Success After Death - Salvation |
You might have gone to church and read the bible for years and still not be clear
about who Jesus really is and just what He accomplished for you. What does it mean
– "Jesus saves"? Check out "Who is Jesus?"
1.) What does it really mean for a person to be saved?
To be saved is to accept that Jesus Christ paid the price for your sin. He is the One
who fulfilled hundreds of prophesies given over thousands of years about
the coming Messiah. It’s as simple as that. There is a price to be paid for
your sin. It’s a price you cannot pay yourself. You cannot pray enough, be
good enough, do enough good deeds, help enough starving children, visit
enough sick, give away enough money – or anything else, to get to heaven
(be saved from hell). There is only one way and that is by accepting
Jesus.
Accepting Jesus wipes away your sin and makes you a child of God…what
the Father in heaven has longed for ever since you were conceived.
When that happens, all of your sins are forgiven, and you receive the gift
of eternal life.
“But as many as received Him, to them He gave the right to become
children of God, to those who believe in His name:” John 1:12 (NKJV)
“But if we walk in the light as He is in the light, we have fellowship with one
another, and the blood of Jesus Christ His Son cleanses us from all sin.” 1 John 1:7 (NKJV)
“And this is the testimony: that God has given us eternal life, and this life is in His Son."
1 John 5:11 (NKJV)
If you’re a deep thinker and want meaty answers about this – read “Destined for the Throne”
by Paul Billheimer.
2.) But if God himself said that the wages of sin is death, how can he forgive our
sins without punishing us?
As we discussed in part 1), Jesus died in our place. He took on Himself all the punishment we
deserved.
“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. All we like sheep
have gone astray; We have turned, every one, to his own way; And the LORD has laid on Him
the iniquity of us all.” Isaiah 53:5-6 (NKJV)
(See also Romans 5:6, 2 Corinthians 5:19-21, 1Peter 1:18-19, 1Peter2:24.)
3.) Is God actually willing to forgive all our sins?
Yes, every one!
"Come now, and let us reason together," Says the LORD, "Though your sins are like scarlet, They shall be as white
as snow; Though they are red like crimson, They shall be as wool.” Isaiah 1:18 (NKJV)
“As far as the east is from the west, So far has He removed our transgressions from us.” Psalms 103:12 (NKJV)
4.) What must we do in order to receive this wonderful salvation?
We must repent of our sins and believe that Jesus died for us.
"Repent therefore and be converted, that your sins may be blotted out, so that times of refreshing may come from
the presence of the Lord,” Acts 3:19 (NKJV)
So they said, "Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ, and you will be saved, you and your household." Acts 16:31 (NKJV)
5.) Can't we earn salvation by trying to live a good life?
No way, we are saved by God's grace (which is His unmerited favor and love), not by our own efforts.
“For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith—and this not from yourselves, it is the gift of God—not by
works, so that no one can boast.” Ephesians 2:8-9 (NIV,)
“Where is boasting then? It is excluded. By what law? Of works? No, but by the law of faith. 28 Therefore we
conclude that a man is justified by faith apart from the deeds of the law.” Romans 3:27-28 (NKJV)
“So then it is not of him who wills, nor of him who runs, but of God who shows mercy.” Romans 9:16 (NKJV)
“Who has saved us and called us with a holy calling, not according to our works, but according to His own purpose
and grace which was given to us in Christ Jesus before time began,” 2 Tim 1:9 (NKJV)
“What shall we say then? That Gentiles, who did not pursue righteousness, have attained to righteousness, even
the righteousness of faith; 31 but Israel, pursuing the law of righteousness, has not attained to the law of
righteousness. 32 Why? Because they did not seek it by faith, but as it were, by the works of the law. For they
stumbled at that stumbling stone. 33 As it is written: "Behold, I lay in Zion a stumbling stone and rock of offense,
And whoever believes on Him will not be put to shame." Romans 9:30-33 (NKJV)
“Therefore, having been justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ,”
Romans 5:1 (NKJV)
“And if by grace, then it is no longer of works; otherwise grace is no longer grace. But if it is of works, it is no longer
grace; otherwise work is no longer work.” Romans 11:6 (NKJV)
Also see Good Works - by Bob Wells
6.) Is there no other way to be saved except through Jesus?
