Sin and Salvation

What is Sin?

Sin creates separation from God and results in both a physical and a spiritual death for which you were not created. Scripture employs several concepts to fully describe sin:

To “pass over,” knowingly going beyond assigned limits to trespass boundaries and break commands (Hosea 6:7).

To “break away,” lawlessly denying God’s right to command (I Timothy 1:9).

To “miss the mark,” as an archer failing to hit his target (Romans 3:23).

Just as Adam sinned willfully and was cast out of the Garden, just as sheep without a shepherd wander astray, and just as life comes up short by continually missing the mark, sin is an abnormal state that God never intended for you.

Scriptural References: Proverbs 14:21, Proverbs 21:4, Proverbs 24:9, Galatians 5:19-21, James 4:17, I John 3:4, I John 5:17

Man is a Sinner

Just as physical genes transfer physical traits from one generation to the next, spiritual genes have transferred the trait of sin from Adam and Eve to every generation that has followed. Sin is no surface problem; it is a spiritually genetic defect.

The Bible describes the natural state of man clearly: his heart is deceitful and desperately wicked (Jeremiah 17:9), his mind cannot understand spiritual things (I Corinthians 2:14), his conscience is dull and insensitive (Ephesians 4:19; Titus 1:15), his will cannot do good even if he desires to (Romans 7:19), and his best efforts are but filthy rags (Isaiah 64:6).

Scriptural References: Numbers 32:23, Psalm 51:5, Psalm 53:3, Isaiah 53:6, Isaiah 64:6, Jeremiah 17:9, Romans 3:10-12, Romans 3:23, Romans 5:12, Romans 5:19, Romans 6:23, Galatians 6:7, James 1:14-15, I John 1:8

Jesus Christ Provides Salvation

Although He is the Master Teacher, the Great Physician, the Lion of Judah, the Lily of the Valley, and so much more, Jesus’ primary mission is to be our Redeemer and Savior.

As the Light, it is only by Him that you are no longer in darkness (John 12:46).

As the Door, it is only by Him you shall enter and be saved (John 10:9).

As the Vine, it is only in Him you can abide, for without Him, you can do nothing (John 15:5).

As the Lamb slain from the foundation of the world, it is only by His precious blood that you are redeemed (I Peter 1:18-20).

As the Way, the Truth, and the Life, salvation—by whatever metaphor—is found only in Jesus Christ.

"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

Scriptural References: Psalm 37:39, Isaiah 12:2, Isaiah 53:1-7, Luke 2:11, Luke 19:10, John 1:29, John 3:14-17, John 10:11, John 15:13, Acts 4:12, Romans 5:6, Romans 6:23, I Corinthians 5:7, I Corinthians 15:3, Galatians 1:4, I Timothy 1:15, I Timothy 2:4, Titus 2:11-14, Hebrews 2:9, Hebrews 7:25, Hebrews 9:28, I Peter 2:24, I Peter 3:18, II Peter 3:9, Revelation 1:5, Revelation 5:9

The Blood of a Sinless Sacrifice

The blood of Jesus Christ is the only atonement for our sins.

"For this is my blood of the New Testament, which is shed for many for the remission of sins." — Matthew 26:28

"Take heed therefore unto yourselves, and to all the flock... to feed the church of God, which he hath purchased with his own blood." — Acts 20:28

Scriptural References: Exodus 12:13, Leviticus 17:11, Matthew 26:28, Acts 20:28, Romans 5:9, II Corinthians 5:21, Hebrews 9:14, Hebrews 9:22, I Peter 1:18-19, I John 1:7, Revelation 1:4-5

Obedience is Essential to Salvation

Faith is not passive; it requires a response.

"And we are his witnesses of these things; and so is also the Holy Ghost, whom God hath given to them that obey him." — Acts 5:32

"Blessed are they that do his commandments, that they may have right to the tree of life, and may enter in through the gates into the city." — Revelation 22:14

Scriptural References: I Samuel 15:22, John 8:31, Romans 6:16, James 1:25, Revelation 22:14

Saving Faith and Belief

Faith is more than a mental exercise. If simply "believing" was all that was necessary for salvation, the devil himself would be saved (James 2:19). Faith is inherently an action word.

