Copyright: Grace Gospel Software
Citation: Written by:  Frederick J Serjeant


What must I do to be Saved?

Grace Gospel Software

presents

THE WAY OF SALVATION

This is special Windows "HELP" file.   It is not a help file  for some other program - but simply an information file for anyone enquiring as to what Christians mean when they speak of being "Saved".   It deals with how a person  is saved - and what connection there is with "being born again."

Jesus said: "I am the way, the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me."   John 14:6

Introduction

The Gospel

What believing means

What next?

Grace Gospel Software


Introduction

The Most Important Question One Could Ask

The question "What must I do to be saved?" was asked by the Jailer at Philippi.   You may read the account in the Bible - in the Acts of the Apostles, Chapter 16 from verse 11 to the end of the Chapter.  The question may be found in verse 30.

The answer given by the apostle Paul was, "Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ, and you will be saved."

In other words -  there wasn't anything he had to DO - he simply needed to put his trust in Jesus Christ as his Lord and Saviour.

This is brought about by the hearing of the Gospel.

We are accounted (reckoned) righteous with God through faith in Jesus Christ and His completed work of salvation, which He accomplished through His sufferings and His death on the cross. This is what it means to be justified by faith.

  "Faith comes by hearing, and hearing by the word of God."  Romans 10.17

JUSTIFICATION BY FAITH

Therefore, having been justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ, through whom also we have access by faith into this grace in which we stand, and rejoice in hope of the glory of God.   Romans  5:1-2

This was the great (re)discovery that Martin Luther made at the time of the Reformation.  True Christians are "justified" (i.e. accounted righteous in God's sight) by faith alone.  Not by performing "good deeds"  or by "religious" acts etc..  (Read Romans Chapters 3 - 5)

As the Hymn writer put it:

Not the labours of my hands

Can fulfil Thy law's demands:

Could my zeal no respite know,

Could my tears forever flow,

All for sin could not atone;

Thou must save, and Thou alone.

Nothing in my hands I bring,

Simply to thy cross I cling;

Naked come to Thee for dress;

Helpless look to Thee for grace;

Foul, I to the fountain fly,

Wash me, Saviour, or I die.

From the Hymn: "Rock of Ages" by  A.M.Toplady  1740-78


Lord

Either He is Lord of all - Or he is Not Lord at all!

What does it mean to acknowledge Jesus Christ as Lord?

It means that we accept Him as our "owner" and "master".  Just as a slave, in the time of Jesus ministry here on earth, was under the absolute ownership of his slave-master, so we submit to Jesus Christ as our LORD.

If Jesus is not our Lord, then He is not our Saviour.

True believers are subjects of their heavenly King - who has absolute rights over them.  However, although we are His subjects and bond-servants, He graciously adopts us into His family as the sons of God. (See Romans 8:14-17)

 As the sons of God, which we are by grace, it will be our desire to obey Him in all things - as revealed to us by His Spirit, through His Word.


Saviour

The One Who Was Sent To Save

"You shall call his name Jesus, for He will save His people from their sins."  Matthew 1:21

Jesus Christ is the Eternal Son of God.  He as the Son of God was eternally in the heavens with the Father and the Holy Spirit.

When in the purposes of God the time came to effect the redemption of sinners from among the fallen human race, He sent His Son into the world to be born as man.

"When the fulness of the time was come, God sent forth his Son, made of a woman, made under the law, 	To redeem those who were under the law, that we might receive the adoption of sons." Galatians 4:4,5

He came to live a life of perfect righteousness and to die as a substitute for sinners on the cross.  And so to redeem them and thus to save them from sin and its effects, namely death and the righteous judgment of God - eternal hell.

"For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life."  "For God did not send His Son into the world to condemn the world, but that the world through Him might be saved.  He who believes in Him is not condemned; but he who does not believe is condemned already, because he has not believed in the name of the only begotten Son of God."   John 3:16-18


The Gospel

THE GOOD NEWS

The word "Gospel" comes from the old English - God's spiel - that is the News of God  - a modern translation of the original Greek word would be  GOOD NEWS.

