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Our Salvation
>Step 1: Repentance
>Step
2: Water Baptism in the Name of Jesus
>Step
3: Baptism of the Holy Ghost
STEP 1: REPENTANCE
REPENTANCE
is actually the first step with action involved that we take
toward salvation. Faith precedes repentance; it is an inward
work that causes us to want to repent. Repentance is an
“action-filled” step known to God, ourselves and others – a
private and often public step bringing about positive results in our
lives. Because we have a sinful nature, and have committed
sinful acts, it is ESSENTIAL that we repent and turn
to God.
1.
Repentance is not the same as penance, which is doing
certain acts of devotion required by a priest in order to receive
“absolution” for sin. This is not Biblical, but merely religious
tradition.
“We are all infected and
impure with sin. When we proudly display our righteous deeds, we
find they are but filthy rags. Like autumn leaves, we wither and
fall. And our sins, like the wind, sweep us away.” (Isaiah 64:6)
2. Repentance
is not merely “feeling sorry” for your sins, although that is part
of it. In fact, it is this “godly sorrow” that CAUSES us to repent!
“Godly
sorrow brings repentance that leads to salvation and leaves no
regret, but worldly sorrow brings death.” (2 Corinthians 7:10)
3. Repentance
is biblically defined as a “turning around” or an “about face” – an
inward change of attitude leading to an outward change of action.
Unless both of these occur, real repentance has not taken place.
“To open
their eyes to their true condition so that they may repent and live
in the light of God instead of in Satan’s darkness, so that they may
receive forgiveness for their sins …” (Acts 26:18)
“…
that they should repent and turn to God, and do works and live lives
consistent with and worthy of their repentance.” (Acts 26:20)
“Prove
by the way you live that you have really turned from your sins and
turned to God.” (Matthew 3:8)
4. Repentance
is absolutely essential for salvation. God wants to save us, but
requires us to respond to His love by turning from sin.
“Don’t
you realize how kind, tolerant, and patient God is with you? Or
don’t you care? Can’t you see how kind he has been in giving you
time to turn from your sin?” (Romans 2:4)
“The Lord isn’t really
being slow about his promise to return, as some people think. No, he
is being patient for your sake. He does not want anyone to perish,
so he is giving more time for everyone to repent.” (2 Peter 3:9)
“Now turn from your sins
and turn to God, so you can be cleansed of your sins.” (Acts 3:19)
“People who cover over
their sins will not prosper. But if they confess and forsake them,
they will receive mercy.” (Proverbs 28:13)
“… And
you will also perish unless you turn from your evil ways and turn to
God.” (Luke 13:3)
5. When
I repent, I walk away from my sins and turn toward God’s wonderful
free gift of salvation, paid for by Jesus Christ’s sacrifice on
Calvary. I could never merit salvation by my own goodness; all I
have to do is obey to obtain His grace!
“God has purchased our
freedom with his blood and has forgiven all our sins.” (Colossians
1:14)
“For
by grace you have been saved through faith, and that not of
yourselves; it is the gift of God, not of works, lest anyone should
boast.” (Ephesians 2:8-9)
“If
we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins,
and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.” (1 John 1:9)
6. When
I repent, I am applying the death of Christ to my life, making it
effective in me!
“Those who belong to Christ Jesus
have nailed the passions and desires of their sinful nature to his
cross and crucified them there.” (Galatians 5:24)
“Our
old sinful selves were crucified with Christ so that sin might lose
its power in our lives. We are no longer slaves to sin. For when we
died with Christ we were set free from the power of sin.” (Romans
6:6-7, NLT)
“We know that the
persons we used to be were nailed to the cross with Jesus. This was
done, so that our sinful bodies would no longer be the slaves of
sin. We know that sin doesn’t have power over dead people.” (Romans
6:6-7, CEV)
Repentance is STEP ONE
in God’s salvation plan. Don’t stop here!
>Step
2: Water Baptism in the Name of Jesus
>Step
3: Baptism of the Holy Ghost
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