DOCTRINES

SALVATION

    Every person has sinned. As it is written, FOR ALL HAVE SINNED, AND COME SHORT OF THE GLORY OF GOD-Ro 3:23.

    Sin began in the Garden of Eden. It is written, AND THE LORD GOD COMMANDED THE MAN, SAYING, OF EVERY TREE OF THE GARDEN THOU MAYEST FREELY EAT: BUT OF THE TREE OF THE KNOWLEDGE OF GOOD AND EVIL, THOU SHALT NOT EAT OF IT: FOR IN THE DAY THAT THOU EATEST THEREOF THOU SHALT SURELY DIE-Gen 2:16,17. Adam could eat of every tree, except one. God had given Adam a command. Sin is disobeying God’s commandments. God also warned Adam of the consequences of disobeying His command. The penalty for disobedience was death. Adam’s obedience was going to be tested. We are to fear God-ref Lk 12:5. For it is written, BY THE FEAR OF THE LORD MEN DEPART FROM EVIL-Pv 16:6. We need to understand that THE WAGES OF SIN IS DEATH-Ro 6:23.
   NOW THE SERPENT (which is also called Satan, the devil, and Lucifer) WAS MORE SUBTIL (or crafty) THAN ANY BEAST (or wild animal) OF THE FIELD WHICH THE LORD GOD HAD MADE. AND HE SAID UNTO THE WOMAN, YEA, HATH GOD SAID (or did God really say), YE SHALL NOT EAT OF EVERY TREE OF THE GARDEN?-Gen 3:1. The serpent, which is also called Satan, now begins a process of causing Eve to be confused, deceived, to doubt what God had said, and, ultimately, to cause her to disobey God’s command. You and I hear that same voice today in our thoughts. Also note, that the serpent did not use God’s words in this case, but rather used an evasive, deceptive approach by saying "HATH GOD SAID", and then using the words, "YE SHALL NOT EAT OF EVERY TREE OF THE GARDEN?"