Person after person named in Hebrews 11 demonstrated their faith by their actions, for there is no true faith without action. Obedience is the litmus test of your faith, not your feelings. Feelings should follow faith, not the other way around.

"Do you believe?" is always more accurately asked as, "Do you obey?" The answer to the first question is limited to your own internal evaluation of your thoughts. The answer to the second question, however—your actions visible for all to see—is under no such limitation. Faith that obeys is the only faith that saves.

"He that believeth on me, as the scripture hath said, out of his belly shall flow rivers of living water." — John 7:38

Scriptural References: Mark 16:16, John 7:38, Acts 16:31, Romans 10:9-17, Ephesians 2:8, Hebrews 11:1, Hebrews 11:6

Repentance is Essential

The call to repent is not an invitation; it is a command. Those who refuse are guilty of further disobedience before God.

"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

Repentance involves four vital elements:

Confession: You must confess that you are a sinner, alone responsible for your sins.

Forsaking: You must determine to turn away from sin.

Turning: You must turn to God as the only hope of your salvation.

Restitution: You must be willing to make restitution, to the degree possible, for wrongs committed against others.

Godly sorrow is more than feeling bad. Judas Iscariot felt remorse but hanged himself rather than repent. Godly sorrow brings a carefulness not to sin, indignation against sin, and a desire to restore what sin has taken. Just as the altar of sacrifice in the Old Testament tabernacle was the first station on the path into the presence of the Lord, your drawing near to God must always begin with repentance.

Scriptural References: II Chronicles 7:14, Psalm 34:18, Isaiah 55:7, Ezekiel 18:21, Joel 2:13, Luke 13:2-3, Luke 15:10, Luke 24:47, Acts 2:38, Acts 3:19, Acts 17:30, II Corinthians 7:10, II Peter 3:9

Water Baptism is Essential

The Red Sea marked the boundary for the children of Israel between their future in God’s Promised Land and their past slavery in Egypt. However, crossing obediently on dry land was not enough to ensure their deliverance. Pharaoh’s army, and the bondage it represented, had to be washed away by the collapsing walls of water before the Israelites were truly free.

Paul wrote that they were “baptized … in the cloud and in the sea” (I Corinthians 10:2), paralleling Jesus’ words that a man cannot enter the kingdom of God except he be born of water and of the Spirit (John 3:5).

"He that believeth and is baptized shall be saved; but he that believeth not shall be damned." — Mark 16:16

Scriptural References: John 3:3-5, Acts 2:38, Acts 10:48, Acts 11:14, Acts 16:30-33, I Corinthians 10:1-4, I Peter 3:20-21

Water Baptism Should be in the Name of Jesus Christ

Right now, before reading the rest of this paragraph, take a piece of paper and write on it the name of your father.

Done? I wrote “Victor,” as that is my father’s name; and you, I’m sure, wrote the specific first name of your father. What you did not write was the phrase “the name of my father,” because you understood that those literal words held no value compared to the person’s actual name.

The apostles understood this same fact regarding the instruction of Jesus to baptize in the “name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost.” They understood that "Father, Son, and Holy Ghost" are titles, not names, and they invariably baptized in the name of the one who holds those titles: Jesus.

Scriptural References: Luke 24:47, Matthew 28:19, Acts 2:37-41, Acts 4:12, Acts 8:12-16, Acts 10:47-48, Acts 15:14, Acts 19:1-5, Acts 22:16, Romans 6:3-5, I Corinthians 1:12-15, Galatians 3:27, Colossians 2:8-12, Colossians 3:17, Titus 3:5

Why "In the Name of Jesus"?

Mere moments before Jesus ascended, He commanded His disciples to baptize all nations “in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost.”

Nine days later, on the Day of Pentecost, Peter—full of the Holy Ghost he had just received—stood up. When the crowd asked, “Men and brethren, what shall we do?”, he replied, “Repent, and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ...”

If the Apostles had been confused, the other eleven would have interrupted Peter immediately.

Of course, the apostles did nothing of the sort. They stood with Peter because they understood Jesus’ words perfectly: Jesus is the name of the Father, Son, and Holy Ghost. There is no conflict between the words of Peter and Jesus. The only choice is whether you will parrot Jesus’ command or obey it.

