Maybe the reason you are reading this guide is because you are seeking truth. You believe there is more to life than what you are currently experiencing, and you desire to know more. Let me assure you, there is more!
Perhaps there is a burden you are carrying, and you want to be freed from its weight. You feel inadequate, guilty, ashamed, or even useless. Let me encourage you, your chains of imprisonment can be removed today!
In this guide, you will read about good news that is for everyone regardless of age, gender, or race. This gospel message comes from the ultimate source of truth and life and centers around one person, the Lord Jesus Christ.
What Is the Gospel of Jesus Christ?
The simple answer is that Jesus came to earth to pay the penalty for our wrong doings by dying on the cross. He rose from the dead after being buried for three days, conquering death and able to offer eternal life with him in heaven. You can have forgiveness from your sins and eternal life when you die if you accept this free gift by putting your trust and hope in Jesus. He will forgive you and save you from the ultimate punishment, separation from God in hell.
The message is that simple! You can ask God for this free gift right now by praying this prayer from your heart:
“God, I know that I have wronged you and that the punishment for my wrong doings is separation from you in hell. I believe that Jesus paid the price for my wrongs and rose again to offer eternal life to me. Please forgive me and allow Jesus to come into my life and make me new. I want to follow your perfect ways and not my own. Amen”
If you prayed that prayer from your heart and truly meant it, then congratulations, you have been saved. If you are still unsure about this free gift or what it means to receive salvation in Jesus Christ, then you can continue reading for more information.
Let’s break it down completely…
Why Do We Need Saving?
The Bible says that every person has sinned and fallen short of God’s glory (Romans 3:23). What is sin? Sin is missing the mark of God’s perfect standard. God is holy and cannot allow sin to dwell in his presence. He is also the Righteous Judge and cannot allow sin to go unpunished. Because all have sinned, we are condemned to not just physical death, but eternal separation from God in hell (Romans 6:23; Revelation 20:13-14).
Not only does our sin separate us from God, but we cannot do enough good deeds to earn his favor or receive eternal life with him in heaven. It is only by God’s grace that he offers us a chance to be forgiven and experience life with him. Grace is giving you something that you do not deserve. We all deserve God’s wrath but have a choice to be saved from it (Romans 5:9; 1 Thessalonians 5:9).
Ephesians 2:8-9 says, “For by grace you have been saved through faith. It is not our own doing but is a gift from God. Not by works so that no one can boast.
Salvation, then, is the total work of God in bringing people from condemnation for their sins to justification in His eyes, from death to having eternal life with him. It is one of the grandest themes in the whole Bible and it centers around the Lord Jesus Christ.
Why would God want to save sinners?
God desires for all of us to have a relationship with him and not experience a place of torment which he created for the devil and his followers (Matthew 25:41; Revelation 20:10). For this reason, God loved you and I so much that he demonstrated his love by sending his son, Jesus, to die on the cross and pay for the punishment of our sins (John 3:16; Romans 5:8-9).
Do you want to have peace in your life?
Ask God for forgiveness and experience the freedom of a clean conscience before him. Christ’s righteousness will cover your sins and you will be justified in God’s sight (Romans 5:1, 8:1). Forgiveness, freedom from sin and death, and eternal life with God are all a free gift offered to everyone regardless of what kind of wrong or even how many wrongs you have committed.
What is eternal life?
Eternal life is knowing God and being with him forever (John 17:3). Christ not only died on the cross for our sins, but God raised him from the dead, conquering sin and death. He offers eternal life if you put their faith in Christ for the forgiveness of your sins and believe that Christ rose from the dead (John 11:25-26; Romans 8:10-11, 1 Corinthians 15:1-6). Because Christ lives, you will also live forever (John 14:19)!
But who is this Jesus, and why should you trust him with your life and eternal destiny? Let’s walk through what the Bible tells us about Jesus’ story.
Who is Jesus?
The gospel of John is a great starting place for learning about who Jesus is. Before Jesus came to earth, he was with God in heaven (John 1:1-2). In fact, he is God! He is the Word who spoke everything into existence (vs. 3). He took on the form of a human to be with us; and offered himself as a sacrifice for our sins (vv. 10-14).