    AND THE WOMAN SAID UNTO THE SERPENT, WE MAY EAT OF THE FRUIT OF THE TREES OF THE GARDEN: BUT OF THE FRUIT OF THE TREE WHICH IS IN THE MIDST OF THE GARDEN, GOD HATH SAID, YE SHALL NOT EAT OF IT, NEITHER SHALL YE TOUCH IT, LEST YE DIE-Gen 3:2,3. Note confusion as to what God had said seems to be setting in. In her thoughts, she must have begun to question God’s Word. Eve had said certain words which God had not said, such as NEITHER SHALL YE TOUCH IT. Her response to the serpent was a general impression of what she believed God had said, rather than God’s exact words.
   AND THE SERPENT SAID UNTO THE WOMAN, YE SHALL NOT SURELY DIE-Gen 3:4. God had said, "THOU SHALT SURELY DIE."
   Here is the conflict. It is between the truth of God’s Word, and the lies Satan puts in our thoughts. It is between the truth of God’s Word, and our emotions. It is between the truth of God’s Word and our fleshly desires. We are in a battle between the TRUTH of God’s Word and the lies of the devil. There is a battle going on in our thoughts between the truth of God’s Word and the traditions of men, pastors, churches, denominations, and our own wrong thinking. Satan is a master at confusing us, deceiving us, and causing us to doubt.
   The serpent then said, FOR GOD DOTH KNOW THAT IN THE DAY YE EAT THEREOF, THEN YOUR EYES SHALL BE OPENED, AND YE SHALL BE AS GODS, KNOWING GOOD AND EVIL-Gen 3:5. Note Satan’s words, "FOR GOD DOTH KNOW." This gives the impression that it is all right in the eyes of God, and that God misled her for these reasons.
   Then he continued by saying, "THEN YOUR EYES SHALL BE OPENED." The serpent is arousing her curiosity.
   Satan continued with the words, "AND YE SHALL BE AS GODS." What a wonderful promise the serpent was giving her, "YE SHALL BE AS GODS." To be a god is to be able to do whatever you want and have to give an account to no one. To be a god is to be something special, to control your own destiny, and certainly it is something many people want today. It is a form of preaching that abounds today in many churches.
   Then the serpent adds these words, "KNOWING GOOD AND EVIL." Satan was telling the woman that the path to knowledge is to bypass God’s Word. The woman must have wondered, "What is good and evil?"
   The serpent had used only about 46 words which changed the history of the world. Do not underestimate your enemy, the devil. Satan knows just what thoughts to put in our mind to tempt us. These thoughts are just what our heart wants to hear. It is written, "SATAN! YOU...HAVE IN MIND...THE THINGS OF MEN"-Mt 16:23 NIV.
   AND WHEN THE WOMAN SAW THAT THE TREE WAS GOOD FOR FOOD, AND THAT IT WAS PLEASANT (or pleasing) TO THE EYES, AND A TREE TO BE DESIRED TO MAKE ONE WISE (or desirable for gaining wisdom) Gen 3:6. The verse said, item one-THE WOMAN SAW...item two-THAT IT WAS PLEASANT (or pleasing) TO THE EYES (the lusts of the eyes began to prompt her to sin}. Sight can be a pathway to lead us to sin. She saw, item three-that the TREE WAS GOOD FOR FOOD. The lusts of the flesh begin to prompt her to disobey God. Food can be a pathway to lead us to sin. Satan tempted Jesus regarding food. She saw that the tree was item four-TO BE DESIRED item five-TO MAKE ONE WISE.
   SHE TOOK OF THE FRUIT THEREOF, AND DID EAT-Gen 3:6. The woman: she saw, she desired, she took, and she ate. The woman had sinned. She had disobeyed God. AND ADAM WAS NOT DECEIVED, BUT THE WOMAN BEING DECEIVED WAS IN THE TRANSGRESSION-l Tim 2:14. At this point, she did not yet seem to be conscious that she had done wrong.
   She now wants her husband to share in what she considered to be her good fortune, in her wicked sin. Many times we may do something wrong, and then we want to get other people involved also. We want other people to see it "our" way. AND (she) GAVE ALSO UNTO HER HUSBAND WITH HER; AND HE DID EAT-Gen 3:6. Adam had become the follower of his wife rather than a follower of the Lord God. Adam, who was the leader, became the follower of the woman. It seemed right to Adam to follow his wife’s word, rather than God’s Word.
   Sin had now entered into the world. Adam (the man), from which the blood line comes, had sinned. WHEREFORE, AS BY ONE MAN SIN ENTERED INTO THE WORLD, AND DEATH BY SIN; AND SO DEATH PASSED UPON ALL MEN, FOR THAT ALL HAVE SINNED-Ro 5:12. THEREFORE AS BY THE OFFENSE OF ONE JUDGMENT CAME UPON ALL MEN TO CONDEMNATION...FOR AS BY ONE MAN’S DISOBEDIENCE MANY WERE MADE SINNERS-Ro 5:18,19.

