"What must I do to be saved?"
How many times have we heard these words across our Land? How many opinions do we have in regards to this subject? Jesus said, in Matt. 16:16, Upon this Rock I will build my church and the gates of Hell shall not prevail against it. Jesus said he would build HIS CHURCH.
The bible says in Ephesians 1: 22-23 that Christ is the head over all things to the church (not a church) which is his Body. Ephesians 4:4 says, there is one body and one spirit even as you are called in one Hope of your calling. 1 Corinthians 12:13 says for by one spirit are we all baptized into one body, whether we be Jew or Gentiles, whether we be bond or free; and have been all made to drink into one spirit.
In 1 Corinthians 12:27 the Apostle Paul said, now ye are the body of Christ, and members in particular. In Galatians 1:6-7 he spoke, "I marvel that ye are so soon removed from Him that called you into the Grace of Christ unto another Gospel which is not another". In Romans 1:16-17, Paul said, "For I am not ashamed of the Gospel of Jesus Christ: for it is the Power of God unto salvation to every one that believeth: to the Jew first, and also to the Greek. For therein is the righteousness of God revealed from faith to faith: as it is written, The Just shall live by faith".
So, for us to receive salvation and the righteousness of God, we must hear the Gospel of Jesus Christ. Because Jesus said, the words I speak are spirit and life. So what did Jesus preach?
For this reason, this study has been put together for your benefit. If we could remove all of the labels or name brands out of our mind for a while, such as Pentecostal, Church of Christ , Church of God , Nazarene, Baptist, Methodist etc....; sit down with the Bible and see what was the Gospel of Jesus Christ. In II Corinthians 13:5, the Apostle Paul said, "Examine yourselves, whether ye be in the faith; prove your own selves. Know ye not your own selves, how that Jesus Christ is in you, except ye be reprobates? Ephesians 4:5 says, "One Lord, One Faith, One baptism". (not church group or Denominations but one Gospel)
Who would you Believe to tell you how to be SAVED?
How about the LORD JESUS CHRIST?
So often we hear so much about what people think about being saved that we pay very little attention to what Jesus said. With careful examination let us study the word of God and see what Jesus said about being saved.
When we study the word of God, there is only one who can speak on this subject of salvation, that is Jesus The Christ.
1. Jesus said in John 6: 63-64
(63) It is the spirit that quickeneth; the flesh profiteth nothing: the words that I speak unto you, they are Spirit, and they are Life. (64) But there are some of you that believe not...
2. Hebrews 12:2
Looking unto Jesus the author and finisher of our faith; who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is set down at the right hand of the throne of God.
3. Acts 2:36
Therefore let all the house of Israel know assuredly, that God hath made that same Jesus, whom ye have crucified, both Lord and Christ.
4. John 6:68
Then Simon Peter answered him, Lord, to whom shall we go? thou hast the words of eternal life.
5. Jesus said in John 14:6
I am the Way, the Truth, and the Life; no man cometh unto the Father, but by me.
6. Colossians 2:8-10
(8) Beware lest any man spoil you through philosophy and vain deceit, after the tradition of men, after the rudiments of the world, and not after Christ. (9) For in him dwelleth all the fulness of the Godhead bodily. (10) And ye are complete in him, which is the head of all principality and power:
7. 1 Timothy 6:3-5
(3) If any man teach otherwise, and consent not to wholesome words, even the words of our Lord Jesus Christ, and to the doctrine which is according to godliness; (4) He is proud, knowing nothing, but doting about questions and strifes of words, whereof cometh envy, strife, railings, evil surmisings, (5) Perverse disputings of men of corrupt minds, and destitute of the truth, supposing that gain is godliness: from such withdraw thyself.
8. Jesus said in John 10:7-9
(7) Verily, verily, I say unto you, I am the door of the sheep. (8) All that ever came before me are thieves and robbers: but the sheep did not hear them. (9) I am the door: by me if any man enter in, he shall be saved, and shall go in and out, and find pasture.
9. Acts 3:23
And it shall come to pass, that every soul, which will not hear that prophet, shall be destroyed from among the people.
So! What Jesus says is important concerning being saved.
10. Jesus said in Matthew 16:18
...I will build my church; and the gates of hell shall not prevail against it.
Jesus is the contractor. You and I are just labors together. He is the Boss.
He is the head. We are the body. Jesus is the only one in the Bible who ever had a church. which is his body. Why do we become members of other men’s churches? Such as Baptist, Methodist, Catholic, Presbyterian, Pentecostal, Church of God, Assemblies of God, Church of Christ, Lutheran, Nazarene, etc..
11. When Jesus said in Mark 16:16
He that believeth and is baptized shall be saved; but he that believeth not shall be damned.
Did He know what He was saying?
12. John 1:17
For the law was given by Moses, but grace and truth came by Jesus Christ.
13. Mark 12:14
And when they were come, they say unto him, Master, we know that thou art true, and carest for no man: for thou regardest not the person of men, but teachest the way of God in truth:
When Jesus said, ye must believe and be Baptized in Mark 16:16, we must study to find out what he is telling us.
Must Believe..... Must Believe What?
14. Hebrews 11:6
But without faith it is impossible to please him: for he that cometh to God must believe that he is, and that he is a rewarder of them that diligently seek him.
15. John 8:24
Jesus said: therefore unto you, that ye shall die in your sins: for if ye believe not that I am he, ye shall die in your sins.
Before, Jesus said, no man cometh unto the Father except by me.
16. 1 John 2:23
Whosoever denieth the Son, the same hath not the Father: (but) he that acknowledgeth the Son hath the Father also.
You must believe that Jesus is the way to salvation, and because you believe he is the way, the truth, the Life and the door to Salvation, we begin our Journey to Salvation.
17. Jesus said Luke 13: 3 & 5
...except ye repent, ye shall all likewise perish.
18. Mark 1:15
The time is fulfilled, and the kingdom of God is at hand: repent ye, and believe the gospel.
19. Romans 1:16-17
(16) 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. (17) For therein is the righteousness of God revealed from faith to faith: as it is written, The just shall live by faith.
20. Jesus said John 7:38-40
(38) He that believeth on me, as the scripture hath said, out of his belly shall flow rivers of living water. (39) (But this spake he of the Spirit, which they that believe on him should receive: for the Holy Ghost was not yet given; because that Jesus was not yet glorified.) (40) Many of the people therefore, when they heard this saying, said, Of a truth this is the Prophet. [ref. Acts 3-23]
Jesus said, ye must believe I am the way, the Truth, the Life, the Door. No one can be saved any other way, except by the words Jesus said.
21. Jesus said: John 3: 3 & 5
(3) Verily, verily, I say unto thee, Except a man be born again, he cannot see the kingdom of God . (5) Jesus answered, Verily, verily, I say unto thee, Except a man be born of water and of the Spirit, he cannot enter into the kingdom of God .
What Jesus said in Mark 16-16, he that believeth and is baptized shall be saved, but he that believeth not shall be damned.