This is what makes Christianity unique among any other religion because its God is a personal God. What god loved his creation so much that he took on flesh, then suffered and died at their hands? Who has paid the penalty for his creation’s own disobedience? What god rose from the dead so that his creation could join him in heaven if they believe in him?
Jesus is God:
The most profound statements Jesus would make was when claiming to be God (e.g. John 8:58, 10:30). Not to be confused with God the Father or God the Holy Spirit. For more information on the Trinity of God, check out this article here.
Jesus did many miracles that only God can do. He made the lame walk (John 5), the blind see (John 9), the deaf hear (Mark 7:31-37), and the mute speak (Matthew 9:33; 12:22). He even raised others from the dead (Luke 7:11-17; John 11:1-46). He also claimed to be able to forgive sin, something that only God can do (Matthew 9:1-8).
Jesus was a prophet:
There are many prophecies from the Old Testament that Jesus fulfilled — at least 300! Some of these include being born in Bethlehem (Micah 5:2; Luke 2:4-7) from the line of David (Isaiah 9:7; Matthew 1:6; 19:26), of a virgin (Isaiah 7:14; Luke 1:26-35). He would be a shepherd for his people (Isaiah 40:10-11; John 10:11), will speak in parables (Psalm 78:2; Matthew 13:3, 35), and would be resurrected from the dead by God (Psalm 49:15; Luke 24:6-8).
Jesus also made many predictions of his own during his ministry on earth. Some of these include: one of his disciples betraying him (Psalm 41:9; Matthew 26:21-22); his boldest disciple, Peter, denying him three times (Matthew 26:33-34, 69-75); and being handed over to the chief priests and pharisees, killed, and raised to life on the third day (Mark 9:30-31; 10:32-34).
Jesus was born of a virgin:
Jesus is the only son of God (Matthew 1:18; Luke 1:26-35; John 3:16). He was sinless at birth, because he was born of God. The sin nature was not passed down from a man (Romans 5:12-21). He also lived a perfect life according to God’s law, which was acceptable to God as the blameless sacrifice for sin (2 Corinthians 5:21; Hebrews 7:26).
The mystery of the virgin birth is essential to Jesus not being born with sin and for being God. For a deeper study on the virgin birth, check out this article here.
Jesus is the Great High Priest:
In the Jewish temple, there is a large veil that would hang in front of the Holy of holies. Behind that curtain is where the high priest would go once a year to offer a sacrifice for everyone’s sins. This area was where God’s presence would dwell. It was such a holy place that the priest would have to tie a rope around his waist with a bell, to be pulled out if he died while being in God’s holy presence.
When Jesus died on the cross, that veil was torn from top to bottom by God. Jesus has opened the way between God and mankind. Jesus is in God’s presence and intercedes for those who want forgiveness since he is the perfect sacrifice for sins. You have access to God at any time through Christ’s blood that was shed on the cross for your sins. You can confess your sins and Jesus will forgive them and renew your relationship between God (1 John 1:5-10).
Jesus is head of the Church:
The Church is known as the body of believers in Jesus Christ. Jesus is the head of this body meaning he is the authority, guide, and decision maker. The Church is called the bride of Christ and Jesus is the groom. He takes care his bride and will return for her again when he returns to earth in the end times.
Even though the Jews are God’s chosen people, the Church is made up of every race of person. Jesus established peace between all people since he died on the cross to forgive everyone’s sins. This offer of eternal life is open to everyone equally. The Church does not replace Israel but is adopted as God’s child through the blood of Christ.
For more information on the difference between the Jews and Christians, check out this article here.
Jesus is king and conqueror:
Since Jesus is from the line of David, he will sit on David’s throne and rule in Jerusalem during his millennial reign on earth (Isaiah 9:6-7; Revelation 19:11—20:8). This event will take place after the rapture of the Church (believers) and the seven-year tribulation.
For more information on the rapture and being saved from God’s wrath during the tribulation, check out the article here.
After the 1,000 years are done, Satan will be freed from his prison to deceive the nations again. Jesus will defeat Satan and his armies again. Then he will sit on his glorious throne after he makes a new heaven and new earth. There, all who believed in Christ will enjoy his presence forever.
