation – the confession of Christ.  “With the mouth confession is made to salvation.” (Rom. 10:10)  Timothy was said to “have confessed the good confession in the presence of many witnesses.” (1 Tim. 6:12 NKJV)  It is the good confession Christ witnessed before Pontius Pilate (1 Tim. 6:13) which was that he was “the Christ, the Son of the Blessed” (Mark 14:61-62).  See also Acts 8:36-38.

Thus the steps into Christ are, in order, faith, repentance, confession of Christ, and finally baptism into Christ.  How does one get into the body of Christ the church?  “For by one Spirit we were all baptized into one body.” (1 Cor. 12:13 NKJV)  “Do you not know that as many of us as were baptized into Christ Jesus ….” (Rom. 6:3 NKJV)  “For as many of you as were baptized into Christ have put on Christ.” (Gal. 3:27 NKJV)  There is no such thing as a Christian in the New Testament that was not baptized for the remission of sins.  Why do I say that?

(1) Baptism was for the remission of sins.  (2) It was into Christ.  (3) Christ commanded it (Mark 16:16, Matt. 28:18-20, John 3:3-5) (4) Peter commanded “every one of you” to do it.  No exceptions on the Day of Pentecost.  Paul said to the Corinthians “we were all baptized into one body” (1 Cor. 12:13 NKJV), no exceptions.  (5) The churches of Judea were “in Christ” (Gal. 1:22, 1 Thess. 2:14).  A church can only be in Christ as the membership is in Christ and that comes by way of baptism.

The individual who complies with the conditions that God gave will be added by God to the church for the same process that makes one a Christian adds him to the church when done from the heart.  Only God can know whether or not one truly believes in Jesus from his heart.  Only God can know if a man has repented from the heart of his sins.  These things being true a man can by all appearances go through the steps essential to salvation but God only knows the sincerity of the heart.  I cannot add you to the church even if you by all appearances seem to meet God’s qualifications.  Since I cannot know or judge your heart I have to assume your sincerity and honesty and accept you as a child of God, a living stone in God’s church.  I would want the same treatment from you.  A faithful Christian will never deny such a one the right hand of fellowship.

I would remind the reader in closing that to be in Christ is the same as being in his body, in his church, and that is where salvation is found, in the body of Christ.  “He is the Savior of the body.” (Eph. 23 NKJV)  How does one get into the church Christ built?  The Bible gives the answer, not the local denomination.       

One of the greatest aspects of God’s forgiveness for sins in Christ is the fact that he also forgets them. We have the assurance that he remembers our sins no more. He purposely and permanently puts them out of his memory and never revisits them.

We can conclude from God’s example, that sometimes it is better to forget than to remember. It is apparent that Joseph understood this as Moses records in Genesis 41:51 “And Joseph called the name of the firstborn Manasseh: For God, said he, hath made me forget….”

Joseph had suffered many terrible injustices in his young life. His own brothers hated him for no reason and sold him into slavery. He was accused of a crime he did not commit. He was thrown into prison for an undetermined amount of time. Surely Joseph could have been justifiably bitter. He could have lamented over all that had befallen him. He could have resented that God allowed great adversity and suffering in his life.

Instead, Joseph reached down inside of himself, where his faith was housed, and found the strength to persevere. In faith, with a grateful heart, he named his son Manasseh, which means “forgetting”. He reasoned “for God…hath made me forget”. The things that had befallen him could have weighed heavily on his heart, but God had given him grace to not only forgive the wrongs that were done to him, but to forget them.

A Pastor I knew sold an automobile to a man. He received half the payment upfront, with the remainder to follow a month later. When he went to the man’s house to receive the second and final installment, the man said “I am not paying you another dime. I have the car and I am keeping it”. He then slammed the door in the Pastor’s face.

Several parishioners advised the Pastor to take legal action. A lawyer friend offered to take the case to Small Claims Court without charging the Pastor for his services. The Pastor politely declined and explained that the few thousand dollars owed did not outweigh the worth of the man’s soul and that it was better to forgive and forget the debt than to injure his Christian testimony to the man.

Several months later, this Pastor was called upon to help a needy family in the community. It turned out to be the family of the man who had misappropriated his automobile. When the door opened to the Pastor’s knock, the man immediately recognized him and expected that the Pastor might recognize him and turn around and leave.

