INDEX
- Who is God?
- His love for Us
- What Jesus says about Salvation
- What the Apostles said about Salvation
- What Others said about Salvation
- What you say about Salvation
WHO IS GOD?
James 2:19
Thou believest there is ONE God: thou doest well: the devils also believe, and tremble.
John 4:24
God is a Spirit: and they that worship Him must worship Him in Spirit and in Truth
Matthew 1:18-20
Now the birth of Jesus Christ was on this wise: When as His mother Mary was a spouse to Joseph, before they came together, she was found with child of the Holy Ghost. Then Joseph her husband, being a just man, and not willing to make her a public example,was minded to put her away privily. But while he thought on these things, behold, the angel of the Lord appeared unto him in a dream, saying, Joseph, thou son of David, fear not to take unto thee Mary thy wife for that which is conceived in her is of the Holy Ghost.
Sometimes the Bible refers to the Spirit of God as “The Father” , and sometimes it refers to Him as “the Holy Ghost” (or Holy Spirit)
So are the Holy Ghost and the Father the same? YES!
Colossians 1:15
Who is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn of every creature
The Spirit of God is invisible; Jesus Christ was the visible expression, or body of God.
John 10:30
I and my Father are one.
Are Jesus Christ and the father are one? YES!
Colossians 2:9
For in HIm dwelleth all the fulness of the Godhead bodily.
The Whole Spirit of God lived in the body of Jesus Christ.
Mark 8:27-29
And Jesus went out, and His disciples, into the towns of Caesarea Philippi: and by the way he asked His disciples, saying unto them, Whom do men say that I am? And they answered, John the Baptist: but some say, Elias; and others, One of the prophets. And he saith unto them, But whom say ye that I am? And Peter answereth and saith unto Him, Thou art the Christ.
People have also argued about who Jesus is since the Bible days. He is the Christ.
His Love for Us
Romans 3:23
For all have sinned, and come short of the glory of God.
We have all made mistakes and failed.
Romans 6:23
For the wages of sin is death; but the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord.
2 Corinthians 5:19
To wit, that God was in Christ, reconciling the world unto himself, not imputing their trespasses into them: and hath committed unto us the word of reconciliation.
The Spirit of God filled Jesus Christ for a purpose: to reconcile the people of the world to Himself. Reconcile means to exchange something of value for something else. The purpose of Jesus Christ being on this earth was to exchange His life for yours: His death paid the wages of sin so you wouldn’t have to.
Romans 5:8
But God commendeth His love toward us, in that, while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us.
God was in Christ, so it was God Himself who died for us. Why? Because we all are sinners and need salvation. It took Jesus dying on the cross to forgive sins. But how can our sings be forgiven? We all must follow the plan of salvation.
What Jesus says about Salvation
Jesus’ words about salvation are written in the first five books of the New Testament.
Luke 19:10
For the Son of man is come to seek and to save that which was lost.
Jesus came to seek and to save that which was lost. All of us are lost until we find and obey the plan of salvation. Jesus is seeking for you right now because you are learning about His love and plan.
John 3:16
For God so loved the world, that He have His only begotten Son, that whatsoever believeth in Him should not perish, but have everlasting life.
Why would we perish? Because unless our sins are forgiven, they will cause us to die and spend eternity separated from God.
Matthew 3:1, 2, 11
In those days came John the Baptist, preaching in the wilderness of Judaea, And saying, Repent ye: for the kingdom of heaven is at hand. I indeed baptize you with water unto repentance: but he that cometh after me is mightier than I, whose shoes I am not worthy to bear: He shall baptize you with the Holy Ghost, and with fire:
John 3:3-5
Jesus said verily, verily, I say into thee, Except a man be born again, he cannot see the Kingdom of God. Nicodemus saith unto Him, How can a man be born when he is old? can he enter the second time into his mother’s womb, and be born? Jesus answered, Verily, verily, I say unto thee, Except a man be born of water and of the Spirit, he cannot enter the kingdom of God.
The water is Baptism in Jesus’ name, and the Spirit is the infilling of the Holy Ghost.
Luke 24:47
And that repentance and remission of sins should be preached in His name among all nations, beginning at Jerusalem.
John 7:38-39
He that believeth on me, as the scripture hath said, out of his belly shall flow rivers of living water. (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.)