The Good News is that God sent His only Son into the world to be born as man - conceived by the Holy Spirit and born of the Virgin Mary, His mother.

As man, He lived a perfect life without sin.  As you may read in the four "Gospels" in the New Testament section of the Bible - He went about doing good.  He healed the sick and raised the dead.  But above all He proclaimed the Way of Salvation.

He then went to the Cross of Calvary where he suffered death by crucifixion as the substitute sacrifice (the Lamb of God)  for sinners who would believe on him.

If we read the accounts carefully, we shall understand that His sufferings were not merely physical - great though they were, but deeply spiritual.   As it has been put, "He suffered the depths of Hell that we might know the bliss of heaven!"

There was no other good enough

To pay the price of sin.

He only, could unlock the gates

Of heaven and let us in.

(From the Hymn; "There is a green hill far away" by C.A. Alexander 1818-95)

He rose again from the dead on the third day and later ascended in heaven.

One day he will come again in glory and power and usher in the end of the world.  The final Judgment will follow and the creation of a new heaven and a new earth in which believers will enjoy the bliss of the presence and the glory of God for all eternity.

The GOOD NEWS - the Gospel - is the Good News that God has made a way - through the sinless life, death and resurrection of the Lord Jesus Christ - to redeem sinners - and that redemption is made effective by grace through faith.

 The question is:  Are you a sinner?

Will you repent and believe the Good News?


What believing means
What believing means in the Bible

"Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ

and you will be saved."  Acts 16:31

What does the word "believe", as used in the Scriptures, really mean?  Giving mental assent?  Accepting an idea as true? That one agrees, for instance, with the statement that Jesus Christ truly was born as man and died a horrible death on a cross - believing that this is historically true?

This is not believing in the spiritual dimension of the word.  Millions of Muslims believe in Jesus Christ this way, but they are not in "the way of salvation".  Our Lord Himself, in His earthly ministry found those who failed to believe with "saving faith".  Though he taught them the truth clearly and though he performed mighty miracles in their presence, they still did not truly believe the Gospel.  (Read John's Gospel 10:24-38)

To believe means that one puts one's trust completely and only  in Jesus Christ as one's LORD (master) and SAVIOUR and in His completed and finished work on the cross for the personal forgiveness of one's sins and the gift of eternal life.  This trust or faith is always "repentant faith" and is God-given - we cannot earn it or deserve it - it is all of grace.  We come to God as deep-dyed sinners, with sorrow for our sins humbly asking for forgiveness - longing to be reconciled with Him.

"Saving faith" will be expressed by a hunger and a thirst (a deep inner passion) for Him, which can only be satisfied by partaking of His life and Spirit.

Jesus said unto them, "I am the bread of life. he who comes to me shall never hunger, and he who believes on me shall never thirst."  John 6:35,36.

True believers experience times when their faith is weak and their desire for their Lord is diminished - but their trust remains in HIM and in no one else and nothing else.  They will be aware of their need of grace and return to its source.

"If any man thirst, let him come to Me and drink - he who believes on Me - as the Scripture has said, "Out of His innermost being shall flow rivers of water".  John 7:37,38

If you have not yet come to believe the Gospel - and you do not have this "saving faith" do not despair.  If you know that you do not yet have it but you want in your heart to believe - then be assured that such awareness and such a desire is only given by the Spirit of God!  (Those in the greatest danger are those who do NOT know that they are sinners on their way to a lost eternity - and are blind to their lost condition.  See John 9.41)

If you have come under "conviction of sin" - that is, you know yourself to be a sinner in need of God's forgiveness, then come humbly to the Lord Jesus Christ in prayer and confess your need of Him and of His shed blood to cover your sins and speak peace to your heart.  If you find you do not have the grace to repent of your sins - then cry to God for grace.  If you find yourself full of doubts about God and His willingness to forgive, again - cry to Him for the gift of faith.  (John 4.10   Ephesians 2:8,9  )

If you already know Christ as your Lord and Saviour, but your faith is weak at this present time - come to Him and drink of His Spirit.