Instead, the humble man of God greeted him with a warm smile and brief embrace. As the Pastor reached into his pocket for the church check, he looked into the man’s face and hesitated for a moment. The man thought that surely the Pastor had just recognized him and had changed his mind about helping. He knew this was a bad idea, asking the man he had cheated to help. He might as well just tell him to leave.

Before the man could speak however, the Pastor said in a soothing voice, “You know, I just don’t think my church is doing enough to help. Please allow me to add my personal check to this amount. I am sure you and your family can use it.”

As the Pastor wrote out another check, the man fell under heavy conviction and wondered what to say. Surely this Pastor was trying to make him feel guilty. Surely this act of kindness was nothing more than a ploy to work on his conscience.

While the man was pondering these things, the Pastor finished writing the check out and handed both checks to him. The Pastor then asked if he could pray for the family. The man knew that the prayer was going to be a sermon in disguise about fairness and doing right, but he did not know how to say “no” after the kindness he was shown; and so he reluctantly acknowledged “sure, that would be okay.”

The Pastor bowed his head and asked the Lord’s blessing upon the man, his family and their home. He asked the Lord to bless them financially and to lead the church to know if there was anything else they could do for them. He closed by asking the Lord to draw this family near to him. There was no mention of the automobile, no sermon, no ulterior motive. It was as if the Pastor had completely forgotten the wrong this man had done to him.

A few weeks later, the man and his family came to visit the church that had paid their debts. They heard the gospel message. They heard how the Lord Jesus Christ had paid another debt that they had not even known about. The whole family walked the aisle and received the Lord.

Like Joseph, this Pastor had emulated his Lord and added forgetfulness to his forgiveness. Had he held on to the terrible injustice this man had done, he would never have been able to be a witness to the love and mercy of the Lord. By forgetting, God was able to use him in a tremendous way

Forgetting should be a word used often in the Christian vocabulary. It is far better to forget and forgive than it is to remember and resent.

Everyone is aware of his own body. It is tangible, temporal, and lends itself to scientific investigation. If you ask a chemist, “What is man?” he might produce an analytical chart and point out to you conclusively that man is so much water, nitrogen, carbon, and various other elements. Yet he would have been referring to only the physical part of man’s being, thus in nature he appears to be identical to the elements of the earth. Genesis 2:7a the Lord God formed the man from the dust of the ground …

Since the beginning of history, man has sought to be free from the imprisonment of his body to touch that deep inner longing. He has tried to find new ways of pleasing his physical senses, even now with the “virtual electronic world”; yet only to find that nothing really satisfies that hunger deep within. Physical pleasure is so fleeting. Although man has managed to prolong his biological life, still every man comes to the point where he has to admit that the body is a literal dead end in itself.

If you were to ask the psychologist about man, he might say that besides a body, you have a more inward, hidden composition. You have a mind – a consciousness, a thinking organ; we also have emotions – the faculty of inner sense of feeling capable of loving, hating, being depressed, and elated. He might also point out that you have a will, a faculty for choosing, making decisions.

The psychologist would in this manner show that you are not a mere physical being, but a psychological being as well. In short you are a living, thinking, feeling, willing entity – not mere animated dust, but a real live person; with each person seeming to have a unique and distinctive personality. This, he would say, is you. Your real self, he would explain, is your inner-self, your psychological self, while your body is just the outward shell of your being. Scripture confirms this about the soul of man. 1 Cor. 15:45s …The first man Adam was made a living soul; … Genesis 2:7 And the Lord God formed man of the dust of the ground, and breathed into his nostrils the breath of life; and man became a living soul.

The tree of knowledge of Good and Evil thou shalt not eat of it: for in the day that that thou eatest thereof thou shall surely die Gen 2:17

According to the meaning of the word, this psychological part is the soul of man. “Psyche” comes from the Greek word “psuche,” translated in the Bible as “soul.” Psychology is the study of the soul. Each individual has unique faculties of the soul; the mind, emotions and will, comprising the inward person, their personality.

The last two centuries of human history have seen the spectacular rise of the soul’s powers. The great minds of men have contributed an abundance of thought and discovery. The great minds and wills of men have produced an abundance of decisive action in government and culture. Without doubt the soul has soared to its zenith in recent history – yet in spite of man’s great accomplishments, the sense of inner emptiness remains.