There is no other way. Also see our section called "Answers to tough questions".
Jesus said to him, "I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through Me.
John 14:6 (NKJV)
"He who believes in the Son has everlasting life; and he who does not believe the Son shall not see life, but the
wrath of God abides on him." John 3:36 (NKJV)
"Nor is there salvation in any other, for there is no other name under heaven given among men by which we must be
saved." Acts 4:12 (NKJV)
7.) What great promise is given to everyone who believes in Jesus?
Everyone who truly believes receives the gift of eternal life. He is no longer under the sentence of death.
"Most assuredly, I say to you, he who hears My word and believes in Him who sent Me has everlasting life, and shall
not come into judgment, but has passed from death into life. John 5:24 (NKJV)
8.) When does eternal life begin?
Eternal life in Christ begins the moment a person believes.
"Most assuredly, I say to you, he who believes in Me has everlasting life. John 6:47 (NKJV)
9.) What will happen to those who do not believe?
Those who do not believe will continue to live under the judgment of God and will be eternally lost.
"He who believes in Him is not condemned; but he who does not believe is condemned already, because he has not
believed in the name of the only begotten Son of God. John 3:18 (NKJV)
10.) What does the bible teach about being "born again"?
The bible teaches that a person cannot be saved unless he is born again.
Jesus answered and said to him, "Most assuredly, I say to you, unless one is born again, he cannot see the kingdom
of God." John 3:3 (NKJV)
11.) What does it mean to be born again?
To be born again is to receive a new, inner, spiritual life through the Holy Spirit so that one becomes a new person
in Christ.
Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; old things have passed away; behold, all things have become
new. 2 Corinthians 5:17 (NKJV)
12.) Why is it necessary to be born again in order to enter the kingdom of heaven?
Without the new birth, everyone is spiritually dead because of his sins. He remains under the sentence of death.
And you He made alive, who were dead in trespasses and sins, in which you once walked according to the course of
this world, according to the prince of the power of the air, the spirit who now works in the sons of disobedience,
among whom also we all once conducted ourselves in the lusts of our flesh, fulfilling the desires of the flesh and of
the mind, and were by nature children of wrath, just as the others. But God, who is rich in mercy, because of His
great love with which He loved us, even when we were dead in trespasses, made us alive together with Christ (by
grace you have been saved). Ephesians 2:1-5 (NKJV)
13.) Is it important for us to confess our faith in Chris publicly?
Yes.
As they went out, behold, they brought to Him a man, mute and demon-possessed. And when the demon was cast
out, the mute spoke. And the multitudes marveled, saying, "It was never seen like this in Israel!" Matt 9:32-33 (NKJV)
For this is the word of promise: "At this time I will come and Sarah shall have a son." And not only this, but when
Rebecca also had conceived by one man, even by our father Isaac. Romans 9:9-10 (NKJV)
14.) Can believers be absolutely sure that they have eternal life?
Yes, beyond any doubt!
These things I have written to you who believe in the name of the Son of God, that you may know that you have
eternal life, and that you may continue to believe in the name of the Son of God. 1 John 5:13 (NKJV)
For I am persuaded that neither death nor life, nor angels nor principalities nor powers, nor things present nor
things to come, nor height nor depth, nor any other created thing, shall be able to separate us from the love of God
which is in Christ Jesus our Lord. Romans 8:38-39 (NKJV)
15.) What happens to believers when they die?
Believers are taken immediately into the presence of Jesus.
For we know that if our earthly house, this tent, is destroyed, we have a building from God, a house not made with
hands, eternal in the heavens. 2 Corinthians 5:1 (NKJV)
So we are always confident, knowing that while we are at home in the body we are absent from the Lord.
2 Corinthians 5:6 (NKJV)
We are confident, yes, well pleased rather to be absent from the body and to be present with the Lord.
