Conditions of Salvation

By Jeremy Main

Everyone has sinned (Rom. 3:23). Sin separates us from God (Isa. 59:2). Sin causes us to be lost (Rom. 6:23). Since all have sinned, all are lost without Christ. The good news is that the gospel of Christ is "the power of God to salvation for everyone who believes" (Rom. 1:16 NKJV). We urge you to believe and obey today (Rom. 10:16).

The Lord Jesus Christ our Savior revealed conditions of salvation for lost humanity. The Bible says concerning Jesus, "He became the author of eternal salvation to all who obey Him" (Heb. 5:9). If we obey the Savior, then we will be saved. It is also implied that if we do not obey the Savior, then we will not be saved. Think for a moment: the title "Lord" represents His supreme authority (Matt. 28:18), the name "Jesus" identifies Him as Savior (Matt. 1:21), and the title "Christ" or "Messiah" (John 1:41; 4:25) describes Him as the Anointed of God. Who are we to argue with Him?

First, hear the word of Christ. Jesus taught the need to "hear the word of God and do it" (Luke 8:21) or "keep it" (Luke 11:28). Before one may believe in Christ, he first must hear or come to learn about Jesus Christ and His doctrine (Rom. 10:14). For example, the evangelist Philip "preached Jesus" to the eunuch (Acts 8:35) as he "preached Christ" to the Samaritans (Acts 8:5). Preaching Christ includes preaching that "Christ died for our sins" (1 Cor. 15:3). By diligent study of the New Testament, we learn what God expects of us (2 Tim. 2:15). The apostle Paul wrote, "So then faith comes by hearing, and hearing by the word of God" (Rom. 10:17).

Second, believe in Christ. Jesus said: "for if you do not believe that I am He, you will die in your sins" (John 8:24). Who is Jesus? He is the Son of the living God (c.f. John 8:25-30). Yes, faith is a condition of salvation (John 3:16; Heb 11:6). However, faith is not the only condition of salvation. In fact, the only occasion in the Bible that we may read about "faith only" is when James wrote, "You see then that a man is justified by works, and not by faith only" (James 2:24).

Third, repent of sins. Jesus said: "I tell you, no; but unless you repent you will all likewise perish" (Luke 13:3, 5). The word "repent" means to change one's mind. We must "repent, turn to God, and do works befitting repentance" (Acts 26:20). The Lord is "not willing that any should perish but that all should come to repentance" (2 Pet. 3:9). While the Lord does not wish for any to perish, anyone who does not change his mind about sin will perish. God "commands all men everywhere to repent" (Acts 17:30).

Fourth, confess Christ. Jesus said: "Therefore whoever confesses Me before men, him I will also confess before My Father who is in heaven. But whoever denies Me before men, him I will also deny before My Father who is in heaven" (Matt. 10:32-33). Paul wrote: "For with the heart one believes unto righteousness, and with the mouth confession is made unto salvation" (Rom. 10:10). Believing with all of his heart, the eunuch confessed, "I believe that Jesus Christ is the Son of God" (Acts 8:37).

Fifth, be baptized in the name of Christ. Jesus said, "He who believes and is baptized will be saved; but he who does not believe will be condemned" (Mark 16:16). Peter preached: "Repent, and let every one of you be baptized in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins" (Acts 2:38).

We stand in awe of the God's tremendous love, grace, and mercy (Rom. 5:8). However, there is something that we must do to be saved. Remember that Saul (Acts 9:18; 22:16), Cornelius (Acts 10:6, 33; 10:48), and the jailer (Acts 16:31-33) were told what they "must" do. Become a Christian today and be faithful to the Lord (Rev. 2:10).