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"For the grace of God that bringeth salvation hath appeared to all men."
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Biblical Steps to Salvation
God's wonderful plan of salvation through Jesus (Yeshua, meaning God saves) is revealed in the Holy Bible. This plan is so simple that even a child can repent and believe in Jesus, yet it is also so profound that no other way is sufficient enough to obtain salvation from sin, death, and the wrath of God.
Once a person hears the message of salvation, there are nine ( 9) key steps in developing a relationship with Jesus Christ. Steps 1 to 3 are necessary for a person to respond to the Savior and become "born again." Steps 4 to 9 are necessary for spiritual growth and maturity in Christ.
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| 1 | Admit that you are a sinner in need
of God's saving grace. |
"For there is not a just man upon earth, that doeth good, and sinneth not."
"But we are all as an unclean thing, and all our righteousnesses are as filthy rags; and we all do fade as a leaf; and our iniquities, like the wind, have taken us away."
"All have sinned, and come short of the glory of God; being justified freely by his grace through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus."
"For the wages of sin is death; but the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord."
"But God, who is rich in mercy, for his great love wherewith he loved us, even when we were dead in sins, hath quickened us together with Christ. For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God."
"For the grace of God that bringeth salvation hath appeared to all men."
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| 2 | By faith, believe that Jesus is the
Son of God, lived a sinless life, shed
His blood on the cross for your sins,
and rose from the dead. |
"For the life of the flesh is in the blood: and I have given it to you upon the altar to make an atonement for your souls: for it is the blood that maketh an atonement for the soul."
"For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life."
"Jesus heard that they had cast him out; and when he had found him, he said unto him, 'Dost thou believe on the Son of God?' He answered and said, 'Who is he, Lord, that I might believe on him?' And Jesus said unto him, 'Thou hast both seen him, and it is he that talketh with thee.' And he said, 'Lord, I believe.' And he worshipped him."
"Say ye of him, whom the Father hath sanctified, and sent into the world, Thou blasphemest; because I said, I am the Son of God?"
"Neither is there salvation in any other: for there is none other name under heaven given among men, whereby we must be saved."
"And they said, 'Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ, and thou shalt be saved, and thy house'."
"Take heed therefore unto yourselves, and to all the flock, over the which the Holy Ghost hath made you overseers, to feed the church of God, which he [Jesus] hath purchased with his own blood."
"While we were yet sinners, Christ died for us. Much more then, being now justified by his blood, we shall be saved from wrath through him."
"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."
"And he that doubteth is damned if he eat, because he eateth not of faith: for whatsoever is not of faith is sin."
"And if Christ be not raised, your faith is vain; ye are yet in your sins."
"For he [God] hath made him [Jesus] to be sin for us, who knew no sin; that we might be made the righteousness of God in him."
"For we have not an high priest which cannot be touched with the feeling of our infirmities; but was in all points tempted like as we are, yet without sin."
"Now the just shall live by faith: but if any man draw back, my soul shall have no pleasure in him."
"Whom [Jesus] having not seen, ye love; in whom, though now ye see him not, yet believing, ye rejoice with joy unspeakable and full of glory: receiving the end of your faith, even the salvation of your souls."
"But if we walk in the light, as he is in the light, we have fellowship one with another, and the blood of Jesus Christ his Son cleanseth us from all sin."
"But as many as received him, to them gave he power to become the sons of God, even to them that believe on his name."
"Hereby know ye the Spirit of God: Every spirit that confesseth that Jesus Christ is come in the flesh is of God."
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| 3 | Confess your sins to God, repent
and be willing to turn away from your sins, and pray to receive the free gift of righteousness (indwelling of the Holy Spirit) unto eternal life through Jesus Christ. By faith, you are forgiven of sins, justified in the sight of God, and are conceived again. You are to walk in newness
of life as a new creation in Christ. |
"Wash me, and I shall be whiter than snow."
"I thought on my ways, and turned my feet unto thy testimonies."
"He that covereth his sins shall not prosper: but whoso confesseth and forsaketh them shall have mercy."
"Come now, and let us reason together, saith the LORD: though your sins be as scarlet, they shall be as white as snow; though they be red like crimson, they shall be as wool."
"Bring forth therefore fruits meet for repentance."
"And said, 'Verily I say unto you, Except ye be converted, and become as little children, ye shall not enter into the kingdom of heaven'."
"I tell you, Nay: but, except ye repent, ye shall all likewise perish."
"And [Jesus] said unto them, 'Thus it is written, and thus it behoved Christ to suffer, and to rise from the dead the third day: and that repentance and remission of sins should be preached in his name among all nations, beginning at Jerusalem'."
