Ready To Be Free • Expanded Study
A
Study of the Vital Topic of Salvation
Our Need of
Salvation
We were all born with a
sinful nature. Sin is any behavior contrary to the law of God, and sin
separates us from God. Sin is very harmful to us in many
ways—emotionally, physically and spiritually. Salvation refers to God
redeeming a person, washing away that person’s sins, and bringing him
into God’s community (the church) and into communion with God Himself.
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“But God commendeth his love toward us, in that,
while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us” (Romans 5:8).
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“For as by one man’s disobedience many were made
sinners, so by the obedience of one shall many be made righteous”
(Romans 5:19).
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“They that are whole have no need of the physician,
but they that are sick: I came not to call the righteous, but
sinners to repentance” (Mark 2:17).
The New Birth:
God’s Plan for Our Salvation
The gospel (good news) of
Jesus Christ can be summarized very simply: Jesus Christ, the sinless
Son of God, died for the sins of all humanity, was buried, and
resurrected on the third day.
The Word of God (the Holy
Bible) reveals a plan for our salvation, in which God, the church, and
the believer all act in concert. This plan is explained in the Bible,
and it involves three simple steps of faith. Each of these steps
identifies us with Jesus and His gospel:
First:
Repentance.
Repentance is an act of
faith in which one turns away from sin and toward God. Your previous
life as a sinner (the old man) ceases. A new life begins. Because the
old man (your previous lifestyle) dies, this identifies with Jesus’
death on the cross. Repentance is an act of faith on the part of the
believer.
Second: Water Baptism
Proper baptism—being
immersed in water with the name of Jesus invoked aloud—is an essential
step in becoming a Christian. After Jesus was crucified, His followers
buried Him in a borrowed tomb. Once a believer has repented—become dead
to sin—he is to bury the old lifestyle through water baptism. This step
identifies with the burial of Jesus. The Bible says, “We are buried with
him [Jesus] by baptism” (Romans 6:4). Baptism is an act of faith on the
part of both the church and the believer.
Third:
The Gift of the Holy Spirit
God is a Spirit (John 4:24),
and He is holy (righteous, without sin). Thus the Bible often refers to
God by the terms Holy Ghost and Holy Spirit. The most amazing fact of
Biblical salvation is that a person can go from being a sinner
(separated from God) to being a Christian—so unified with God that His
Spirit dwells inside the believer! No one is able to adequately describe
this; it must be experienced. Because a Spirit-filled person has the
power of God dwelling inside, that believer may live in a realm
previously unattainable. God’s Spirit provides the power to live a new
life, and thus identifies with the resurrection of Jesus. It is an act
of God upon the believer who receives, through faith, the gift promised
in the Word of God.
Jesus said, “Verily, verily,
I say unto thee, except a man be born again, he cannot see the kingdom
of God” (John 3:3). Jesus then explained what this new birth is:
“Verily, verily, I say unto thee, except a man be born of water and of
the Spirit, he cannot enter into the kingdom of God” (John 3:5).
Truth and
Doctrine
Doctrine simply means
teaching. There can be good doctrine (truthful teaching) and bad
doctrine (false teaching). Any teaching that does not match with God’s
Word is false doctrine. Different groups and individuals teach many
different (often contradictory) doctrines regarding salvation and
redemption. In spite of this, one may clearly know what a person must
believe to be saved. The key is to look to God’s Word, not to groups or
individuals. Some teach that doctrine is unimportant. But God’s Word
reveals that doctrine is very important:
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“Take heed unto thyself, and unto the doctrine;
continue in them: for in doing this thou shalt both save thyself,
and them that hear thee” (I Timothy 4:16).
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“Till I come, give attendance to reading, to
exhortation, to doctrine” (I Timothy 4:13).
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“But thou hast fully known my doctrine, manner of
life, purpose, faith, longsuffering, charity, patience” (II Timothy
3:10).
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“All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is
profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for
instruction in righteousness” (II Timothy 3:16).
