May 29,08: Light4theDay -
"How To Receive Christ"
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Update: 04/10/2010
++ How To Receive Jesus Christ As Your Savior? ++
(How To Become a Christian?)
Because God is Love, Righteousness, Compassion, Forgiveness, and most importance is the sacrifice on the cross, death, and resurrection of Jesus Christ, His Son, to save sinners; His promises and condition for salvation in the Bible are easy and simple for everyone to receive Christ as Savior:
Your Invitation to a New Life
Jesus said, "...I have come that they may have life, and have it to the full" (John 10:10). Have you discovered the joy and peace of personally accepting Jesus' invitation to life? Perhaps you have believed in the existence of God and His Son and have tried to live a good life, but have never consciously invited Him to be your Savior and Lord. No matter who you are or what you have done, at this very moment, you too can make the decision of a lifetime. Right now Jesus is knocking at the door of your heart. He offers you the same wonderful life which millions through the centuries have received with life-changing results. He has already paid the penalty for your sin. He is asking you, in the quiet of your heart, to put your trust in Him. Here are four spiritual points that will help you discover how to know God personally and experience the full life He promises:
1. God Loves You!
2. All of us have done, said or thought things that are wrong. This is called sin, and our sins have separated us from God.
3. God sent His only Son Jesus Christ to die for our sins.
4. If you want to be saved, you need to Ask (Pray) to Accept Jesus Christ to be your Savior and Lord.
++ Prayer To Receive Jesus Christ Into Your Life: ++
+ Simple Prayer: +
"O God, I am a sinner. I'm sorry for my sin. Forgive me. I want to turn from my sin. I receive Jesus Christ as my Savior; I confess Him as my Lord. From now on I want to follow Him.
In Jesus' Name. Amen."
++++++++++++++
+ Expanded Prayer: +
Dear Lord Jesus, I believe You are the Son of God. I believe You came to earth 2,000 years ago. I believe you died for me on the cross and shed Your blood for my salvation. I believe you rose from the dead and ascended on high. I believe You are coming back again to earth. + Dear Jesus, I am a sinner. Forgive my sin. Cleanse me now with Your precious blood. Come into my heart. Save my soul right now. Baptize me with Your Holy Spirit. May Your Holy Spirit shows me how to worship You in truth and teaches me Your Word, the Holy Bible. I give you my life. I receive You now as my Savior, my Lord, and my God. I am Yours forever, and I will serve You and follow You the rest of my life.
+ From this moment on, I belong to You only. I no longer belong to this world, nor to the enemy of my soul. I belong to You, and I am born again with a new Christian's life.
Thank You Lord, for saving me! In Jesus Christ, Amen!
++++++++++++++
Congratulation! By praying this prayer, confessing your sins, and receiving Jesus Christ into your heart, God has given you the right to become His forgiven child. The Bible gives you this assurance: "But as many as received Him, to them He gave the right to become children of God, to those who believe in His name" (John 1:12).
-- John 3:16
For God so loved the world that He gave His one and only Son, that whoever believes in Him shall not perish but have eternal life.
-- Romans 10:8-11
8 But what does it say? "The word is near you; it is in your mouth and in your heart," (Deut. 30:14}) that is, the word of faith we are proclaiming: ++ 9 That 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. 10 For it is with your heart that you believe and are justified, and it is with your mouth that you confess and are saved. 11 As the Scripture says, "Anyone who trusts in Him will never be put to shame." (Isa 28:16).
-- Acts 2:21, 37-39
+ 21 And everyone who calls on the name of the Lord
will be saved.’ +
37 When the people heard this, they were cut to the heart and said to Peter and the other apostles, "Brothers, what shall we do?"
+ 38 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. 39 The promise is for you and your children and for all who are far off -- for all whom the Lord our God will call."
-- Revelation 3:20
Behold, I stand at the door and knock. If anyone hears My voice and opens the door, I will come in to him and dine with him, and he with Me.
