Resources – How to Be Saved

Salvation Through Christ

The Meaning of Salvation

Nothing can be more important to a new church member than to know for certain that he is saved. Many Christians live frustrated and defeated lives because of a failure to understand the plan of salvation. Non commitment and irregular church attendance can be related to insecurity about salvation.

I. The Conversion Experience

Conversion simply means “to turn about”. In conversion we turn to God from our sins. Conversion may be viewed in three steps:

(1) Conviction is the first step in conversion. The salvation experience starts with conviction which is “awareness of ones’s sinful condition”. It is remorseful (Acts 2:37). Conviction is brought about by the Holy Spirit (John 16:8).

(2) Repentance involves sorrow for one’s sinful condition (Psalms 38:17-18). It must be volitional, “the exercise of one’s personal will.” (Acts 2:38)

(3) Faith is trust. At this step, a person is trusting in Christ that he can save him. Faith is an absolute necessity. The Scripture says “without faith it is impossible to please God”(Ephesians 2:8).

II. Regeneration

When a person reaches the point of belief, God regenerates him (saves him). God does not save at the point of faith. God saves at the point of belief (Acts 8:37, 16:31). At belief, salvation becomes our personal possession. It must be a specific belief as taught in Romans 10:9. Salvation is truly a “Gift of God.”

III. Water Baptism

Water baptism symbolizes what God has already done through His Word (John 15:3), and His blood (1 John 1:7). The formula of water baptism was given by the Savior as recorded in Matthew 28:19-20, namely, in the name of the Father and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost.

How To Be Saved

1. Acknowledge: Admit to be true. Your sins (all unrighteousness). “For all have sinned and come short of the glory of God” (Romans 6:23).

2. Repent: To be Godly sorry. Sorry enough to quit wrong doing. “Repent ye therefore, and be converted that your sins may be blotted out” (Acts 3:19).

3. Confess: Admit, reveal. “If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us of all unrighteousness” (1 John 1:9).

4. Forsake: Quit, give up, leave entirely alone once and for all. Be willing for God to take all desire for sin away from you.

How To Know You Are Saved

The Scriptures provide us with real proof of salvation. “There is therefore now no condemnation to them which are in Christ Jesus, who walk not after the flesh, but after the Spirit” (Romans 8:1). Our salvation is predicated on God’s Word. “These things have I written unto you that believe on the name of the Son of God” (1 John 5:13). It is through the Scriptures that we are made “wise unto salvation” (2 Timothy 3:15).

Our salvation is as sure as God’s Word. The Psalmist recognized the immutability of God’s Word and said, “Forever, O Lord, Thy word is settled in heaven” (Psalms 119:89). God has given us His Word that He will save us if we believe (John 3:16, Acts 16:30-31, Romans 10:9).

“Therefore, if any man be in Christ, he is a new creature…” (2 Corinthians 5:17). The joy of your salvation will intesify if you will share God’s plan of salvation with others, and thereby lead lost souls to Christ.