salvation

The Bible gives very clear instructions for receiving salvation. Romans 10:9-10 says, “If you confess with your mouth that Jesus is Lord and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved.

To understand the term “born again,” you need to realize God is not into behavior modification—He has provided for nothing less than return to His original dream for man. To be born again refers to being restored to the image and likeness of God’s original creation as recorded in Geneses 1 and 2. John described this in the opening of his Gospel:

Losing a loved one can be tough, and it usually brings various challenges with it. But as tough as those times can be, Scripture promises us a way through. No matter what challenges we face, we can overcome them because we are in Christ Jesus (2 Corinthians 2:14).

One thing that brings encouragement in those times is the assurance that when a loved one who knew Jesus goes to be with the Lord, the Bible offers us hope for the future. We may have a temporary sorrow, but nothing like that of those who have no hope, or who are burdened with guilt.

If you’re standing in faith for healing but sense a blockage to receiving, there are several hindrances to receiving healing to prayerfully consider.

Water baptism is a declaration to the world around you that you’ve made Jesus the Lord and Savior of your life, your old life is behind you, and you are a new creation in Christ. It symbolizes the transformation of your salvation. 

A baby is unable to make this decision, which is why most Protestant churches conduct baby dedication ceremonies instead. During these ceremonies, the parents dedicate their child to the Lord and commit to raise him or her according to the Word of God. 

The Bible is filled with references to a literal hell and a literal lake of fire. It’s very real. Here is a list of scriptures that can be of help as you study the subject:

Unforgiveness is not an insignificant issue. It causes many believers to stumble and miss out on the blessings God has for them. But while unforgiveness can be a major issue, it cannot cause you to lose your salvation. Always remember this very important fact—Jesus’ blood paid the price for all of man’s sin, including the sin of unforgiveness. When someone accepts the gift of salvation through Jesus, all of their past, present and future sins (including sins of unforgiveness) are washed away and they can be assured of spending eternity with God!

At salvation a very important ministry of the Holy Spirit took place in your life. But that ministry is different from the Baptism in the Holy Spirit.

In the moment you made Jesus the Lord of your life, spiritual death was removed from your spirit, and there was born in you a new life, a new spirit. You were literally born of God. “Dear friends, we are already God’s children” (1 John 3:2). “Everyone who believes that Jesus is the Christ has become a child of God” (1 John 5:1). Without encountering the Holy Spirit, man cannot be born again (Romans 8:9).

The theology of universalism, also referred to as the doctrine of “inclusion,” is the belief that all people will eventually find salvation and reconciliation with God and will eventually go to heaven sometime after death. Additionally, there are those who teach that even Satan and demons can be saved.

No. Only one requirement is made in order to go with Christ in the Rapture, and that is to believe on Him. You meet that requirement at salvation when you say with your mouth Jesus is Lord, and believe in your heart that God raised Him from the dead (Romans 10:9-10). Ephesians 1:13 says that at salvation you are sealed with the Holy Spirit.

Mormonism certainly appears to be closely related to Christianity. It claims to follow the Bible. But there is a major difference—Mormonism does not teach that Jesus is the only way to salvation.

God is love. The answer to where babies spend eternity when they die is not hard when you consider the nature of God. His love in relation to the innocence of young children is expressed in Deuteronomy 1:39, “Moreover, your little ones whom you said would become a prey, and your children who at this time cannot discern between good and evil, they shall enter Canaan, and to them I will give it and they shall possess it.” It is plain to see that God did not hold children responsible until they were old enough to recognize the difference between good and evil.

The compassionate attitude of Father God toward one of His children who has gone astray is clearly revealed in Scripture. He declares in Jeremiah 3:14, “Return home, you wayward children,” says the Lord, “for I am your master. I will bring you back to the land of Israel—one from this town and two from that family—from wherever you are scattered.”

Generally speaking, Muslims believe that Jesus was a prophet, but not the Son of God. They do not believe He died and arose from the dead, or that His blood was shed for the forgiveness of sin as stated in Romans 10:9: “If you confess with your mouth that Jesus is Lord and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved.” Nor do they accept the authority of the New Testament.

Religious tradition says that healing has passed away. They aren’t exactly sure when it happened, but they seem certain of its demise.

When you start reading the Bible, however, it’s easy to see why tradition is mistaken. God said, “I am the LORD that healeth thee” (Exodus 15:26, KJV). He didn’t say, "I was the LORD who healed you," or, "I will be the LORD who heals you in heaven someday." He said, "I am your Healer—right now, today!" “I am the LORD, I change not” (Malachi 3:6, KJV).