THIS GREAT SALVATION
"Men and brethren, what shall we do?"; (Acts 2:37); "Sirs, what must I do to be saved?" (Acts 16:30)
This question is still desperately ringing out from the Souls of Men today, "What Must I Do To Be Saved"! Men's hearts are failing because of fear, we all know that the end is near but what steps must we take in preparation when Time Shall Be No More. In a time when ideology and man's theology has completely confused, and served as an ambush to those that sincerely seek salvation, we must turn our attention back to the Infallible Word of God for these answers.
The biblical account of Salvation is clear and concise in scripture. Although there are varying interpretations, the message is consistent throughout the Holy Word, inconsistencies only occur because of man, not the Word of God. Our goal here is to present you with the sound principles of the Word of God regarding your Salvation. These principles are not denominational but are inspirational (God Breathed) II Tim. 3:15-16; and is therefore profitable for "...Instruction in righteousness." If there are any questions, please feel free to contact us, but I would like to re-direct you with this simple little principle:
If you were reading a good book and perhaps came upon a segment that you did not understand and the Author was living with you, would you leave your home, travel down to the bookstore and ask one of the attendants the meaning of that particular segment? No, you would ask the Author who wrote the book for clarity and meaning.
I submit to you, the author of the Holy Word is present where ever you are. If you have a question or do not understand something in His Book, just ASK THE AUTHOR, I guarantee He will respond (Phil. 4:6-7)
The Biblical Account of Salvation
For one to be saved, it must be done according to the Scripture. We do not have the luxury of determining how we are going to be saved. Jesus gave His life so that we might have a right to the tree of life. He left explicit, instructions on how we are to be saved. "There is salvation in no other name..."; Acts 4:12.
The Scriptures clearly present to us the process of Salvation or being Saved. One of the most profound is found in the Nicodemus account recorded in John 3. Here is documented a very significant conversation between a religious leader "Ruler of the Jews", stealing away to be taught.
Here Jesus is pointing toward the age when the Kingdom of God would exist and what one would need to do to gain entrance into it. He implies that it would not be something that one could just walk into, or gain by some merits or self-actualization, but one would have to be BORN into it. So then the question: "How can one be born when he is old?" (vs 4). Jesus' response was that it is not a physical birth but this birth is to be conceived by the Water and the Spirit! This gives us a two fold revelation of a three fold process, being birthed by Water and (not or), the Spirit.
What is the Kingdom of God
The Kingdom of God expresses the Sovereign rule of God in the universe. In the present tense, the Kingdom of God represents the rule of God in the hearts of Men (Luke 17:20-21). This aspect of the kingdom came into existence when God sent His Spirit to dwell in the hearts of believers (Rom. 14:17).
The Three Steps to Salvation
As we have stated above, Jesus revealed to Nicodemus a two fold revelation of a three fold process, the first step is implied by the ruler humbling himself to receive instructions from the Teacher. Nicodemus turned away from his phariseean position to seek God! This is the first step to entrance into the Kingdom of God or being BORN AGAIN. One must make a conscious decision and effort to TURN AWAY from their traditions and sins and turn to God who is able to complete their salvation; which is called Repentance.
Step 1: REPENTANCE
"Then Peter said unto them repent..." (Acts 2:38)
The message to the multitude who asked what they needed to do for their soul salvation. Jesus, Himself, declared Peter as the rock upon which He would build His church. Of course not physically, but spiritually God built His church on Peter's ministry, which voiced the principles for Christian living and the requirements for soul salvation.
Repent is the first demand given to the believer, therefore, it is a vital step to salvation. Webster's Dictionary defines repentance: to feel sorry or self reproachful for what one has or has not done; to feel so contrite over one's sin as to change or decide to change one's ways. True repentance causes one to think differently. Its not that you stop wanting to indulge in activities that you used to, but you no longer enjoy that part of you: YOUR FLESH! We must be real with ourselves. There is a part of us that loves to do even what God hates, which is SIN. Galatians 5:16-21 illustrates how the works of the flesh will bring spiritual death. Spiritual death is eternal separation from God. This knowledge awakens us to the necessity of repentance, not to mention thankfulness for God's grace.
"God is not willing that any should perish, but that all should come to repentance" II Peter 3:9. We, believers, are excited that God will change the taste in our mouths upon our decision to change our ways. We are not bound to alcohol, cigarettes, drugs, perversions or any other chain of the devil because of God's call to repentance [Romans 2:4]. Repentance is not the final act of the sinner. One must go on to water baptism in the name of Jesus Christ, and receive the Holy Spirit [Acts 2:38]. Paul said, "I die daily." He meant that he repented daily. We must mirror Paul in trying to live in the spirit and not in the flesh. No one is perfect, but through repentance we strive for perfection.