+ Next Steps for New Christians +
1- PRAY daily. 2- Read and Study Your Bible! 3- Attend Church!
4- Be Baptized! 5- Hold on to God! (your holy Faith)
6- What If I Have Doubts? 7- + Bible for Salvation: +
1- PRAY daily
Praying daily is the key to spiritual development. Regardless of how strong and mature you may become as a Christian, you will never be so spiritual and holy that you will not need to pray. Jesus, the Son of God, prayed everyday! Prayer is a privilege that God has given us. The scriptures say in Hebrew 4:16- "Let us therefore come boldly unto the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy, and find grace to help in time of need." It's not hard to pray... just talk to the Lord. You don't need any fancy words ... just talk like you would normally talk to anyone. Also don't feel bad if you don't know how to pray... even the disciples had to asked Jesus how to pray! (Luke11:1). There is a great prayer guideline in Matthew 6:9-15.
++ How To Pray:
1- Preparation: + If possible, find a quiet place and prepare a truthful heart to pray not just do it because of duty. + Invite the Holy Spirit to guide your prayer. (Romans 8:26-27).
2- "Our Father in heaven, Hallowed be Your name" (Matthew 6:9). Open your prayer with praise. Praise and worship God for who He is, the Creator of all things.
3- Be thankful. Be thankful for what He has done for you and for what He has promised you in His word. Thank Him for providing for your daily needs. Thank Him for everything!
4- Confess daily your sins to Him. Ask forgiveness for your mistakes and shortcomings. Ask Him to help you in your daily walk as His child and to overcome temptations in this world. (1Corinthians 10:12-13; James 4:7; 1John 1;9).
5- Ask God to help you help others. Pray for others such as your family, your church and fellow Christians, your pastor, and your co-workers. Anybody and everybody that you want God to help. This is called intercessory prayer (Matthew 7:7-8; Colossians 1:3,4:3). Ask God to help you to be patient and do not doubt when asking (Hebrews 11:6; James 1:5-6).
6- Freely have a heart to heart praying to God like a loving trusted friend. + Sometime, just be silent and enjoy been with God, and ask Him to fill you with His Holy Spirit.
7- Close your prayer in Jesus' name. Jesus says in John 14:13 - "And I will do whatever you ask in My name, so that the Son may bring glory to the Father." Your prayers cannot find their way to God except you come through the name of Jesus.
Make a commitment to pray daily... you will grow so much as a Christian if you do... and remember, God wants you to talk to Him... He loves you!
++ The Bible teaches about Prayer:
+ Pray in Quiet Place (Mat.6:5), in spirit and in Truth (John 4:24):
+ John 4:24: "God is spirit, and His worshipers must worship in spirit and in truth."
+ Matthew 6:5-8: "6 But when you pray, go into your room, close the door and pray to your Father, who is unseen. Then your Father, who sees what is done in secret, will reward you.
7 And when you pray, do not keep on babbling like pagans, for they think they will be heard because of their many words.
8 Do not be like them, for your Father knows what you need before you ask Him."
+ Matthew 6:9-13 - The Lord's Prayer:
"9 Our Father in heaven, Hallowed be Your name.
10 Your kingdom come. Your will be done On earth as it is in heaven.
11 Give us this day our daily bread.
12 And forgive us our debts, As we forgive our debtors.
13 And do not lead us into temptation, But deliver us from the evil one. For Yours is the kingdom and the power and the glory forever. Amen."
+ Psalm 23 - Protection and Peaceful Prayer:
"1 The LORD is my Shepherd; I shall not want.
2 He makes me to lie down in green pastures; He leads me beside the still waters.
3 He restores my soul; He leads me in the paths of righteousness For His name’s sake.
4 Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil; For You are with me; Your rod and Your staff, they comfort me.
5 You prepare a table before me in the presence of my enemies; You anoint my head with oil; My cup runs over.
6 Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me All the days of my life; And I will dwell in the house of the LORD Forever."
