How do I accept Jesus as my Savior?

[Chad]

Do you want to know God?

Do you yearn to experience the Lord’s comforting presence, power, and wisdom? That’s good, because God loves you and wants to have a personal relationship with you forever.

The problem is . . .

. . . one thing separates you from a relationship with God—sin. You and I sin whenever we fail to live by the Lord’s holy standard. In fact, Romans 3:23: “All have sinned and fall short of the glory of God.”

Furthermore, Romans 6:23 explains that the penalty for sin is death—separation from God in hell forever. No matter how hard we try, we cannot save ourselves or get rid of our sins. We can’t earn our way to heaven by being good, going to church, or being baptized (Eph. 2:8-9).

Understanding how helpless we are because of our sins, God sent His only Son, Jesus, to save us.

Jesus Christ lived a perfect, sinless life, and then died on the cross to pay the penalty for our sins (Rom. 5:8). Three days later, He rose from the dead—showing that He had triumphed over sin and death once and for all.

So how can you know God?

It all starts with accepting Jesus Christ as your Lord and Savior. Jesus Christ provides a relationship with the Father and eternal life through His death on the cross and resurrection (Rom. 5:10).

Romans 10:9 promises, “If you confess with your mouth Jesus as Lord, and believe in your heart that God raised Him from the dead, you will be saved.” If you have not yet begun your personal relationship with God, understand that the One who created you loves you no matter who you are or what you’ve done. He wants you to experience the profound depth of His care.

Therefore, tell God that you are willing to trust Him for salvation. You can tell Him in your own words or use this simple prayer:

Lord Jesus, I ask You to forgive my sins and save me from eternal separation from God. By faith, I accept Your work and death on the cross as sufficient payment for my sins. Thank You for providing the way for me to know You and to have a relationship with my heavenly Father. Through faith in You, I have eternal life. Thank You also for hearing my prayers and loving me unconditionally. Please give me the strength, wisdom, and determination to walk in the center of Your will. In Jesus’ name, amen.

If you have just prayed this prayer, congratulations!

 

[Waggles]

And what happened to the need to be water baptized by full immersion bit?
And where is the bit about being baptized in the Holy Spirit? Like how one can read in the scriptures - especially Acts.
If you are going to give a "formula" for salvation then why not quote the entire 3 necessary fundamentals commanded by Jesus:

Now when they heard this, they were pricked in their heart, and said unto Peter and to the rest of the apostles, Men and brethren, what shall we do?
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.
For the promise is unto you, and to your children, and to all that are afar off, even as many as the Lord our God shall call.
Acts 2: 37-39
If you are going to tell people a salvation message you need to be truthful to the Scriptures.

 

[Α Ω]

And what happened to the need to be water baptized by full immersion bit?
And where is the bit about being baptized in the Holy Spirit? Like how one can read in the scriptures - especially Acts.
If you are going to give a "formula" for salvation then why not quote the entire 3 necessary fundamentals commanded by Jesus:

Now when they heard this, they were pricked in their heart, and said unto Peter and to the rest of the apostles, Men and brethren, what shall we do?
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.
For the promise is unto you, and to your children, and to all that are afar off, even as many as the Lord our God shall call.
Acts 2: 37-39
If you are going to tell people a salvation message you need to be truthful to the Scriptures.

Wow, well said. I agree.

 

[RJ]

And what happened to the need to be water baptized by full immersion bit?
And where is the bit about being baptized in the Holy Spirit? Like how one can read in the scriptures - especially Acts.
If you are going to give a "formula" for salvation then why not quote the entire 3 necessary fundamentals commanded by Jesus:

Now when they heard this, they were pricked in their heart, and said unto Peter and to the rest of the apostles, Men and brethren, what shall we do?
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.
For the promise is unto you, and to your children, and to all that are afar off, even as many as the Lord our God shall call.
Acts 2: 37-39
If you are going to tell people a salvation message you need to be truthful to the Scriptures.

