Steps of Salvation

Salvation is not simply achieved by saying the sinner’s prayer, it is not done by faith alone, and it does not come from receiving a special revelation directly from God or an angel. Rather, the bible clearly gives us the steps on how to achieve salvation; just before His ascension, Jesus committed His gospel of salvation to men that it might be proclaimed (Mark 16:15-16). In proclaiming this gospel of salvation we must follow the steps given by the scriptures:

1) Hear the Word. “So then faith cometh by hearing, and hearing by the word of God”. (Romans 10:17). Today, we have the complete written word so we can know God’s will. God speaks to us through His Word, it is then appropriate for us to hear Him by studying His words and listening to what it wants to say.

2) Believe. “And they said, Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ, and thou shalt be saved, and thy house” (Acts 16:31). Faith and belief are commonly interchangeable terms. In the Bible, the words mean not just an acknowledgement but rather confidence, trust, and obedience. Yet faith only cannot save either; “for as the body without the spirit is dead, so faith without works is dead also” (James 2:26).

3) Repent of Sin. Repentance not only requires that we change our attitude about sin but also that we change our actions and walk in the light as Jesus is in the light. “Repent ye therefore, and be converted, that your sins may be blotted out…” (Acts 3:19).

4) Confess Christ. “That if thou shalt confess with thy mouth the Lord Jesus, and shalt believe in thine heart that God hath raised him from the dead, thou shalt be saved. For with the heart man believeth unto righteousness; and with the mouth confession is made unto salvation” (Romans 10:9-10). “Whosoever therefore shall confess me before men, him will I confess also before my Father which is in heaven” (Matthew 10:32).

5) Be Baptized. The bible makes it very clear that baptism, which is water immersion in the name of Jesus Christ for the washing away of sins, is necessary for salvation. “And now why tarriest thou? arise, and be baptized, and wash away thy sins, calling on the name of the Lord” (Acts 22:16). “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,) by the resurrection of Jesus Christ” (1 Peter 3:21)

The book of Acts records those who received baptism and they should be sufficient enough to show us the necessity of baptism for our salvation. At Pentecost, 3000 were baptized into Christ (Acts 2:41), in Samaria those who believed were baptized (Acts 8:12); then there was the baptism of the eunuch (Acts 8:36-38), of Paul (Acts 9:18), of Cornelius and his family (Acts 10:47-48), found also is of Lydia (Acts 16: 14-15), and the jailer and his family (Acts 16:33); also many of the Corinthians when they heard, believed and were baptized (Acts 18:8).

The essentiality of baptism for man’s salvation is clearly taught in the bible. The scriptures clearly teach that baptism like hearing the word, belief, repentance, and confession is a part of God’s plan for salvation. “…today if ye will hear his voice, harden not your hearts” for “…now is the accepted time… now is the day of salvation”. “He that believeth and is baptized shall be saved…” (Hebrews 4:7; 2 Corinthians 6:2; Mark 16:16)