We can conquer the moon, work with nanotechnology, and investigate the genome of man, but still, deep within our self, there remains some uncharted territory. Yet, man’s soul is inadequate; his highest thoughts are soon forgotten, his deepest emotions quickly fade, his most adamant determination of will falters. Within the soul of man, the search for a key to man ends in frustration.

I am a good person why must I grow old and die? Gen2:17 God madeAdam in the garden of eden and said “The tree of good and evil thou shall not eat of it for in the day

that thou eatest thereof then you shall surely die. Adam ate of the fruit so Adam and all his kin were/are sentenced to die (no exceptions)

Gen 3:7 the eyes of them both were opened, and they knew that they were naked; and they sewed fig leaves together, and made them aprons.

Gen 3:21 Unto Adam also and to his wife did the Lord God make coats of skins, and clothed them.

Here above the animal blood that was shed produced only what would cover their act of sin. Yet, it foretold of a time when “the Lamb of God,” Jesus Christ, would come, shed His blood and die, not to cover sins, but more, to take away the sins of the world of mankind (John 1:29) – if they would only have faith in His blood (Rom 3:25).

He who is saved is “cre­ated in Christ Jesus” (Eph. 2:10). “In Christ Jesus nei­ther circumcision availeth anything, nor uncircumci­sion, but a new creature” (Gal. 6:15). This creation takes the place of the old creation in the first Adam.

“If any man be in Christ Jesus, he: is a new crea­ture: old things are passed away; behold, all things are become new” (2 Cor. 5:17).

This new creation is “the new man, which after God is created in righteous­ness and true holiness” (Eph.4:24).

The new man is the born -again man, the one born of the Spirit, as dis­tinguished from the old man, or carnal man. But, when a man has exhausted all that the world has to offer he realizes there is no likely possibility of quenching his deepest desire in this world. This then is evidence that man has a deeper need, and that man was probably made for another world.

The blood of the innocent “lamb of God” was shed according to God’s prescribed plan… from the foundation of the world. We do not need to plead, grovel, wail, or to convince God to forgive us. He planned for the forgiveness of our sins “from the foundation of the world.”

Revelation 13:8b … the book of life of the Lamb slain (already) from the foundation of the world.

In the heart of God, Christ was crucified, shedding His blood for the redemption of mankind, from before the world began. Christ’s shed blood was part of the “revelation of the mystery” (Rom 16:25), the secret plan of God that Christ first revealed to the Apostle Paul, for us. Christ’s blood was key to “the eternal purpose that was purposed in Christ Jesus” (Eph 3:11).

It is only the blood of Christ that remits (pays for) a man’s sins. Hebrews 9:22b … without shedding of blood there is no remission. Christ’s shed blood makes the believing man clean and then suitable to receive the indwelling “Spirit of life that is in Christ Jesus” (Rom 8:2a). Christ’s shed blood is supreme, matchless, and absolutely

Effective

Source www.Christ-Life-Books.com

Description: Thomas Goodwin was a prolific author and editor. During the 1630s he coedited with John Ball the works of John Preston and Richard Sibbes. He began to publish his own sermons in 1636. Prior to his death, he had published at least twelve devotional works, most of which were collections of sermons. The fact that they were reissued forty-seven times indicates the high demand and wide circulation of his publications.

Most of Goodwin’s major theological writings were the fruit of his riper years and were published posthumously. His unusually large corpus of treatises display a pastoral and scholarly zeal rivaled by few Puritans. Goodwin represents the best of Puritanism in addressing the intellect, will, and heart. His writings reveal the vigor of earlier Puritans such as William Perkins and Richard Sibbes as well as the mature thought of later Puritan divines, supremely represented by Owen. If you want to grow in grace and have your soul fed on the deep things of God, buy and prayerfully read Goodwin’s Works.

Contents

The first two volumes are largely comprised of sermons through Ephesians 1:1-2:11. The first volume also contains a helpful biography and strategy for reading Goodwin, Volume one contains 36 sermons through the first chapter of Ephesians and volume two contains 24 sermons on the second chapter of Ephesians. It has been said that, “Not even Luther on Galatians is such an expositor of Paul’s mind and heart as is Goodwin on the Ephesians.” Volume two concludes with four sermons on various other sections of Ephesians and a short book on James 1:1-5.