    AND THE EYES OF THEM BOTH WERE OPENED, AND THEY KNEW THAT THEY WERE NAKED; AND THEY SEWED FIG LEAVES TOGETHER, AND MADE THEMSELVES APRONS (or coverings)-Gen 3:7. Now they realized that God meant what He said, but it was too late. The serpent had very skillfully beguiled, confused, and deceived the woman. He had used a combination of half truths and lies. Satan had told her what her heart wanted to hear. Satan knows how to put in our thoughts just what we want to hear. Her own desires had overcome her, and she disobeyed God. Then Adam followed his wife, rather than God. He disobeyed God by also eating of the fruit. THE EYES OF BOTH OF THEM WERE OPENED-NIV. They now understood good and evil. They now saw things differently than they had before. Soon, they would understand judgment and the consequences of sin, FOR THE WAGES OF SIN IS DEATH-ref Ro 6:23.
   They now knew good, but were unable to do it. They now knew evil, and were unable to resist it.
   THEY KNEW THAT THEY WERE NAKED. They now wanted to cover or hide their shame, their nakedness, their sin.
   THEY SEWED FIG LEAVES TOGETHER, AND MADE THEMSELVES APRONS (or coverings). The fig leaves are man’s attempt to save himself by a bloodless religion of good works. Fig leaves cannot cleanse us or wash us from our sins. Fig leaves cannot cover the shame of our nakedness. Many people today try to cover their sin and nakedness in man-made ways. They may do it through trying to do good works, or following a certain denomination. Some try to cover their shame by preaching in pulpits, or auditoriums, or even on the mission field. Their preaching are words and stories of men, with very little of the Word of God. They have TURNED TO MEANINGLESS TALK. THEY WANT TO BE TEACHERS OF THE LAW (or Bible), BUT THEY DO NOT KNOW WHAT THEY ARE TALKING ABOUT-ref 1 Tim 1:6,7 NIV. They do not understand that they do not know what they are talking about BECAUSE THE DARKNESS they are walking in HAS BLINDED their eyes--ref l Jn 2:11 NIV. Some try to cover their nakedness by going to church, and singing in the choir or teaching a Sunday school. What better place to ease the conscience from sin than behind a pulpit, or in a lukewarm church that does not preach on sin, and judgment, and eternal damnation. Some try to cover their nakedness by giving money to their church or charitable organizations, or even getting involved in worldly causes that seem good and right. They may have the praise of men, but they will perish to hell.
   Many people today refuse to admit they sin or do wrong. They do not even know they are naked. Their covering is deceit. As it is written, WHOSE CONSCIENCES HAVE BEEN SEARED AS WITH A HOT IRON-1 Tim 4:2 NIV. They are like trees walking about without understanding-ref Mk 8:24. They do not understand God’s Word. Adam’s intimate relationship with God was broken. Billions of graves testify that when God said in His Word, "THOU SHALT SURELY DIE", that indeed, it was true. The proof is evidenced by these graves.
   The man and woman covered their nakedness from each other, and then afterward hid from the Lord God. From that time until now, people have been speaking and doing evil, and hoping no one will find out, but continue to try to hide what they say and do from other people.

    AND THEY HEARD THE VOICE OF THE LORD GOD WALKING IN THE GARDEN IN THE COOL OF THE DAY: AND ADAM AND HIS WIFE HID THEMSELVES FROM THE PRESENCE OF THE LORD GOD AMONGST THE TREES OF THE GARDEN-Gen 3:8. Shame, fear, and guilt are often a result of sin. Sin perverts our judgment, and deceives us. As it is written, SIN,...DECEIVED ME, AND...IT SLEW ME-Ro 7:11. Adam did not see the face of God, but rather HEARD THE VOICE OF…GOD. ADAM AND HIS WIFE HID. Often-times when the light appears, darkness wants to hide. Light exposes darkness. It is written, EVERYONE WHO DOES EVIL...WILL NOT COME INTO THE LIGHT FOR FEAR THAT HIS DEEDS WILL BE EXPOSED-Jn 3:20 NIV.
   They were afraid. Judgment was about to come upon them, and they did not want to face it. Sin causes us to be more concerned with what happens to us, than the fact that we disobeyed God. Sin can cause us to be more concerned with our appearance and what people think about us, than the fact that we have sinned against a Holy God. Adam was more aware of his nakedness, than the fact he had disobeyed the Lord God. Adam seemed more concerned with the consequences of what he had done, than the sin he had committed. Sin seeks a refuge in hiding, in evasion, in half truths, lying, and deceit. Our flesh wants to sin, and do those things which are pleasing to our worldly nature, without paying for the consequences of our actions. Why should Adam and the woman have been afraid when they were naked? Their nakedness revealed their transgression. We need to understand, IT IS APPOINTED UNTO MEN ONCE TO DIE, BUT AFTER THIS THE JUDGMENT-Heb 9:27. Satan puts in the minds of many people today that they will never be called to the judgment, and that in the end everything will be all right. Remember, there is a battle going on in our thoughts between the TRUTH of God’s Word, and the deceiving lies and half truths of the devil.

    Many think they are saved. Many think they will go to heaven. Many think they are under grace, however, the Bible assures us that there are only a few people that truly find it. The devil successfully deceives multitudes of people by convincing them in their thoughts that they are saved, when in reality, they are the children of the devil.
   It is written, ENTER YE IN AT THE STRAIT GATE: FOR WIDE IS THE GATE, AND BROAD IS THE WAY, THAT LEADETH TO DESTRUCTION, AND MANY THERE BE WHICH GO IN THEREAT. Many perish to destruction.
   BECAUSE STRAIT IS THE GATE, AND NARROW IS THE WAY, WHICH LEADETH UNTO LIFE, AND FEW THERE BE THAT FIND IT-Mt 7:13,14.

