Exciting and Impactful Sunday Morning Bible Study from the 411 N. Clinton Ave Church of Christ in Trenton, NJ
The Scriptures are very clear about what it takes to become a child of God. Here is the simple plan revealed in God's word:
Step 1: We must HEAR the Word. Without first hearing the Word of God we would never know we are sinners and that the "wages of sin" is death Romans 3.23; Romans 6.23. Without hearing, we wouldn't know of Jesus' sacrifice for our sins and our need for him. It's also where our faith comes from Romans 10.17! Further, we should only listen to our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ Matthew 17.5; Hebrews 1.1-2; Matthew 28.18.
Step 2: We must BELIEVE what we hear. Merely hearing the Word of God doesn't save. We must believe what we hear or we are not likely to obey God's commands. In John 8.24, Jesus says, "...if ye believe not that I am He, ye shall die in your sins." Yet, belief is not enough James 2.24, we must "do" what God demands, that is, His will Matthew 7.21!
Step 3: We must REPENT of our sins. Sin is what separates us from God Isaiah 59.2. Therefore, if we intend to seek God's forgiveness, we must be willing to repent of our sins. Repentance means "turning away from sin" and making the effort to sin no more 1 Corinthians 6.9-11. If we aren't willing to repent of our sins, we cannot be saved Acts 3.19; Acts 17.30-31.
Step 4: We must CONFESS our faith. Those that wish to be saved must confess their faith in Jesus Romans 10.9-10. It was Jesus Christ Himself who said, "Whosoever therefore shall confess me before men, him will I confess also before my Father which is in heaven" Matthew 10.32. The Scriptures give us an example of one who confessed their faith Acts 8.26-39, note verse 37.
Step 5: We must be BAPTIZED. There is considerable religious confusion about baptism. Some think baptism isn't necessary, others believe we are saved before we are baptized. Note what the Scriptures say baptism does:
Baptism shows a good conscience toward God / The Apostle Peter clearly confirms, "baptism doth also now save us" 1 Peter 3.21.
Baptism washes away sins Acts 22.16
Baptism gives entry "into" Christ Romans 6.3; Galatians 3.27.
Jesus, our authority, made baptism necessary when he gave the command in Mark 16.16. In other words, our sins are not washed away, and we are not "in Christ" until we are baptized.
Since baptism is for the forgiveness of sins (Acts 2.38), we are still in our sins (and lost) until we are baptized.
We should also realize that baptism is a burial or immersion--not sprinkling Romans 6.3-4 and baptism is for believers, not infants Mark 16.16.
Many folks say "we aren't saved by works!" Yet, is baptism a work? It is a work of God Colossians 2.12. Jesus says belief is a work too John 6.29. James says we must have faith plus works James 2.14-26, note verse 24. We are saved by the mercy and grace of God, but He demands we be baptized to wash away our sins. He does the work through His Son's blood if we follow His instructions.
Step 6: We must remain FAITHFUL. While baptism puts us into Christ and His blood washes away our sins, we must still be obedient and faithful to God, otherwise, we will lose our souls. The Bible tells us "...be thou faithful unto death, and I will give thee a crown of life" Revelation 2.10.
If you haven't met these conditions and you want to obey the gospel of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ today, please let us know!
N. Clinton Ave Church of Christ
Trenton, NJ
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