"Jesus 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. That which is born of the flesh is flesh; and that which is born of the Spirit is spirit'."
"Repent ye therefore, and be converted, that your sins may be blotted out, when the times of refreshing shall come from the presence of the Lord."
"And many that believed came, and confessed, and shewed their deeds. Many of them also which used curious arts brought their books together, and burned them before all men: and they counted the price of them, and found it fifty thousand pieces of silver."
"Therefore being justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ."
"For if by one man's offence death reigned by one [Adam]; much more they which receive abundance of grace and of the gift of righteousness shall reign in life by one, Jesus Christ. Therefore as by the offence of one judgment came upon all men to condemnation; even so by the righteousness of one the free gift [grace] came upon all men unto justification of life."
"Knowing this, that our old man is crucified with him, that the body of sin might be destroyed, that henceforth we should not serve sin. For he that is dead is freed from sin."
"But ye are not in the flesh, but in the Spirit, if so be that the Spirit of God dwell in you. Now if any man have not the Spirit of Christ, he is none of his."
"For ye have not received the spirit of bondage again to fear; but ye have received the Spirit of adoption, whereby we cry, 'Abba, Father'."
"For whosoever shall call upon the name of the Lord shall be saved."
"For by one Spirit are we all baptized into one body, whether we be Jews or Gentiles, whether we be bond or free; and have been all made to drink into one Spirit."
"Therefore if any man be in Christ, he is a new creature: old things are passed away; behold, all things are become new."
"For godly sorrow worketh repentance to salvation not to be repented of: but the sorrow of the world worketh death."
"In whom ye also trusted, after that ye heard the word of truth, the gospel of your salvation: in whom also after that ye believed, ye were sealed with that holy Spirit of promise, which is the earnest of our inheritance until the redemption of the purchased possession, unto the praise of his glory."
"And that he [Jesus] might reconcile both unto God in one body by the cross, having slain the enmity thereby."
"That ye put off concerning the former conversation the old man, which is corrupt according to the deceitful lusts; and be renewed in the spirit of your mind; and that ye put on the new man, which after God is created in righteousness and true holiness."
"Lie not one to another, seeing that ye have put off the old man with his deeds; and have put on the new man, which is renewed in knowledge after the image of him that created him:"
"Not by works of righteousness which we have done, but according to his mercy he saved us, by the washing of regeneration [repentance], and renewing of the Holy Ghost [by our faith and allegiance to Jesus Christ];"
"Wherefore in all things it behoved him to be made like unto his brethren, that he might be a merciful and faithful high priest in things pertaining to God, to make reconciliation for the sins of the people."
"The Lord is not slack concerning his promise, as some men count slackness; but is longsuffering to us-ward, not willing that any should perish, but that all should come to repentance."
"If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness."
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| 4 | Get water baptized in the name of
Jesus Christ as an obedient outward
demonstration of your repentance
and faith in Christ. |
"I indeed baptize you with water unto repentance: but he that cometh after me is mightier than I, whose shoes I am not worthy to bear: he shall baptize you with the Holy Ghost, and with fire:"
"John did baptize in the wilderness, and preach the baptism of repentance for the remission of sins."
"He that believeth and is baptized [truly repentant] shall be saved; but he that believeth not [emphasis not on baptism] shall be damned."
"And all the people that heard him, and the publicans, justified God, being baptized with the baptism of John."
"And they came unto John, and said unto him, 'Rabbi, he that was with thee beyond Jordan, to whom thou barest witness, behold, the same baptizeth, and all men come to him.' John answered and said, 'A man can receive nothing [specifically, the Holy Spirit], except it be given him from heaven'."
"When therefore the Lord knew how the Pharisees had heard that Jesus made and baptized more disciples than John, (though Jesus himself baptized not, but his disciples)."
"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'."
"Then Simon himself believed also: and when he was baptized, he continued with Philip, and wondered, beholding the miracles and signs which were done."
"Can any man forbid water, that these should not be baptized, which have received the Holy Ghost as well as we?"
"Know ye not, that so many of us as were baptized into Jesus Christ were baptized into his death? Therefore we are buried with him by baptism into death: that like as Christ was raised up from the dead by the glory of the Father, even so we also should walk in newness of life."
"For by one Spirit are we all baptized into one body, whether we be Jews or Gentiles, whether we be bond or free; and have been all made to drink into one Spirit."
"For as many of you as have been baptized into Christ have put on Christ."
"One Lord, one faith, one baptism [into Christ]."
"Let us draw near with a true heart in full assurance of faith, having our hearts sprinkled from an evil conscience, and our bodies washed with pure water [water baptism is symbolic]."
