THE EXPERIENCE OF SALVATION
Dear Visitor:
Jesus gave his life for the sins of every person who has ever lived or who will ever live on the earth. First John 2:2 says:
"And He Himself is the propitiation for our sins, and not for ours only but also for the whole world."
While Christ offers the entire world forgiveness of sins and salvation, unfortunately most people will not accept His divine gift.
Matthew 7:13-14 says:
"Enter by the narrow gate; for wide is the gate and broad is the way that leads to destruction, and there are many who go in by it. Because narrow is the gate and difficult is the way which leads to life, and there are few who find it."
John 3:16-18 states:
"For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life. For God did not send His Son into the world to condemn the world, but that the world through Him might be saved. He who believes in Him is not condemned; but he who does not believe is condemned already, because he has not believed in the name of the only begotten Son of God."
Verse 36 continues by saying:
"He who believes in the Son has everlasting life; and he who does not believe the Son shall not see life, but the wrath of God abides on him."
Some people... including a number of professing Christians, believe there are other roads to heaven. Don't be fooled or misled.
Jesus says in John 14:6:
"I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through Me."
This fact is repeated in Acts 4:12:
"Nor is there salvation in any other, for there is no other name under heaven given among men by which we must be saved."
If you're a person who is unsaved, I pray that you will use this opportunity to accept God's free gift of salvation. Without a doubt, this is the most important decision in your life. While salvation is indeed a free gift, you must choose to take possession of it by submitting to the plan of salvation as stipulated by God.
Please bear in mind that you are a sinner. Romans 3:23 says,
"for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God".
All sin is deserving of punishment; and God is a just God. He should give us what we deserve. However, His Son, Jesus, died on the cross for our sins and took our punishment so that we can live eternally.
In order to receive the privileges of Christ's sacrifice, God's plan of salvation entails:
1) Acknowledgment and confession of sins.
"If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness."
(1 John 1:9).
2) Belief
"Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ, and you will be saved, you and your household." (Acts 16:31)
3) Repentance
"Unless you repent you will all likewise perish" (Luke 13:3).
"Repent ye therefore, and be converted, that your sins may be blotted out." (Acts 3:19)
4) Confession of faith.
"If you confess with your mouth the Lord Jesus and believe in your heart that God has raised Him from the dead, you will be saved. For with the heart one believes unto righteousness, and with the mouth confession is made unto salvation." (Romans 10:9, 10)
5) Water Baptism by immersion.
"Go therefore and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit." (Matt. 28:19)
"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)
6) Continuation and Endure in Belief.
"These things I have written to you who believe in the name of the Son of God, that you may know that you have eternal life, and that you may continue to believe in the name of the Son of God." (1 John 5:13).
"But he who endures to the end shall be saved." (Matt. 24:13)
After accepting God's plan of salvation, I encourage you to pray daily, diligently study the Bible in context, and seek out a Christ-centered, doctrinally sound church to nurture your faith.
