All scriptures from the New King James Version (NKJV) of the Bible unless otherwise noted.
New King James Version of the Bible,
Original work, Copyright © 1979,1980,1982 by Thomas Nelson, Inc.
All rights reserved.
| Introduction |
Today, we are going on a journey on the “Road to Salvation”.
“Salvation” is the process of being saved from the punishment for our sins. Our salvation is so important to God that it is the central theme of the entire Bible. The whole reason for Jesus coming to the earth and dying on the cross was so that people would have the opportunity to be saved.
In this Bible study, we will learn about God’s beautiful plan of salvation and how each of us can be saved from our sins and enjoy eternal life.
Before we begin, let’s pray and ask God’s blessing on this Bible study.
| The Problem of Sin |
In the Bible, which is God’s Word to mankind, God teaches us that we have eternal souls, and that when we die, we will either spend eternity with God in heaven – a very wonderful place – or we will spend eternity in hell, separated from God.
Most people think of themselves as “good people”, and if you ask most people if they think they will go to heaven when they die, they will say, “Yes”, but the question of where we will spend eternity is too important to leave to chance. It is so important that we should find out what God Himself has to say about it.
The Bible does not teach that everyone will go to heaven.
Matthew 7:21 “Not everyone who says to Me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ shall enter the kingdom of heaven, but he who does the will of My Father in heaven.
Romans 6:23 For the wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord.
Revelation 20:15 And whosoever was not found written in the book of life was cast into the lake of fire.
The truth is that you or I might be “good people” by men’s standards. We are “created in God’s image” according to Genesis 1:26, so God has put the potential for great good in each of us. But each of us also possesses a sinful nature, and every one of us will sin. In fact, all of us are sinners (we have all sinned, or broken God’s commandments, at some point in our lives).
Romans 3:23 For all have sinned, and come short of the glory of God.
Think about it. Have you ever lied? Have you ever hated someone? Have you stolen or had lustful thoughts? The Bible teaches that these things are sins.
God desires holiness, and any sin in our lives spoils our purity in God’s sight. We are not perfect, and we cannot achieve holiness on our own, no matter how hard we try. Our sinfulness separates us from God and will keep us from heaven.
Questions:
1. Will all people go to heaven? _________
2. What keeps us from going to heaven? __________
3. Is there anyone who has not sinned? _________
| God’s Mercy |
If we are all sinners and the wages of sin is death, then we are all on our way to spiritual death (hell) unless someone or something saves us from that.
Would God really send someone to hell?
Yes. God is a just judge – He must do what His law says that He will do. But here is where God’s mercy comes in. You see, He does not want anyone to go to hell because He loves people.
Ezekiel 33:11 Say to them: ‘As I live,’ says the Lord GOD, ‘I have no pleasure in the death of the wicked, but that the wicked turn from his way and live. Turn, turn from your evil ways! For why should you die, O house of Israel?’
2 Peter 3:9 The Lord is…not willing that any should perish but that all should come to repentance.
God wants us to go to heaven, so He had to do something to save us from our own sin and to save us from eternal damnation.
Questions:
1. What must we be saved from? _______________________
2. Is God looking forward to sending anyone to hell? ________
3. If not, why not? ___________________________________
| How God Solved the Sin Problem |
While the Bible does not teach that everyone will go to heaven, the good news is that it does teach that anyone who wants to can go to heaven! How? Once again:
Romans 6:23 For the wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord.
According to the scriptures, Jesus Christ is God manifest or revealed in the flesh (1 Tim 3:16). In other words, God Himself came to this earth as the man Jesus Christ in order to pay for our sins. This man, Jesus Christ, was called “the Son of God”.
Jesus died on the cross to take our punishment.
He suffered terribly on the cross, was humiliated, and felt the separation from God that we should have felt. This is why just before He died, He said, “My God, my God, why have you forsaken me?” (Matthew 27:46).
Isaiah 53:5 But He was wounded for our transgressions,He was bruised for our iniquities;The chastisement for our peace was upon Him,And by His stripes we are healed.
2 Corinthians 5:21 For He made Him who knew no sin to be sin for us, that we might become the righteousness of God in Him.
Romans 5:6-8 For when we were still without strength, in due time Christ died for the ungodly. 7For scarcely for a righteous man will one die; yet perhaps for a good man someone would even dare to die. 8But God demonstrates His own love toward us, in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us.
God did this because of His great love for us:
John 3:16 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.
But what does it mean to “believe in Him”?
The New Testament was written in Greek. The Greek word for “believe” means more than to just believe that He existed, or that He died for us. It means to be “fully persuaded” concerning Him. If we truly believe in Him, we will put our trust in Him, follow His teachings, and obey His commandments.