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“But speak thou the things which become sound
doctrine” (Titus 2:1).
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“If there come any unto you, and bring not this
doctrine, receive him not into your house, neither bid him God
speed” (II John 1:10).
God has revealed the truth.
We have the responsibility to diligently seek for that truth.
Faith (Believing)
and Repentance
Repentance means “a turning
from sin to God” (Holman’s Bible Dictionary). Faith and
repentance are foundational steps toward God. True repentance, as a step
of faith, is a prerequisite for salvation. Repentance prepares one’s
heart to obey the Scriptures further. God demands repentance of each of
us!
Jesus strongly emphasized
the necessity of repentance, and He said that repentance and remission
of sins would be preached in His name:
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“Then opened he their understanding, that they might
understand the scriptures, and said unto them, Thus it is written,
and thus it behoved Christ to suffer, and to rise from the dead the
third day: And that repentance and remission of sins should be
preached in his name among all nations, beginning at Jerusalem”
(Luke 24:45-47).
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“Bring forth therefore fruits meet for repentance”
(Matthew 3:8).
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“From that time Jesus began to preach, and to say,
Repent: for the kingdom of heaven is at hand” (Matthew 4:17).
Some have erroneously taught
that belief in Jesus (in and of itself) is the new-birth experience,
saying that if we “believe on the Lord Jesus Christ,” we need not go any
further, because the new birth is complete. However, while it is true
that believing on the Lord Jesus is a necessary step toward the new
birth, it is only the initial step.
One Scripture that is often
misused to prop up the doctrine that believing alone equals the new
birth is “Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ, and thou shalt be saved”
(Acts 16:31). All Scriptures are true. Just what does this verse mean?
Examine the setting, and you will see that the apostle Paul spoke this
short verse to a Philippian jailer who was about to commit suicide.
These words were spoken quickly to prevent the man from doing harm to
himself. This verse was only the beginning of Paul’s instructions. It is
certain that Paul later gave more directions, for the Bible tells us
that the man was baptized with his entire household. Paul knew that
“Without faith it is impossible to please him [God]: for he that cometh
to God must believe that he is, and that he is a rewarder of them that
diligently seek him” (Hebrews 11:6).
Let’s look at this issue
even closer. While one verse says, “And it shall come to pass, that
whosoever shall call on the name of the Lord shall be saved” (Acts
2:21), another verse shows that Jesus said, “Not every one that saith
unto me, Lord, Lord, shall enter into the kingdom of heaven; but he that
doeth the will of my Father which is in heaven” (Matthew 7:21).
Apparently some call Him “Lord” yet neither obey His word nor do His
will! Jesus made it very clear that simply attending church and claiming
to have accepted Christ as savior is not the new birth experience! To
the contrary, it is he that “doeth the will” of the Father that will be
able to enter into the kingdom of heaven.
Water Baptism
After believing and
repentance, the next step of obedient faith for any Christian is water
baptism in the name of Jesus. The word baptize comes from the
Greek word baptizo meaning to dunk or immerse. After Jesus was
crucified on the cross, He was buried in a tomb, where He lay until His
resurrection three days later. The Scriptures clearly reveal that
Christian believers are to become identified with the Lord’s burial by
being baptized. Practically speaking, water baptism is an act of faith
in which each believer is buried momentarily in water while having the
name of Jesus invoked aloud. Scriptures also reveal a connection between
water baptism and our spiritual cleansing (from sin) for the salvation
of the believer. Thus, water baptism has two distinct meanings:
Washing (or cleansing):
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“Then went out to him Jerusalem, and all Judea, and
all the region round about Jordan, and were baptized of him in
Jordan, confessing their sins” (Matthew 3:5-6).
Burial with Christ:
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“Therefore we are buried with him by baptism into
death: that like as Christ was raised up from the dead by the glory
of the Father, even so we also should walk in newness of life”
(Romans 6:4).