"The like figure whereunto even baptism [faith and true repentance] doth also now save us (not the putting away of the filth of the flesh [in water], but the answer of a good conscience toward God,) by the resurrection of Jesus Christ:"
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| 5 | Receive the baptism in the Holy
Spirit (Ruach haKadosh in Hebrew). |
"I [John] indeed baptize you with water unto repentance: but he that cometh after me is mightier than I, whose shoes I am not worthy to bear: he shall baptize you with the Holy Ghost, and with fire."
"But Jesus said unto them, Ye know not what ye ask: can ye drink of the cup that I drink of? and be baptized with the baptism [Holy Spirit or fire] that I am baptized with?"
"If ye love me, keep my commandments. And I will pray the Father, and he shall give you another Comforter, that he may abide with you for ever; even the Spirit of truth; whom the world cannot receive, because it seeth him not, neither knoweth him: but ye know him; for he dwelleth with you, and shall be in you."
"For John truly baptized with water; but ye shall be baptized with the Holy Ghost not many days hence."
"And when they had prayed, the place was shaken where they were assembled together; and they were all filled with the Holy Ghost, and they spake the word of God with boldness."
"Now when the apostles which were at Jerusalem heard that Samaria had received the word of God, they sent unto them Peter and John: Who, when they were come down, prayed for them, that they might receive the Holy Ghost: (For as yet he was fallen upon none of them: only they were baptized in the name of the Lord Jesus.) Then laid they their hands on them, and they received the Holy Ghost."
"But Peter said unto him [ Simon], 'Thy money perish with thee, because thou hast thought that the gift of God [Holy Spirit baptism] may be purchased with money'."
"And God, which knoweth the hearts, bare them witness, giving them the Holy Ghost, even as he did unto us."
"And it came to pass, that, while Apollos was at Corinth, Paul having passed through the upper coasts came to Ephesus: and finding certain disciples, He said unto them, 'Have ye received the Holy Ghost since ye believed?' And they said unto him, 'We have not so much as heard whether there be any Holy Ghost.' And he said unto them, 'Unto what then were ye baptized?' And they said, 'Unto John's baptism.' Then said Paul, 'John verily baptized with the baptism of repentance, saying unto the people, that they should believe on him which should come after him, that is, on Christ Jesus.' When they heard this, they were baptized in the name of the Lord Jesus. And when Paul had laid his hands upon them, the Holy Ghost came on them; and they spake with tongues, and prophesied."
"There is therefore now no condemnation to them which are in Christ Jesus, who walk not after the flesh, but after the Spirit."
"For the kingdom of God is not in word, but in power."
"And were all baptized unto Moses in the cloud [fire] and in the sea [water]."
"Of the doctrine of baptisms [water
or repentance and Holy Spirit or fire], and of laying on of hands, and of resurrection of the dead, and of eternal judgment."
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| 6 | Read your Bible so you may become
strong in His Spirit, grow in grace,
renew your mind, and be sanctified. |
"I rejoice at thy word, as one that findeth great spoil."
"And the child grew, and waxed strong in spirit, filled with wisdom: and the grace of God was upon him."
"Sanctify them through thy truth: thy word is truth."
"And be not conformed to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God."
"That he might sanctify and cleanse it with the washing of water by the word."
"And take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God."
"But we are bound to give thanks alway to God for you, brethren beloved of the Lord, because God hath from the beginning chosen you to salvation through sanctification of the Spirit and belief of the truth."
"For the word of God is quick, and powerful, and sharper than any twoedged sword, piercing even to the dividing asunder of soul and spirit, and of the joints and marrow, and is a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart."
"As newborn babes, desire the sincere milk of the word, that ye may grow thereby."
"Grow in grace, and in the knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ."
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| 7 | Pray always and fellowship with
like-minded believers. |
"Behold, how good and how pleasant it is for brethren to dwell together in unity!"
"Watch ye therefore, and pray always, that ye may be accounted worthy to escape all these things that shall come to pass, and to stand before the Son of man."
"Pray without ceasing."
"Not forsaking the assembling of ourselves together, as the manner of some is; but exhorting one another: and so much the more, as ye see the day approaching."
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| 8 | Patiently do good works in the
spirit of love. |
"For the Son of man shall come in the glory of his Father with his angels; and then he shall reward every man according to his works."
"But shewed first unto them of Damascus, and at Jerusalem, and throughout all the coasts of Judaea, and then to the Gentiles, that they should repent and turn to God, and do works meet for repentance."
"Who [God] will render to every man according to his deeds: to them who by patient continuance in well doing seek for glory and honour and immortality, eternal life."
