SALVATION

Hear and believe in the Gospel (Romans 10:17; John 8:24) - start with repentance and surrender your life to God (Luke 13:3; Acts 3:19). Be baptized in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins (Acts 2:38; Acts 22:16). Ask and expect to receive the gift of the Holy Ghost.

John 3:5 -- Jesus answered, "Verily, verily, I say unto thee, Except a man be born of water and of the Spirit, he cannot enter into the kingdom of God.”

Acts 2:37–38 -- “Men and brethren, what shall we do? Then Peter said unto them, Repent, and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins, and ye shall receive the gift of the Holy Ghost.”

1. Man’s Condition Without God

The Bible begins by showing us the universal problem: sin separates man from God.

Romans 3:10 – “As it is written, There is none righteous, no, not one.”

Romans 3:23 – “For all have sinned, and come short of the glory of God.”

Romans 6:23 – “For the wages of sin is death; but the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord.”

Isaiah 53:6 – “All we like sheep have gone astray; we have turned every one to his own way; and the LORD hath laid on him the iniquity of us all.”

Isaiah 59:2 – “But your iniquities have separated between you and your God, and your sins have hid his face from you.”

Sin isn’t just “bad habits.” It is a spiritual condition that requires God’s salvation.

2. God’s Salvation Provided Through Jesus

Because of His love, God Himself came in flesh (Jesus Christ) to save us. The foundation of salvation is Jesus’ death, burial, and resurrection.

John 1:1, 14 – “In the beginning was the Word… And the Word was made flesh, and dwelt among us.”

1 Timothy 3:16 – “God was manifest in the flesh.”

Matthew 1:21 – “And she shall bring forth a son, and thou shalt call his name JESUS: for he shall save his people from their sins.”

John 3:16 – “For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life.”

Luke 19:10 – “For the Son of man is come to seek and to save that which was lost.”

3. The Gospel Defined

Paul describes the gospel message clearly.

1 Corinthians 15:1–4 – “…I declare unto you the gospel… how that Christ died for our sins… was buried, and… rose again the third day.”

Death = Repentance

Burial = Baptism in Jesus’ Name

Resurrection = Receiving the Holy Ghost

4. Jesus’ Command: The New Birth

Jesus spoke plainly: you must be born again. The “new birth” is not symbolic—it is a literal spiritual transformation.

John 3:3 – “Except a man be born again, he cannot see the kingdom of God.”

John 3:5 – “Except a man be born of water and of the Spirit, he cannot enter into the kingdom of God.”

John 3:7 – “Marvel not that I said unto thee, Ye must be born again.”

5. Repentance (Death with Christ)

Repentance means turning away from sin with godly sorrow.

Luke 13:3 – “…except ye repent, ye shall all likewise perish.”

Acts 3:19 – “Repent ye therefore, and be converted, that your sins may be blotted out.”

2 Corinthians 7:10 – “For godly sorrow worketh repentance to salvation.”

Romans 6:6 – “Knowing this, that our old man is crucified with him.”

Repentance = dying to the old life, surrendering to Jesus.

6. Water Baptism in Jesus’ Name (Burial with Christ)

Baptism is not optional — it is commanded, and it must be done in Jesus’ name. Baptism is where sins are washed away and remitted, not just symbolized.

Mark 16:16 – “He that believeth and is baptized shall be saved.”

John 3:5 – “Except a man be born of water… he cannot enter the kingdom of God.”

Acts 2:38 – “Repent, and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins.”

Acts 8:16 – “…only they were baptized in the name of the Lord Jesus.”

Acts 10:48 – “And he commanded them to be baptized in the name of the Lord.”

Acts 19:5 – “They were baptized in the name of the Lord Jesus.”

Romans 6:3–4 – “Buried with him by baptism into death.”

Colossians 2:12 – “Buried with him in baptism, wherein also ye are risen with him.”

Acts 22:16 – “…arise, and be baptized, and wash away thy sins, calling on the name of the Lord.”

7. Receiving the Holy Ghost (Resurrection Power)

The Spirit is God’s gift for us to live a victorious life.

Acts 2:4 – “And they were all filled with the Holy Ghost, and began to speak with other tongues.”

Acts 2:38–39 – “…ye shall receive the gift of the Holy Ghost. For the promise is unto you, and to your children, and to all that are afar off.”

Acts 8:17–18 – “Then laid they their hands on them, and they received the Holy Ghost.”

Acts 10:44–46 – “…the Holy Ghost fell on all them… For they heard them speak with tongues.”

Acts 19:6 – “…the Holy Ghost came on them; and they spake with tongues, and prophesied.”

Romans 8:9 – “…if any man have not the Spirit of Christ, he is none of his.”

Romans 8:11 – “…he that raised up Christ from the dead shall also quicken your mortal bodies by his Spirit that dwelleth in you.”