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“In whom also ye are circumcised with the
circumcision made without hands, in putting off the body of the sins
of the flesh by the circumcision of Christ: buried with him in
baptism, wherein also ye are risen with him through the faith of the
operation of God, who hath raised him from the dead” (Colossians
2:11-12).
Old Testament Typology:
During the great flood, Noah
and his family were saved by water. So also we are saved by water
baptism during the church age:
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“The longsuffering of God waited in the days of Noah,
while the ark was a preparing, wherein few, that is, eight souls
were saved by water. 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” (I Peter 3:20-21).
Just as the Hebrews were
saved by water while passing through the Red Sea (to escape from
Pharaoh’s armies), so also we are saved by water baptism:
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“Moreover, brethren, I would not that ye should be
ignorant, how that all our fathers were under the cloud, and all
passed through the sea; and were all baptized unto Moses in the
cloud and in the sea; and did all eat the same spiritual meat; and
did all drink the same spiritual drink: for they drank of that
spiritual Rock that followed them: and that Rock was Christ” (I
Corinthians 10:1-4).
While making their way
through the wilderness, the Hebrews carried a tabernacle built according
to God’s instructions. Notice the symbolic representation of water
baptism in the God-given design:
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“Thou shalt also make a laver of brass, and his foot
also of brass, to wash withal: and thou shalt put it between the
tabernacle of the congregation and the altar, and thou shalt put
water therein. For Aaron and his sons shall wash their hands and
their feet thereat: when they go into the tabernacle of the
congregation, they shall wash with water, that they die not; or when
they come near to the altar to minister, to burn offering made by
fire unto the LORD: so they shall wash their hands and their feet,
that they die not: and it shall be a statute for ever to them, even
to him and to his seed throughout their generations” (Exodus
30:18-21).
The early church (the
first-century church led by the Apostles) fulfilled the command of Jesus
regarding water baptism:
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“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” (Acts 2:38).
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“They were baptized in the name of the Lord Jesus”
(Acts 8:16).
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“And he commanded them to be baptized in the name of
the Lord” (Acts 10:48a).
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“When they heard this, they were baptized in the name
of the Lord Jesus” (Acts 19:5).
How were believers baptized
during the time of the apostles? According to the Bible, believers were
baptized by immersion in water, and the name of Jesus was invoked aloud
over each believer during the event.
Immersion in water:
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“And John also was baptizing in Aenon near to Salim,
because there was much water there: and they came, and were
baptized” (John 3:23).
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“And Jesus, when he was baptized, went up straightway
out of the water: and, lo, the heavens were opened unto him, and he
saw the Spirit of God descending like a dove, and lighting upon him”
(Matthew 3:16).
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“And he commanded the chariot to stand still: and
they went down both into the water, both Philip and the eunuch; and
he baptized him. And when they were come up out of the water, the
Spirit of the Lord caught away Philip, that the eunuch saw him no
more: and he went on his way rejoicing” (Acts 8:38-39).
What about sprinkling or
pouring? What if one was baptized as an infant?
We simply do not find these
practices in the Scriptures. Neither sprinkling, nor pouring, nor infant
baptism can be found or substantiated in the Word of God. These are
human traditions; therefore we should reject them in the light of
scriptural truth. The Bible says that water baptism is “the answer of a
good conscience toward God” (I Peter 3:20-21). Since infants are not old
enough to comprehend the gospel, they cannot conscientiously decide to
be baptized. While infants may be blessed and dedicated to God through
prayer, they must still be baptized when they are old enough.
In the Scriptures, what
formula was used in baptism? In whose name were they baptized? Does it
matter?
Prior to the birth of the
church, the prophet John (called John the Baptist) baptized many
followers in Judea. The Bible does not mention John using anyone’s name
during his baptisms, saying only that John baptized unto repentance.
After the birth of the
church (read about it in the second chapter of the Book of Acts) water
baptism was updated; a name was added to it. The greatest legacy the
Lord left to his bride (the church) is His name!
In the New Testament, the
name of Jesus was invoked aloud over each believer during water baptism.
