Understanding Salvation

Popular theology has created many versions of the salvation prayer. The salvation prayer—the sinner's prayer: "for all have sinned, and come short of the glory of God" (Romans 3:23)—is a verbal confession of our repentance from our sins and of our allegiance to the Lord Jesus. Confession in this context is not simply a verbal declaration; it is a verbal acknowledgment of the realization of the truth: Satan is a liar, and God and his Word are true. This confession is based on the belief that Jesus Christ is the Son of God and that through his shed blood and resurrection we have redemption from our sins, access to God the Father, and eternal life. An unbeliever (heathen), has to be drawn to God by the preaching of the gospel (proclaiming that a life of sin leads to death and a life of righteousness through faith in Jesus Christ leads to eternal life) to consider his ways (Romans 10:13-17); that is, the preaching of the gospel has to awaken in the person the need to decide between a life of sin—unrighteousness—and a life of righteousness: "choose you this day whom ye will serve" (Joshua 24:15). The ability to choose was ushered in by Jesus' death and resurrection: "No man can come to me, except the Father which hath sent me draw him: and I will raise him up at the last day" (John 6:44); "And I, if I be lifted up from the earth, will draw all men unto me" (John 12:32). Thus, Jesus' death, resurrection and ascension opened the way to God the Father: the way to eternal life. "Jesus saith unto him, I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by me" (John 14:6). The choice is to continue in sin and serve Satan or embrace a life of righteousness (through suffering, study, belief and obedience to the Word of God) and serve God. A life of sin ends in death, whereas a life of righteousness "shall never see death" (John 8:51). "For the wages of sin is death; but the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord" (Romans 6:23).

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 if we have been planted together in the likeness of his death, we shall be also in the likeness of his resurrection: 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. (Romans 6:3-7)

Thus, to "decide for Christ" is only possible if the unbeliever is presented with the truth—the Word of God—and believes that their life of sin is evil and that only through Jesus Christ, "the King of kings, and Lord of lords" (1 Timothy 6:15), can death be vanquished. Then the unbeliever can make the decision to repent—turn away (180°) with contrition from their sins—and confess their exclusive allegiance to the Lord Jesus based on their belief in the gospel of Jesus Christ. "Repent ye therefore, and be converted" (Acts 3:19): "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 whosoever shall call upon the name of the Lord shall be saved" (Romans 10:9, 13). "The LORD is nigh unto all them that call upon him, to all that call upon him in truth" (Psalm 145:18). It should be noted, as we previously mentioned in the "Personal Savior" section, that Jesus must first be received as the Lord before he can ever be received as Savior. "Ye call me Master and Lord: and ye say well; for so I am" (John 13:13); however, "why call ye me, Lord, Lord, and do not the things which I say" (Luke 6:46)? If someone does not repent and dies in their sins—"ye have sinned against the LORD: and be sure your sin will find you out" (Numbers 32:23), they will die separated from God and his marvelous light. "Behold, the LORD's hand is not shortened, that it cannot save; neither his ear heavy, that it cannot hear: But your iniquities have separated between you and your God, and your sins have hid his face from you, that he will not hear" (Isaiah 59:1-2). "I said therefore unto you, that ye shall die in your sins: for if ye believe not that I am he, ye shall die in your sins ... Jesus answered them, Verily, verily, I say unto you, Whosoever committeth sin is the servant of sin. And the servant abideth not in the house for ever: but the Son abideth ever" (John 8:24, 34-35).

This day the LORD thy God hath commanded thee to do these statutes and judgments: thou shalt therefore keep and do them with all thine heart, and with all thy soul. Thou hast avouched the LORD this day to be thy God, and to walk in his ways, and to keep his statutes, and his commandments, and his judgments, and to hearken unto his voice: And the LORD hath avouched thee this day to be his peculiar people, as he hath promised thee, and that thou shouldest keep all his commandments; And to make thee high above all nations which he hath made, in praise, and in name, and in honour; and that thou mayest be an holy people unto the LORD thy God, as he hath spoken. (Deuteronomy 26:16-19)

