Christian Disciple
Jesus said, "He that believes in me, as the scriptures had said, out of his belly will flow rivers of living water" John 7:38Building Strong Families, Churches, and Communities.
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Acts 2:38
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 you shall receive the gift of the Holy Ghost.
Acts 3:19
Repent therefore and be converted, that your sins may be blotted out, so that times of refreshing may come from the presence of the Lord.Salvation is the process that God, as part of Divine Providence, saves humanity from spiritual death or eternal damnation by providing for them eternal life through the death, burial and resurrection of Jesus Christ. The world's religions agree that humanity needs salvation from its present condition.The theological study of salvation is called Soteriology. It covers the means by which salvation is achieved, and its results. Salvation may also be called "deliverance" or "redemption" from sin and its effects. This provision was all made possible through the shed blood of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. (John 3:16-17)Have You Been Washed Yet?
Questionnaire on Salvation
-Are you a Christian? (John 12:26)
-How do you know that you are a Christian? (John 1:12)
-Who is a Christian? (John 12:26; Acts 11:26)(Follower of Jesus Christ)
-If you die today, or should Christ return today are you sure that you will be going to heaven? (Matthew 25: 33-35; Revelations 22:14)
-What does it mean to be born again? (John 1:12-13)
-What does it mean to be changed or converted? (John 3:1-7; 2 Corinthians 5:17)
-How do you know that you are saved? (John 3:16; 6:37)
-What are you saved from? (1 Thessalonians 1:10; John 3:36)
-Why do you think that your petition for salvation was accepted by God? (John 6:37; Ephesians 2:8)
-What is sin? Sin is disobedience against God. (Romans 1; Ephesians 5; Galatians 5)
-Are Christians supposed to sin? (Romans 6; 1 John 3; James 1: 13-16)
-How does the lifestyle of a Christian differ from that of a non-Christian? (Romans 8; Ephesians 5:10-12)
-What does new creature mean, in 2 Corinthians 5:17? -Therefore if any man be in Christ, he is a new creature: old things are passed away; behold all things are become new. (Colossians 3:10)
-What do “old things are passed away” mean? (Colossians 3:8-9)
-How did you ‘get saved’? (converted) (Romans 10:9)
-What changed about you when you ‘got saved’? (Galatians 2:20; 5: 22-26)
-Did the people close to you and those that are around you see a change in you? (Luke 3:8; 1 Timothy 4:12)
-Was it a Christ-like change? ( Colossians 3:9-11)
-What happened when you got converted?
-Did you feel anything? (Ephesians 2:8)
-Why did you want to get saved? (John 3:18; Revelations 20:15; 21:8)
-Do your friends and relatives know that you are saved? (Philippians 3: 17-20)
-Could they tell that you are saved by your lifestyle? (Matthew 3:8; Romans 14:16)
-Would you like your family and friends to be saved? (2 Peter 3:9)
-What could you do to help them get saved? (Romans 10: 14-16; 2 Timothy 4:5)
-When would you like to see them get saved?(2 Corinthians 6:2)
-Is your husband, wife, boyfriend, girlfriend or family members saved? (2 Corinthians 6:14)
-If yes, how do you know?
-If no, why not?
Acts 2:38
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 you shall receive the gift of the Holy Ghost.
Acts 3:19
Repent therefore and be converted, that your sins may be blotted out, so that times of refreshing may come from the presence of the Lord.
The Salvation Package
Salvation cannot be obtained by doing good works, but by faith in God through the sacrifice that was made by the crucifixion of Jesus Christ on the cross.
God had created us in His image and likeness; therefore, the sinful nature that we inherited from Adam had to be replaced by the nature of God, hence giving us the power to overcome the negative things that could cause us to inherit eternal destruction. God wants to restore us back to His image and likeness.Repentance in the New Testament has a wider meaning than just simply regretting the mistakes of the past. It means making a one hundred and eighty degree turn-around from a sinful lifestyle to a God-approved style of living. In addition, this new commitment is also demonstrated by the obedient act of being baptized by immersion in water. This symbolic washing illustrated that a sinful you were buried as Christ was buried after His death, followed by a return to the surface as in His resurrection (new life) to a new and clean lifestyle.His death, burial and resurrection brought us salvation. Jesus died to bring about world redemption. (John 3:16)
2 Peter 3:9
The Lord is not slow in keeping his promise, as some understand slowness. Instead he is patient with you, not wanting anyone to perish, but everyone to come to repentance.
There are several items that are included in what I may call "The Salvation Package". These include and just not limited to a cliché known as "Being born again", which was an indication that God has washed all of our sins away and has restarted our spiritual life over again. This was the good life that was once interrupted when man sinned in the Garden of Eden. The devil still desires to destroy our new life in Christ (Luke 22:31-32; 1 Peter 5:8). Through deceitfulness, he is causing many Christians to live defeated lives because they have never fully observed and practiced all of the contents of the salvation package that Jesus made available for all those who have received Him.
Luke 22:31-32
31 And the Lord said,“Simon, Simon! Indeed, Satan has asked for you, that he may sift you as wheat. 32 But I have prayed for you, that your faith should not fail; and when you have returned to Me, strengthen your brethren.”
1 Peter 5:8 - Be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the devil walks about like a roaring lion, seeking whom he may devour.
Listed below, are some of the contents or benefits in the "salvation package" we all received when we became Christians.