+ Psalm 19 - Praise God and His perfect law:
1 The heavens declare the glory of God; the skies proclaim the work of His hands....
+ 7 The law of the LORD is perfect, reviving the soul. The statutes of the LORD are trustworthy, making wise the simple.
8 The precepts of the LORD are right, giving joy to the heart. The commands of the LORD are radiant, giving light to the eyes.
9 The fear of the LORD is pure, enduring forever. The ordinances of the LORD are sure and altogether righteous....
+ 12 Who can discern his errors? Forgive my hidden faults.
13 Keep your servant also from willful sins; may they not rule over me. Then will I be blameless, innocent of great transgression.
14 May the words of my mouth and the meditation of my heart be pleasing in Your sight, O LORD, my Rock and my Redeemer."
(Summary from the Bible for the Basic Christian Faith)
I believe in God, the Father Almighty,
Creator of heaven and earth.
I believe in Jesus Christ, His only Son, our Lord,
Who was conceived by the Holy Spirit,
Born of the virgin Mary,
Suffered under Pontius Pilate,
Was crucified, died, and was buried;
He descended to the dead.
The third day He rose again from the dead;
He ascended into heaven,
He is seated at the right hand of God the Father Almighty;
And He will come to judge the living and the dead.
I believe in the Holy Spirit,
The holy (Christian) catholic Church,
The communion of saints,
The forgiveness of sins,
The resurrection of the body,
And the life everlasting.
Amen.
(Read more: "A Call To Pray")
+ For new Christian: Remember that you are a baby Christian and you aren't ready to eat the heavy meat of God's word. First off, a new Christian needs to start reading the first four books of the New Testament (Matthew, Mark, Luke, John). In these books you will find out who Jesus really is. You will find out what He did while here on earth and why. Then read the book of Acts for church history by the power of Holy Spirit. You can also read the book of James for Christian Life Application, and the book of Ephesians for salvation by grace through faith in Jesus Christ. Study these books and then finish reading the rest of the New Testament. To understand the Bible and see the big picture of God's plan, Christian should read the New Testament in synchronize with the Old Testament because the New Testament keeps refer to the Old Testament stories and God's fulfilled promises. The Psalms are very helpful for prayers and praising God. (Note: There are many good Bible Reading Plans those will satisfy your need, please ask and check them out.)
+ Essentially your Bible is your guidebook. It contains everything you need to know... about the past... your present... and future. Take time and read the Bible. The scriptures say in the New Testament in 2.Timothy.2:15: "Do your best to present yourself to God as one approved, a workman who does not need to be ashamed and who correctly handles the word of truth." We once heard a preacher say that everyday reading God's word is a good day. Reading is another way to grow as a Christian.... so READ your Bible.
+ Remember, the best and most effective way to Learn the Bible is to Teach the Bible (preparing for teaching the Bible for yourself and others.)
+ 2 Timothy 3:15-17 - The Bible is God's Word:
"15 And that from childhood you have known the Holy Scriptures, which are able to make you wise for salvation through faith which is in Christ Jesus.
+ 16 All Scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness,
17 that the man of God may be complete, thoroughly equipped for every good work."
+ Matthew 4:4 - The Bible is spiritual food:
"Jesus answered, "It is written: ‘Man does not live on bread alone, but on every word that comes from the mouth of God.’" (Deut 8:3)
+ The Bible is spiritual light to avoid sin and help to repent:
-- Psalm 119:11,105: "11 I have hidden Your word in my heart that I might not sin against You.
+ 105 Your word is a lamp to my feet and a light for my path."
-- Psalm 19:12-13:
" 12 Who can discern his errors? Forgive my hidden faults.
13 Keep Your servant also from willful sins; may they not rule over me. Then will I be blameless, innocent of great transgression.
14 May the words of my mouth and the meditation of my heart be pleasing in Your sight, O LORD, my Rock and my Redeemer.
-- James 4:7-8: "7 Submit yourselves, then, to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you.
8 Come near to God and He will come near to you. Wash your hands, you sinners, and purify your hearts, you double-minded."