Step 2: BAPTISM IN JESUS' NAME
."...and be Baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ..." (Acts 2:38)
Water baptism is essential to Salvation "He that believeth and is baptized shall be saved", Mark 16:16. The manner of baptism is important. The Greek verb "baptizo" means to dip, plunge, immerse. When we are baptized by being immersed in water, we are identified with Jesus Christ in death and burial. "Therefore we are buried with him by baptism into death", Romans 6:4 "Buried with him in baptism", Colossians 2:12
The formula of baptism is equally important. "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", Acts 2:38. "Go ye therefore, and teach all nations baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost", Matthew 28:19. There are three things to take note here. These three details are very significant to the proper formula of baptism.
First, Jesus didn't say to recite Father Son and Holy Ghost, he said to do it.
I have a father and he is a son and he has a spirit, but that is not his name, they describe his titles. When I often take care of his business matters, I say that "I'm calling for my father or I came to pick up something in my father's name". The question that I am always asked is, "what is your father's name". Unless I say his name, I will not accomplish what I was sent to do for him. In like manner, unless, Jesus' name is called when the baptism is performed, the baptism process has not been accomplished, according to the scriptures.
Second, Jesus did not say names, (plural, but singular name).
Father is a title, Isaiah 42:8 gives us the name of the Father, "I am the Lord and that is my name". Son is a title, St. Matt. 1:21 gives us the name of the son, "and she shall bring forth a son, and thou shalt call his name, Jesus." Holy Ghost is not a name, He has a name and it is found in 1Cor. 10:4, "And did all drink the same spiritual drink; for they drank of that spiritual Rock that followed them and that Rock was Christ".
Third, Jesus said in the name of, not the title.
The history of the early church as recorded in the scriptures baptized in the name of Jesus.
In conclusion on this subject matter, I shall leave this thought with you. Knowing that Satan hates the name of Jesus should be enough for anyone who loves the Lord to take on His name through water baptism and thus being obedient to the second process of the three steps to salvation.
Step 3: RECEIVING THE GIFT OF THE HOLY GHOST
"...and ye shall receive the gift of the Holy Ghost" (Acts 2:38)
The final step in the process of being Born Again comes from being born of the SPIRIT (Jn 3:5). This is the Pentecostal Experience of Life that corresponds to the Resurrection of our Savior (see Romans 6:5). It is the Life of the Soul, it is called the HOLY GHOST! The Holy Ghost that was poured out in Acts 2:1 was the conception or birth of the Church, that Jesus told Peter about "Upon this rock I will build my CHURCH...", and also the Conception or Birth of our New Birth Experience. After Repentance and Baptism in the Name of Jesus, you have a promise. That promise is the Gift of the Holy Ghost! (See The Pentecostal Experience).
The Holy Ghost is significant to the believer so much so that when Jesus was teaching them of the Holy Ghost that was soon to come, He "commanded them" (gave them direct orders), that they not go anywhere or do anything until they receive the "Promise of the Father" (Acts 1:4), which is the Holy Ghost (Jn 14:26). This is a very important command because Jesus was basically saying that without the Holy Ghost, you are powerless to perform! It also implies the NEED for all of us to have the Holy Ghost, and that it is not just something that we can choose or not choose to have.
The terms Holy Ghost and Holy Spirit are used interchangeably in scripture. Don't be confused by the two usages. The Holy Ghost (or Spirit) is what Baptizes us into the Body of Christ. Do not be mis-informed, there is no other way to gain entrance into the Body of Christ (1 Cor. 12:13). The same Spirit that will give you Power to perform, Power to be a witness, Power to Live a Holy Life and, Power over the enemy will be the same Spirit that will give you the Power to be Resurrected when the Lord shall descend from heaven in the Rapture. The Bible emphatically states "But if the Spirit of him that raised up Jesus from the dead dwell in you, he that raised up Christ from the dead shall also quicken your mortal bodies by his Spirit that dwelleth in you (Rom. 8:1). The pivotal word here is "IF". That simply implies that if the Spirit, and there is but ONE Spirit (Eph. 4:4), is not resident, then you will not get up out of the grave! That's the Resurrection Power that I have just stated above. So now you decide, is the Holy Ghost an option? Well, not if you want to get up in the "First Resurrection" which is the Blessed and Holy Resurrection (Rev. 20:6), in which the second will have no Power (or Holy Ghost)! I don't know about you, but I want to be in the First Resurrection, I know you do too! The Holy Ghost is the Power that you need to be Raptured!