2 Corinthians 5:8 (NKJV)
For to me, to live is Christ, and to die is gain. Phil 1:21 (NKJV)
For I am hard pressed between the two, having a desire to depart and be with Christ, which is far better.
Phil 1:23 (NKJV)
16.) What will happen to the bodies of believers who die?
They will rise again in glory when Jesus returns to earth.
For our citizenship is in heaven, from which we also eagerly wait for the Savior, the Lord Jesus Christ, who will
transform our lowly body that it may be conformed to His glorious body, according to the working by which He is able
even to subdue all things to Himself. Phil 3:20-21 (NKJV)
The Sinner's Prayer
After reading all the questions and answers on the site, you may still have some very important questions
concerning your own salvation. You may still not be sure that your own sins have been forgiven. Or you may not be
sure that you have personally received the gift of eternal life.
If you have questions about your own salvation, we invite you to experience for yourself the truth of the bible's
teaching about salvation. Confess your sins to God, trust in Jesus Christ for forgiveness, and then, in faith, claim
God's promise of forgiveness and eternal life. He will surely give you what he has promised.
In order to help you do this, we invite you to pray sincerely the following prayer.. or a similar prayer of you own.
"Dear God, I confess that I'm a sinner and that I need your forgiveness. I'm truly sorry for my sins and humbly ask
you to forgive me and cleanse me. I believe that Jesus died on the cross in my place and that he rose again for my
salvation. In faith I accept from you the gift of eternal life, and, with your help, I promise to serve you as long as I
live. I pray in Jesus' name. Amen"
The bible says:
But as many as received Him, to them He gave the right to become children of God, to those who believe in His
name: John 1:12 (NKJV)
That's a promise to live by! WELCOME TO THE FAMILY OF GOD!
See also Salvation - by Bob Wells The Sinner's Prayer, Confessing Sins, Heaven, Hell, Jesus' Second Coming,
Repentance, Who is Jesus
about who Jesus really is and just what He accomplished for you. What does it mean
– "Jesus saves"? Check out "Who is Jesus?"
1.) What does it really mean for a person to be saved?
To be saved is to accept that Jesus Christ paid the price for your sin. He is the One
who fulfilled hundreds of prophesies given over thousands of years about
the coming Messiah. It’s as simple as that. There is a price to be paid for
your sin. It’s a price you cannot pay yourself. You cannot pray enough, be
good enough, do enough good deeds, help enough starving children, visit
enough sick, give away enough money – or anything else, to get to heaven
(be saved from hell). There is only one way and that is by accepting
Jesus.
Accepting Jesus wipes away your sin and makes you a child of God…what
the Father in heaven has longed for ever since you were conceived.
When that happens, all of your sins are forgiven, and you receive the gift
of eternal life.
“But as many as received Him, to them He gave the right to become
children of God, to those who believe in His name:” John 1:12 (NKJV)
“But if we walk in the light as He is in the light, we have fellowship with one
another, and the blood of Jesus Christ His Son cleanses us from all sin.” 1 John 1:7 (NKJV)
“And this is the testimony: that God has given us eternal life, and this life is in His Son."
1 John 5:11 (NKJV)
If you’re a deep thinker and want meaty answers about this – read “Destined for the Throne”
by Paul Billheimer.
2.) But if God himself said that the wages of sin is death, how can he forgive our
sins without punishing us?
As we discussed in part 1), Jesus died in our place. He took on Himself all the punishment we
deserved.
“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. All we like sheep
have gone astray; We have turned, every one, to his own way; And the LORD has laid on Him
the iniquity of us all.” Isaiah 53:5-6 (NKJV)
(See also Romans 5:6, 2 Corinthians 5:19-21, 1Peter 1:18-19, 1Peter2:24.)
3.) Is God actually willing to forgive all our sins?
Yes, every one!
"Come now, and let us reason together," Says the LORD, "Though your sins are like scarlet, They shall be as white
as snow; Though they are red like crimson, They shall be as wool.” Isaiah 1:18 (NKJV)
“As far as the east is from the west, So far has He removed our transgressions from us.” Psalms 103:12 (NKJV)
4.) What must we do in order to receive this wonderful salvation?