-- 1 John 1:9-10:
"9 If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness.
10 If we claim we have not sinned, we make Him out to be a liar and His word has no place in our lives."
+ The Bible and obedience bring God's blessing:
-- Psalm 1:2-3: "2 But his delight is in the law of the LORD, and on His law he meditates day and night.
3 He is like a tree planted by streams of water, which yields its fruit in season and whose leaf does not wither. Whatever he does prospers."
-- Joshua 1:8: "Do not let this Book of the Law depart from your mouth; meditate on it day and night, so that you may be careful to do everything written in it. Then you will be prosperous and successful."
+ Hebrews 4:12 - The Divine Power of God's Word:
"For the Word of God is living and powerful, and sharper than any two-edged sword, piercing even to the division of soul and spirit, and of joints and marrow, and is a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart."
+ The Bible commands and helps to Evangelize:
-- Matthew 28:19-20: "19 Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit,
20 and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age."
-- John 3:16: "For God so loved the world that He gave His one and only Son, that whoever believes in Him shall not perish but have eternal life."
-- Psalm 22:27-28: "All the ends of the earth will remember and turn to the LORD, and all the families of the nations will bow down before Him, 28 For dominion belongs to the LORD and He rules over the nations."
-- Psalm 98:2: "The LORD has made His salvation known and revealed His righteousness to the nations."
+ The Bible reminds the dwelling of the Holy Spirit in Christians:
-- Acts 1:8: "But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes on you; and you will be My witnesses in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth."
-- John 14:15-17, 26: "15 If you love Me, you will obey what I command.
16 And I will ask the Father, and He will give you another Counselor to be with you forever --
17 the Spirit of truth. The world cannot accept Him, because it neither sees Him nor knows Him. But you know Him, for He lives with you and will be in you. + 26 But the Counselor, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in My name, will teach you all things and will remind you of everything I have said to you."
+ Matthew 24:35: The Everlasting of God's Word:
"Heaven and earth will pass away, but My words will never pass away."
++ Read more about God's Word:
(2Timothy 3:15-17; Matthew 5:17-19;24:35; John 5:24-25; Isaiah 40:8;51:6-7;55:8-11; Numbers 23:19; 1Peter 1:23-25; 2Peter 3:8-9; Revelation 22:18-19; 1Timothy 2:3-4; Psalms 1:1-3;119:1-20; Deuteronomy 11:18-20; Genesis 9:12;17:7; Hebrews 9:15;10:15-23)
The church is not just an institution established by man. The church was established by God for man. The word *church* means the "called out ones". And that is what we are... the called out ones... remember the Holy Spirit called you out to know more about Jesus. Christ is the founder and head of the church. It is so important where you get your spiritual instruction and direction. All churches are not the same! A church should be committed to the preaching and teaching of the truth of God, the Holy Bible. One should find true preaching and teaching, good Christian fellowship, support and encouragement from their church. Another thing to remember... the scriptures say in Hebrews 10:25- "Let us not give up meeting together, as some are in the habit of doing, but let us encourage one another -- and all the more as you see the "Day" approaching."
+ So pray, find and get into a church that teaches God's Word..... Find a church that is concerned about you spiritually and physically. And get involved! God established the church so that all His children could come together to worship Him in truth and spirit. When you start attending church... go to Sunday school... it will help you grow as a new Christian. Do not take the church for granted... God made it for you... Praise the Lord!
+ Acts 2:41-47: The First Christian Church:
"41 Those who accepted his message were baptized, and about three thousand were added to their number that day.
42 They devoted themselves to the apostles’ teaching and to the fellowship, to the breaking of bread and to prayer.
43 Everyone was filled with awe, and many wonders and miraculous signs were done by the apostles.
44 All the believers were together and had everything in common.
45 Selling their possessions and goods, they gave to anyone as he had need.
46 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,
47 praising God and enjoying the favor of all the people. And the Lord added to their number daily those who were being saved."