"For other foundation can no man lay than that is laid, which is Jesus Christ. Now if any man build upon this foundation gold, silver, precious stones, wood, hay, stubble; every man's work shall be made manifest: for the day shall declare it, because it shall be revealed by fire; and the fire shall try every man's work of what sort it is. If any man's work abide which he hath built thereupon, he shall receive a reward. If any man's work shall be burned, he shall suffer loss: but he himself shall be saved; yet so as by fire."
"And though I bestow all my goods to feed the poor, and though I give my body to be burned, and have not charity, it profiteth me nothing."
"Wherefore we labour, that, whether present or absent, we may be accepted of him."
"And let us not be weary in well doing: for in due season we shall reap, if we faint not."
"For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus unto good works, which God hath before ordained that we should walk in them."
"For as the body without the spirit is dead, so faith without works is dead also."
"My little children, let us not love in word, neither in tongue; but in deed and in truth."
"And, behold, I come quickly; and my reward is with me, to give every man according as his work shall be."
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| 9 | Obey, endure persecution, and be
faithful to Jesus unto death. |
"The fear of the LORD is the beginning of wisdom: a good understanding have all they that do his commandments: his praise endureth for ever."
"I will speak of thy testimonies also before kings, and will not be ashamed."
"Princes have persecuted me without a cause: but my heart standeth in awe of thy word."
"And ye shall be hated of all men for my name's sake: but he that endureth to the end shall be saved."
"For the wrath of God is revealed from heaven against all ungodliness and unrighteousness of men, who hold the truth in unrighteousness."
"Thou wilt say then, 'The branches were broken off, that I might be graffed in.' Well, because of unbelief they were broken off, and thou standest by faith. Be not highminded, but fear. For if God spared not the natural branches, take heed lest he also spare not thee. Behold therefore the goodness and severity of God: on them which fell, severity; but toward thee, goodness, if thou continue in his goodness: otherwise thou also shalt be cut off."
"But I keep under my body, and bring it into subjection: lest that by any means, when I have preached to others, I myself should be a castaway."
"If by any means I [Paul] might attain unto the resurrection of the dead. Not as though I had already attained, either were already perfect: but I follow after, if that I may apprehend that for which also I am apprehended of Christ Jesus."
"Thou therefore endure hardness, as a good soldier of Jesus Christ. No man that warreth entangleth himself with the affairs of this life; that he may please him who hath chosen him to be a soldier."
"Therefore I endure all things for the elect's sakes, that they may also obtain the salvation which is in Christ Jesus with eternal glory."
"But Christ as a son over his own house; whose house are we, if we hold fast the confidence and the rejoicing of the hope firm unto the end."
"Though he were a Son, yet learned he obedience by the things which he suffered; and being made perfect, he became the author of eternal salvation unto all them that obey him."
"And we desire that every one of you do shew the same diligence to the full assurance of hope unto the end. That ye be not slothful, but followers of them who through faith and patience inherit the promises. For when God made promise to Abraham, because he could swear by no greater, he sware by himself, saying, 'Surely blessing I will bless thee, and multiplying I will multiply thee.' And so, after he had patiently endured, he obtained the promise."
"Blessed is the man that endureth temptation: for when he is tried, he shall receive the crown of life, which the Lord hath promised to them that love him."
"Seeing ye have purified your souls in obeying the truth through the Spirit unto unfeigned love of the brethren, see that ye love one another with a pure heart fervently."
"Whosoever denieth the Son, the same hath not the Father: but he that acknowledgeth the Son hath the Father also."
"Be faithful unto death, and I will give you a crown of life."
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Summary
The Word of God is likened unto seed which a farmer scatters on the ground. The Parable of the Sower mentioned in Luke 8:5-15 depicts four types of soil where seed was scattered. The seed that fell on good (fertile) ground took root and brought forth a fruitful harvest.
We pray that God's plan of salvation as presented to you from the Bible will take deep root in your heart. If you have come to realize your desperate need for a Savior and hear God calling you to respond to Him, then please don't delay! Receive God's free gift of salvation today with child-like faith and genuine repentance. He will forgive your sins, reconcile you to Himself through the finished work of Jesus Christ, and make you a new creation. Come to Him just as you are. Even the worst sinners can be cleansed and made righteous in the blood of Jesus if they repent and believe.
The 9 biblical steps necessary for cultivating a personal relationship with Jesus Christ are summarized below:
 Admit You are a Sinner
Agree with God that you are a sinner in need of His salvation and that you cannot save yourself from the wages of sin.
[Back to Bible verses]
 Believe on Jesus
By faith, believe the message of the Gospel with all your heart: Jesus (Yeshua) died on the cross for your sins, was buried, and rose again. He was the perfect, sinless Lamb of God, sacrificed in your place.