No other baptismal mode was ever practiced in the church during the time
of the apostles:
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“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” (Acts 2:38).
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“They were baptized in the name of the Lord Jesus”
(Acts 8:16).
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“And he commanded them to be baptized in the name of
the Lord” (Acts 10:48a).
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“When they heard this, they were baptized in the name
of the Lord Jesus” (Acts 19:5).
Other pertinent verses:
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“Know ye not, that so many of us as were baptized
into Jesus Christ were baptized into his death?” (Romans 6:3).
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“And whatsoever ye do in word or deed, do all in the
name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God and the Father by him”
(Colossians 3:17).
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Jesus’ name must be invoked verbally in order to have
a proper baptism! Notice the questions the apostle Paul asked the
church at Corinth:
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“Is Christ divided? Was Paul crucified for you? Or
were ye baptized in the name of Paul?” (I Corinthians 1:13).
Since Jesus is the one who
was crucified for us, we should be baptized in His name! Look at Paul’s
own baptism:
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“And now why tarriest thou? arise, and be baptized,
and wash away thy sins, calling on the name of the Lord” (Acts
22:16).
Does water baptism matter?
Water baptism is a command to be obeyed for salvation!
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“And he commanded them to be baptized in the name of
the Lord” (Acts 10:48).
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“And he said unto them, Go ye into all the world, and
preach the gospel to every creature. He that believeth and is
baptized shall be saved; but he that believeth not shall be damned”
(Mark 16:15-16).
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“For as many of you as have been baptized into Christ
have put on Christ” (Galatians 3:27).
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“Then they that gladly received his word were
baptized: and the same day there were added unto them about three
thousand souls” (Acts 2:41).
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“One Lord, one faith, one baptism” (Ephesians 4:5).
What about Matthew 28:19?
Some use this verse to support a baptismal formula that does not include
the name of Jesus.
Let’s examine it closely:
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“Go ye therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing
them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy
Ghost” (Matthew 28:19).
There are only two ways to
act upon this verse (and only one way is correct). Either we are to
repeat these words when we baptize, or we are to obey these words,
baptizing in a singular name. Notice in the verse above that “the name”
is singular. This verse does not say “names.”
When Jesus spoke the words
of Matthew 28:19, He was speaking to His apostles. It is apparent that
His apostles did not interpret the words as a formula to be repeated.
Any study of the New Testament shows that the apostles obeyed this verse
rather than repeating the words. The New Testament clearly confirms that
believers were baptized in the name of Jesus.
To truly obey Matthew 28:19,
one must discover the singular “name” of the Father, and of the Son, and
of the Holy Ghost. That singular name is Jesus.
Matthew 28:19 was obeyed in
the Book of Acts, through baptism in the name of Jesus. We should obey
this verse today, by being baptized in the name of Jesus.
Receiving the
Gift of the Holy Spirit (Holy Ghost)
Once you repent and commit to
being water baptized in the name of Jesus, you’re ready for the
wonderful gift of the Holy Spirit!
Old Testament prophecy:
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“A new heart also will I give you, and a new spirit
will I put within you: and I will take away the stony heart out of
your flesh, and I will give you an heart of flesh. And I will put my
spirit within you, and cause you to walk in my statutes, and ye
shall keep my judgments, and do them” (Ezekiel 36:26-27).
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“And it shall come to pass afterward, that I will
pour out my spirit upon all flesh; and your sons and your daughters
shall prophesy, your old men shall dream dreams, your young men
shall see visions” (Joel 2:28).
Jesus prophesied of the
outpouring of the Spirit:
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“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)” (John 7:38-39).
Notice that Jesus’ words
(above) illustrate that all believers should receive the Holy Spirit!
The first baptism of the Holy
Ghost (the birthday of the Church):
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“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” (Acts 2:1-4).
