Romans 10:17

“So then faith comes by hearing, and hearing by the word of God.”

There has always been a way in which God’s word has been delivered to those who would “hear.” Hebrews 1:1-2 tells us that in past times, God chose through prophets, dreams, interpretations, and direct communication, the word was delivered to the those who would receive, but, now it is through His Son Jesus through the inspired words of the Holy Spirit contained in the Bible.

We invite you to “hear” the word of God through our efforts at the church of Christ on Hwy 277, or through various resources that teach the truth. We would be happy to meet with you one on one in order to study together.

Jesus said “Unless you believe that I am He, you will die in your sin.” (John 8:24)

Once you have “heard” the word of God - not just an audible listening, or visual reading, but with an honest heart and mind, seeking to understand the sacrifice that Jesus made in coming to earth as the ONLY begotten Son (John 3:16) - one has to make a choice to believe that He not only lived this life in human form, not faltering to any sin, and that He was arrested, convicted by those who did not believe in His deity, and crucified on the cross, dying to the human flesh; yet, being raised again to walk among the witness of men, and to never die again.

When one believes the story of Jesus, they must also believe that He truly is the Son of God and that He is the one and only Savior of the soul for eternity.

“I tell you, no; but unless you repent you will all likewise perish.” Luke 13:3 & 5

After hearing the word of God, understanding what has been heard, and believing in the soul-saving message of salvation through Jesus the Christ, one must realize that our lives will need to change in order to become a true follower of Christ - and become a Christian.

Sometimes change is not easy. There are things at times in our lives that may require more change than others; however, this is a very important step in the eternal salvation of your soul.

Confession of your belief that Jesus is the Son of God is a relevant part of turning one’s life over to Christ and becoming a Christian. Confession of your beliefs is not about going before someone to tell them all that you have done wrong in life. The basis for confession of your beliefs before others, carries a significant role in your acknowledgment of what you are about to take on in your continual journey of putting on and following the Christ. The idea of confession before others shows the significance of importance, as well as a witness to the world that your life is about to change.

This is why Jesus says in Matthew 10:32-33, “Therefore whoever confesses Me before men, him I will also confess before My Father who is in heaven. But whoever denies Me before men, him I will also deny before My Father who is in heaven.”

The apostle Paul also echoes the need for confession in Romans 10:8-10, “But what does it say? “The word is near you, in your mouth and in your heart” (that is, the word of faith which we preach): that if you confess with your mouth the Lord Jesus and believe in your heart that God has raised Him from the dead, you will be saved. For with the heart one believes unto righteousness, and with the mouth confession is made unto salvation.”

Confessing before others is one of the important elements in the process of salvation.

Peter and the 11 stood on the day of Pentecost preaching the truth of Jesus Christ, His death, and resurrection to all those that would hear. Many believed that day that they had put the only Son of God on the cross (even some of those themselves being in the crowd), and with the answer of a good conscience, being convicted by the words of inspiration of the Holy Spirit, heard and spoke these words.

“Therefore let all the house of Israel know assuredly that God has made this Jesus, whom you crucified, both Lord and Christ.”

Now when they heard this, they were cut to the heart, and said to Peter and the rest of the apostles, “Men and brethren, what shall we do?” Acts 2:35-37

Notice the reply to their own inquiry when they realized what they had done:

“Then Peter said to them, “Repent, and let every one of you be baptized in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins; and you shall receive the gift of the Holy Spirit.” Acts 2:38

The bible goes on to record in the following verses that about 3,000 precious souls were baptized that day…being added to the church.

They were now Christians!

Sometimes, there may be questions about this process and whether this is what saves man’s soul. Later in his teachings, Peter would go on to say in 1 Peter 3:21-22, “There is also an antitype which now saves us—baptism (not the removal of the filth of the flesh, but the answer of a good conscience toward God), through the resurrection of Jesus Christ, who has gone into heaven and is at the right hand of God, angels and authorities and powers having been made subject to Him.”

Ananias was told in a vision of the Lord that the young man named Saul would come to him to know more about how to be saved. After telling Saul the message of salvation that the Lord had told him to speak, Ananias would tell Saul - “why wait, arise and be baptized, washing away your sins, calling on the name of the Lord” (Acts 22:16).

While there are many answers that are sometimes offered as to what constitutes one being saved, the plan of salvation and scheme of redemption is spelled out in God’s Holy word, and we hope that you will test all things against His word. it is that important!

The Hebrew writer said “without faith it is impossible to please God.” (Hebrews 11:6)

John recorded the words of Jesus giving exhortation to the persecuted church in Revelation 2:10 to “be faithful unto death, and you will receive the crown of life.” In the current persecution that they were experiencing, this verse could be worded as such, “be faithful, even if it means that you will lose your life through your faith.”

The Hebrew writer would once again give admonition and encouragement to be faithful in Hebrews 10:23, “Let us hold fast the confession of our hope without wavering, for He who promised is faithful.”

When one has been baptized into Christ for the forgiveness of sins and becomes a Christian, remaining faithful pleases God and allows for the example of faith to be seen by others.