John 14:21 He who has My commandments and keeps them, it is he who loves Me. And he who loves Me will be loved by My Father, and I will love him and manifest Myself to him.”
Real faith produces action. For example, if I were starting a company to produce a product, and I said, “Do you believe I will succeed?”, you might say, “yes”, but the true test of whether you believe would be for you to invest in my idea. God wants us to “invest in our faith in Him by obeying His plan of salvation.
Questions
1. Does anyone have to be lost? ___________________
2. Who took the punishment for our sins? ________________
Why? __________________________________________
3. What does the Bible mean when it says to believe in Jesus?
_______________________________________________
| The Plan of Salvation |
It is Jesus’ death on the cross that pays the penalty for our sins. His blood washes our sins away – but only if we believe that He is our Savior and accept what He did for us. How do we do that?
In John 3:1-5, Jesus explained to Nicodemus that it is necessary to be born again.
John 3:1-5 (KJV) 1There was a man of the Pharisees, named Nicodemus, a ruler of the Jews: 2The same came to Jesus by night, and said unto him, Rabbi, we know that thou art a teacher come from God: for no man can do these miracles that thou doest, except God be with him. 3Jesus answered and said unto him, Verily, verily, I say unto thee, Except a man be born again, he cannot see the kingdom of God. 4Nicodemus saith unto him, How can a man be born when he is old? can he enter the second time into his mother’s womb, and be born? 5Jesus answered, Verily, verily, I say unto thee, Except a man be born of water and of the Spirit, he cannot enter into the kingdom of God.
What did Jesus mean by being born of the water and of the Spirit?
In John 17, Jesus prayed for “those who will believe in Me through their word” (John 17:20). He is referring to the apostles who would continue the work of the church after Jesus ascended to heaven. Ephesians 2:19 & 20 says that the church is “built on the foundation of the apostles and prophets, Jesus Christ Himself being the chief cornerstone.”
Jesus gave us the plan of salvation through His apostles. We need to find out what the apostles preached and taught regarding salvation if we are to be saved.
In Luke 24: 47, He said that, “repentance and remission of sins should be preached in His name to all nations, beginning at Jerusalem.”
In other words, the plan of salvation that was preached by the apostles beginning at Jerusalem is still the plan of salvation for today. Here is God’s plan of salvation, preached by Peter on the day of Pentecost in Jerusalem:
Acts 2:38 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.”
A study of scripture reveals that this same message of salvation was preached time and again in the New Testament.
God’s plan of salvation consists of:
Ø Faith as the first step. Without that, we could never begin to come to Jesus.
Hebrews 11:6 But without faith it is impossible to please Him, for he who comes to God must believe that He is, and that He is a rewarder of those who diligently seek Him.
Ø Repentance: Recognize that we need a savior – we are sinners, then be sorry for our sins and willing to turn from them.
Repentance comes from a word that means to have a change of mind, or to turn around. It literally means that we must be sorry for our sins and make a commitment to Jesus to quit doing sinful things, with His help. When we do this, God promises that He will forgive our sins (1 John 1:9).
Ø Water baptism in the name of Jesus – This is what Jesus referred to when He said that we must be “born of the water”.
Ø Receiving the baptism of the Holy Spirit (Holy Ghost) – This is what Jesus referred to when He said that we must be be “born of the Spirit”.
Questions
1. To be saved, we must be born of the __________ and of the _____________.
2. What does it mean to be born of the water?
________________________________________________
3. What does it mean to be born of the Spirit?
________________________________________________
4. The message of salvation was first preached by the Apostle Peter in Jerusalem. Is this the same message that should be preached today? _________________
5. What are the four elements of God’s plan of salvation?
a. _______________________________________
b. _______________________________________
c. _______________________________________
d. _______________________________________
| Water Baptism |
Is water baptism necessary?
The Bible teaches that our sins are remitted or “washed away” in water baptism and that it is necessary.
Acts 2:38 says that baptism is “for the remission (or taking away) of sin.”
Acts 22:16 And now why are you waiting? Arise and be baptized, and wash away your sins, calling on the name of the Lord.’
1 Peter 3:21 (KJV) The like figure whereunto even baptism doth also now save us (not the putting away of the filth of the flesh, but the answer of a good conscience toward God.
Mark 16:16 He who believes and is baptized will be saved; but he who does not believe will be condemned.
It is Jesus’ blood that was shed for us that truly washes our sins, but the blood is applied to our lives when we are baptized in water in His name.
Scriptural baptism is by full immersion in water.
Every New Testament baptism was done by immersion in water.
Acts 8:38-39 So he commanded the chariot to stand still. And both Philip and the eunuch went down into the water, and he baptized him. 39Now when they came up out of the water, the Spirit of the Lord caught Philip away, so that the eunuch saw him no more; and he went on his way rejoicing.