This is an answer to " what shall we do"? and a very fine and traditional way to receive the Spirit of the Holy Spirit, much like circumcisions in Abraham's day!. But, in no way is it or does it say, it is the only way you can be saved; that happens in or out of the water!

 

[Waggles]

This is an answer to " what shall we do"? and a very fine and traditional way to receive the Spirit of the Holy Spirit, much like circumcisions in Abraham's day!. But, in no way is it or does it say, it is the only way you can be saved; that happens in or out of the water!

That is very, very wrong. It is not what Jesus, Paul, Peter, John and the Apostles preach and write of in the gospels and epistles.
Even Jesus himself was baptised of water and the Holy Spirit - how much more so those who claim to be his disciples.
People in the New Testament are commanded to repent and believe in the gospel and Jesus as their Lord and Saviour: their God as Redeemer.
They are required to be water baptised (by full immersion) the only Bible baptism written of.
They are expected to be baptised in the Holy Spirit - to be infilled or to receive the Holy Spirit with the Bible evidence of speaking in tongues.
Anything less is preaching another gospel - promoting unbelief in the Word of God.
The fact that this gospel as clearly written out and easy to follow is still being achieved throughout the World [albeit a small minority of Christianity] is testament
to the truth of the Word of God and the common salvation that was once delivered to the saints.
All over the world, particularly in the Third World, there is enormous Holy Spirit revival happening in exact accordance with the gospel of the scriptures. What you can read of in your New Testament.
Thus Jesus again and again proves the truth of his Word and what the gospel of salvation is.
Christians are commanded to pray in the Spirit - to pray in tongues. And to exercise the nine gifts of the Spirit within the Church.

Narrow is the gate and difficult is the way that leads to life and few there be that find it... broad is the avenue that leads to destruction and many that be that travel it...
There is no safety in numbers, or popularity of opinion... salvation is about obedience to the teachings of God, and not of men...

 

[RJ]

They are expected to be baptised in the Holy Spirit - to be infilled or to receive the Holy Spirit

Well, even John the Baptist said that only Jesus baptizes with the Holy Spirit, not him and not by water necessarily. But, this is a major stumbling block between believers and that is not going to change. The importance of Water Baptism I won't deny, but the necessity to be saved I will! You have your theology on this and I have mine. You are probably not interested, but if you want another opinion on this, contact @Chopper and ask him, he is a Baptist Minister and has had a lot of experience on this!

 

[RJ]

That is very, very wrong. It is not what Jesus, Paul, Peter, John and the Apostles preach and write of in the gospels and epistles.

Sorry, but another caveat to such a bold statement:
Paul never made water baptism any part of his gospel presentations. In 1 Corinthians 15: 1-4 Paul gives a concise summary of the gospel message he preached. There is no mention of baptism. In 1 Corinthians 1:17, Paul states that "Christ did not send me to baptize, but to preach the gospel," thus clearly differentiating the gospel from baptism.

 

[Chopper]

Hi there Waggles. Some of what you say is very valid and very Scriptural. Rather than tell you what I might see as a problem, I would rather relate to you what I see in the Scriptures. In viewing what you write, I assume that, like I, don't like mans opinions nor the traditions of man. The Holy Scriptures are what we believe and trust in. Praise the Lord!

Acts 2:37-39 Has always been a favorite of mine.
Act 2:37 Now when they heard this they were cut to the heart, and said to Peter and the rest of the apostles, "Brothers, what shall we do?"
Act 2:38 And Peter said to them, "Repent and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins, and you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit.
Act 2:39 For the promise is for you and for your children and for all who are far off, everyone whom the Lord our God calls to himself." (From e-Sword ESV)

To repent suggests Romans 10:9,10 "Because, 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.10 For with the heart one believes and is justified, and with the mouth one confesses and is saved."