6-SALVATION, IN BRIEF—UNDERSTAND

    If you have received Jesus Christ, God’s only begotten Son, as your Lord and Savior, it is because God in His mercy has opened your understanding.
   Jesus said, THEREFORE SPEAK I TO THEM IN PARABLES: BECAUSE THEY SEEING SEE NOT; AND HEARING THEY HEAR NOT, NEITHER DO THEY UNDERSTAND-Mt 13:13. These people think they see and hear. They think they understand, but they really do not. Their understanding is wrong. Their understanding is darkness. Of those, whom God does open their understanding, these can be converted. As it is written, LEST…THEY SHOULD SEE WITH THEIR EYES, AND HEAR WITH THEIR EARS, AND SHOULD UNDERSTAND WITH THEIR HEART, AND…BE CONVERTED…BLESSED ARE YOUR EYES, FOR THEY SEE: AND YOUR EARS, FOR THEY HEAR-Mt 13:15,16. We need to hear and read God’s Word, and understand with our heart.
   God’s Word cries out to you: HEAR, AND UNDERSTAND-Mt 15:10.
   Understanding alone, however, does not make us saved.
   As it is written, FOR BY GRACE ARE YE SAVED THROUGH FAITH; AND THAT NOT OF YOURSELVES: IT IS THE GIFT OF GOD: NOT OF WORKS, LEST ANY MAN SHOULD BOAST. FOR WE ARE HIS WORKMANSHIP, CREATED IN CHRIST JESUS UNTO GOOD WORKS, WHICH GOD HATH BEFORE ORDAINED THAT WE SHOULD WALK IN THEM-Eph 2:8-10. Some define "grace" as unmerited favor. In other words, it is something that God gives us, but we do not deserve it.

7-PAYMENT FOR SIN AND COMMITMENT

    The sins of each person need to be paid for. A person can pay for their own sins. That payment is the second death. That payment is eternity in the lake of fire. It is written, AND DEATH AND HELL WERE CAST INTO THE LAKE OF FIRE. THIS IS THE SECOND DEATH. AND WHOSOEVER WAS NOT FOUND WRITTEN IN THE BOOK OF LIFE WAS CAST INTO THE LAKE OF FIRE-Rev 20:14,15.

    a person can surrender their life to Jesus Christ by faith. It is a commitment of love and obedience.
   It is a total sacrifice and surrender of oneself to obey and submit to the Word of God in all situations. Anything short of this, is sin.
   It is a commitment of following Jesus. It is written, Jesus said to them ALL, IF ANY MAN WILL COME AFTER ME, LET HIM DENY HIMSELF AND TAKE UP HIS CROSS DAILY, AND FOLLOW ME-Lk 9:23. FOR WHAT IS A MAN ADVANTAGED, IF HE GAIN THE WHOLE WORLD, AND LOSE HIMSELF, OR BE CAST AWAY?-Lk 9:25.

8-JESUS CHRIST SACRIFICED HIMSELF; WE LOVE HIM BECAUSE

    God’s only begotten Son came to this earth, and died a horrible death on the cross at Calvary. Through His death, we can have forgiveness of our sins.
   It is written, BUT WHEN THE FULNESS OF THE TIME WAS COME, GOD SENT FORTH HIS SON, MADE OF A WOMAN, MADE UNDER THE LAW, TO REDEEM THEM THAT WERE UNDER THE LAW, THAT WE MIGHT RECEIVE THE ADOPTION OF SONS-Gal 4:4,5.
   FOR GOD SO LOVED THE WORLD, THAT HE GAVE HIS ONLY BEGOTTEN SON, THAT WHOSOEVER BELIEVETH IN HIM SHOULD NOT PERISH, BUT HAVE EVERLASTING LIFE. FOR GOD SENT NOT HIS SON INTO THE WORLD TO CONDEMN THE WORLD; BUT THAT THE WORLD THROUGH HIM MIGHT BE SAVED-Jn 3:16,17. For IN THIS WAS MANIFESTED THE LOVE OF GOD TOWARD US, BECAUSE THAT GOD SENT HIS ONLY BEGOTTEN SON INTO THE WORLD, THAT WE MIGHT LIVE THROUGH HIM. HEREIN IS LOVE, NOT THAT WE LOVED GOD, BUT THAT HE LOVED US, AND SENT HIS SON TO BE THE PROPITIATION FOR OUR SINS-1 Jn 4:9,10. And His incredible, indescribable love is demonstrated in THAT, WHILE WE WERE YET SINNERS, CHRIST DIED FOR US-Ro 5:8. Thus, we are JUSTIFIED BY HIS BLOOD-Ro 5:9. His great, unbounding love is further shown to us in this: FOR…WHEN WE WERE ENEMIES, WE WERE RECONCILED TO GOD BY THE DEATH OF HIS SON, MUCH MORE, BEING RECONCILED, WE SHALL BE SAVED BY HIS LIFE-Ro 5:10. For WE ALSO JOY IN GOD THROUGH OUR LORD JESUS CHRIST, BY WHOM WE HAVE NOW RECEIVED THE ATONEMENT-Ro 5:11. For Jesus knew no sin, but was made sin for us, THAT WE MIGHT BE MADE THE RIGHTEOUSNESS OF GOD IN HIM-2 Cor 5:21. Jesus was our substitute. He paid it all.
   WE LOVE HIM, BECAUSE HE FIRST LOVED US-1 Jn 4:19.