We must repent of our sins and believe that Jesus died for us.
"Repent therefore and be converted, that your sins may be blotted out, so that times of refreshing may come from
the presence of the Lord,” Acts 3:19 (NKJV)
So they said, "Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ, and you will be saved, you and your household." Acts 16:31 (NKJV)
5.) Can't we earn salvation by trying to live a good life?
No way, we are saved by God's grace (which is His unmerited favor and love), not by our own efforts.
“For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith—and this not from yourselves, it is the gift of God—not by
works, so that no one can boast.” Ephesians 2:8-9 (NIV,)
“Where is boasting then? It is excluded. By what law? Of works? No, but by the law of faith. 28 Therefore we
conclude that a man is justified by faith apart from the deeds of the law.” Romans 3:27-28 (NKJV)
“So then it is not of him who wills, nor of him who runs, but of God who shows mercy.” Romans 9:16 (NKJV)
“Who has saved us and called us with a holy calling, not according to our works, but according to His own purpose
and grace which was given to us in Christ Jesus before time began,” 2 Tim 1:9 (NKJV)
“What shall we say then? That Gentiles, who did not pursue righteousness, have attained to righteousness, even
the righteousness of faith; 31 but Israel, pursuing the law of righteousness, has not attained to the law of
righteousness. 32 Why? Because they did not seek it by faith, but as it were, by the works of the law. For they
stumbled at that stumbling stone. 33 As it is written: "Behold, I lay in Zion a stumbling stone and rock of offense,
And whoever believes on Him will not be put to shame." Romans 9:30-33 (NKJV)
“Therefore, having been justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ,”
Romans 5:1 (NKJV)
“And if by grace, then it is no longer of works; otherwise grace is no longer grace. But if it is of works, it is no longer
grace; otherwise work is no longer work.” Romans 11:6 (NKJV)
Also see Good Works - by Bob Wells
6.) Is there no other way to be saved except through Jesus?
There is no other way. Also see our section called "Answers to tough questions".
Jesus said to him, "I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through Me.
John 14:6 (NKJV)
"He who believes in the Son has everlasting life; and he who does not believe the Son shall not see life, but the
wrath of God abides on him." John 3:36 (NKJV)
"Nor is there salvation in any other, for there is no other name under heaven given among men by which we must be
saved." Acts 4:12 (NKJV)
7.) What great promise is given to everyone who believes in Jesus?
Everyone who truly believes receives the gift of eternal life. He is no longer under the sentence of death.
"Most assuredly, I say to you, he who hears My word and believes in Him who sent Me has everlasting life, and shall
not come into judgment, but has passed from death into life. John 5:24 (NKJV)
8.) When does eternal life begin?
Eternal life in Christ begins the moment a person believes.
"Most assuredly, I say to you, he who believes in Me has everlasting life. John 6:47 (NKJV)
9.) What will happen to those who do not believe?
Those who do not believe will continue to live under the judgment of God and will be eternally lost.
"He who believes in Him is not condemned; but he who does not believe is condemned already, because he has not
believed in the name of the only begotten Son of God. John 3:18 (NKJV)
10.) What does the bible teach about being "born again"?
The bible teaches that a person cannot be saved unless he is born again.
Jesus answered and said to him, "Most assuredly, I say to you, unless one is born again, he cannot see the kingdom
of God." John 3:3 (NKJV)
11.) What does it mean to be born again?
To be born again is to receive a new, inner, spiritual life through the Holy Spirit so that one becomes a new person
in Christ.
Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; old things have passed away; behold, all things have become
new. 2 Corinthians 5:17 (NKJV)
12.) Why is it necessary to be born again in order to enter the kingdom of heaven?
Without the new birth, everyone is spiritually dead because of his sins. He remains under the sentence of death.
