God’s Plan of Salvation for Humankind
Have you ever asked yourself the question what is Salvation? You probably have heard various people in your life speak passionately about the subject, but you did not quite understand what they were talking about or what made them so committed to their belief. In order to appreciate what they believe, you need to know that Salvation is the saving of a person’s soul from the consequences of sin by repentance and the atonement of Christ; also the deliverance from damnation. So you see, because of sin, mankind has been separated from God and destined for total separation from God and total destruction.
God created us for his own pleasure. He created us in own image. He loved us and the world so much and did not want to destroy one of His prized creations because of sin, but instead, He made a plan to save mankind from total destruction. As a matter of fact the bible says “For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life.” (John 3:16 NIV) This blessing of salvation is made free to all by the gospel of Jesus Christ through faith.
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What is Required to Receive Salvation and Become A Christian?
The word of God says: But what does it say? “The word is near you; it is in your mouth and in your heart,” that is, the message concerning faith that we proclaim: If you declare with your mouth, “Jesus is Lord,” and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved. For it is with your heart that you believe and are justified, and it is with your mouth that you profess your faith and are saved. As Scripture says, “Anyone who believes in him will never be put to shame.” For there is no difference between Jew and Gentile-the same Lord is Lord of all and richly blesses all who call on him, for, “Everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved.” (Romans 10:8-13NIV)
As per the Baptist Church’s Articles of Faith, “We believe that blessings of salvation are made free to all by the gospel. It is the duty of all to accept them by penitent and obedient faith. Jesus Christ as Teacher, Savior and Lord.”
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What Happens to You When You Receive Salvation?
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A. You Become Born Again
In regards to being born again, Jesus said, “Very truly I tell you, no one can see the kingdom of God unless they are born again.” “How can someone be born when they are old?” Nicodemus asked. “Surely they cannot enter a second time into their mother’s womb to be born!” Jesus answered, “Very truly I tell you, no one can enter the kingdom of God unless they are born of water and the Spirit. Flesh gives birth to flesh, but the Spirit gives birth to spirit.” (John 3:3-6 NIV)
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B. You become a New Creation
The Bible says, “You become a new creation: Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, the new creation has come: The old has gone, the new is here!” (2 Corinthians 5:17 NIV)
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C. You become an Ambassador for Christ
The Bible says, “We are therefore Christ’s ambassadors, as though God were making his appeal through us. We implore you on Christ’s behalf: Be reconciled to God. God made him who had no sin to be sin for us, so that in him we might become the righteousness of God.” (2 Corinthians 5:20-21 NIV)
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D. You Receive the Spirit as a Deposit/Seal Guaranteeing You Inheritance
The Bible says, “And you also were included in Christ when you heard the message of truth, the gospel of your salvation. When you believed, you were marked in him with a seal, the promised Holy Spirit, who is a deposit guaranteeing our inheritance until the redemption of those who are God’s possession-to the praise of his glory.”(Ephesians 1:13-14 NIV)
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E. Your Body becomes the Temple of God
The Bible says, “Don’t you know that you yourselves are God’s temple and that God’s Spirit dwells in your midst? If anyone destroys God’s temple, God will destroy that person; for God’s temple is sacred, and you together are that temple.” (1 Corinthians 3:16-17 NIV)
The Scriptures clearly teach that it is possible to know whether you are saved or unsaved. The assurance of the believer is not based on feelings, (though the Christian may “feel” saved), but on the principles of God’s Word. We know that we are saved.