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Basic Bible Study Course

SALVATION

HOW WE CAN BE SAVED

DEFINITIONS (Webster's Dictionary)

SALVATION: preservation from destruction, in theology, spiritual rescue from sin and death; saving of the soul through the atonement of Jesus; redemption.

REDEEM: to set free, ransom, rescue, to deliver from sin and its penalties, as by a sacrifice made for the sinner.

RANSOM: the redeeming or release of a captive or of seized property by payment. The price thus paid. In theology, a means of freeing from sin: redemption. A synonym for ransom is rescue.

SAVE: in theology, to deliver (a person, soul, etc.) from sin and punishment: redeem from spiritual death.

SIN: the breaking of religious law or a moral principal, especially through a willful act.

SUPERFLUITY: unnecessary, over supply.

How do you get saved? (Summary)

1. The Father draws you to Him.
2. You hear the gospel by some means: a preacher, written word, a witness, etc. Faith cometh by hearing and hearing by the word of God.
3. Your hearing of the gospel must be mixed with faith for it to profit you. You must believe with your heart to be saved. We are saved by grace through faith.
4. You must acknowledge your need for God. When God draws you there comes a conviction of sin and guilt (condemnation in your heart and conscience).
5. You must seek God with a contrite heart, being sorry for your sins.
6. You call upon him in prayer.
7. You must confess your sins to HIM and ask him to forgive your sins (repent). Believe him to do it. Pray till you have been changed.
8. When you have repented, and know God has made a change in you, continue in Christ and grow in grace. There are many precious promises available to the followers of Christ Jesus our Lord in this life. If we endure to the end we have eternal life where Jesus is.
9. After you get saved God will not leave you unless you forsake him. Then he will leave and forsake you. He sent the Holy Ghost to help you stay saved.

You are drawn of God. You hear the gospel. Have faith. Know your need for God. Be sorry for sin and seek God. Pray. Tell God your sins and repent of them. Repenting includes deciding to change. God will help you. Seek the Comforter, the Holy Ghost.

SALVATION (HOW WE CAN BE SAVED)

1. WHO CAN BE SAVED?

Anyone can be saved if they obey the words of God.

And the Spirit and the bride say, Come, And let him that heareth say, Come. And let him that is athirst come. And whosoever will, let him take the water of life freely. Revelation 22:17.

Read Acts 2:21, Romans 10:13, Acts 17:26, Romans 5:8-11, 2 Peter 3:9.

2. HOW DO YOU GET SAVED? (WITH EXAMPLES)

God requires that we go through his Son, Jesus Christ, to get to Him. We no longer have to use the animal sacrifices of the Old Testament to get forgiveness of sins from God. Neither do we have to confess our sins to a priest on earth. Read Hebrews 4:14-16. When Jesus became the supreme sacrifice for sins, he brought in the New Testament. We are living in the New Testament times.

2 Peter 3:9 tells us that God is not willing that any should perish. He gave us the plan of salvation in the Bible. We must be DRAWN of the Father to Jesus. We must HEAR THE GOSPEL of Jesus [we can hear with the ear or by reading, in braille (blind language), in sign language, etc.].

If your hearing of the gospel of Jesus Christ is mixed with faith, and you BELIEVE the salvation message, then SEEK God. Humbling yourself to God with a CONTRITE heart, CALL upon Him for mercy. PRAY and ask him to FORGIVE you of sin. CONFESS your sins to GOD and REPENT of them, determining in your heart to follow God. He will help you. To start with, you can find the ten basic commandments of God in Exodus Chapter 20.

Read Psalm 51:17, John 6:37, Matthew 22:36-40, Luke 10:25-28-37.

The jailer in Acts chapter 16 asked Paul and Silas what he must do to be saved. They answered him and then went and preached the word of the Lord to all in his house. Acts 16:30-32. How do you get to God? How do you get "saved"? What do you mean by the expression "saved"? What all does that involve? These are all important questions. How many people are able to answer these questions wisely and thoroughly? Read 2 Timothy 2:15, 1 Peter 3:15, Romans 3:10, Romans 3:23, Romans 5:12.

3. SALVATION THROUGH JESUS

For the wages of sin is death; but the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord. Romans 6:23.

Read these references in the Old Testament: Isaiah 43:11, Isaiah 45:21-22, Hosea 13:4.

