Jesus says that the majority of those on earth will not be with Him in paradise (Matthew 7:13, 14). But why will they not be in heaven? In one word--SIN! God teaches that all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God (Romans 3:23). The seriousness of the sin is not a factor in whether a person is lost or saved. Adam and Eve sinned in the Garden of Eden by eating the forbidden fruit (Genesis 3). We may not consider this a major crime like murder or theft, yet God said concerning their disobedience, "...you will surely die" (Genesis 2:15). This means that if a person lies, cheats, gossips, violates the law of the land such as driving too fast, he has sinned and separated himself from the Lord (Isaiah 59:2). The average person in the world is lost in sin and does not know it (Romans 3:23). Just one sin will cause us to be lost (James 2:10). The frightening end for those who remain separated from the Lord is described in Revelation 21:8. They will have "...their part in the lake which burns with sulfur and brimstone, which is the second death."

Eternal Life Is A FREE Gift!

Many are trying to earn eternal life by being a good person here on earth, but this is not possible (Titus 3:5). Eternal life is a free gift (Romans 6:23). A person cannot earn a free gift. God's love for humanity caused Him to send His Son to earth to become human (Colossians 2:9; Galatians 4:4). In Jesus, God came in the flesh (1 Timothy 3:16). This was accomplished through the virgin birth (Isaiah 7:14; Matthew 1:18-25). He was to be called Jesus Christ. Jesus faced all the temptations we face, yet He never sinned (Hebrews 4:15). He humbled Himself and became obedient to the point of death on the cross (Philippians 2:5.8). On the cross, He made payment for our sins (1 Peter 2:21-24). This helps us to understand why eternal life is a free gift; the purchase price was the blood of His only Son (Acts 20:28). It's free but is not cheap, costing the life of God's Son. The Bible says every sin we have ever committed was laid on Jesus (Isaiah 53:6).

After His resurrection and before Jesus ascended back to heaven, He said, "Go into all the world and preach the gospel to everyone," (Mark 16:15). In the book of Acts, Peter tells this very message (Acts 2:22-36). As we continue to read Acts, the same message is proclaimed over and over again. Those who responded would ask, "What must we do to be saved?" (Acts 2:37, 16:30). The answer given is to believe on Jesus as Lord and Messiah (Christ) and you will be saved as well as your family if you accept the message of the gospel. A Roman jailer took two of Jesus' disciples, Paul and Silas, to his home and his entire family heard the good news about Jesus.

What Must We Do To Be Saved?

We must first of all realize that the Bible helps to interpret itself. Jesus said, "...for if you do not believe that I am He, you will die in your sins" (John 8:24). This is what we call a "life and death statement." There is only one way to interpret this...faith is necessary! This is a life and death statement number one.

Repentance & Salvation:

Jesus said, "...unless you repent, you will all likewise perish," (Luke 13:3). This is another life and death statement! Peter, preaching the first sermon after Jesus' resurrection told the people that they would have to repent or there would be no forgiveness of sins (Acts 2:38). See also Acts 17:30, 31. We must not accept parts of God's Word and avoid others.

Declaring One's Faith:

An Ethiopian nobleman serves as a good example of one who declared his faith before others (Acts 8:37). Paul said with the mouth confession is made unto salvation (Roman 10:10). Jesus asked us to confess before men (Matthew 10:32). Again, this is a life and death situation. Yet there are those who have not confessed their faith before anyone. The scriptures still say, "if you confess with your mouth the Lord Jesus...you shall be saved" (Romans 10:9).

Obeying The Gospel:

Peter stood on that first Pentecost after Jesus' resurrection and proclaimed his death and resurrection. The crowd became believers and called out, "What must we do?" Peter replied with another life and death statement, "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," (Acts 2:38).

Immersion In Water:

Why did Peter include immersion in water in his answer? Paul later helps us understand why one is immersed in water in response to the gospel. God had chosen to have those claiming to believe that Jesus died, was buried, and resurrected to re-enact that event in water (Romans 6:3, 4).

In Romans 10:16, Paul says, "But they have not all obeyed the gospel..." Peter later states, "...what will be the end of those who do not obey the gospel?" Paul had already answered that when he said, "...when the Lord Jesus is revealed from heaven with His mighty angels, in flaming fire taking vengeance on those who do not know God, and on those who do not OBEY THE GOSPEL of our Lord Jesus Christ," (2 Thessalonians 1:7, 8). This is another life and death statement! Those who do not obey His death, burial, and resurrection will suffer eternal destruction, verse 9. Why did God choose for a person to submit to being lowered beneath the water and raised up to begin a new life?

Jesus was not allowed to by-pass the cross (Hebrews 5:7, 8). Neither will a sinner be allowed to respond to the gospel other than through obedience of faith to God (Colossians 2:12, 13). Those who gladly received the gospel were baptized (Acts 2:41) and were added to the church, verse 47. Those in the church of Christ today believe that God's Word teaches that faith, repentance, confession, and baptism are necessary before one is saved. The man who became the great apostle Paul met Jesus on the road to Damascus. He became a penitent believer who needed to hear one final thing that would give him forgiveness of sins. "And now why are you waiting? Arise and be baptized and wash away your sins calling on the name of the Lord," (Acts 22:16).

Would you like to be a part of a saved body of believers who have moved from a state of death to poses eternal life? Contact Us here at the Columbia Avenue Church of Christ. Ask to discuss more about this important subject using only God's Word so that you can have the assurance that if the Lord were to return, you would be in heaven with Him throughout eternity.