The Greek word for baptize means to “immerse or dip”. To “baptize” by sprinkling would literally mean to “immerse by sprinkling”. This makes no sense. The Bible teaches that baptism is a burial. We “die to our flesh” in repentance by turning away from sinful desires, then we are “buried” in baptism. To be buried means to be fully covered.
Romans 6:4 Therefore we were buried with Him through baptism into death…
Colossians 2:12 buried with Him in baptism, in which you also were raised with Him through faith in the working of God, who raised Him from the dead.
Scriptural baptism is in Jesus’ name.
All New Testament baptisms were administered in the name of Jesus.
Acts 2:38 “…Repent, and let every one of you be baptized in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins…”
Acts 8: 8:16 For as yet He had fallen upon none of them. They had only been baptized in the name of the Lord Jesus.
Acts 10:48 And he commanded them to be baptized in the name of the Lord.
Acts 19:5 When they heard this, they were baptized in the name of the Lord Jesus.
Acts 4:12 Nor is there salvation in any other, for there is no other name under heaven given among men by which we must be saved.”
Furthermore, church history records that the accepted mode of baptism in the church was in Jesus’ name until the Council of Nicea in 325 AD (long after the apostles had died).
In baptism, we take upon ourselves the name of the One who died for us. The church is called the Bride of Christ, and when we are baptized, we take on the name of our “husband”.
But why not in the “name of the Father, Son, and Holy Ghost?”
There is only one verse in the Bible that refers to baptism in the titles of “Father, Son, and Holy Ghost”:
Matthew 28:19 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
If this is the way that the apostles were to baptize, then why did they always baptize in the name of Jesus? It is because they understood the meaning of Jesus’ command. The word “name” is singular. What’s more, “Father”, “Son”, and “Holy Ghost” are titles, not names. The apostles obeyed Matthew 28:19 by baptizing in Jesus’ name.
This can be understood by examining the question of who Jesus is. The Bible teaches that “Hear O Israel, the Lord your God is one. (Deuteronomy 6:4) and that “in Him dwells all the fullness of the Godhead bodily” (Colossians 2:9). There is only one God, and the Father, Son, and Holy Ghost are different offices that God fulfills in our lives and different ways in which that one God has chosen to reveal Himself. According to 2 Corinthians 5:19, “God was in Christ reconciling the world to Himself.” There is one name which refers to this one God in the New Testament: the name of Jesus.
Ø The name of the Father revealed in the New Testament is Jesus..
Jesus said, “I and my Father are one” (John 10:30). Isaiah 9:6 says, “Unto us a Son is given; …And His name will be called … Mighty God, Everlasting Father”. In John 14:9, Jesus says, “He who has seen Me has seen the Father”.
Ø The Son’s name is Jesus: “she will bring forth a Son, and you shall call His name Jesus, for He will save His people from their sins.” (Matthew 1:21).
Ø The Holy Ghost’s name is Jesus.
John 14:26 (KJV)…the Comforter, which is the Holy Ghost, whom the Father will send in my name.
It is the spirit of Jesus that dwells in us as the Holy Spirit:
Colossians 1:27 To them God willed to make known what are the riches of the glory of this mystery among the Gentiles: which is Christ in you, the hope of glory.
Should babies be baptized?
Acts 2:38 commands us to “repent and be baptized”. An infant cannot repent. There is no record in the New Testament of an infant ever being baptized. Children are counted innocent by God until they reach an age of awareness of sin.
Questions
1. Should babies be baptized? _________
2. Should we be baptized by sprinkling or pouring water? _____________
3. What does the Greek word for baptism refer to?__________
4. In whose name should we be baptized? ________________
5. How many Gods are there? ________________________
| Baptism of the Holy Spirit (or Holy Ghost) |
Is the baptism of the Holy Spirit needed?
Yes! It is our hope of glory!
Colossians 1:27 To them God willed to make known what are the riches of the glory of this mystery among the Gentiles: which is Christ in you, the hope of glory.
Every believer who believes as the scripture says should receive it.
John 7:37-39 On the last day, that great day of the feast, Jesus stood and cried out, saying, “If anyone thirsts, let him come to Me and drink. 38He who believes in Me, as the Scripture has said, out of his heart will flow rivers of living water.” 39But this He spoke concerning the Spirit, whom those believing in Him would receive; for the Holy Spirit was not yet given, because Jesus was not yet glorified
It is a well that springs up in us unto “everlasting life” – In other words, it gives us everlasting life.
John 4:10,14 10Jesus 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.” … 14but whoever drinks of the water that I shall give him will never thirst. But the water that I shall give him will become in him a fountain of water springing up into everlasting life.”