Jesus is the ultimate judge:
Every knee will bow to Jesus because he has been given authority over everything (Philippians 2:5-11). He is both ruler and judge over everything in heaven and on earth. At the end of time, he throws Satan into the lake of fire for eternity and then will sit on a great white throne (Revelation 20:7-11).
The Great White Throne judgement is where Jesus will judge all those who did not believe in him for salvation (Revelation 20:11-15). They will be judged for every deed they did, good or bad, and will be thrown into the lake of fire for eternity. This is why it is crucial to make today the day you put your faith in Christ for the forgiveness of your sins and to choose to follow him and his ways rather than your own.
So, you put your faith in Jesus and want to follow his ways. Now what? What does life look like after you believe in Christ and receive forgiveness and a new life in him? Here are some important points to consider after believing in Christ for your salvation.
First, you should find a local church to attend, whether a nondenominational church, or a Baptist or Bible church. If you have Christian friends, you could join them or ask for recommendations.
It is important to note that not all churches who may claim to be of the “Christian faith” are Christian. These include Jehovah’s Witness, Catholic, and Mormon to name a few. For reasons why these faiths differ in their teachings and beliefs about the Bible and following Christ, check out this article here.
Second, it is important to be baptized as a public declaration of your commitment to Christ.
Third, being saved does not mean you will no longer sin or be tempted by sin. Sanctification is the continual process of following Christ and obeying him.
Fourth, you will never lose your salvation even if you sin again.
Lastly, tell someone you know about the forgiveness you have received, and the new life Christ has given you in him. Everyone should experience the freedom of forgiveness and the joy which new life in Christ brings.
Let’s discuss these topics below…
What Does It Mean to be Baptized?
Baptism is part of Jesus’ Great Commission that is for all believers in him. In Matthew 28:19-20, Jesus commands his followers to make disciples of every nation and baptize them in the name of the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. This baptism is done after you believe in Christ. It is not at birth (infant baptism) nor for those who are dead so that they can be saved (baptism for the dead).
Baptism is not for salvation because salvation is “not of works” but is a free gift. This baptism is a public statement that you are a follower of Christ, that you have been cleansed of your sins, that you will obey what he says, and is a reminder that you will be resurrected with him after you die.
What Is Sanctification?
As a believer, you have freedom over the power of sin, but that does not mean you will never sin again. Sin still reigns in your body and tempts you to do what God does not approve of (Romans 6:1-12). These wrong desires include such things as lusting for what another person has whether it is an object or person, considering yourself better than others and seeking your own gain rather than looking after others in a humble manner.
Victory from sinning comes by keeping your mind on the things of God and what he wants rather than satisfying whatever desire you want. Jesus said the greatest commandment to follow is to “Love the Lord God with all your heart, soul, and mind…and love your neighbor as yourself” (Matthew 22:37-39). If you seek to love, you will follow the laws of God. You can learn about God’s ways as you spend time reading his words in the Bible and praying to him.
For more information on what sanctification is, check out this article here.
Can You Lose Your Salvation?
When you sin as a Christian, sometimes it will feel like you blew it, and God will no longer forgive you or he will cancel your right into his family. However, this is not true. 1 John 1:9 says that Jesus is faithful and just to forgive you of your sins and cleanse you from all unrighteousness. You renew your relationship with God when you ask forgiveness and come closer to him as you obey him.
One of the works of the Holy Spirit is to seal your salvation and your right into the kingdom of God (Ephesians 1:13-14). This seal is never broken meaning that you cannot lose your salvation if you have truly believed in Christ, regardless of what wrong you commit. You are Christ’s, and he will not cast you out (John 6:37-40). Your salvation is secured by the hand of God the Father (John 10:27-30). No one can snatch you out of his hand! Therefore, you have the trinity of God securing your salvation.
For more information on the role of the Holy Spirit, check out this article here.
Tell the World about Jesus
The most important part of the Great Commission is making disciples. This means that every believer in Christ needs to tell others about the good news of salvation. Everyone can have peace with God and eternal life, but they will never know of it unless they hear it from one who has experienced salvation, and the new life Christ offers (Romans 10:8-15).
The idea of discipleship is coming alongside another, to grow together in the knowledge and love of God, and to encourage each other to live a life pleasing to God amidst the struggles of sin and the turmoil in life.