(+ Note: The First Christian Church was full empowered and guided by the Holy Spirit so they can live as a Christian community in unity, peace and love of God. But watch out for false prophets and deceitful spirits + 1John 4:1 +)
++ Read more about the churches belong to Christ:
-- 1 Corinthians 1:2-3:
"2 To the church of God in Corinth, to those sanctified in Christ Jesus and called to be holy, together with all those everywhere who call on the name of our Lord Jesus Christ -- their Lord and ours:
3 Grace and peace to you from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ."
-- Matthew 16:18:
"And I tell you that you are Peter (which means ‘rock’), and on this rock I will build my church, and the gates of Hades will not overcome it." (There are many different theological interpretations for this verse).
-- Revelation 3:20-22:
"20 Listen! I am standing at the door, knocking; if you hear My voice and open the door, I will come in to you and eat with you, and you with Me.
21 To the one who conquers I will give a place with Me on My throne, just as I Myself conquered and sat down with My Father on His throne.
22 Let anyone who has an ear listen to what the Spirit is saying to the churches."
As a testimony to your new birth as a Christian, everyone should be baptized. To be baptized is to symbolically bury the sinful man and to birth a new creature in Christ. In Matthew 28:19 the scripture says: "Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit." Also Jesus was baptized... and we are to try to be like Jesus! Be baptized... it is a privilege of the believer! And after baptism, you are spiritually qualify to receive the Lord's Supper (1Corinthians 11:23-29).
+ In case of emergency or difficult situation (deathbed illness, living in isolated places, or can not go to a Christian (or house) church because of special or personal reasons), and after having a quick lessons of Basic Christianity of Faith (like the Apostles Creed), if believing then the new believer can be baptized without delay. -- Note: By the power of the Holy Spirit, new believers of the first Christian church was baptized at once (Acts 2:41; 8:12,35-39).
+ Remember that Christians are "Saved by Grace through Faith, not by works" (Eph.2:8-9), so different style of Baptism will not change God's love and promise of salvation for believers, but true believers will always try their best to obey God's commandment and Jesus' example (be Baptized!) (Matthew 3:13; Mark 1:8-11).
++ The Bible teaches that there are two Baptism: + By Water, and + By The Holy Spirit (through PRAYER - "ask and it will be given to you" Mt.7:7):
++ The Great Commission: -- Matthew 28:19: "Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit,"
++ Matthew 3:11:
"I baptize you with water for repentance, but One who is more powerful than I is coming after me; I am not worthy to carry His sandals. He will baptize you with the Holy Spirit and fire."
++ John 3:5-6: Jesus answered, "I tell you the truth, no one can enter the kingdom of God unless he is born of water and the Spirit. 6 Flesh gives birth to flesh, but the Spirit gives birth to spirit."
++ Acts 1:5:
"For John baptized with water, but in a few days you will be baptized with the Holy Spirit."
++ Titus 3:4-7:
"4 But when the kindness and love of God our Savior appeared,
5 He saved us, not because of any works of righteousness that we had done, but according to His mercy, through the water of rebirth and renewal by the Holy Spirit.
6 This Spirit He poured out on us richly through Jesus Christ our Savior,
7 so that, having been justified by His grace, we might become heirs according to the hope of eternal life."
++ Ephesians 4:1-7:
"1 As a prisoner for the Lord, then, I urge you to live a life worthy of the calling you have received.
