The Bible says there is only one way to Heaven. It is absolutely impossible for man to save himself. Therefore he must depend on God's grace.
Jesus said: "I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father but by me." (John 14:6)
Good works cannot save you. Salvation comes from placing our total faith in Jesus Christ. Church membership, baptism, religious rituals or sacraments cannot and will not wash away sin.
"For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God: not of works, lest any man should boast." (Ephesians 2:8-9)
Admit that you are a sinner. Adam and Eve sinned against God by disobeying His command and eating of the forbidden fruit in the Garden of Eden. As a result of their sin, they brought sin upon the human race. In order to go to Heaven, we must be forgiven of sin. This can only be accomplished by being reconciled to God through His Son Jesus Christ.
- "For all have sinned, and come short of the glory of God;" (Romans 3:23)
- "Wherefore, as by one man sin entered into the world, and death by sin; and so death passed upon all men, for that all have sinned:" (Romans 5:12)
- "If we say that we have not sinned, we make him a liar, and his word is not in us." (1 John 1:10)
Understand that the penalty for sin is an eternity in hell. The Bible tells us that the "wages" or payment for our sin is death and hell. The first is the physical death. The second is a spiritual death.
- "For the wages of sin is death;" (Romans 6:23a)
- "And death and hell were cast into the lake of fire. This is the second death." (Revelation 20:14)
- "And whosoever was not found written in the book of life was cast into the lake of fire." (Revelation 20:15)
Repent and believe that Jesus Christ died for you, was buried, and rose from the dead. Repentance is sorrow over sin that causes us to make an about face and by faith, turn to Christ. Christ died on the cross for our sins because he loved us. His death paid for all of our sins. Salvation is available and free to "whosoever will."
- Jesus said: "I tell you, Nay: but, except ye repent, ye shall all likewise perish." (Luke 13:5)
- "And the times of this ignorance God winked at; but now commandeth all men every where to repent:" (Acts 17:30)
- "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." (John 3:16)
- "But God commendeth his love toward us, in that, while we were yet sinners. Christ died for us." (Romans 5:8)
- "That if thou shalt confess with thy mouth the Lord Jesus, and shalt believe in thine heart that God hath raised him from the dead, thou shalt be saved." (Romans 10:9)
- "But the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord." (Romans 6:23b)
Through prayer, invite Jesus into your life to become your personal Savior. It isn't enough to say that we go to church or live the right life. We must believe that we are sinners, that the payment for our sin is death, and that Jesus died on the cross for our sins and arose again. Through prayer, you must ask for forgiveness and receive the free gift of salvation.
- "For with the heart man believeth unto righteousness; and with the mouth confession is made unto salvation." (Romans 10:10)
- "For whosoever shall call upon the name of the Lord shall be saved." (Romans 10:13)
Dear God,
I am a sinner and need forgiveness. I believe that Jesus Christ shed His precious blood,
died for my sin, and arose the third day. I turn from sin to invite Christ to come
into my heart and life as my personal Savior.
- "But as many as received him, to them gave he power to become the sons of God, even to them that believe on his name:" (John 1:12)
- "Therefore if any man be in Christ, he is a new creature: old things are passed away; behold, all things are become new." (2 Cor. 5:17)
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Assurance
Soon after being saved, many new Christians start to doubt their decision for Christ. But all these doubts are common. The enemy has put these thoughts into the newly saved minds...Satan. He will continually put doubts into the minds of all those saved. These doubts can be beneficial because they cause us to get into the Word of God and find assurance for our salvation. Your salvation is guaranteed by God's Word.
- "And this is the record, that God hath given to us eternal life, and this life is in his Son. He that hath the Son hath life; and he that hath not the Son of God hath not life." (I John 5:11-12)
Baptism
After salvation God commands us to follow Christ in baptism. Baptism is the first step in obedience for the new believer in Christ. Baptism shows our death, burial, and resurrection with Christ. Through baptism, we demonstrate the death of the person we used to be before we were saved, burial of that old way of life, and the resurrection of a new life to be lived for the Lord Jesus Christ.
- "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)
Church Attendance
Attendance in a local church is very important. It is in the church that you will receive instruction and exhortation on how to life a Christian life. It is our responsibility to attend every service when the doors are open. God will bless you if you put Him first.
- "Not forsaking the assembling of ourselves together, as the manner of some is; but exhorting one another: and so much the more, as ye see the day approaching." (Hebrews 10:25)
Prayer
Prayer is the most wonderful and powerful tool for a Christian. The door of prayer is always open. Whenever we have a need, God is always there to hear from us and to grant our request according to His will. Through prayer, we have a direct line to God himself without going through any mediator. Prayer isn't only limited to church. Christians should take every available opportunity to pray.
- "Be careful for nothing; but in every thing by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be make known unto God." (Philippians 4:6)
- "And all things, whatsoever ye shall ask in prayer, believing, ye shall receive." (Matthew 21:22)
Bible Study
Spiritual growth comes as you read and study the Bible. The Bible teaches that as a new babe in Christ, you must desire the "milk" of God's Word. Developing good study habits are essential. The answers that you are looking for are all in the Bible. Every word of the Bible is given by the inspiration of God.
- "Study to show thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth." (II Timothy 2:15)
- "As newborn babes, desire the sincere milk of the word, that ye may grow thereby:." (I Peter 2:2)
- "All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness:" (2 Timothy 3:16) |
Tithes & Offerings
It is God's will that all men should hear the Gospel of the Lord. In order for that to happen, churches need to be built, missionaries must be sent out to other countries, and ministries must be established. Without any of these, many lost and dying souls in the world would perish without having the opportunity to hear the gospel and become saved. We are taught that we should give one-tenth to Him. No one is forced to tithe as every offering is given in free-will. Every Christian should learn to give joyfully. It is through God's grace for all that we have. It is only fitting that we pass along this blessing to others.
- "Bring ye all the tithes into the storehouse, that there may be meat in mine house, and prove me now herewith, saith the LORD of hosts, if I will not open you the windows of heaven, and pour you out a blessing, that there shall not be room enough to receive it." (Malachi 3:10)
- "Upon the first day of the week let every one of you lay by him in store, as God hath prospered him, that there be no gatherings when I come." (I Corinthians 16:2)
- "Every man according as he purposeth in his heart, so let him give; not grudgingly, or of necessity: for God loveth a cheerful giver." (II Corinthians 9:7)
- "Give, and it shall be given unto you; good measure, pressed down, and shaken together, and running over, shall men give into your bosom. For with the same measure that ye mete withal it shall be measured to you again." (Luke 6:38)
Soul Winning
The biggest responsibility that God gives to those saved is the spreading of the Gospel. Spreading the Gospel is simply telling others about Christ and how to receive His gift of eternal life. Hell is a reality for those who choose to reject Christ. It is every Christian's desire to see people choose heaven for all eternity. One way to start soul winning is by inviting your friends, neighbors, and co-workers to attend church with you where they will hear the Gospel preached.
- "For I am not ashamed of the gospel of Christ: for it is the power of God unto salvation to every one that believeth; to the Jew first, and also to the Greek." (Romans 1:16)
- "Whosoever therefore shall confess me before men, him will I confess also before my Father which is in heaven. But whosoever shall deny me before men, him will I also deny before my Father which is in heaven." (Matthew 10:32-33)
- "But ye shall receive power, after that the Holy Ghost is come upon you: and ye shall be witnesses unto me both in Jerusalem , and in all Judaea, and in Samaria, and unto the uttermost part of the earth." (Acts 1:8)
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