What does the Holy Spirit do in our lives?
When we receive the baptism of the Holy Spirit, God’s Spirit actually dwells in us and begins working in our lives. Here are a few of the things the Holy Spirit does for us:
Gives us power: Acts 1: 8 But you shall receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you;
Changes our heart: Ezekiel 36:26 I will give you a new heart and put a new spirit within you; I will take the heart of stone out of your flesh and give you a heart of flesh. 27I will put My Spirit within you and cause you to walk in My statutes, and you will keep My judgments and do them.
Teaches us: John 14: 26 But the Helper, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in My name, He will teach you all things, and bring to your remembrance all things that I said to you.
Leads us: Romans 8:14 For as many as are led by the Spirit of God, these are sons of God
Resurrects us: Romans 8: 11 But if the Spirit of Him who raised Jesus from the dead dwells in you, He who raised Christ from the dead will also give life to your mortal bodies through His Spirit who dwells in you.
When do we receive it?
Some believe that we receive the Holy Spirit as soon as we put our trust in Jesus. The Bible does not teach this:
Acts 8:12, 14-16 12But when they believed Philip as he preached the things concerning the kingdom of God and the name of Jesus Christ, both men and women were baptized. … 14Now when the apostles who were at Jerusalem heard that Samaria had received the word of God, they sent Peter and John to them, 15who, when they had come down, prayed for them that they might receive the Holy Spirit. 16For as yet He had fallen upon none of them.
Acts 19:1-6 And it happened, while Apollos was at Corinth, that Paul, having passed through the upper regions, came to Ephesus. And finding some disciples 2he said to them, “Did you receive the Holy Spirit when you believed?” So they said to him, “We have not so much as heard whether there is a Holy Spirit.” 3And he said to them, “Into what then were you baptized?” So they said, “Into John’s baptism.” 4Then Paul said, “John indeed baptized with a baptism of repentance, saying to the people that they should believe on Him who would come after him, that is, on Christ Jesus.” 5When they heard this, they were baptized in the name of the Lord Jesus. 6And when Paul had laid hands on them, the Holy Spirit came upon them, and they spoke with tongues and prophesied.
The fact that Paul asked them if they had received the Holy Spirit proves that a person does not necessarily receive the Holy Spirit when they come to the point of faith.
How can you know you have received it?
In every instance in scripture where someone received the Holy Ghost, there was a sign given as the initial evidence that they had received it.
Acts 2:4 And they were all filled with the Holy Spirit and began to speak with other tongues, as the Spirit gave them utterance (“utterance” means “the ability to speak”).
Acts 10:44-46 While Peter was still speaking these words, the Holy Spirit fell upon all those who heard the word. 45And those of the circumcision who believed were astonished, as many as came with Peter, because the gift of the Holy Spirit had been poured out on the Gentiles also. 46For they heard them speak with tongues and magnify God.
Acts 19:6 And when Paul had laid hands on them, the Holy Spirit came upon them, and they spoke with tongues and prophesied.
In each of these instances, the people spoke in tongues when they received the Holy Ghost.
While speaking in tongues is the initial evidence of receiving the Holy Spirit, it is not the only evidence. Our hearts should be changed, we should have a stronger desire to live for God, and the fruits of the Spirit (Galations 5:22,23) should begin to grow in our lives.
How can I receive it?
Repent of your sins and ask God’s forgiveness.
Begin to speak words of praise to Jesus. The book of Hebrews defines “praise” as the “fruit of our lips giving thanks to God” (Heb. 13:15)
Have faith that God will honor His promise to fill you with His Spirit.
Ask God to fill you and desire it with all of your heart. When you begin to feel His Spirit, continue speaking words of love and praise to Him. You will notice your language begin to change to an unknown tongue. This is the first sign of receiving the Spirit. Continue to allow God to speak through you in that tongue until the move of His Spirit ceases.
Questions
1. What is the initial sign that someone has received the Holy Ghost? ___________________________________________
2. Does a person receive the Holy Ghost automatically when they believe? _______________
3. Is the baptism of the Holy Spirit necessary? _____________
| Summary |
All of us need to be saved from our sins – none of us are better than the other. We all need Jesus, and that is why He died for us.
To be saved, we must believe in Him, repent from our sins, and be baptized in Jesus’ name. He then promises to give us the gift of the Holy Ghost so that we can have the power to live a godly life, which is His desire for all Christians.
In receiving this wonderful born again experience, we participate in the death (repentance), burial (water baptism in Jesus’ name), and resurrection (the baptism of the Holy Ghost) of Jesus Christ.
Would you like to pray for forgiveness right now?
Would you like to receive the baptism of the Holy Spirit?
Do you want to be baptized in Jesus’ name so that your sins can be washed away?