Jerry Boone, Gatlinburg, Tennessee, United States webmaster@merechristianity.us Mr. Boone is a sailor, author, and webmaster of http://merechristianity.us with a Bachelor of Arts degree in Anthropology from Georgia State University. His works include: Mere Christianity.us and SAFETY LINE - EVIDENCE OF THINGS NOT SEEN, an apologetic study published 1998.
Ask any two denominations what do you need to do to be saved and you get different answers. But if you take your question directly to the Bible, the answer is always the same. Here's what the New Testament says:
1. BELIEVE IN JESUS CHRIST Faith in Jesus is necessary. The jailor asked Paul and Silas what should he do to be saved. They replied: "Believe in the Lord Jesus, and you will be saved-you and your household." (Acts 16:31) See also: (Romans 1:15-17), (1 John 5:1-6), and (Revelation 21:8)
2. REPENT OF YOUR SINS The Lord is not slow in keeping his promise, as some understand slowness. He is patient with you, not wanting anyone to perish, but everyone to come to repentance. (2 Peter 3:9) See also: (Luke: 15:10), (Acts 17:30, 20:21, and 26:20)
3. CONFESS FAITH IN JESUS Confession is another requirement. Jesus said that whoever confesses him before men, he will confess before his Father in heaven. But those who deny him will be denied before his Father. (Matthew 10:32-33 NKJV) See also: (Romans 10:9)
4. BAPTISM Baptism is the fourth requirement. The resurrected Jesus instructed his disciples to make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit." (Matthew 28:19) He also said, "No one can see the kingdom of God unless he is born of the water and the Spirit." (John 3:5) See also: (Mark 16:16), (Acts 2:38), (Romans 6:3-4), and (Acts 8:37-39)
Baptism in the scriptures meant immersion, not pouring nor sprinkling. Sprinkling for baptism was not fully accepted until the Council of Ravena in 1311 A.D. We have no reason to believe Christ ever approved of it.
New Testament scriptures, Acts in particular, records many baptisms. All were old enough to believe, no one was baptized against his will, and no infant baptism is mentioned at all.
Jesus said. "If you want to enter life, obey the commandments."
"Which ones?" the man inquired.
Jesus replied:
5. "DO NOT MURDER." (Matthew 19:18), (Mark 10:19), (Luke 18:20)
6. "DO NOT COMMIT ADULTERY." (Matthew 19:18), (Mark 10:19), (Luke 18:20)
7. "DO NOT STEAL." (Matthew 19:18), (Mark 10:19), (Luke 18:20)
8. "DO NOT GIVE FALSE TESTIMONY." (Matthew 19:18), (Mark 10:19), (Luke 18:20)
9. "DO NOT DEFRAUD." (Mark 10:19)
10. "HONOR YOUR FATHER AND MOTHER." (Matthew 19:19), (Mark 10:19), (Luke 18:20)
11. "LOVE YOUR NEIGHBOR AS YOURSELF." (Matthew 19:19), (Luke 10:27)
12. LOVE GOD On one occasion an expert in the law stood up to test Jesus. "Teacher," he asked, "what must I do to inherit eternal life?"
"What is written in the Law?" he replied. "How do you read it?"
He answered: " 'Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your strength and with all your mind'; and, 'Love your neighbor as yourself.'"
"You have answered correctly," Jesus replied. "Do this and you will live." (Luke 10:25-28)
And how do we love God? "This is love for God: to obey his commands." 1 John 5:3
If I follow these twelve commands, will I go to heaven? "Yes," says Jesus, Paul, Silas, Peter, and John. For Christians, that should be authority enough.
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