Scriptural References: Zechariah 14:9, Matthew 1:21, Matthew 28:19, John 5:43, John 14:9, John 14:17, John 15:26, Acts 2:38, Acts 4:12, Acts 7:59, Acts 9:5, Colossians 1:27, Hebrews 1:4, Hebrews 2:12

Water Baptism by Immersion

The English word baptism is derived from the Greek word baptizo, a term from the dyers’ trade meaning “to dip.” Just as dyers dipped cloth in dye to ensure every fiber was colored, so being baptized into Christ is to fully covered by your Savior’s blood.

“Buried with him in baptism, wherein also ye are risen with him through the faith of the operation of God, who hath raised him from the dead.” -Colossians 2:12

From John the Baptist baptizing Jesus to Philip baptizing the Ethiopian eunuch, there is no scriptural evidence to suggest any method of water baptism other than by full immersion.

Scriptural References: Matthew 3:16, Mark 1:9-10, John 3:23, Acts 8:35-39, Romans 6:3-5

The Baptism of the Holy Ghost is Essential

When Paul encountered disciples at Ephesus, having them rebaptized in Jesus’ name was not sufficient for him. He then laid his hands on them, and they received the Holy Ghost (Acts 19:6), confirming Peter’s Pentecost promise: “Ye shall receive the gift of the Holy Ghost” (Acts 2:38).

Paul later wrote that without the Spirit, we are none of His (Romans 8:9). Jesus Himself told Nicodemus that without being born again of the Spirit, he could not enter the kingdom of God (John 3:6). The Holy Ghost is not an optional spiritual accessory; it is essential to your ultimate salvation.

Scriptural References: Jeremiah 31:33, Ezekiel 36:26-27, Hosea 6:3, Joel 2:28-29, Zechariah 4:6, Matthew 3:11, Luke 11:13, Luke 24:49, John 3:1-8, John 7:37-39, John 14:16-18, John 14:26, John 16:13, Acts 1:4-5, Acts 1:8, Acts 2:1-4, Acts 2:16-18, Acts 2:37-40, Acts 8:14-17, Acts 10:42-48, Acts 11:12-18, Acts 19:1-7, Romans 8:9-11, Romans 8:16, I Corinthians 12:13, Colossians 1:27

Speaking in Tongues is the Initial Evidence

James described the tongue as the most unruly member of the body—untamable, like the rudder of a ship (James 3:3-8). If your tongue can be brought under submission, your whole body will follow. It was with this understanding that God chose speaking in other tongues as the sign of full surrender when the Holy Ghost is received.

Every account in the Book of Acts where details are given—Jerusalem, Samaria, Caesarea, Ephesus—includes physical evidence of the infilling of the Holy Ghost. Just as the Jews knew the Gentiles had received the Holy Ghost because “they heard them speak with tongues” (Acts 10:46), you can be assured that your experience matches the apostolic church when you speak with other tongues as the Spirit gives the utterance.

Scriptural References: Isaiah 28:11-12, Mark 16:16-17, Acts 2:1-16, Acts 2:33, Acts 8:17-19, Acts 10:44-46, Acts 19:6, Romans 8:16

The Holy Ghost Brings Abundant Life

God never intended for your Holy Ghost experience to be a “one and done” event. The gift of God comes with a myriad of blessings to help you live a life that overcomes sin, Satan, and self.

The Holy Ghost adopts (Romans 8:15), teaches (John 14:26), refreshes (Acts 3:19), empowers (Acts 1:8), emboldens (Acts 4:31-33), intercedes (Romans 8:26-27), seals (Ephesians 1:13-14), frees (II Corinthians 3:17), and resurrects (Romans 8:11).

Scriptural References: Isaiah 28:11-12, Matthew 11:28-30, Luke 12:12, John 6:63, John 14:26, John 16:13, Acts 1:8, Acts 3:19, Acts 4:31-33, Romans 5:5, Romans 8:11-17, Romans 8:26-27, I Corinthians 12:13, II Corinthians 3:6, II Corinthians 3:17, Galatians 4:6, Ephesians 1:13-14, Colossians 1:27