Salvation is a covenant (cancelable only by death) and as such, the agreement should be fully spelled out before someone agrees to be "born again." This is in keeping with the similar process followed by Moses and children of Israel when they entered into a blood covenant with the Lord. "And he took the book of the covenant, and read in the audience of the people: and they said, All that the LORD hath said will we do, and be obedient. And Moses took the blood, and sprinkled it on the people, and said, Behold the blood of the covenant, which the LORD hath made with you concerning all these words" (Exodus 24:7-8). Due to this lack of disclosure, among other things, there is a high rate of recidivism; that is, a high rate of new "Christians" returning or relapsing into their former manner of life (John 6:66). "For which of you, intending to build a tower, sitteth not down first, and counteth the cost, whether he have sufficient to finish it? Lest haply, after he hath laid the foundation, and is not able to finish it, all that behold it begin to mock him, Saying, This man began to build, and was not able to finish" (Luke 14:28-30). The key "cost" is for the prospective Christian to recognize their sins and to repent of them. Moreover, they need to understand that being born again requires death of their former life ("old man"). "Know ye not, brethren, (for I speak to them that know the law,) how that the law hath dominion over a man as long as he liveth" (Romans 7:1)? For the rest of their lives they will have to deny themselves daily—deny their right to themselves and their desires (see "Deny Yourself" in the chapter on "Understanding Deliverance" for specifics on how to do this), suffer as Christ suffered (2 Timothy 3:12), and follow him in wisdom, righteousness, and sanctification (1 Corinthians 1:30-31). In short, they have to transition from a life focused on pleasing themselves to a life focused on pleasing God. "That ye might walk worthy of the Lord unto all pleasing, being fruitful in every good work, and increasing in the knowledge of God" (Colossians 1:10). "Wherefore we labour, that, whether present or absent, we may be accepted of him" (2 Corinthians 5:9).

"Wherefore we labour ..." It is arduous work to keep the master ambition in front. It means holding one's self to the high ideal year in and year out, not being ambitious to win souls or to establish churches or to have revivals, but being ambitious only to be "accepted of Him." It is not lack of spiritual experience that leads to failure, but lack of labouring to keep the ideal right. Once a week at least take stock before God and see whether you are keeping your life up to the standard He wishes. Paul is like a musician who does not heed the approval of the audience if he can catch the look of approval from his Master.

Any ambition which is in the tiniest degree away from this central one of being "approved unto God" may end in our being castaways. Learn to discern where the ambition leads, and you will see why it is so necessary to live facing the Lord Jesus Christ. Paul says—["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" (1 Corinthians 9:27).]

I have to learn to relate everything to the master ambition, and to maintain it without any cessation. My worth to God in public is what I am in private. Is my master ambition to please Him and be acceptable to Him, or is it something less, no matter how noble?²¹⁰

The disciples spent three and half years with Jesus before getting "saved": "Then Peter began to say unto him, Lo, we have left all, and have followed thee" (Mark 10:28). They had counted the cost; they had a better understanding of what they were getting into than most new Christians today. The prospective convert should be made aware that being born again through repentance, confession and belief is simply the starting point to salvation, not the finish line; a transformation must occur through continual study of the Word coupled with faith and obedience through suffering. Salvation is a great undertaking: being transformed requires significant time, effort and energy. The road to redemption has many pitfalls, hills, valleys, stones, and thorns. To "work out your own salvation with fear and trembling" (Philippians 2:12) requires constant time and attention. Just attending a church service once or twice a week will not get it. Salvation is a lifelong pursuit that requires blood, sweat and tears; which is why Jesus said: "Strive to enter in at the strait gate: for many, I say unto you, will seek to enter in, and shall not be able" (Luke 13:24). The transformation of the inner man requires a transition from ignorance to wisdom, from unbelief to belief, from disobedience (sin) to obedience, from unrighteousness to righteousness, from hate to love, and from self-centeredness to Christ-centeredness. In short, transformation requires a transition from conformity to the image of this world to conformity to the image of the Son of God (Romans 12:1-2; Romans 8:29). "Cast away from you all your transgressions, whereby ye have transgressed; and make you a new heart and a new spirit: for why will ye die, O house of Israel" (Ezekiel 18:31)?