Now we must go through Jesus to get forgiveness from God! Read 1 John 4:14, Hebrews 12:2, John 14:6, Acts 4:12, Acts 4:10-12, 1 Timothy 2:5

Jesus is our Saviour. Read Luke 2:11, Titus 2:13, 2 Peter 1:11, 2 Timothy 1:10, 2 Peter 3:18, Acts 5:31, John 3:15-18, 1 Timothy 4:10.

4. DRAWN

God draws us to ask him for forgiveness. Don't put off accepting Jesus as your Savior because 2 Corinthians 6:2 says, ". . . now is the accepted time; behold, now is the day of salvation." Genesis 6:3 says, ". . . My spirit shall not always strive with man. . . ." Read 2 Peter 3:9 and John 6:44.

When God deals with you to be saved, accept Jesus. His love and his power convinces you it is right. When God draws you to him, you begin to desire God and his Word.

Draw nigh to God, and he will draw nigh to you. Cleanse your hands, ye sinners; and purify your hearts, ye double minded. James 4:8.

Read Matthew 5:6, Revelation 3:20, Acts 3:19.

5. HEAR

God sends preachers to preach the gospel. All Christians are called to witness to others about God's grace and salvation. The Bible says to pray for labourers for the harvest. Souls need to hear the gospel.

Read Matthew 9:37-38, Romans 10:13-17.

Preachers of the gospel of Jesus Christ spread the gospel of salvation. The Bible tells us there will be some false teachers and preachers. Gullible people will accept ANY preaching. Why is this so? Because they don't know the scriptures. That is easily remedied. Read and study the Bible. We should accept anointed sound preaching that is from the Bible. Search the scriptures. Your eternal life or eternal death depends on it.

Verily, Verily, I say unto you, He that receiveth whomsoever I send receiveth me; and he that receiveth me receiveth him that sent me. John 13:20.

Read 2 Corinthians 5:20, 1 Corinthians 1:18 & 21.

The devil will try to steal away the word of God that you have heard, that he may steal your soul and take you to hell. Read the parable of the sower in Matthew 13:18-23.

Those by the way side are they that hear; then cometh the devil, and taketh away the word out of their hearts, lest they should believe and be saved. Luke 8:12.

Read Matthew 13:19, 2 Corinthians 4:3-4.

6. DULL OF HEARING

We must pray and rebuke spiritual deafness and blindness. These are from the devil to keep us from hearing the word of the Lord, understanding it, and receiving the message of salvation. Read Matthew 13:15 and Hebrews 5:11.

There are many sermons and have been many prophets, teachers, preachers, etc. in this world, so why isn't everyone saved? In order for the hearing of the word of God to be profitable to you, you must hear and believe. Read the parable found in Luke 8:4-15.

7. HEARING AND BELIEVING WORK TOGETHER

Verily, verily, I say unto you, He that heareth my word, and believeth on him that sent me, hath everlasting life, and shall not come into condemnation; but is passed from death unto life. John 5:24.

For unto us was the gospel preached, as well as unto them: but the word preached did not profit them, not being mixed with faith in them that heard it. Hebrews 4:2.

8. BELIEVE

Those who want to know God and his salvation, must believe the gospel of Jesus Christ. While we were yet sinners, Christ died for us. Jesus prayed for us.

For I say, through the grace given unto me, to every man that is among you, not to think of himself more highly than he ought to think; but to think soberly, according as God hath dealt to every man the measure of faith. Romans 12:3.

Read Romans 5:7-8, John 17:20, Romans 10:17, 1 John 5:4-5.

These next two scriptures are very important. The Lord promises that if we can believe, all things are possible. The man cried out with tears for the Lord to help him believe so he could obtain deliverance.

(23) Jesus said unto him, If thou canst believe, all things are possible to him that believeth. (24) And straightway the father of the child cried out, and said with tears, Lord, I believe; help thou mine unbelief. Mark 9:23-24.

Read Mark 1:15, John 1:12, Romans 1:16.

In the Bible we are commanded by God to believe the gospel of Jesus Christ. Have you heard it said, "It doesn't matter what you believe, as long as you are sincere"? That is a doctrine of the devil. We must believe the truth to be saved.

And this is his commandment, That we should believe on the name of his Son Jesus Christ, and love one another, as he gave us commandment. 1 John 3:23.

I said therefore unto you, that ye shall die in your sins: for if ye believe not that I am he, ye shall die in your sins. John 8:24.

This next verse confirms that the Old Testament scriptures point to and testify that Jesus is the Saviour to whosoever will believe him.

To him give all the prophets witness, that through his name whosoever believeth in him shall receive remission of sins. Acts 10:43.