Contrary to the teaching of
some, one does not automatically receive the gift of the Holy Spirit at
the moment he believes. Receiving the gift of the Spirit is a separate,
dynamic experience that completes the new birth! Consider receiving the
Holy Ghost as you read the following passage of Scripture:
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“Then Philip went down to the city of Samaria, and
preached Christ unto them. . . . And the people with one accord gave
heed unto those things which Philip spake, hearing and seeing the
miracles which he did. . . . and there was great joy in that city .
. . But when they believed Philip preaching the things concerning
the kingdom of God, and the name of Jesus Christ, they were
baptized, both men and women. . . . Now when the apostles which were
at Jerusalem heard that Samaria had received the word of God, they
sent 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” (Acts 8:5-17).
In the passage below, the
Scriptures reveal that “believing” is a separate event from water
baptism and from the experience of receiving the Holy Ghost.
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“Paul . . . 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” (Acts 19:1-6).
Is the baptism of the Holy
Ghost necessary for salvation?
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Jesus said, “Verily, verily, I say unto thee, Except
a man be born again, he cannot see the kingdom of God” (John 3:3).
Jesus then explained what this
new birth is:
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“Verily, verily, I say unto thee, except a man be
born of water and of the Spirit, he cannot enter into the kingdom of
God” (John 3:5).
Both water and the Spirit are
necessary for the new birth and to enter into the kingdom of God!
The Holy Ghost experience
described in the Book of Acts is part of the new birth!
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“In whom ye also trusted, after that ye heard the
word of truth, the gospel of your salvation: in whom also after that
ye believed, ye were sealed with that holy Spirit of promise”
(Ephesians 1:13).
Some ask honestly, “But will
not my church attendance and my being a good person save me?” The answer
is no. We all must be born again. If any man could have been saved by
his own works, it would be the righteous Cornelius of Caesarea
(described in the tenth chapter of Acts). But even that pious man had to
be born again:
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“There was a certain man in Caesarea called Cornelius
. . . . a devout man, and one that feared God with all his house,
which gave much alms to the people, and prayed to God alway. He saw
in a vision . . . an angel of God coming in to him, and saying unto
him, Cornelius . . . Thy prayers and thine alms are come up for a
memorial before God . . . . And now send men to Joppa, and call for
Peter . . . he shall tell thee what thou oughtest to do” (Acts
10:1-6).
Cornelius called for Peter,
and Peter came and preached to Cornelius and his entire household. God
poured out His Spirit upon them all, and Peter commanded them to be
baptized in the name of the Lord.
Good works is not enough.
Being devout is not enough to save you. You must seek truth. Update your
spirituality! We all must be born again!
Tongues: Sign of
the Gift of the Holy Spirit
The single common sign of
the baptism of the Holy Ghost is speaking in tongues as the Spirit gives
the utterance.
Old Testament prophecy:
New Testament evidence:
Speaking with tongues as
God’s Spirit gives the utterance is the initial, physical sign of the
Holy Spirit baptism. While this is not the only sign, it is an
immediately noticeable, miraculous sign of having received the gift of
the Holy Spirit.
Have you received the Holy
Ghost since you believed? Have you been water baptized in Jesus’ name?
Life magazine has
noted that the Pentecostal phenomenon of receiving the Holy Ghost and
speaking with tongues is one of the most significant events of the last
hundred years. Millions upon millions of people worldwide have now been
born again according to God’s Word. Have you?
The promise of real freedom
awaits those who are ready to be free:
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“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” (Acts 2:39).
—End—
Ready To
Be Free Expanded Study copyright © 2001 by the Home Missions Division of
the United Pentecostal Church International. The Ready To Be Free name,
logo, logo-type, and all associated images and art are copyrighted
trademarks of the Home Missions Division of the United Pentecostal
Church International. Ready To
Be Free is a ministry of the Home Missions Division of the United
Pentecostal Church International. Comments are welcome. Contact us via
email, fax, phone, or mail:
Home
Missions Division
8855 Dunn Road
Hazelwood, MO 63042
Email:
hmd@upci.org
Fax: (314) 837-5632
Phone: (314) 837-7300
Webs:
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and
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