    Regarding Adam and Eve, God slew a lamb. Its blood was shed. Then the skin of that lamb covered Adam’s nakedness.
   Jesus is the LAMB OF GOD, WHICH TAKETH AWAY THE SIN OF THE WORLD-Jn 1:29. Jesus shed His blood on the cross. This had to be done, for it is written, AND ALMOST ALL THINGS ARE BY THE LAW PURGED WITH BLOOD; AND WITHOUT SHEDDING OF BLOOD IS NO REMISSION-Heb 9:22. For NOW ONCE IN THE END OF THE WORLD HATH HE APPEARED TO PUT AWAY SIN BY THE SACRIFICE OF HIMSELF-Heb 9:26. SO CHRIST WAS ONCE OFFERED TO BEAR THE SINS OF MANY; AND UNTO THEM THAT LOOK FOR HIM SHALL HE APPEAR THE SECOND TIME WITHOUT SIN UNTO SALVATION-Heb 9:28. For WE ARE SANCTIFIED THROUGH THE OFFERING OF THE BODY OF JESUS CHRIST ONCE FOR ALL-Heb 10:10. For THIS MAN, AFTER HE HAD OFFERED ONE SACRIFICE FOR SINS FOR EVER, SAT DOWN ON THE RIGHT HAND OF GOD. FOR BY ONE OFFERING HE HATH PERFECTED FOR EVER THEM THAT ARE SANCTIFIED-Heb 10:12,14.
   For know this, the saints are NOT REDEEMED WITH CORRUPTIBLE THINGS…BUT WITH THE PRECIOUS BLOOD OF CHRIST, AS OF A LAMB WITHOUT BLEMISH AND WITHOUT SPOT-1 Pe 1:18,19.
   Jesus purchased the saints, THE CHURCH OF GOD…WITH HIS OWN BLOOD-Acts 20:28. The life of Jesus was given for a ransom. Upon Jesus our sin was placed. Jesus redeemed us. He atoned for us. Jesus became our substitute.
   Therefore, we become His possession. We become His servants. We become His church. We become His and are no longer our own.
   The cross is the greatest demonstration of obedience and submission to the will of God that has ever taken place. Now Jesus calls people to follow and obey Him.

    There are many different kinds of "Jesus" that people believe in. In other words, there are many false ideas that people have about Jesus. There is the Jesus of the Jehovah’s Witnesses. There is the Jesus of the United Pentecostals. There is the Jesus of the Moslems. There is the Jesus of the Mormons. There are many false "Jesus’".
   It is essential that a person believes in the Jesus of the Bible. Jesus Christ is God’s only begotten Son. He is God come in the flesh. JESUS CHRIST IS COME IN THE FLESH-1 Jn 4:2.
   He is the middle Person of the Trinity. There are three Persons of the Trinity. They are God the Father, God the Son, and God the Holy Spirit.
   Jesus is God. Jesus is the Word. It is written, IN THE BEGINNING WAS THE WORD, AND THE WORD WAS WITH GOD, AND THE WORD WAS GOD. AND THE WORD WAS MADE FLESH, AND DWELT AMONG US, (AND WE BEHELD HIS GLORY, THE GLORY AS OF THE ONLY BEGOTTEN OF THE FATHER,) FULL OF GRACE AND TRUTH-Jn 1:1,14.