The Holy Ghost was not yet given because Jesus had not yet been glorified (raised from the dead.)
Acts 1:4-5
And, being assembled together with them, commanded them that they should not depart from Jerusalem, but wait for the promise of the Father, Which, saith he, ye have heard of me. For John truly baptized with the Holy Ghost not many days hence.
Acts 1:8
But ye shall receive power, after that the Holy Ghost is come upon you: and ye shall be witnesses unto me both in Jerusalem, and in all Judea, and Samaria, and unto the uttermost part of the earth.
What the Apostles said about Salvation
The book of Acts is the book that tells how people became Christians.
Acts 2:1-17
And when the day of Pentecost was fully come, they were all with one accord in one place. And suddenly there came a sound from heaven as of a rushing mighty wind, and it filled all the house where they were sitting. And there appeared unto them cloven tongues like as of fire and it sat upon each of them. And they were all filled with the Holy Ghost, and began to speak with other tongues, as the Spirit gave them utterance. and there were dwelling at Jerusalem Jews, dovout men, out of every nation under heaven. Now when this was noised abroad, the multitude came together, and were confounded, because that every man hear them speak in his own language. And they were all amazed and marvelled, saying one to another, Behold, are not all these which speak Galilaeans? And how hear we every man in our own tongue, wherein we were born? Parthians, and Medes, and Elamites, and the dwellers in Mesopotamia, and in Judaea, and Cappadocia, in Pontus, and Asia, Phrygia, an Pamphylia, in Egypt, and in the parts of Libya about Cyrene, and strangers of Rome, Jews and proselytes, Cretes and Arabians, we do hear them speak in our tongues the wonderful works of God. And they were all amazed, and were in doubt, saying one to another, what meaneth this? Others mocking said, these men are full of new wine. But Peter, standing up with the eleven, lifted up his voice, and said unto them, Ye men of Judaea, and all ye that dwell in Jerusalem, be this known unto you, and hearken to my words: For these are not drunken, as ye suppose, seeing it is but the third hour of the day. But this is that which was spoken by the prophet Joel; And it shall come to pass in the last days, saith God, I will pour out of my Spirit upon all flesh: and your sons and your daughters shall prophesy, and your young men shall see visions, and your old men shall dream dreams.
This was the first time anyone received the infilling of the Holy Ghost. This surprised all those who were standing nearby. When they asked, “What does this mean?” , Peter stood up and explained that this was the infilling of the Holy Ghost which was promised by Jesus and many Bible prophets, including Joel (Joel 2:28).
Acts 2:37-39
Now when they hear this, they were pricked in their heart, and said unto Peter and to the rest of the apostles, Men and brethren, what shall we do? Then Peter said unto them, Repent, and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins, and ye shall receive the gift of the Holy Ghost. For the promise is unto you, and to your children, and to all that are afar off, even as many as the Lord our God shall call.
Is the promise still for us today? YES! The promise is to everyone who will ask God for it!
Luke 11:11-13
If a son shall ask bread of any of you that is a father, will he give him a stone? or if he ask a fish, will he for a fish give him a serpent? Or if he shall ask an egg, will he offer him a scorpion? If ye then, being evil, know how to give good gifts unto your children: how much more shall your heavenly Father give the Holy Spirit to them that ask Him?
Just like a father gives his son the things he needs for survival, God is willing to give you the Holy Spirit if you ask Him!
Acts 8:5-17
Then Philip went down to the city of Samaria, and preached Christ unto them. And the people with one accord have heed unto those things which Philip spake, hearing and seeing the miracles which he did. For unclean spirits, crying with loud voice, came out of many that were possessed with them: and many taken with palsies, and that were lame, were healed. And there was great joy in that city. But there wasa certain man, called Simon, which beforetime in the same city used sorcery, and bewitched the people of Samaria, giving out that himself was some great one: To whom they all gave heed, from the least to the greatest, saying, This man is the great power of God. And to him they had regard, because that of long time he had bewitched them with sorceries. But when they believed Philip preaching the things concerning the kingdom of Go, and the name of Jesus Christ, they were baptized, both men and women. Then Simon himself believed also: and when he was baptized, he continued with Philip, and wondered, beholding the miracles and signs which were done. Now when the apostles which were at Jerusalem heard that Samaria had received the word of God, they send unto them Peter and John: Who, when they were come down, prayed for them, that they might receive the Holy Ghost: (For as yet he was fallen upon none of them: only they were baptized in the name of the Lord Jesus.) Then laid they their hands on them, and they received the Holy Ghost.