The first stage of conversion involves the first step on the road to self-knowledge, because knowledge of God and knowledge of self cannot be separated. One feeds the other. ... The major problem with this first conversion (as with the popular view of evangelism) is that it tends to be highly individualistic and private. The newly converted often attach their egos to the new experiences of self-knowledge and self-acceptance that an encounter with the transcendent often brings. The first stage can easily become simply another occasion for self-centeredness with an exclusive focus on my conversion, my Savior, and my faith. ... Life in the Spirit cannot be possessive and individualistic and still be true to itself. Yet it is precisely the opposite that is more often than not inculcated in popular evangelism, with its emphasis on "Jesus as my personal Lord and Savior." Nothing could be more wonderful than a living encounter of saving power between the believer and God; but when it is made private and exclusive, it can be a terrible thing [(see "Personal Savior")]. It can be used to judge and hurt others. When this happens, conversion is made a mockery ... The first conversion is but the first step on the hard but glorious road to the recovery of a view of reality in which no one is excluded and the fact that people are free to choose to be excluded is the occasion of deep pain in the heart of the believer. Our first conversion is but a beginning that will prepare us for deeper, harder, and yet more glorious conversions. The importance of the first conversion cannot be denied, because it is the first of many steps.²¹¹

The promise of Romans 10:9 is that "thou shalt be saved"; not, thou are saved. Simply put, Christians are to pursue getting to know—understand and trust—the Lord and submit themselves unto him through his Word and Spirit: to be subject unto Christ in every thing. "As he spake these words, many believed on him. Then said Jesus to those Jews which believed on him, If ye continue in my word, then are ye my disciples indeed; And ye shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free" (John 8:30-32). "Life in Christ" is for those who, after being born again, diligently seek him—diligently seek to understand and know God through his Word. The natural man cannot understand the things of God; therefore, the Spirit of God is necessary, which every born again believer receives (see "Born Again"). "For what man knoweth the things of a man, save the spirit of man which is in him? even so the things of God knoweth no man, but the Spirit of God. ... But the natural man receiveth not the things of the Spirit of God: for they are foolishness unto him: neither can he know them, because they are spiritually discerned" (1 Corinthians 2:11, 14). "And this is life eternal, that they might know thee the only true God, and Jesus Christ, whom thou hast sent" (John 17:3). "And he did evil, because he prepared not his heart to seek the LORD" (2 Chronicles 12:14). Life without Christ is not really life; but rather, death unrealized—death eternal. "But the fearful, and unbelieving, and the abominable, and murderers, and whoremongers, and sorcerers, and idolaters, and all liars, shall have their part in the lake which burneth with fire and brimstone: which is the second death" (Revelation 21:8). Oswald Chambers has this perspective on salvation:

Our Lord's Resurrection destiny is to bring "many sons unto glory." The fulfilling of His destiny gives Him the right to make us sons and daughters of God. We are never in the relationship to God that the Son of God is in; but we are brought by the Son into the relation of sonship. When Our Lord rose from the dead, He rose to an absolutely new life, to a life He did not live before He was incarnate. He rose to a life that had never been before; and His resurrection means for us that we are raised to His risen life, not to our old life. One day we shall have a body like unto His glorious body, but we can know now the efficacy of His resurrection and walk in newness of life. "I would know Him in the power of His resurrection."²¹²

The body of Christ—the house of God—is saved, sent and sanctified; however, individually, there are Christians, due to sin, that remain vessels of dishonor. "Nevertheless the foundation of God standeth sure, having this seal, The Lord knoweth them that are his. And, let every one that nameth the name of Christ depart from iniquity. But in a great house there are not only vessels of gold and of silver, but also of wood and of earth; and some to honour, and some to dishonour. If a man therefore purge himself from these [iniquities], he shall be a vessel unto honour, sanctified, and meet for the master's use, and prepared unto every good work" (2 Timothy 2:19-21). Vessels of dishonor will not see the kingdom of God: "Know ye not that the unrighteous shall not inherit the kingdom of God" (1 Corinthians 6:9)? "I call heaven and earth to record this day against you, that I have set before you life and death, blessing and cursing: therefore choose life, that both thou and thy seed may live: That thou mayest love the LORD thy God, and that thou mayest obey his voice, and that thou mayest cleave unto him: for he is thy life, and the length of thy days: that thou mayest dwell in the land which the LORD sware unto thy fathers, to Abraham, to Isaac, and to Jacob, to give them" (Deuteronomy 30:19-20). Our charge as Christians is to intimately know God and to obey the Lord. "And hereby we do know that we know him, if we keep his commandments. He that saith, I know him, and keepeth not his commandments, is a liar, and the truth is not in him. But whoso keepeth his word, in him verily is the love of God perfected: hereby know we that we are in him. He that saith he abideth in him ought himself also so to walk, even as he walked" (1 John 2:3-6). Upon the Lord Jesus' return, he will vanquish all, including Christians, that do not know God and that do not obey him—the Word of God.