Volume three contains an exposition on various passages from Revelation 4-16. A 120-page book titled, A Child of Light Walking in Darkness, covers the darkest periods of the Christian life. An 80-page book follows on the topic of noting answered prayers. A 70-page book, The Trial of a Christian’s Growth, considers the God who prunes His children for more usefulness. A powerful 20-page sermon on The Vanity of Thoughts concludes this valuable volume. Volumes four and five are loaded with Christ-exalting books and sermons including Christ the Mediator (a personal favorite), Christ Set Forth and the Supereminence of Christ.

Volume six is comprised of one long book on the work of the Holy Spirit in our salvation. Volume seven contains several books covering the perfection of original created order, a call to gospel holiness in the Christian life, the three stages of Christian maturity (babes, men, fathers), the glory of the saints after death, man’s restoration by grace and a book on repentance. Volume eight is one long book titled, The Object and Acts of Justifying Faith, and clearly defines the object, act and properties of personal faith.

Volume nine is given almost wholly to defining the doctrine of election except for a sermon on thankfulness due to God for His blessings to us. Volume ten is one long indictment towards the unregenerate and their guiltiness before God. Volume eleven contains Goodwin’s argument for congregational church government over a Presbyterian form. The final volume is the shortest. It contains five sermons on various topics, a collection of quaint sayings of Goodwin and some extracts of sermon notes taken by hearers. The volume includes with those two incredibly helpful indexes to navigate the complete works

For more information on how to obtain The Works of Thomas Goodwin in 12 Volumes visit:

http://www.gracecovenantchurchofholland.com/bookstore.htm

Surely the most important question ever asked is: What must we do to inherit eternal life? And who is better qualified to answer that question than Jesus, Peter, and Paul? So let’s see what they have to say.

Peter’s Sermon at Pentecost

”When the people heard [Peter's sermon at Pentecost], they were cut to the heart and said to Peter and the other apostles, “Brothers, what shall we do?” (Acts 2:37)

The most important question asked in the first century is still the most important in the twenty-first century. And the answer is still the same!

Peter replied, “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. The promise is for you and your children and for all who are far off-for all whom the Lord our God will call.”

With many other words he warned them; and he pleaded with them, “Save yourselves from this corrupt generation.” Those who accepted his message were baptized, and about three thousand were added to their number that day.

They devoted themselves to the apostles’ teaching and to the fellowship, to the breaking of bread and to prayer. Everyone was filled with awe, and many wonders and miraculous signs were done by the apostles. All the believers were together and had everything in common. Selling their possessions and goods, they gave to anyone as he had need. Every day they continued to meet together in the temple courts. They broke bread in their homes and ate together with glad and sincere hearts, praising God and enjoying the favor of all the people. And the Lord added to their number daily those who were being saved. (Acts 2:38-47)

So how do the scriptures answer the critical question: What shall we do?

What Shall We Do?

Believe in Jesus Christ

Before baptism, faith in Jesus is necessary. The jailor asked Paul and Silas what should he do to be saved. They replied: “Believe in the Lord Jesus, and you will be saved-you and your household.” (Acts 16:31) The jailor and his family were baptized.

Paul again stressed the importance of belief saying the gospel is salvation for everyone who believes. (Romans 1:15-17)

John informs us that all who believe that Jesus is the Christ are born of God. And those who believe Jesus is the Son of God overcome the world. (1 John 5:1-6)

But what of those who don’t believe? “Their place will be in the fiery lake of burning sulfur,” warns Jesus. (Revelation 21:8)

Why do you suppose so much emphasis is placed on what we believe? Surely whatever we believe is nothing more than an opinion based on how we view the evidence. How could what we believe be considered a vice or virtue? The answer to that question comes from Jesus himself. “I am the way the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me.” (John 14:6)

Peter echoes Jesus’ words: “Salvation is found in no one else, for there is no other name under heaven given to men by which we must be saved.” (Acts 4:12)

We are not given a choice of who or what to believe. For eternal life we must have faith in Jesus, that he is who he claimed to be: the Christ, the Son of God, and our only hope for salvation. That much is essential.

Repent

Jesus concludes the parable of the lost coin with: “There is rejoicing in the presence of the angels of God over one sinner who repents.” (Luke: 15:10)

Paul said that God commands all people everywhere to repent. (Acts 17:30) And he repeats the theme of repentance twice more in the book of Acts. (Acts:20:21 and 26:20)

Peter too preached repentance saying that the Lord is patient, not wanting any to perish, but all to repent. (2 Peter 3:9)

What did Jesus, Paul, and Peter mean by repentance? Mere words and sentiment? No, the brand of repentance they had in mind is an abrupt change in our behavior. Think of a company of soldiers marching along. The command rings out, “To the rear, march!” In one stride they reverse course and march off in the opposite direction. Such is repentance. We discover we are in the wrong, and we completely change direction.