The Infilling of the Holy Ghost is separate from believing, repentance, and baptism.
Acts 10 1-6
There was a certain man in Caesarea called Cornelius, a centurion of the band called Italian band, A devout man, and one that feared Go with all his house, which gave much alms to the people, and prayed to God always. He saw in a vision evidently about the ninth hour of the day an angel of God coming in to him, and saying unto him, Cornelius,. And when he looked on him, he was afraid, and said, What is it, Lord? and he said unto him, Thy prayers and thine alms are come up for a memorial before God. And now send men to Joppa, and call for one Simon, whose surname is Peter: He lodgeth with one Simon a tanner whose house is by the sea side: he shall hell thee what thou oughtest to do.
Acts 10:44-48
While Peter yet spake these words, the Holy Ghost fell on all them which heard the word. And they of the circumcision which believed were astonished, as many as came with Peter, because that on the Gentiles also was poured out the gift of the Holy Ghost. For they heard them speak with tongues, and magnify God. Then answered Peter, Can any man forbid water, that these should not be baptized, which have received the Holy Ghost as well as we? And he commanded them to be baptized in the name of the Lord. Then prayed they him to tarry certain days.
Acts 19:1-6
And it came to pass, that who;e Apollos was at Corinth, Paul having passed through the upper coasts came to Ephesus: and finding certain disciples, He said unto them, Have ye received the Holy Ghost since ye believed? And they said unto him, We have not so much as heard whether there be any Holy Ghost. And he said unto them, Unto what then were ye baptized? And they said, Unto John’s baptism. Then said Paul, John verily baptized with the baptism of repentance, saying unto the people, that they should believe on him which should come after him, that is, on Christ Jesus. When they heard this, they were baptized in the name of the Lord Jesus. And when Paul had laid his hands upon them, the Holy Ghost came on them; and they spake with tongues, and prophesied.
What Others say about Salvation
The rest of the New Testament contains the writings of Jesus’ followers who experienced salvation in the book of Acts.
Acts 22:16
And now why tarriest thou? arise, and be baptized, and wash away thy sins, calling on the name of the Lord.
1 Peter 3:21
The like figure whereunto even baptism doth also now save us (not the putting away of the filth of the flesh, but the answer of a good conscience toward God,) by the resurrection of Jesus Christ.
1 John 1:8-9
If we say that we have no sin, we deceive ourselves, and the truth is not in us. If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.
Romans 8:9
But ye are not in the flesh, but in the Spirit, if so be that the Spirit of God dwell in you. Now if any man have not the Spirit of Christ, he is none of his.
The spirit of Christ is the same as the Holy Ghost. You need the infilling of the Holy Ghost to belong to God!
What you say about Salvation
God Loves Me, He loved me enough to die for me. Everybody sins. God can forgive and wash away sin. Repentance is turning away from sin. I must repent of my sins. People in the Bible were baptized in the name of Jesus Christ. Baptism washes away my sins. I must be baptized in Jesus’ Name. The promise of the Holy Ghost is for me. When I receive the Holy Ghost, I will speak in other tongues.
Now it is time for you to act upon what you have found to be true!
More Versus
These are additional verses from the Bible that will help you further understand God’s plan of salvation.
The Authority of the Bible
Proverbs 30:5-6
2 Timothy 3:15-16
2 Peter 1:20-21
Deuteronomy 4:2
The Identity of God
Deuteronomy 6:4
John 8:24
Ephesians 4:5-6 Mark 12:29
John 14:8-10
Deuteronomy 4:35
James 2:19
Colossians 1:16-17
Repentance
Matthew 4:17
Acts 3:19
Luke 13:3
Acts 17:30
Baptism in Jesus’ Name
Mark 16:16
Acts 4:12
Romans 6:3-5
Colossians 2:8-12
Infilling of the Holy Ghost
Acts 4:31
Mark 16:17
Isaiah 28:11-12
Acts 2:33