And to you who are troubled rest with us, when the Lord Jesus shall be revealed from heaven with his mighty angels, In flaming fire taking vengeance on them that know not God, and that obey not the gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ: Who shall be punished with everlasting destruction from the presence of the Lord, and from the glory of his power; When he shall come to be glorified in his saints, and to be admired in all them that believe (because our testimony among you was believed) in that day. (2 Thessalonians 1:7-10)

The New Covenant Agreement includes the Salvation Prayer coming up next, and subsequently, the Declaration of Discipleship included in the "Understanding Discipleship" section.

Salvation Prayer

The salvation prayer below is purposely detailed to highlight its significance (the prayer and the rest of this chapter should be shared with a prospective Christian). Repentance and a short confession like the one given by the Ethiopian eunuch is sufficient: "I believe that Jesus Christ is the Son of God." Note, however, that before this confession, Philip the evangelist had spent time teaching him about Jesus and the need for salvation (Acts 8:26-35). Moreover, before Philip proceeded, he verified the eunuch's sincerity: "And as they went on their way, they came unto a certain water: and the eunuch said, See, here is water; what doth hinder me to be baptized? And Philip said, If thou believest with all thine heart, thou mayest" (Acts 8:36-37).

Our Father which art in heaven, I confess that I have sinned and come short of your glory; therefore, I forsake my sins, I forgive all others and I ask you to forgive me. I confess with my mouth and believe in my heart that Jesus is the Son of God; that Jesus Christ is come in the flesh; that Christ died for our sins; that God hath raised him from the dead; that Jesus, the author and finisher of our faith, is set down at the right hand of the throne of God; and that Jesus Christ is the Lord and his kingdom reigns for ever and ever. I ask you to baptize me into the body of Christ by giving me your holy Spirit, the Holy Ghost, to dwell within me, and to teach me and guide me as I walk in newness of life. I will diligently seek to attain the righteousness that is of God by faith and to know thee the only true God, and Jesus Christ, whom thou hast sent: patiently awaiting his coming and the resurrection of the dead. I ask all these things in the name of the Lord Jesus Christ. Amen.

This is probably the most important decision a heathen will make in their life. As such, this should not be a decision based on emotions; but rather, a decision based on understanding the gospel of Jesus Christ. "Moreover, brethren, I declare unto you the gospel which I preached unto you, which also ye have received, and wherein ye stand; By which also ye are saved, if ye keep in memory what I preached unto you, unless ye have believed in vain. For I delivered unto you first of all that which I also received, how that Christ died for our sins according to the scriptures; And that he was buried, and that he rose again the third day according to the scriptures" (1 Corinthians 15:1-4). The key tenets of the gospel are:

God is one God in three persons (the Father, the Word, the Holy Ghost)
The Word of God is come in the flesh, Jesus Christ the Son of God, being born of a virgin
We all have the capacity for sins. Sins are the door to darkness, the realm of Satan, which leads to death
Jesus Christ died for our sins and was raised from the dead with a new body
Through the blood of Jesus we can be delivered from darkness—delivered from evil (cleansed from sins and receive eternal life. Life eternal is to know God and Jesus Christ whom he sent)
The purpose of salvation is to learn how to live to please God and one of its key benefits is being saved from the wrath of God to come (see "Spiritual Formation: The End of Your Faith"). Salvation is only possible through Jesus Christ, the author and finisher of our faith, who is the way, the truth and the life. No one can come unto God the Father but by Jesus Christ.

