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Salvation consists of deliverance from all sin and unrighteousness
through the blood of Jesus Christ. The New Testament experience of salvation consists of repentance from sin, water baptism
in the name of the Lord Jesus Christ for the remission of sins, and the baptism of the Holy Ghost, after which the Christian
is to live a godly life (Acts 2:36-41)
Water Baptism
Water baptism is an essential part of New Testament salvation
and not merely a symbolic ritual. It is part of entering into the kingdom of God (God's church, the bride of Christ), and
therefore, it is not merely a part of local church membership. (See John 3:5; Galatians 3:27)
Mode of Baptism
Water baptism is to be administered only by immersion. Paul
said, "We are buried with him [Jesus Christ] by baptism (Romans 6:4; see Colossians 2:12), Jesus came up "out of the water"
(Mark 1:10), and Philip and the eunuch went down "into the water" and came up "out of the water" (Acts 8:38-39). Jesus' death,
burial, and resurrection are applied to our lives when we experience New Testament salvation: "Repent [death to sin], and
be baptized [burial] 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 [resurrection]." (See Acts 2:38; Romans 6:1-7; 8:2). Sprinkling, pouring, or infant baptism of any kind
cannot be substantiated by the Word of God, but are only human traditions.
Formula for Water Baptism
The name in which baptism is administered is vitally
important, and this name is Jesus. Jesus' last command to His disciples was, "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). We should notice that He said name
(singular) not names. As previously explained, Father, Son, and Holy Ghost are not names of separate persons, but titles of
positions held by God. An angelic announcement revealed God's saving name in the New Testament: "She shall bring forth a son,
and thou shalt call his name JESUS: for he shall save his people from their sins" (Matthew 1:21). The apostles understood
that Jesus was the name to use at baptism, and from the day that the church of God was established (the Day of Pentecost)
until the end of their ministry, they baptized all nations (Jews--Acts 8:16; Gentiles--Acts 19:5) in the name of the Lord
Jesus Christ. In fact, Jesus is the only name given for our salvation. "Neither is there salvation in any other: for there
is none other name under heaven given among men, whereby we must be saved" (Acts 4:12).
Baptism of the Holy Ghost
The baptism of the Holy Ghost is the birth of the
Spirit (John 3:5). This spiritual baptism is necessary to put someone into the kingdom of God (God's church, the bride of
Christ) and is evidenced by speaking in other tongues (other languages) as the Spirit of God give utterance. It was prophesied
by Joel (Joel 2:28-29) and Isaiah (Isaiah 28:11), foretold by John the Baptist (Matthew 3:11), purchased by the blood of Jesus,
and promised by Him to His disciples (John 14:26; 15:16). The Holy Ghost was first poured out on the Day of Pentecost upon
the Jews (Acts 2:1-4), then upon the Samaritans (Acts 8:17), and later upon the Gentiles (Acts 10:44-46; 19:6). "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).
Tongues
Speaking in tongues means speaking miraculously in a language unknown
to the speaker, as the Spirit gives utterance. Tongues can be classified in two ways, according to function: (1)speaking in
other tongues as the initial evidence of the baptism of the Holy Ghost and (2)the gift of tongues as mentioned in I Corinthians.
Speaking in other tongues as the Spirit of God gives utterance is the manifestation God has given as the definite, indisputable,
supernatural witness or sign of the baptism of the Holy Ghost (Acts 2:4; 10:46; 19:6). It was prophesied by the prophet Isaiah
as the rest and the refreshing (Isaiah 28:11-12), foretold by Jesus as a sign that would follow believers of the gospel (Mark
16:17), and experience by Jews and Gentiles alike. The gift of "divers kinds of tongues," mentioned by Paul in I Corinthians
12:1-12 and concerning which he gave regulations in I Corinthians 14:1-40, is given by both for self-edification (I Corinthians
14:4) and for the edification of the church (I Corinthians 14:27-28). In church meetings the gift of tongues is used to give
a public message, and it is to be interpreted. Since this gift can be misused in public, it needs proper regulation (I Corinthians
14:23-28). Not all believers exercise the gift of tongues, which is different in function from tongues given by God as the
initial witness of the baptism of the Holy Ghost. Paul said, "Forbid not to speak with tongues" (I Corinthians 14:39) and
"I thank my God, I speak with tongues more than ye all" (I Corinthians 14:8). Who dares to teach or preach to the contrary?
Holiness
After we are saved from sin, we are commanded, "Go, and sin no more"
(John 8:11). We are commanded to live soberly, righteously, and godly in this present world (Titus 2:12) and warned that without
holiness no one shall see the Lord (Hebrews 12:14). We must present ourselves as holy unto God (Romans 12:1), cleanse ourselves
from all filthiness of the flesh and spirit (II Corinthians 7:1), and separate ourselves from all worldliness (James 4:4).
If the righteous scarcely be saved, where shall the ungodly and the sinner appear? (I Peter 4:18). No one can live a holy
life by his own power, but only through the Holy Spirit. "Ye shall receive power, after that the Holy Ghost is come upon you"
(Acts 1:8).
You Can Always Return To God
“For if ye turn again unto the LORD, your brethren and your children shall find compassion .. for the LORD
your God is gracious and merciful, and will not turn away his face from you, if ye return unto him.” – 2 Chronicles
30:9
Have you done things you regret in life? Have you committed sins so evil that you cannot even speak to others about them?
Welcome to humanity. We all have. And the good news is that …no matter how low we have sunk in our sinful behavior,
no matter what wrongs we have done in life, God, who is gracious and merciful will forgive us. But notice the verse says “IF”
you turn again to The Lord. The forgiveness comes when we make the decision in our hearts to confess our sins to The Lord
and commit ourselves to returning to Godly living. This is repentance. Jesus Christ, who earned forgiveness for us by taking
God’s wrath for our sins on the cross, has made God’s grace in our lives a reality, and through faith in Jesus’
sacrifice, we are saved.
So do not think that your actions have made you a lost cause in God’s eyes or that the Lord is through with you because
you are just “too evil.” The Bible says that wherever sin exists, God’s grace (meaning His free forgiveness) is greater. No one has sinned so much that they are no longer eligible for Heaven. The question is whether you want to acknowledge
those evil deeds to The Lord and receive His mercy. If you are a Christian who has fallen into sin, repent. If you are not a born again believer, know that no one is beyond
redemption. God’s love surpasses human understanding and when we humble ourselves, confess our sins to Him, choose to
leave it in our past and live according to God’s commands, Our Loving Father in Heaven is ready to forgive us. Do not keep Him waiting.
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