Living Water

Jesus answered and said to her, "If you knew the gift of God, and who it is who says to you, 'Give Me a drink,' you would have asked Him, and He would have given you living water."  John 4:10 (NKJ)


Scriptures
The Holy Bible - containing 66 Books is the divinely inspired WRITTEN WORD OF GOD.   It is the infallible inerrant Word of God and the sole authority for doctrine (teaching) and instruction in Godly living for all believers.


Grace
THE GRACE OF GOD

The Bible teaches us that "grace" is the unearned, unmerited favour of God.  Fallen man can in no way merit the favour of God.

( See  Ephesians 2:8,9 )   God's grace is experienced by the working of the Holy Spirit in our lives.


Sin
Sin is described in the Shorter Westminster Catechism as:

"Sin is any want (i.e. lack ) of conformity unto, or transgression of, the law of God."

There can be sins of "omission" i.e. failing to do what God desires us to do, as well as sins of "commission" i.e. the wrong or wicked things that we do, in thought, word or deed.

"All have sinned and come short of the glory of God."  Romans 3.23


Born again
Jesus said to a Jewish ruler:  "Except a man be born again, he cannot see the kingdom of God."  John 3:3   Read the account in the Bible in John's Gospel, Chapter 3.   Entry to the kingdom of God is by new birth.  (Being born of "water" is natural birth - the waters in womb - being born of the Spirit is spiritual birth.)

Jesus declared:

"That which is born of the flesh is flesh, and that which is born of the Spirit is spirit.  "Do not marvel that I said to you, 'You must be born again.'"   John 3:6-7

Born of the flesh is natural birth -as contrasted with being born of the Spirit.  Spiritual life is by new birth alone - you must be born again.


Ephesians
BY GRACE ALONE THROUGH FAITH ALONE

"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   (NKJ)


What Next?

The Universal Gospel Commission

We haved noted that Salvation is by grace alone through faith alone and that faith is the gift of God.

 Although in the mystery of election God has chosen certain sinners from among every nation, kindred, tribe and tongue to be saved - nevertheless the proclamation of the Gospel of salvation is to be made to ALL men, for God has decreed that each of His elect shall be saved by the "faith that comes by hearing and hearing by the word of God." Romans 10.17

The command therefore comes to each one of us to repent and to believe on the Lord Jesus Christ, for the forgiveness of our sins and the gift of eternal life.

If there is any doubt as to whether we have any "warrant" to put our trust in Christ as our Saviour - or if we find our hearts are hardened in a continuing love of sin, then let us cry to God until he has mercy upon us. For we have the promise of the Lord Jesus - "...the one who comes to Me I will by no means cast out."  John 6:37

Warning about false Teaching

If we come to repentance and "saving faith" it will be because we have been "born again" by the Holy Spirit.

In these days of much false teaching, it is important to note that it is not the other way around!   We are NOT born again because we repent or believe!   All men are born dead in trespasses and sins (see Ephesians 2:1)  Those who are spiritually dead are incapable of repentance or faith.  "Coming to the front" or "Putting up your hand" or "Signing a Decision card" or even "Making a Decision for Christ" will not save anyone.  Neither are we saved by "Inviting Jesus into my heart" or by "Giving our hearts to Christ" (What does He want with our old sin-laden hearts?)

The lesson to be learnt by those who teach such things is that "Salvation is of the LORD".  Jonah 2:9

Before we are born again our hearts are full of sin.

"The heart is deceitful above all things, and desperately wicked: who can know it?"   Jeremiah 17:9

 In the new birth one is given a new heart and a new spirit. We are saved by His sovereign grace!  The Holy Spirit must first give us spiritual life, before we can come to God in repentance and faith.

After We Have Come to Repentance and Faith

If we have been born again, it will be our desire to obey our Lord's command to be BAPTISED (immersed) in water.  This is the believer's testimony to having been saved by Jesus Christ, whom he acknowledges as his personal Lord and Saviour.

