WE BELIEVE salvation is received through repentance toward God and faith in the Lord Jesus Christ. This experience is also known as the new birth and is an instantaneous and complete operation of the Holy Spirit whereupon the believing sinner is regenerated, justified, and adopted into the family of God and becomes a new creation in Christ Jesus, (Titus 2;11; 3:5-7; 1 Peter 1:23; 1 John 5:1) and an heir of eternal life.
Introduction.
The central message of the gospel is, "How man can be saved". We have already seen how man was separated from God by sin, the price that was paid to atone for man's sin and now we are going to look at what man must do to be saved.
I. TWO THINGS NECESSARY FOR SALVATION.
Acts 20:21 contains Paul's simple message of salvation that he preached wherever he went, i.e. "repentance toward God and faith toward our Lord Jesus Christ."
1. REPENTANCE TOWARD GOD.
Definition -
(Greek ) - Metanoia - a change of mind. It involves a turning from sin and a turning towards God.
(Illustration) - The Prodigal Son - Luke 15:18 - Arose, left his sin and went to his father.
Signs of Repentance.
1. Remorse for sin.
2 Cor 7:10, "For godly sorrow produces repentance to salvation ..."
is more than just a sorrow for sins consequences. It is a sorrow that comes from the understanding of being wrong.
2. Hatred of Sin.
Psalm 51; David wrote this psalm once his sin with Bethsheba was exposed. It clearly shows the heart of a truly repentant sinner.
3. Confession of sin.
John 1:9, "If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness."
Confession is accepting responsibility for sin. It says, "I am guilty and I ask for forgiveness". It is not blame shifting or making excuses for mitigating circumstances.
4. Renunciation of Sin.
is making the conscious decision - "I'm not going to sin anymore." - (to the best of your strength).
Is 1:16, "cease to do evil".
Is 55:7, let wicked forsake his ways.
Eph 4:22 "put off concerning your former conduct".
5. Desire to make restitution.
If something can be put back to its rightful place and you have the power to do it, then restitution becomes a demonstration of true repentance.
Luke 19:8, Zaccheus repents and says, "If I have taken anything from anyone by false accusation, I restore fourfold".
II FAITH TOWARDS OUR LORD JESUS CHRIST.
a. What is Faith?
1. Belief by itself is not faith.
James 2:19 says, "Demons believe and even tremble". But they are not saved.
2. Belief must be combined with a positive action.
James 2:17 says, "Faith by itself, if it does not have works, is dead".
b. Faith has to be directed towards Christ.
1. John 1:12, "to as many as received Him, to them He gave the right to become children of God".
2. Jesus claimed to be the only way to God, John 14:6. Therefore to place faith in Christ means renouncing any other gods, deities and belief systems that oppose Christianity.
3. Romans 10:9 tells us:
- To confess with our mouths the Lord Jesus Christ.
- To believe in our hearts that God raised Him from the dead.
needs to be a radical action of making Jesus totally sovereign over our lives. Allowing Him to guide us, direct us and help us to make decisions that are Christ honouring.
III NEW TESTAEMENT WORDS DESCRIBING SALVATION.
a. Born Again (New Birth, New Creation).
Jesus says, "Most assuredly, I say
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