BASIC BIBLE QUESTIONS
The Way of Salvation
Introduction
The dominating themes of New Testament preaching were: man's guilt due to sin, and how man can remove that guilt through responding to Christ.
After the apostle Paul preached the Word of God in Athens, the results are stated in the following words: "And when they heard of the resurrection of the dead, some mocked: and others said, we will hear thee again of this matter. So Paul departed from among them. Howbeit certain men clave unto him, and believed" (Acts 17:32-34). Christ always produces a reaction; He cannot be ignored. The mixed response of the Athenians is typical of all ages -- some will mock Him, others will raise a questioning ear, and still others will accept Him. The promises of the gospel, however, are to those who will accept Him.
Who Is Christ?
Every human heart must reckon with Christ. "While the Pharisees were gathered together, Jesus asked them saying, "What think ye of Christ? Whose Son is He?" (Matthew 22:41-42). In restating the essential facts of Jesus' life and character, we see why Christ cannot be ignored.
- He is the Son of God. "And Simon
Peter answered and said, Thou are the Christ, the Son of the Living God" (Matthew 16:16).
"And as they went on their way, they came unto a certain water, and the eunuch said,
See, here is water; what doth hinder me to be baptized? And Phillip said, If thou
believest with all thy heart, thou mayest. And he answered and said, I believe that Jesus
is the Son of God" (Acts 8:36-37).
- He is the Savior of mankind. An angel of the Lord appeared to Joseph saying, "fear not to take unto thee Mary they wife: for that which is conceived in her is of the Holy Ghost. And she shall bring forth a son, and thou shall call His name Jesus: for he shall save his people from their sins" (Matthew 1:20-21).
When Jesus speaks, everyone must respond in some way. They may renounce Him or accept Him. This is the choice that lies before the world.
How Can One Accept Christ?
- Accepting Christ involves believing in Him as the Son of
God. "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). The deity of Jesus
must be believed: "...for if ye believe not that I am He, ye shall die in your
sins" (John 8:24).
- Accepting Christ demands repenting of one's sins.
After the apostle Paul spoke in pagan Athens, he concluded saying, "And at the times
of this ignorance God winked at; but now commandeth all men everywhere to repent" (Acts 17:30).
Repentance is an act of the human will; it is the determination to cease doing evil and begin doing good. It is preceded by sorrow for sin (2 Corinthians 7:10), and it brings a reformation of life.
- Accepting Christ includes a confession of faith in Him as
Lord. "That if thou shalt confess with they mouth the Lord Jesus thou
shalt be saved" (Romans 10:9). See also Acts 8:36-37.
- Accepting Christ requires baptism for the remission of
sins. Peter told the believing Jews on Pentecost, "Repent and be
baptized every one in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins" (Acts 2:38). See also
Acts 22:16; 1 Peter 3:21; Mark 16:16.
Bible baptism is an immersion in water. Sprinkling and pouring for baptism were unknown to the New Testament church. "Know ye not, that so many of us as were baptized into Jesus Christ were baptized into His death? 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 6:3-4).
- Finally, accepting Christ demands living a life of faith. See Luke 9:23, 1 John 1:7, Revelation 2:10.
Conclusion
What is your response to Christ? Will you accept Him? The choice is yours.
by R. C. Archer (Adapted from Man's Response to Christ)