2 Be completely humble and gentle; be patient, bearing with one another in love.
3 Make every effort to keep the unity of the Spirit through the bond of peace.
4 There is One Body and One Spirit -- just as you were called to One Hope when you were called --
5 One Lord, One Faith, One Baptism;
6 One God and Father of all, who is over all and through all and in all.
7 But to each one of us grace has been given as Christ apportioned it."
+ Read more about Baptism:
(Matthew 28:19-20;3:5-6; Romans 6:3-12; Mark 1:6-11; John 3:5-6;20:21-22; Acts 5-8;2:37-47;8:12-17,35-39;22:16;10:44-48; Colossians 2:12; Galatians 3:26-29; Ephesians 4:4-7; 1Peter 3:21-22; Hebrews 6:1-6; 3:14-17; 1Corinthians 1:13-18;12:12-13)
Hold on to God. Hold on to what you have... namely salvation through the Lord Jesus Christ. Don't give up or give in to the world. If you desire to grow in the Lord you will spend time in the Word and in prayer. You are precious in the Lord's eyes... in fact you are now His child. As a new convert you will have to learn that obedience to God is not always the easiest way, but remember it is the best way. God loves you and knows what's best for you. Trust in Him... He says He will never leave you or forsake you. Believe and have faith! God is true! He won't ever let you down. Just keep on walking those baby steps... keep on praising the Lord... keep on attending church... keep on reading the Word... keep on praying daily.... keep on holding on... and soon you will be a mighty Christian for the glory of our dear Lord and Savior Jesus Christ!
And remember that the devil will do everything in his power to drag (new) believers out of their faith: to sin, to backslide, to lukewarm, to doubt, ... But God promise if we pray to Him daily, He will forgive us our sin and His Holy Spirit will help us to win the spiritual battle (Ephesians 6:10-18), to grow in faith (Romans 10:17), to be set free (John 8:31-32) from sin and temptation, to be born again (2Corinthians.5:17; 1Peter 1:23), and to live a blessed and fruitful Christian life (John 15; Galatians 5:22-26).
+ John 15:4-5: "4 Abide in Me, and I in you. As the branch cannot bear fruit of itself, unless it abides in the vine, neither can you, unless you abide in Me.
5 I am the vine, you are the branches. He who abides in Me, and I in him, bears much fruit; for without Me you can do nothing."
+ Romans 10:17: "So then Faith comes by hearing, and hearing by the Word of Christ."
+ Hebrews 11:6: "And without faith it is impossible to please God, because anyone who comes to Him must believe that He exists and that He rewards those who earnestly seek Him.
+ James 4:7-8: "7 Submit yourselves, then, to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you. 8 Come near to God and He will come near to you"
+ Galatians 5:22-26:
"22 But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness,
23 gentleness and self-control. Against such things there is no law.
24 Those who belong to Christ Jesus have crucified the sinful nature with its passions and desires.
25 Since we live by the Spirit, let us keep in step with the Spirit.
26 Let us not become conceited, provoking and envying each other."
+ Read more about problems (new) Christians may face:
+ John 6:65-69; Matthew 13; 1Peter 5:7-9; Ephesians 6:10-20 +
(Deny Jesus; Parables of the Sowers and the Seeds; Spiritual Warfare).
Doubts. Everyone at one time or another if they are honest have doubts about themselves and their salvation. Maybe they aren't growing like they think they should, or maybe they just don't feel saved. Just stop thinking that right now! Don't DOUBT what the Bible says. If the Bible says you can call upon the name of the Lord and be saved, and you prayed that prayer earlier with an honest heart and really did mean it, then dear heart, YOU ARE SAVED!! Don't let the devil or anyone else take away what you have received from the Lord Jesus Christ. The devil (and may be some of the people you know) would like nothing better than to see you give up what you have because you don't feel saved, or because you become frustrated. Don't let that happen.
"20 But you, dear friends, must build each other up in your most holy faith, Pray in the power of the Holy Spirit, 21 and await the mercy of our Lord Jesus Christ, who will bring you eternal life. In this way, you will keep yourselves safe in God’s love. 22 And you must show mercy to those whose faith is wavering (doubt). 23 Rescue others by snatching them from the flames of judgment. Show mercy to still others, but do so with great caution, hating the sins that contaminate their lives. 24 Now all glory to God, who is able to keep you from falling away and will bring you with great joy into His glorious presence without a single fault. 25 All glory to Him who alone is God, our Savior through Jesus Christ our Lord. All glory, majesty, power, and authority are His before all time, and in the present, and beyond all time! Amen."