And you He made alive, who were dead in trespasses and sins, in which you once walked according to the course of
this world, according to the prince of the power of the air, the spirit who now works in the sons of disobedience,
among whom also we all once conducted ourselves in the lusts of our flesh, fulfilling the desires of the flesh and of
the mind, and were by nature children of wrath, just as the others. But God, who is rich in mercy, because of His
great love with which He loved us, even when we were dead in trespasses, made us alive together with Christ (by
grace you have been saved). Ephesians 2:1-5 (NKJV)
13.) Is it important for us to confess our faith in Chris publicly?
Yes.
As they went out, behold, they brought to Him a man, mute and demon-possessed. And when the demon was cast
out, the mute spoke. And the multitudes marveled, saying, "It was never seen like this in Israel!" Matt 9:32-33 (NKJV)
For this is the word of promise: "At this time I will come and Sarah shall have a son." And not only this, but when
Rebecca also had conceived by one man, even by our father Isaac. Romans 9:9-10 (NKJV)
14.) Can believers be absolutely sure that they have eternal life?
Yes, beyond any doubt!
These things I have written to you who believe in the name of the Son of God, that you may know that you have
eternal life, and that you may continue to believe in the name of the Son of God. 1 John 5:13 (NKJV)
For I am persuaded that neither death nor life, nor angels nor principalities nor powers, nor things present nor
things to come, nor height nor depth, nor any other created thing, shall be able to separate us from the love of God
which is in Christ Jesus our Lord. Romans 8:38-39 (NKJV)
15.) What happens to believers when they die?
Believers are taken immediately into the presence of Jesus.
For we know that if our earthly house, this tent, is destroyed, we have a building from God, a house not made with
hands, eternal in the heavens. 2 Corinthians 5:1 (NKJV)
So we are always confident, knowing that while we are at home in the body we are absent from the Lord.
2 Corinthians 5:6 (NKJV)
We are confident, yes, well pleased rather to be absent from the body and to be present with the Lord.
2 Corinthians 5:8 (NKJV)
For to me, to live is Christ, and to die is gain. Phil 1:21 (NKJV)
For I am hard pressed between the two, having a desire to depart and be with Christ, which is far better.
Phil 1:23 (NKJV)
16.) What will happen to the bodies of believers who die?
They will rise again in glory when Jesus returns to earth.
For our citizenship is in heaven, from which we also eagerly wait for the Savior, the Lord Jesus Christ, who will
transform our lowly body that it may be conformed to His glorious body, according to the working by which He is able
even to subdue all things to Himself. Phil 3:20-21 (NKJV)
The Sinner's Prayer
After reading all the questions and answers on the site, you may still have some very important questions
concerning your own salvation. You may still not be sure that your own sins have been forgiven. Or you may not be
sure that you have personally received the gift of eternal life.
If you have questions about your own salvation, we invite you to experience for yourself the truth of the bible's
teaching about salvation. Confess your sins to God, trust in Jesus Christ for forgiveness, and then, in faith, claim
God's promise of forgiveness and eternal life. He will surely give you what he has promised.
In order to help you do this, we invite you to pray sincerely the following prayer.. or a similar prayer of you own.
"Dear God, I confess that I'm a sinner and that I need your forgiveness. I'm truly sorry for my sins and humbly ask
you to forgive me and cleanse me. I believe that Jesus died on the cross in my place and that he rose again for my
salvation. In faith I accept from you the gift of eternal life, and, with your help, I promise to serve you as long as I
live. I pray in Jesus' name. Amen"
The bible says:
But as many as received Him, to them He gave the right to become children of God, to those who believe in His
name: John 1:12 (NKJV)
That's a promise to live by! WELCOME TO THE FAMILY OF GOD!
See also Salvation - by Bob Wells The Sinner's Prayer, Confessing Sins, Heaven, Hell, Jesus' Second Coming,
Repentance, Who is Jesus
 | |  | |  | |  | |  | |  | |  | |  | |  | |  | |  |
| Foot Prints An Inspirational Story |
 |
| |
 |
| |
 |
| |
 |
| |
 |
| |
 |
| |
 |
| |
 |
| |
 |
| |
 |
| |
 |
| |
 |
| |
 |
| |
 |