By baptism in water one also witnesses to the death and burial of one's old life - and that he or she has been raised to a new life in Christ. (Matthew 28:18.19)

We shall desire to join ourselves to a "Bible-believing Church"  where the Gospel of Grace is faithfully preached - and prayerfully to feed daily upon the Word of God - the Bible.  We shall seek God's guidance in all that we plan and do, that we may live our lives to His glory and praise.

We too,  in the way that God shows us, will want to take our part in fulfilling the Universal Commission of the Gospel. Matthew 28:18-20

Frederick Serjeant.

Further Help

If you need further help - Contact  Grace Gospel Software.

If you are helped by this Program to find saving faith in the Lord Jesus Christ - we would be very pleased to hear from you.


Repentance

By repentance we mean the God-given grace to turn from all sin and to endeavour to obey God in all things.

Sorrow for sin will be a part of repentance, but mere sorrow, regret or remorse is NOT repentance.

Repentance involves a real change of mind and heart which will sometimes involve making restitution for the wrong we have done to others.

It will cause us to CONFESS our sins to God i.e. to own up to them and accept full responsibilty for them. We shall have an earnest desire to refrain from all the sins of which we are aware.

Confession does not EARN our forgiveness.  Believers are forgiven because Christ shed His blood for them on Calvary.

God has promised complete and utter forgiveness to all who truly repent.

All men, including true believers are prone to sin, but the true believer will desire by God's grace to overcome all sin in his or her life.


Baptism

WATER BAPTISM

A person is "born again" by the Holy Spirit.  The Holy Spirit immerses (baptises) him or her into the "body of Christ".(1 Corinthians 12:13)

This spiritual new birth is expressed in repentance and faith.

The new believer is commanded by the Lord to be Baptised (immersed) in water - as a witness to their new life in Christ.

Water Baptism does NOT make a person a Christian - but all who are Christians should seek to obey their Lord in this ordinance as soon as possible.


Faith
To BELIEVE or to HAVE FAITH  - we mean by this that one has a personal trust and confidence in God's mercy through Christ.

"Saving" Faith is God given, and is the means by which one is saved.

[ When a fish is caught by a line and hook - it is the fisherman who catches the fish - but the fishing tackle is the means by which the fish is caught.]

It is Jesus Christ who saves - but the means by which He saves is through personal faith in Him and in His finished work of salvation, accomplished by His sufferings and death on the cross.


Romans 10:14
Romans 10:17

"So then faith cometh by hearing, and hearing by the word of God." (KJV)


Matthew 28:18-20

Then Jesus came and spoke to them saying,

"All authority has been given to Me in heaven and on earth.

Go therefore and make disciples of all the nations,

baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit,

teaching them to observe all things that I have commanded you;

and lo, I am with you always, even to the end of the age." Amen.  (NKJV)


Grace Gospel Software

For Your Information

Grace Gospel Software is produced by a non-profit making, non-commercial group of Christians who freely give their time to the production of Christian Software. It is a "faith" ministry and no charge is made for software.  If you benefit from this ministry we ask you to consider supporting it with your prayers and your giving - so that others may benefit too. (Donations may be made out to: The Network Trust  indicating that it is for "Grace Gospel Software outreach work". (The Trust is able to recover Tax on "Gift Aid" gifts and on Covenanted Gifts in the U.K.)

Send for the list of FREE Software and ask for the Teaching E-Book (also available on Disk) called "Who Is In Control?"  by A.W. Pink  for further help in understanding the Bible's teaching on salvation by grace through faith. This may also be downloaded from our Website.

GRACE GOSPEL SOFTWARE

 is an outreach work of

THE NETWORK TRUST

an Evangelical Christian Charitable Trust which is Registered with the Charity Commissioners in the U.K.

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COPYRIGHT

The copyright of orginal material contained in this Help File and its arrangements is reserved by © Grace Gospel Software 1996,1999.   However it may be freely copied and distributed provided no alterations are made to it or changes by way of subtractions or additions and no financial charge made for it or for the copying and or distribution of it.

(This Help file written and programmed by Frederick Serjeant )