Jesus saith unto him, Thomas, because thou hast seen me, thou hast believed: blessed are they that have not seen, and yet have believed. John 20:29.

9. GREAT BENEFITS COME FROM BELIEVING GOD

Read Romans 15:13, John 3:16, 2 Peter 1:3-4, Revelation 21:7, Psalm 103:1-3 , (there are many others).

10. OUR PURPOSE IN BELIEVING IS TO OBTAIN ETERNAL LIFE.

Receiving the end of your faith, even the salvation of your souls. 1 Peter 1:9.

Read John 11:25, 1 Thessalonians 5:9.

11. NOT EVERYONE WILL BELIEVE AND BE SAVED.

(15) That whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have eternal life. (16) For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life. (17) For God sent not his Son into the world to condemn the world; but that the world through him might be saved. (18) He that believeth on him is not condemned: but he that believeth not is condemned already, because he hath not believed in the name of the only begotten Son of God. John 3:15-18.

Read Acts 28:24, John 3:36, Hebrews 11:6, Acts 10:43, Matthew 10:22, Mark 16:16.

12. BELIEVE AND CONFESS

These next few scriptures tell us about hearing, believing, confessing, receiving, and rejecting the Lord. It proves that hearing is not enough; you must receive the gospel. Believing is not enough; you must confess the Lord Jesus. The rulers rejected God because of pride and praise of men. Jesus said that God would judge such. We cannot put anything before our faith in God. If we believe the gospel of Jesus Christ, we must confess it to be so, and receive Jesus as our Saviour. Jesus stressed that when we believe on him, we believe on him that sent him: God.

Read John 12:42-44, John 12:46-48.

13. ACKNOWLEDGE AND CONFESS

In order to get to God, and for God to forgive you of your sins, you need to acknowledge your sin. You have to recognize the fact that you have definitely done wrong. Read Psalm 51 for an example of how to repent.

Read Psalm 51:3, Hosea 5:15, Proverbs 28:1, 1 John 1:9-10, 1 John, 2 John, and 3 John, Romans 10:9-10.

(32) Whosoever therefore shall confess me before men, him will I confess also before my Father which is in heaven. (33) But whosoever shall deny me before men, him will I also deny before my Father which is in heaven. Matthew 10:32-33. Read Luke 12:8-9.

14. HEART

(9) The heart is deceitful above all things, and desperately wicked: who can know it. (10) I the Lord search the heart, I try the reins, even to give every man according to his ways, and according to the fruit of his doings. Jeremiah 17:10.

When God draws you to him, you feel conviction in your heart. What is conviction? It is condemnation. The root word of condemnation is condemn. Condemn is to prove guilty of wrong doing. Your heart and conscience is feeling the guilt of sin.

Webster's Dictionary says that to convict is to bring to a realization of one's guilt. Therefore conviction of the heart is to realize your guilt of sin. When we have heard God's word and acknowledge and confess our sin, and are contrite (sorry for sin), then we are to call upon God in prayer and repent.

God knows all things. He knows if there is a sin you are not letting go of. You are supposed to search your own heart as you seek God. How many are willing to let God search their hearts? God searches your heart for sin. If he finds sin there he will convict you (you will feel the guilt). You can repent and get it out (Philippians 3:15). You can go on and obtain eternal life. When your heart is clean and there is no hidden sin, it is a joy for God to search your heart.

Shall not God search this out? for he knoweth the secrets of the heart. Psalm 44:21

I call to remembrance my song in the night: I commune with mine own heart: and my spirit made diligent search. Psalm 77:6.

Read Psalm 139:23, Psalms 26:2, 1 John 3:20-22, Romans 10:9, Romans 2:4-5, Jeremiah 29:13.

When you hear the Word of God it can touch your heart.

For the word of God is quick, and powerful, and sharper than any two-edged sword, piercing even to the dividing asunder of soul and spirit, and of the joints and marrow, and is a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart. Hebrews 4:12.

There are many scriptures in the Word about the heart and the "whole heart". You can study them for a better understanding of serving God with all of your heart.

Read 1 Samuel 16:7, Mark 12:28-34, Psalm 119:2 & 10, Proverbs 22:17, Proverbs 3:1, 2 Kings 22:19-20.

15. CONTRITE

For godly sorrow worketh repentance to salvation not to be repented of: but the sorrow of the world worketh death. 2 Corinthians 7:10.

Read Psalm 34:18, Psalm 51:17, Isaiah 57:15, Isaiah 66:2.