Confess Faith in Jesus

Confession is another requirement. Jesus said that whoever confesses him before men, he will confess before his Father in heaven. But those who deny him will be denied before his Father. (Matthew 10:32-33 NKJV)

Paul says very much the same in his letter to the Romans. “If you confess with your mouth, ‘Jesus is Lord,’ and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved.” (Romans 10:9)

Baptism

Baptism is the fourth requirement. The resurrected Jesus instructed his disciples to make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit.” (Matthew 28:19) He also said, “No one can see the kingdom of God unless he is born of the water and the Spirit.” (John 3:5)

The resurrected Jesus spoke to the eleven apostles: “Go into all the world and preach the good news to all creation. Whoever believes and is baptized will be saved, but whoever does not believe will be condemned.” (Mark 16:16)

Responding to the plea from the Jews on the day of Pentecost, “What must we do?”, Peter replied, “Repent and be baptized, every one of you, in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins.” (Acts 2:38)

Baptism in the scriptures meant immersion, not pouring nor sprinkling. Clearly, Paul was speaking of immersion in the passage: “Don’t you know that all of us who were baptized into Christ Jesus were baptized into his death? We were therefore buried with him through baptism into death in order that, just as Christ was raised from the dead through the glory of the Father, we too may live a new life.” (Romans 6:3-4)

Likewise, Philip taking the Ethiopian eunuch “down into the water” for baptism and coming “up out of the water” is a physical description of immersion. (Acts 8:37-39)

The first case for sprinkling for baptism was called “clinic baptism” because the subject was quite ill. Sprinkling for baptism was not fully accepted until the Council of Ravena in 1311 A.D. We have no reason to believe Christ ever approved of it.

New Testament scriptures, Acts in particular, records many baptisms. All were old enough to believe, no one was baptized against his will, and no infant baptism is mentioned at all. The baptism of children may have begun around 200 A.D. Tertullian, (ca. 155-230) church leader and prolific author of early Christianity, speaks of this custom originating in his own time.

What Must We Do, Jesus?

Jesus answered the “What must we do?” question twice. The following conversation is usually titled “The Rich Young Man” or “The Rich Ruler.”

Now a man came up to Jesus and asked, “Teacher, what good thing must I do to get eternal life?”

“Why do you ask me about what is good?” Jesus replied. “There is only One who is good. If you want to enter life, obey the commandments.”

“Which ones?” the man inquired.

Jesus replied, ” ‘Do not murder, do not commit adultery, do not steal, do not give false testimony, honor your father and mother, and love your neighbor as yourself.”

“All these I have kept,” the young man said. “What do I still lack?”

Jesus answered, “If you want to be perfect, go, sell your possessions and give to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven. Then come, follow me.” (Matthew 19:16-21) (Also Mark 10:17-21 and Luke 18:18-22)

Luke relates the following exchange between Jesus and a lawyer:

On one occasion an expert in the law stood up to test Jesus. “Teacher,” he asked, “what must I do to inherit eternal life?”

“What is written in the Law?” he replied. “How do you read it?”

He answered: ” ‘Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your strength and with all your mind’; and, ‘Love your neighbor as yourself.’”

“You have answered correctly,” Jesus replied. “Do this and you will live.” (Luke 10:25-28)

In summary, the scriptures detail what we must do to inherit eternal life: Believe in God and Jesus Christ, repent of your sins, confess that Jesus Christ is the Son of God, be baptized in the name of Jesus for the forgiveness of your sins, love God, love your neighbor as yourself, honor your father and mother, give to the poor, refrain from murder, adultery, theft, false testimony, and Mark adds “do not defraud.” (Mark 10:19)

Believing, repenting, confessing, baptizing, and obeying are our marching orders as Christians. But there is more, a lot more.

“Christians believe that Jesus Christ is the Son of God because he said so. The other evidence about him has convinced them he was neither a lunatic nor a quack.” Christian Reflections C. S. [Clive Staples] Lewis (1898-1963)

Note: All Scripture References are taken from the New International Version unless otherwise stated.

NKJV – New King James Version