Born Again: Being baptized by the Holy Ghost into the body of Christ through repentance of our sins and faith in our Lord Jesus Christ. Repentance requires the confession and forsaking of our sins: making a decision to turn away with contrition from our sins.
Wisdom: Renewing our minds and hearts through continual study of, belief in, and obedience to the Word of God
Righteousness: Becoming skillful in the Word of righteousness with the evidence of bearing and retaining spiritual fruit
Sanctification: Being perfected—having Christ formed in us—through the Word of truth
Redemption: Salvation is not complete until Jesus returns and our sinful bodies are redeemed through resurrection or translation by Jesus Christ

Jesus Christ is King of kings and the Lord of all

Our Father which art in heaven

After this manner therefore pray ye: Our Father which art in heaven, Hallowed be thy name. (Matthew 6:9)

I confess that I have sinned and come short of your glory; therefore, I forsake my sins, I forgive all others and I ask you to forgive me

Behold, the LORD's hand is not shortened, that it cannot save; neither his ear heavy, that it cannot hear: But your iniquities have separated between you and your God, and your sins have hid his face from you, that he will not hear. (Isaiah 59:1-2)

For all have sinned, and come short of the glory of God (Romans 3:23)

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. (Acts 3:19)

He that covereth his sins shall not prosper: but whoso confesseth and forsaketh them shall have mercy. (Proverbs 28:13)

For if ye forgive men their trespasses, your heavenly Father will also forgive you: But if ye forgive not men their trespasses, neither will your Father forgive your trespasses. (Matthew 6:14-15)

For additional study see Isaiah 64:6; 1 John 1:8-9; 1 John 5:17; Acts 20:21; Acts 26:20; Psalm 38:18; Romans 6:23; and Joshua 7:19.

I confess with my mouth and believe in my heart that Jesus is the Son of God

And in the sixth month the angel Gabriel was sent from God unto a city of Galilee, named Nazareth, To a virgin espoused to a man whose name was Joseph, of the house of David; and the virgin's name was Mary. And the angel came in unto her, and said, Hail, thou that art highly favoured, the Lord is with thee: blessed art thou among women. And when she saw him, she was troubled at his saying, and cast in her mind what manner of salutation this should be. And the angel said unto her, Fear not, Mary: for thou hast found favour with God. And, behold, thou shalt conceive in thy womb, and bring forth a son, and shalt call his name JESUS. He shall be great, and shall be called the Son of the Highest: and the Lord God shall give unto him the throne of his father David: And he shall reign over the house of Jacob for ever; and of his kingdom there shall be no end. Then said Mary unto the angel, How shall this be, seeing I know not a man? And the angel answered and said unto her, The Holy Ghost shall come upon thee, and the power of the Highest shall overshadow thee: therefore also that holy thing which shall be born of thee shall be called the Son of God. (Luke 1:26-35)

For additional study see 1 John 4:15; John 3:16-18; 1 John 4:14; 1 John 5:1; and John 8:24.

Jesus Christ is come in the flesh

For there are three that bear record in heaven, the Father, the Word, and the Holy Ghost: and these three are one. (1 John 5:7)

In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. The same was in the beginning with God. All things were made by him; and without him was not any thing made that was made. In him was life; and the life was the light of men. And the Word was made flesh, and dwelt among us, (and we beheld his glory, the glory as of the only begotten of the Father,) full of grace and truth. (John 1:1-4, 14)

Hereby know ye the Spirit of God: Every spirit that confesseth that Jesus Christ is come in the flesh is of God (1 John 4:2)

Christ died for our sins

But God commendeth his love toward us, in that, while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us. (Romans 5:8)

If we say that we have fellowship with him, and walk in darkness, we lie, and do not the truth: 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. (1 John 1:6-7)

Jesus saith unto him, I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by me. (John 14:6)

For there is one God, and one mediator between God and men, the man Christ Jesus (1 Timothy 2:5)

Neither is there salvation in any other: for there is none other name under heaven given among men, whereby we must be saved. (Acts 4:12)

For additional study see Isaiah 53:4-6; 1 John 2:1; 1 Timothy 1:15; Isaiah 43:25; Isaiah 45:5; Psalm 102:20; and Isaiah 45:22. "Beware of the pleasant view of the Fatherhood of God - God is so kind and loving that of course He will forgive us. That sentiment has no place whatever in the New Testament. The only ground on which God can forgive us is the tremendous tragedy of the Cross of Christ; to put forgiveness on any other ground is unconscious blasphemy. The only ground on which God can forgive sin and reinstate us in His favour is through the Cross of Christ, and in no other way. Forgiveness, which is so easy for us to accept, cost the agony of Calvary. It is possible to take the forgiveness of sin, the gift of the Holy Ghost, and our sanctification with the simplicity of faith, and to forget at what enormous cost to God it was all made ours."²¹³

