Be Saved Video

This answer assumes that it is understood by the reader that nothing that any human being can do to save himself on his own. Salvation or rescue has been provided through JEsus substitutionary death on the cross (see “Why Was Jesus on the Cross?” for more detail), and it was provided on the basis of God’s generosity —He owed us nothing.

But this salvation is only offered to us; God will not force it on us. To accept this generous offer of forgiveness, sonship, and eternal life there are things we have been commanded to do. To return to the illustration used “Why Was Jesus on the Cross?” — my Friend has written the check for the amount I owe and handed it to me. It now remains for me to accept it, deposit the check in my account, and write a check to my creditor for the full amount. Until I do my part, the debt cancelation remains only “in potential” — it could possibly happen, all the crucial pieces are there, but it hasn’t happened yet.

Jesus paid my debt for me in “potential” on the cross. What must I do now to move this debt cancelation from “potential” to “actual”?

Well, first, I need to believe in Jesus as the Son of God, the Christ, my Lord (“For God so loved the world, that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him shall not perish, but have eternal life." John 3:16, NAS95.)

Second, I need to be willing to turn away from sinful living; this is called repentance in the Bible. When a crowd asked Peter what they should do, he replied in part, "Repent…." Acts 2:38, NAS95.

Third, I need to be willing to say in front of others that I believe Jesus to be the Lord, the Son of God. This is know in the Bible as confession. ("… if you confess with your mouth Jesus as Lord, and believe in your heart that God raised Him from the dead, you will be saved; for with the heart a person believes, resulting in righteousness, and with the mouth he confesses, resulting in salvation." Romans 10:9, 10, NAS95.)

Fourth, we are commanded to be baptized (immersed in water) in Jesus’ name for the forgiveness of our sins ("Peter said to them, "Repent, and each of you be baptized in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins; and you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit." Acts 2:38, NAS95 and "‘Now why do you delay? Get up and be baptized, and wash away your sins, calling on His name.’" Acts 22:16, NAS95.)

These are things that every Christian in the Bible did to become a Christian, to be save. If this is what they did, and they went to Heaven; doesn’t it make sense that if we do the same, we’ll go to Heaven, too?

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