We have to remember that Scripturally speaking there is no such thing a "baptismal regeneration". A person has to confess Jesus Christ as Master Owner of their lives thru repentance of sins and belief in the Christ of God. THEN, they are to be baptized by immersion in water. Those are the first two steps in one's regeneration process.

The next step in service to our Master is to be Baptized in the Holy Spirit. This is necessary to have power to serve Jesus. Most Christians, because of the opinions of man, refuse to believe in the "Baptism in the Holy Spirit" to the damage and weakness of the Church of Christ Jesus. The baptism in the Holy Spirit is vital for any kind of ministry in the Name of Christ Jesus, YES, VITAL!

Let me explain what most believers in Jesus are unaware of when it comes to this second subsequent blessing of God after being regenerated by the Holy Spirit due to Salvation.
Acts 1:4 "And while staying with them he ordered them not to depart from Jerusalem, but to wait for the promise of the Father, which, he said, "you heard from me; 1:5 for John baptized with water, but you will be baptized with the Holy Spirit not many days from now."
Now, the word "with" the Holy Spirit is better translated "in" according to the Greek. This word "in" is the Greek word ἐν. This makes for a correct understanding of the Baptism, and what is misunderstood by most Christians.

To be Baptized in the Holy Spirit is to enter all the gifts of the Holy Spirit as explained in 1 Corinthians 12:4-11. To be Baptized in the Holy Spirit is to experience a power that is not available without the Baptism. There are many Christians who are frustrated because their efforts to help others are not realized. A lot more can be said about this subject but I hope this is enough to set you folks on a journey to discover on your own, with the help of the Holy Spirit Himself.

As far as tongues as the only sign of the Baptism, I don't adhere to that tradition. Tongues were the initial and only gift that evidenced itself in Acts. Once the teaching on the gifts was taught in 1 Corinthians 12, all the gifts now became signs of the Holy Spirit, especially LOVE! You shall know them because of their love, not tongues. Again, study this yourself, it's an eye opener.

I will be happy to explain anything else dealing with this subject. All praise belongs to our Lord.

 

[RJ]

To be Baptized in the Holy Spirit is to experience a power that is not available without the Baptism.

Some clarification please. This experience is not available without the Baptism of the Holy Spirit, right? You are not talking about Water Baptism? This would go back to you comment on no Baptismal regeneration as apposed to Holy Spirit?

 

[Chopper]

Some clarification please. This experience is not available without the Baptism of the Holy Spirit, right? You are not talking about Water Baptism? This would go back to you comment on no Baptismal regeneration as apposed to Holy Spirit?

I am not speaking about water baptism. I am speaking about the Baptism of the Holy Spirit, that is correct. You see, people try and operate in the gifts of the Holy Spirit as listed in 1 Corinthians 12 but with little results. Once they are Baptized in the Holy Spirit, they experience the POWER of the Holy Spirit which was missing.

 

[RJ]

I am not speaking about water baptism. I am speaking about the Baptism of the Holy Spirit, that is correct. You see, people try and operate in the gifts of the Holy Spirit as listed in 1 Corinthians 12 but with little results. Once they are Baptized in the Holy Spirit, they experience the POWER of the Holy Spirit which was missing.

Worked for me. I basically confessed that I had everything but was still empty and it must be him I was missing; I asked him to come into my life. My whole life changed from that moment and I knew he was real! For me, I like to say there was a BC and now there is a AC. Before Christ, I knew of Jesus and knew of God and After Christ, I know Jesus and I know God, Love you as well, God Bless!

 

[Chopper]

Worked for me. I basically confessed that I had everything but was still empty and it must be him I was missing; I asked him to come into my life. My whole life changed from that moment and I knew he was real! For me, I like to say there was a BC and now there is a AC. Before Christ, I knew of Jesus and knew of God and After Christ, I know Jesus and I know God, Love you as well, God Bless!

How long have you been a born again Believer in Jesus?