God hath raised him from the dead

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. For the scripture saith, Whosoever believeth on him shall not be ashamed. (Romans 10:9-11)

So also is the resurrection of the dead. It is sown in corruption; it is raised in incorruption: It is sown in dishonour; it is raised in glory: it is sown in weakness; it is raised in power: It is sown a natural body; it is raised a spiritual body. There is a natural body, and there is a spiritual body. (1 Corinthians 15:42-44)

Jesus, the author and finisher of our faith, is set down at the right hand of the throne of God

Looking unto Jesus the author and finisher of our faith; who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is set down at the right hand of the throne of God. (Hebrews 12:2)

But this man, after he had offered one sacrifice for sins for ever, sat down on the right hand of God (Hebrews 10:12)

Who is gone into heaven, and is on the right hand of God; angels and authorities and powers being made subject unto him. (1 Peter 3:22)

Jesus Christ is Lord and his kingdom reigns for ever and ever

Wherefore I give you to understand, that no man speaking by the Spirit of God calleth Jesus accursed: and that no man can say that Jesus is the Lord, but by the Holy Ghost. (1 Corinthians 12:3)

That at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, of things in heaven, and things in earth, and things under the earth; And that every tongue should confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father. (Philippians 2:10-11)

And the seventh angel sounded; and there were great voices in heaven, saying, The kingdoms of this world are become the kingdoms of our Lord, and of his Christ; and he shall reign for ever and ever. (Revelation 11:15)

And I beheld, and I heard the voice of many angels round about the throne and the beasts and the elders: and the number of them was ten thousand times ten thousand, and thousands of thousands; Saying with a loud voice, Worthy is the Lamb that was slain to receive power, and riches, and wisdom, and strength, and honour, and glory, and blessing. And every creature which is in heaven, and on the earth, and under the earth, and such as are in the sea, and all that are in them, heard I saying, Blessing, and honour, and glory, and power, be unto him that sitteth upon the throne, and unto the Lamb for ever and ever. (Revelation 5:11-13)

I ask you to baptize me into the body of Christ by giving me your holy Spirit, the Holy Ghost, to dwell within me, and to teach me and guide me as I walk in newness of life.

For as the body is one, and hath many members, and all the members of that one body, being many, are one body: so also is Christ. 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. (1 Corinthians 12:12-13)

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. (Romans 8:9)

But the Comforter, which is the Holy Ghost, whom the Father will send in my name, he shall teach you all things, and bring all things to your remembrance, whatsoever I have said unto you. (John 14:26)

Howbeit when he, the Spirit of truth, is come, he will guide you into all truth: for he shall not speak of himself; but whatsoever he shall hear, that shall he speak: and he will shew you things to come. (John 16:13)

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 if we have been planted together in the likeness of his death, we shall be also in the likeness of his resurrection: 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. (Romans 6:4-7)

For additional study see Luke 11:9-10, 13; Acts 2:38; John 6:63; John 17:17; and Ephesians 1:12-14.

I will diligently seek to attain the righteousness which is of God by faith and to know thee the only true God, and Jesus Christ, whom thou hast sent: patiently awaiting his coming and the resurrection of the dead.

All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness: That the man of God may be perfect, thoroughly furnished unto all good works. (2 Timothy 3:16-17)

And this is life eternal, that they might know thee the only true God, and Jesus Christ, whom thou hast sent. (John 17:3)

Yea doubtless, and I count all things but loss for the excellency of the knowledge of Christ Jesus my Lord: for whom I have suffered the loss of all things, and do count them but dung, that I may win Christ, And be found in him, not having mine own righteousness, which is of the law, but that which is through the faith of Christ, the righteousness which is of God by faith: That I may know him, and the power of his resurrection, and the fellowship of his sufferings, being made conformable unto his death; If by any means I might attain unto the resurrection of the dead. (Philippians 3:8-11)

For additional study see 2 Timothy 2:15; Hebrews 11:6; Romans 6:16; James 5:7; and Romans 5:8-10.

I ask all these things in the name of the Lord Jesus Christ

Hitherto have ye asked nothing in my name: ask, and ye shall receive, that your joy may be full. (John 16:24)

Once the prospective Christian has read and understood the gospel of Jesus Christ, and they also understand the need for salvation, then they can be invited to answer the call.

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