    Through Jesus, and only Jesus, are we reconciled to God.

    1. Admit you are a sinner. The Bible tells us, ALL HAVE SINNED, AND COME SHORT OF THE GLORY OF GOD-Ro 3:23. THE WAGES OF SIN IS DEATH-Ro 6:23.
   2. Be willing to change, to forsake all sin, and live for Jesus. Repent. Be willing to ask God for His help, to help you make that change. The Bible tells us, EXCEPT YE REPENT, YE SHALL ALL LIKEWISE PERISH-Lk 13:3. WHOSOEVER THEREFORE WILL BE A FRIEND OF THE WORLD IS THE ENEMY OF GOD-Ja 4:4. Jesus tells us, HE THAT IS NOT WITH ME IS AGAINST ME-Mt 12:30.
   3. Believe in your heart that Jesus Christ is God’s only begotten Son and that Jesus Christ is come in the flesh. Believe He died for your sins. Believe on Jesus Christ as your only hope of salvation. As it is written, THERE IS NONE OTHER NAME UNDER HEAVEN GIVEN AMONG MEN, WHEREBY WE MUST BE SAVED-Acts 4:12.
   If we rob a bank, we have to go to jail. Jesus never sinned. When He died on the cross, He did not die for the things He did. He died to pay your jail sentence.
   4. Ask for forgiveness. Ask for God’s mercy. By faith receive Jesus Christ as your only hope of being saved, and do not be ashamed. Confess Him openly as your only hope of salvation. As it is written, BE READY ALWAYS TO GIVE AN ANSWER TO EVERY MAN THAT ASKETH YOU A REASON OF THE HOPE THAT IS IN YOU WITH MEEKNESS AND FEAR-1 Pe 3:15.
   The Bible tells us that GOD IS GREATLY TO BE FEARED IN THE ASSEMBLY OF THE SAINTS-Ps 89:7. WE LOVE HIM, BECAUSE HE FIRST LOVED US-1 Jn 4:19.
   "After" we believe on Jesus Christ, "after" we have repented of our sins, we are commanded to be baptized by full immersion in the name of the Father, Son, and Holy Ghost. It is written, HE THAT BELIEVETH AND IS BAPTIZED SHALL BE SAVED; BUT HE THAT BELIEVETH NOT SHALL BE DAMNED-Mk 16:16. Note, believing on Jesus comes "before" water baptism. Baptism prior to repenting and believing on Jesus has no meaning. You cannot be baptized into one whom you do not believe on. It is written, FOR AS MANY OF YOU AS HAVE BEEN BAPTIZED INTO CHRIST HAVE PUT ON CHRIST-Gal 3:27. Water baptism is by full immersion. As it is written, BURIED WITH HIM (with Jesus) IN BAPTISM or buried in the water-Col 2:12. WE ARE BURIED WITH HIM (with Jesus) BY BAPTISM or buried by water-Ro 6:4. Jesus commanded, GO YE THEREFORE, AND TEACH ALL NATIONS, BAPTIZING THEM IN THE NAME OF THE FATHER, AND OF THE SON, AND OF THE HOLY GHOST: TEACHING THEM TO OBSERVE ALL THINGS WHATSOEVER I HAVE COMMANDED YOU: AND, LO, I AM WITH YOU ALWAY, EVEN UNTO THE END OF THE WORLD. AMEN-Mt 28:19,20.
   Surrender means you give up. You stop putting your will before God’s will. You allow Jesus (God’s Word) to reign over you. You submit to Jesus and let Him become the Lord of your life.
   If you have never surrendered totally to Jesus and become as a little child (ref Mt 18:3), and continued steadfast in the faith, I would suggest that NOW IS THE ACCEPTED TIME; BEHOLD, NOW IS THE DAY OF SALVATION-2 Cor 6:2. We invite you to say this prayer and mean it with all of your heart.