Abundant Life – Fulfilling and exciting life (John 10: 10)
A new life known as "Being born again" - this means an indication that God has washed all sins away and has restarted your spiritual life over again; the life that was once interrupted when Adam sinned in the garden of Eden. (John 3:1-8)
Armour of God - Vigilant righteousness and protection from the devil's attacks and schemes. (Ephesians 6; 2 Corinthians 10:32-5)
Boldness - Being willing and eager to face danger or adventure with a sense of confidence and fearlessness, courage, compassion and love, to preach the gospel to every person, nation, culture, color, race, and religion. (Acts 4:29, 31; 2 Corinthians 3:12)
Comfort - Conditions in which somebody feels physically relaxed. (Psalm 71:21; Isaiah 51:12; John 14, 18,26;2 Corinthians 1:3-6)
Companionship -A natural or instinctive fellowship between you and God. (Matthew 28:19-20; John 14:18, 23;Hebrews 13:5)
Confidence - A quality or state of being certain. (Proverbs 3:26; 14:26; Ephesians 3:12; Hebrews 10:35; 1 John 5:14)
Contentment – A feeling of fulfillment and inner satisfaction. (1 Timothy 6:5-7; Acts 13:52; Romans 14:17)Deliverance - Being rescued from the bondage of sin and the danger of the consequences of practicing sin which is eternal damnation in hell (burning with fire and brimstone) that was prepared for the devil and his angels. (Colossians 1:13)
Eternal life - Living in a physical or spiritual form for an infinite or inconceivably vast length of time; never-ending and everlasting life. (John 3:16; 10:28)
Forgiveness -The process of concluding resentment, indignation or anger as a result of a perceived offense, difference or mistake, and/or ceasing to demand punishment or restitution. (Ephesians 1:7)
Freedom - The condition of being free of restraints, slavery, detention, or oppression. (John 8:32, 36; Galatians 5:1; Romans 6:18)
Healing - Healing is the act or process of curing or of restoring to health. God is our healer.(Psalm 107:20; James 5:16; 1 Peter 2:24)
Heaven - A place that the lord has prepared for all those who love and serve Him. (John 14: 1-3; )
Holy Spirit - The third part of the Holy Trinity given to us to help, guide and empower us after Jesus had ascended to Heaven. (John 14:26; Acts 1:8; 2:38; Luke 11:13; Ephesians 1:13; 1 Thessalonians 4:8)
Joy - An emotional expression of great delight or happiness given to us by God that is exceptionally good or satisfying even in the presence of negative situations. There will be no need to drink alcohol, party, take illegal drugs, or use profanity to feel good. (John 15:11; 16:33)
Love – Cherish, compassion, respect, appreciation, care for, adoration.
Peace - Freedom of the mind from annoyance, distraction, anxiety, an obsession or anything that would bring havoc to our lives. (John 14:27)
Power over sin and the devil - The ability to resist sin due to the presence of spirit of God in our lives, the desire to please God and not Satan, and the continuous teaching, guidance and conviction of the Holy Spirit to do what is right in the sight of God. (Luke 10:19; Romans 6:14)
Protection - Preservation from injury or harm. (Job 1:6-9; Psalm 91:4; Luke 10:19; 1 Peter 3:3;)
Provision - Something provided. Psalm 23; Matthew 6:33`)
Security - Security is the degree of protection against danger, loss, and the devil. (Romans 8:35)
Strength -Physical and emotional toughness to carry out demanding tasks which are the necessary qualities required to deal with stressful or painful situations. (Psalm 18:2; 27:1; Isaiah 40:29-31; 2 Corinthians 12:9; Ephesians 3:16; Philippians 4:13)
Victory - A success or triumph over an enemy in battle or war against the devil.(2 Corinthians 2:14)
There are many more benefits apart from what I have mentioned above. This is because Jesus is everything to us. Study the Word of God for yourselves and discover all of the benefits that God has reserved just for you. If you do not know Him, receive Him into you life today, faithfully serve Him, and experience these benefits and more.Remember, the plan of salvation restores our relationship with God and gives us power to overcome the sins that would cause to us face the judgment of God and end up in hell (lake of fire).(Hebrews 12:1; Galatians 5:1)
How To Obtain Salvation
Admit to God that you are a sinner and need His forgiveness. (Romans 10:9)
Believe that Jesus Christ died for you on the Cross and that He rose from the dead that you could be restored to God. Through prayer (talking to God respectfully like you talk to anyone else that appreciate dearly), confess that Jesus Christ is the only way to God and commit to live for Him and love Him for the rest of your life.Thank Him for what He has done for you, and what He will be doing for you. Would you like to give your life over to Jesus Christ right now and receive your Salvation package? Jesus is the only One who can bring us back to God.
John 3:16-17
16 For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life. 17 For God did not send His Son into the world to condemn the world, but that the world through Him might be saved.
Romans 10:9
"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."
John 14:6 - Jesus saith unto him, I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man comes unto the Father, but by me.
John 1:12 - But as many as received Him, to them gave He power to become the sons of God, even to them that believe on His name.
Romans 10:8-10
8 But what does it say? “The word is near you, in your mouth and in your heart” (that is, the word of faith which we preach): 9 that if you confess with your mouth the Lord Jesus and believe in your heart that God has raised Him from the dead, you will be saved. 10 For with the heart one believes unto righteousness, and with the mouth confession is made unto salvation.
Acts 4:12
"Nor is there salvation in any other, for there is no other name under heaven given among men by which we must be saved.”
This is a model prayer for salvation
"Dear Lord Jesus,I know that I am a sinner and need Your forgiveness. I believe that You died on the cross for my sins and rose from the grave to give me life. I know You are the only way to God. So now I want to quit disobeying You and start living for You. Please forgive me, change my life and show me how to know You. In Jesus' name. Amen"
Find you a bible-believing church, tell the pastor or other ministers that you have become a Christian and that you would like to be baptized, have fellowship, and grow in the knowledge of Jesus Christ with them.