 

[RJ]

How long have you been a born again Believer in Jesus?

10 years, 5 months and 20 days...

 

[Brighthouse]

Brother Waggles, have you forgot what the gospel is? ( gal 1:6-10) The gospel is, and always will be about HIS GRACE! For can I judge a person who says he believes but has not received water baptism? And if water baptism is so important, how is it Jesus never baptized anyone???( john 4:1-2) The reason Jesus never baptized is because water cannot save,only his blood can! If water baptism could save,then it would be a work of man and not of the Lord,hence why water saves no one. Now sure,I did not waste any time following in what Jesus did! But to judge a person who has not been,is incorrect according to the Word himself!( rom 2:1-5) verse 4!!! Many look to bring guilt to others because many look to be followed themselves,not saying you are at all brother Waggles!! But you also see the great harm many believers can do by placing a work upon someone else. Blessing bro!

 

[RJ]

10 years, 5 months and 20 days...

I don't deserve it but I am truly blessed!

 

[Chopper]

=nbvc5wa
30

I don't deserve it but I am truly blessed!

I'm blessed to know you my Brother. Thanks for sharing....I was saved November 4th 1974 at 11:00 am. To the Grace and Praise of our Lord Jesus.

 

[RJ]

I'm blessed to know you my Brother. Thanks for sharing....I was saved November 4th 1974 at 11:00 am. To the Grace and Praise of our Lord Jesus.

@Chopper, I have been at TJ for @ 11 years and you are the first to give me confirmation, and now I you.Thank you. Knowing you now, I have confidence in discussing something with you on this subject. Having had the opportunity to counsel some in the past about being "Born Again", the discussion of the date, even the hour of one's salvation usually comes up.I am not saying it is a must, for so many do not understand, but for me personally it is important, and it should be unmistakeable of the day of your salvation. This is especially hard for a Cradle Christian to accept when they don't understand "Born Again" or the the true timing of their salvation; they usually say, well, I have always been a Christian. Since they don't understand, and If they have a teachable spirit, I usually show scriptures about how to be born again and say something like, do you want to be born again for the first time, and lead them trough this process. As a Pastor, do you see anything wrong with this? BTW, when you know your date, I like to call this your "Born on Date" !

 

[RJ]

I'm blessed to know you my Brother. Thanks for sharing....I was saved November 4th 1974 at 11:00 am. To the Grace and Praise of our Lord Jesus.

Just reflecting again, wouldn't it be nice if everyone knew there Born On Date?

 

[Chopper]

@Chopper, I have been at TJ for @ 11 years and you are the first to give me confirmation, and now I you.Thank you. Knowing you now, I have confidence in discussing something with you on this subject. Having had the opportunity to counsel some in the past about being "Born Again", the discussion of the date, even the hour of one's salvation usually comes up.I am not saying it is a must, for so many do not understand, but for me personally it is important, and it should be unmistakeable of the day of your salvation. This is especially hard for a Cradle Christian to accept when they don't understand "Born Again" or the the true timing of their salvation; they usually say, well, I have always been a Christian. Since they don't understand, and If they have a teachable spirit, I usually show scriptures about how to be born again and say something like, do you want to be born again for the first time, and lead them trough this process. As a Pastor, do you see anything wrong with this? BTW, when you know your date, I like to call this your "Born on Date" !

Very good RJ. You are right, we have two birthdays. Born of a woman, and Born of the Spirit. I personally agree with you on a particular date when a person is born again. If they don't have a date, I usually press them to remember. Most of the time, the person is not saved. What you do is correct in leading them to Christ Jesus.

 

[RJ]

Very good RJ. You are right, we have two birthdays. Born of a woman, and Born of the Spirit. I personally agree with you on a particular date when a person is born again. If they don't have a date, I usually press them to remember. Most of the time, the person is not saved. What you do is correct in leading them to Christ Jesus.

Thank you Pastor. I felt like that was a pretty good and principled approach!