    We recommend you now read your Bible every day faithfully—5 chapters a day. Begin with the Gospel of John and read it through three times. Next go to Matthew and read the New Testament through three times. Then begin reading the entire Bible in order, beginning with Genesis. As God opens up His Word to you, obey it. Be a doer of the Word and not a hearer only, deceiving yourself-ref Ja 1:22. As you are faithful, God will open your understanding of His Word more and more.
   Find a good Bible-teaching church that teaches God’s Word, sound doctrine, Bible prophecy, and the Revelation and not just stories about worldly things. Attend often and get baptized. Tell others that Jesus is your only hope of salvation. If you’ve just said that prayer and committed your life to Jesus, please e-mail us and let us know. We would like to pray for you and send you some free literature.

    Many people are positive that they are saved. They base this on emotions. They may make certain comments, such as, "I am a good person. I do what is right. I’m not as bad as that person. I had an experience with God. I feel that I am saved. I can feel God is with me. I know the Holy Spirit is inside of me. I am a preacher, an elder, a prophet, or a preacher’s wife. I have prayed, and God answered my prayer. I believe in God. God did this or that for me. I sing in the choir. I go to church. I praise and worship God. I give my money to the church. I was baptized." While all of this sounds very good, it is not based upon biblical knowledge. Many that are now in hell have said such things. The Pharisees in the New Testament also could have said many of these things, but Jesus showed them clearly they were not saved.
   If you have received Jesus Christ, God’s only begotten Son, as your Lord and Savior, it is because God in His mercy has opened your understanding. As it is written, FOR BY GRACE ARE YE SAVED THROUGH FAITH; AND THAT NOT OF YOURSELVES: IT IS THE GIFT OF GOD: NOT OF WORKS, LEST ANY MAN SHOULD BOAST. FOR WE ARE HIS WORKMANSHIP, CREATED IN CHRIST JESUS UNTO GOOD WORKS, WHICH GOD HATH BEFORE ORDAINED THAT WE SHOULD WALK IN THEM-Eph 2:8-10.
   "After" we believe on Jesus Christ, "after" we have repented of our sins, we are commanded to be baptized by full immersion in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost. It is written, HE THAT BELIEVETH AND IS BAPTIZED SHALL BE SAVED; BUT HE THAT BELIEVETH NOT SHALL BE DAMNED-Mk 16:16. Note, believing on Jesus comes "before" water baptism. Baptism prior to repenting and believing on Jesus has no meaning. You cannot be baptized into One on Whom you do not believe. It is written, FOR AS MANY OF YOU AS HAVE BEEN BAPTIZED INTO CHRIST HAVE PUT ON CHRIST-Gal 3:27. Water baptism is by full immersion. As it is written, BURIED WITH HIM (with Jesus) IN BAPTISM (or buried in the water)-Col 2:12, ref Ro 6:4. Jesus commanded, GO YE THEREFORE, AND TEACH ALL NATIONS, BAPTIZING THEM IN THE NAME OF THE FATHER, AND OF THE SON, AND OF THE HOLY GHOST: TEACHING THEM TO OBSERVE ALL THINGS WHATSOEVER I HAVE COMMANDED YOU: AND, LO, I AM WITH YOU ALWAYS, EVEN UNTO THE END OF THE WORLD. AMEN-Mt 28:19,20.
   Surrender means "you give up." You stop putting your will before God’s will. You allow Jesus (God’s Word) to reign over you. You submit to Jesus and let Him become the Lord of your life.
   If you have not humbled yourself, and totally surrendered to Jesus, and become as a little child (ref Mt 18:3), and continued steadfast in the faith, I would suggest that NOW IS THE ACCEPTED TIME; BEHOLD, NOW IS THE DAY OF SALVATION-2 Cor 6:2. Please submit to God, say the prayer, and mean it with all of your heart. God loves YOU and cares.
   It is written, EYE HATH NOT SEEN, NOR EAR HEARD, NEITHER HAVE ENTERED INTO THE HEART OF MAN, THE THINGS WHICH GOD HATH PREPARED FOR THEM THAT LOVE HIM-1 Cor 2:9.

I CALL HEAVEN AND EARTH TO RECORD THIS DAY AGAINST YOU, THAT I HAVE SET BEFORE YOU LIFE AND DEATH, BLESSING AND CURSING: THEREFORE CHOOSE LIFE, THAT…THOU…MAY LIVE-Deut 30:19.