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Question: What must I do to get to Heaven? (What must I do to be saved?)
First, we must recognize God's part in salvation. All men have sinned and deserve death (Rom. 3:23;
6:23). Yet, due to God's great love, He provided the way by which all our sins could be washed away.
Romans 5:8 states, "But God commandeth His love toward us, in that, while we were yet sinners,
Christ died for us." In His death, Christ shed His blood which is powerful enough to wash away sins
(Heb. 9:22; Eph. 1:7).
Second, salvation is not solely dependant upon God's love nor upon Christ's sacrifice. If this were so,
all would be saved, regardless of their sins. Men have a part in salvation, too. There is something one
must do in order to come into contact with that sin-cleansing blood of Christ - to become saved.
The Bible teaches that one must hear God's word to develop pleasing faith (Rom. 10:17; Heb. 11:6;
John 8:24). Still, faith alone is not sufficient to become saved (James 2:17-26). Based upon faith, one
must repent (a change of mind evidenced in a change of life) of every sin (Acts 2:38; Acts 17:30).
Having repented of sins, one must confess before men his faith - that he believes Jesus is the Christ,
the Son of God (Rom. 10:10; Acts 8:37). Finally, in order to become saved, one must also be
immersed (baptized) in water for the remission of sins (Mark 16:16; Acts 2:38; I Peter 3:21). At this
point, one's sins are washed away (Acts 22:16) and Jesus adds him to His church (Acts 2:47). The
water doesn't wash away the sins but one's obedient faith culminating in immersion brings him into
contact with Christ's blood which does wash away sins (Rom. 6:3-5; Rev. 1:5-6). It is at this point that
one becomes saved.
Having now considered how the Bible answers this all-important question, have you done what is
necessary in order to get to Heaven? Have you been saved?
We Must Hear The Word of God
- Romans 10:17 -- So then faith cometh by hearing, and hearing by the word of God.
We Must Believe The Word of God
- Hebrews 11:6 -- But without faith it is impossible to please him: for he that cometh to God must believe that he is,
and that he is a rewarder of them that diligently seek him.
We Must Repent of Our Sins
- Acts 2: 38 -- 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.
We Must Confess That Jesus is the Son of God
Romans 10:10 -- For with the heart man believeth unto righteousness; and with the mouth confession is made
unto salvation.
Romans 10:10 -- For with the heart man believeth unto righteousness; and with the mouth confession is made
unto salvation.
We Must be Baptized for the Remission of Sins
- Mark 16:16 -- He that believeth and is baptized shall be saved; but he that believeth not shall be damned.
We Must Continue in Faithful Service to God
- Revelation 2:10b -- Be thou faithful unto death, and I will give thee a crown of life.
2 Peter 3:18 -- But grow in grace, and in the knowledge of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ.
Check the passages given in your Bible - if you have questions send
them to: sccoc@sugarcreekchurchofchrist.org
them to: sccoc@sugarcreekchurchofchrist.org
How to get to Heaven
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