7. + Bible for Salvation: +
-- John 14:6
Jesus answered, "I am the way and the truth and the life.
No one comes to the Father except through Me."
-- 1 Timothy 2:5-6
5 For there is one God and one mediator between God and men, the man Christ Jesus, 6 who gave Himself as a ransom for all men -- the testimony given in its proper time.
-- 1 Peter 3:18
For Christ died for sins once for all, the righteous for the unrighteous, to bring you to God. He was put to death in the body but made alive by the Spirit,
-- Romans 5:8
But God demonstrates His own love for us in this:
While we were still sinners, Christ died for us.
-- Luke 1:77-79
77 To give His people the knowledge of salvation through the forgiveness of their sins, 78 because of the tender mercy of our God, by which the rising sun will come to us from heaven 79 to shine on those living in darkness and in the shadow of death, to guide our feet into the path of peace.
-- John 3:16-17
+ 16 For God so loved the world that He gave His one and only Son, that whoever believes in Him shall not perish but have eternal life.
17 For God did not send His Son into the world to condemn the world, but that the world through Him might be saved.
-- Mark 16:16
Whoever believes and is baptized will be saved,
but whoever does not believe will be condemned.
-- 1 John 1:9
If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness.
-- Acts 16:30-31
30 He then brought them out and asked, "Sirs, what must I do to be saved?" 31 They replied, "Believe in the Lord Jesus, and you will be saved -- you and your household."
-- Acts 4:12
Salvation is found in no one else, for there is no other name under heaven given to men by which we must be saved."
-- Isaiah 45:22
"Turn to Me and be saved, all you ends of the earth;
for I am God, and there is no other."
-- John 10:30
"I and the Father are One."
-- Hebrews 12:2
Let us fix our eyes on Jesus, the Author and Perfecter of our faith, who for the joy set before Him endured the cross, scorning its shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God.
-- Hebrews 7:18-28
18 The former regulation is set aside because it was weak and useless 19 (For the law made nothing perfect), and a better hope is introduced, by which we draw near to God. 20 And it was not without an oath! Others became priests without any oath, 21 but Jesus became a priest with an oath when God said to Him: "The Lord has sworn and will not change His mind: ‘You are a Priest forever.’" (Ps 110:4)
22 Because of this oath, Jesus has become the guarantee of a better covenant. 23 Now there have been many of those priests, since death prevented them from continuing in office; 24 But because Jesus lives forever, He has a permanent Priesthood. 25 Therefore He is able to save completely (forever) those who come to God through Him, because He always lives to intercede for them.
26 Such a High Priest meets our need -- One who is holy, blameless, pure, set apart from sinners, exalted above the heavens. 27 Unlike the other high priests, He does not need to offer sacrifices day after day, first for His own sins, and then for the sins of the people. He sacrificed for their sins once for all when He offered Himself. 28 For the law appoints as high priests men who are weak; but the oath, which came after the law, appointed the Son, who has been made perfect forever.
-- Acts 13:38-39
38 Brothers, listen! We are here to proclaim that through this man Jesus there is forgiveness for your sins. 39 Everyone who believes in Him is declared right with God -- something the law of Moses could never do.
-- John 1:11-14
11 He came to His own people, and even they rejected Him. 12 But to all who believed Him and accepted Him, He gave the right to become children of God. 13 They are reborn -- not with a physical birth resulting from human passion or plan, but a birth that comes from God. 14 So the Word became human and made His home among us. He was full of unfailing love and faithfulness. And we have seen His glory, the glory of the Father’s one and only Son.
-- John 3:5-6
5 Jesus answered, "I tell you the truth, no one can enter the kingdom of God unless he is born of water and the Spirit. 6 Flesh gives birth to flesh, but the Spirit gives birth to spirit.
-- John 6:40
For My Father’s will is that everyone who looks to the Son and believes in Him shall have eternal life, and I will raise him up at the last day.
-- John 7:37-38
37 On the last and greatest day of the Feast, Jesus stood and said in a loud voice, "If anyone is thirsty, let him come to Me and drink. 38 Whoever believes in Me, as the Scripture has said, streams of living water will flow from within him."