[Back to Bible verses]
 Confess Sin and Repent
Confess your sins to God and come to Him as a little child. Repent (turn from your former way of life) and receive the free gift of righteousness (indwelling of the Holy Spirit). By faith, you are forgiven of sins, justified in the sight of God, and are
born again
(conceived again) as God's child. You are to walk in newness of life as a new creation in Christ.
[Back to Bible verses]
 Get Water Baptized
Get water baptized in Jesus' name as an obedient outward demonstration of your repentance and faith. In water baptism, you illustrate that your old man is dead to sin and your new man is alive to God by faith in Jesus Christ.
[Back to Bible verses]
 Receive Baptism in Holy Spirit
Receive the baptism in the Holy Ghost. Ask your Heavenly Father to fill you with His Spirit to give you boldness in your witness, power to overcome sin and temptation, sweet fellowship with Him, divine comfort, and a fuller manifestation
of spiritual gifts.
[Back to Bible verses]
 Grow in Christ
Read your Bible (preferably the King James Version) every day to feed your spirit man. Start with the New Testament, Psalms, and Proverbs. As you study to show yourself approved unto God (II Timothy 2:15), the Holy Spirit will begin to renew your mind (Romans 12:2), bring the Scriptures to your remembrance (John 14:26), and guide you into all truth (John 16:13).
As you grow in grace and in the knowledge of Jesus, you will need to turn off the "voices" of the world such as television, certain music, and ungodly friends. Trust the Lord Jesus to fill these voids in your life; for truly His yoke is easy, and His burden is light (Matthew 11:29-30).
Jesus says that if you hunger and thirst for righteousness, you shall be filled (Matthew 5:6). When you feast on His daily bread, your spirit man will become healthy, strong, and mature. Jesus' meat was to do the will of God that sent Him and to finish God's work (John 4:34); for the the Kingdom of God is not meat and drink but rather righteousness, peace, and joy in the Holy Ghost (Romans 14:17). God's Word is truth (John 17:17), and His truth will set you free (John 8:32). So take up the Sword of the Spirit (the Word of God), stand fast in His liberty, and don't fall back under the yoke and bondage of sin (Galatians 5:1).
[Back to Bible verses]
 Pray and Fellowship
Talk with the Lord in prayer often, ask God for wisdom when you lack (James 1:5), and cast all your care and anxiety on Jesus; for He cares for you (I Peter 5:7). Praise and worship Jesus not just with your speech but with your whole heart (Matthew 15:8). Fellowship with like-minded believers who are serious about their faith in Jesus and have a close walk with Him.
Be aware that not every Bible-believing church teaches the pure Word of God and the power of the Holy Spirit. Many congregations quench the Spirit by using "proven" business methods and seeker-friendly programs to "build their church," emphasizing membership over discipleship rather than quality over quantity. They preach a worldly, watered-down "gospel" promoting a cheap salvation which is persecution-free and paved with prosperity (see II Corinthians 11:4 and Galatians 1:6). Ask the Lord to direct you to a loving Christian fellowship where the Bible is not compromised and where believers live in obedience to God's precious Word.
[Back to Bible verses]
 Do Good Works
As the Lord leads your heart, cheerfully give of your resources (time, treasure, and talent) to help the poor, widows, and orphans. In the spirit of meekness, serve others (especially those in your own household) without expecting anything in return. Good works are actions which are initiated by the leading of the Holy Spirit (not by your own strength and intuition).
[Back to Bible verses]
 Obey and Endure
Keep the commands of Jesus (Yeshua), be obedient to His voice, and guard your relationship with Him like a priceless treasure. Be faithful to Him through all trials, tribulations, and persecutions even if others are backsliding and falling away. His strength will be available to you at all times, so don't give up your faith in Jesus. Remember, when Jesus is all you have, you will realize that Jesus is all you need. Patiently run the race with all diligence. Endure and be obedient unto death so you can receive the high prize — the crown of life — which the Lord has promised to those who love Him.
[Back to Bible verses]
For more in-depth study about the Gospel and salvation, please click on the questions below.
 What is the Gospel?
What Does it Mean to be Saved?
What Does it Mean to be Born Again?
What is Faith?
What is the Evidence of Faith?
What is Unbelief?
What Does it Mean to Repent?
Can a Christian Lose Salvation?
What is Backsliding?
What Does it Mean to Abide in Christ?
Why Do Christians Sometimes Sin?
How Does a Christian Overcome Sin?
What Is Water Baptism?
What is Holy Spirit Baptism?
What is the Lord's Supper? |
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