16. SEEK - CALL UPON THE LORD

If you want to know God and his salvation, seek Him. John 5:39 says to search the scriptures.

Read Psalm 34:6, Psalms 55:16, Psalm 109:26-27, Psalm 119:145-146, Acts 2:21, 1 Chronicles 28:9, Acts 17:27, James 4:8.

The foolish and the wicked people are deceived into thinking they have no need of God. God calls those that don't believe in HIM fools.

The fool hath said in his heart, There is no God. They are corrupt, they have done abominable works, there is none that doeth good. Psalm 14:1. Read Psalm 10:4.

Revelation 3:17-18 speaks about those who do not recognize their need for God. They don't know they are blind. Read Revelation 3:15-21.

Some won't seek God because they want to get saved their way. They want their own righteousness and pride, which in God's sight is as filthy rags. There is only one way: Jesus.

(2) For I bear them record that they have a zeal of God, but not according to knowledge. (3) For they being ignorant of God's righteousness, and going about to establish their own righteousness, have not submitted themselves unto the righteousness of God. Romans 10:2-3.

But we are all as an unclean thing, and all our righteousnesses are as filthy rags; and we all do fade as a leaf; and our iniquities, like the wind, have taken us away. Isaiah 64:6.

As you seek God, you find the way is narrow and you must follow closely in order not to lose your way, but if you seek Him earnestly, he will lead you all the way. He is faithful not to leave us alone when we belong to him. Webster's Dictionary says that to strive is to make great efforts; try very hard.

Strive to enter in at the strait gate: for many, I say unto you, will seek to enter in, and shall not be able. Luke 13:24.

God is a jealous God. He has feelings and desires. He created us for his pleasure. He opens the door when we knock. When we ask, he is ready to give us. When we seek him, he is there, ready to answer. Remember to seek him humbly, because he resisteth the proud.

Read Matthew 7:7, Luke 19:10.

Part of seeking God is waiting for the answer!!! We are supposed to talk to God in prayer, believing for the answer. We are not to murmur, complain, fidget or worry, but we are to quietly wait for the answer, being patient. Being quiet or patient about an answer from God does not mean to quit working or to lay our armor down. It leaves no excuse to be idle. Read Lamentations 3:25 & 26.

Read Isaiah 40:28-31. They that seek God and wait on him shall renew their strength. Other scriptures about seeking God: Psalm 14:2, Psalm 69:29-32, Colossians 3:1-3, Acts 15:17, John 4:23-24, Luke 12:22-34, Psalm 119:155, Micah 7:7.

17. WASH

Read Isaiah 1:16 & 18, Psalm 51:2, 7, & 10, Jeremiah 2:22, Jeremiah 4:14.

What can wash away our sins? Nothing but the blood of Jesus. Baptism is to show the world that your sins are washed away by the shed blood of Jesus. The washing of the water during water baptism is symbolic; the water does not wash away your sins.

Read Acts 22:16, 1 John 5:6, 2 Corinthians 7:1.

When Pilate saw that he could prevail nothing, but that rather a tumult was made, he took water, and washed his hands before the multitude, saying, I am innocent of the blood of this just person: see ye to it. Matthew 27:24.

Pilate's ritual did not pardon his sin. The person whom he allowed to be crucified was the only one who could wash away his guilt and sins. Read Titus 3:4-7.

18. SIMPLICITY IN CHRIST

Read 2 Corinthians 11:3, Isaiah 35:8.

19. COME Refer to "Come to Jesus" tract. Read Matthew 14:22-33, Revelation 22:17, John 6:37, John 6:44, Matthew 16:24, Matthew 11:28-30, Matthew 18:11-14.

Jesus saith unto him, I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by me. John 14:6. .

20. TRUTH

Read John 14:6, John 1:14-17, John 3:20-21, John 4:23-24, John 8:32, John 8:43-44, John 17:17-19, John 18:37, Romans 1:25-27, Ephesians 4:25, Ephesians 6:14, 2 Thessalonians 2:9-13, 1 Timothy 2:4, 2 Timothy 3:1-7, 2 Timothy 4:3-4, Hebrews 10:25-27, James 5:19-20, 1 Peter 1:22, 1 John 1:5-10, 1 John 2:4.

21. GROW

But grow in grace, and in the knowledge of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ. To him be glory both now and for ever. Amen. 2 Peter 3:18. Read James 1:21.

Superfluity means too much surplus, exceeding what is sufficient or necessary.

CLICK HERE to go to Lesson 18 Part 1 Exam.

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