-- John 11:25-27
25 Jesus said to her, "I am the resurrection and the life. He who believes in Me will live, even though he dies 26 and whoever lives and believes in Me will never die. Do you believe this?" 27 "Yes, Lord," she told Him, "I believe that You are the Christ, the Son of God, who was to come into the world."
-- John 20:29-31
29 Jesus said to him, "Thomas, because you have seen Me, you have believed. Blessed are those who have not seen and yet have believed." 30 And truly Jesus did many other signs in the presence of His disciples, which are not written in this book; 31 but these are written that you may believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God, and that believing you may have life in His name.
-- Romans 5:1-2
1 Therefore, since we have been justified through faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ, 2 through whom we have gained access by faith into this grace in which we now stand. And we rejoice in the hope of the glory of God.
-- Galatians 3:22-29
22 But the Scripture declares that the whole world is a prisoner of sin, so that what was promised, being given through faith in Jesus Christ, might be given to those who believe. 23 Before this faith came, we were held prisoners by the law, locked up until faith should be revealed. 24 So the law was put in charge to lead us to Christ that we might be justified by faith. 25 Now that faith has come, we are no longer under the supervision of the law. 26 You are all children of God through faith in Christ Jesus, 27 for all of you who were baptized into Christ have clothed yourselves with Christ. 28 There is neither Jew nor Greek, slave nor free, male nor female, for you are all one in Christ Jesus. 29 If you belong to Christ, then you are Abraham’s seed, and heirs according to the promise.
-- Ephesians 2:8-10
8 For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith -- and this not from yourselves, it is the gift of God -- 9 not by works, so that no one can boast. 10 For we are God’s workmanship, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do.
-- 1 John 5:11-13
11 And this is the testimony: God has given us eternal life, and this life is in His Son. 12 He who has the Son has life; he who does not have the Son of God does not have life. 13 I write these things to you who believe in the name of the Son of God so that you may know that you have eternal life.
-- Romans 8:1-2; 14-17; 26-30
1 There is therefore now no condemnation to those who are in Christ Jesus, who do not walk according to the flesh, but according to the Spirit. 2 For the law of the Spirit of life in Christ Jesus has made me free from the law of sin and death.
++ 14 For all who are led by the Spirit of God are children of God. 15 For you did not receive a spirit of slavery to fall back into fear, but you have received a spirit of adoption. When we cry, "Abba! Father!" 16 it is that very Spirit bearing witness with our spirit that we are children of God, 17 and if children, then heirs, heirs of God and joint heirs with Christ -- if, in fact, we suffer with Him so that we may also be glorified with Him.
26 In the same way, the Spirit helps us in our weakness. We do not know what we ought to pray for, but the Spirit himself intercedes for us with groans that words cannot express. 27 And He who searches our hearts knows the mind of the Spirit, because the Spirit intercedes for the saints in accordance with God’s will.
++ 28 And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love Him, who have been called according to His purpose. 29 For those God foreknew He also predestined to be conformed to the likeness of his Son, that He might be the firstborn among many brothers. 30 And those he predestined, He also called; those He called, He also justified; those He justified, He also glorified.
-- 2 Corinthians 5:7, 17-21
7 We live by faith, not by sight.
++ 17 Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation;
the old (life) has gone, the new has come!
18 All this is from God, who reconciled us to Himself through Christ and gave us the ministry of reconciliation: 19 For God was in Christ, reconciling the world to Himself, no longer counting people’s sins against them. And He gave us this wonderful message of reconciliation. 20 So we are Christ’s ambassadors; God is making His appeal through us. We speak for Christ when we plead, "Be reconciled to God!" 21 For God made Christ, who never sinned, to be the offering for our sin, so that we could be made right with God through Christ.
-- Matthew 28:19-20 (The Great Commission for Evangelism)
19 Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in
the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit,
20 and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you.
And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age.