- Can I lose my salvation?
- Ephesians 4:30 tells us that we are sealed by the Holy Spirit until the day of redemption. We are already bought and paid for, and we have been sealed by His Spirit. We are eternally secure within this seal, and therefore we cannot lose our salvation.
- Can I be sure that I am going to heaven?
- 1 John 5:13 tells us that the Word of God was written so that we could know for sure where we are going and that we can know that Christ is the Son of God (a fact absolutely necessary for His payment to have taken our place). God doesn't want us to have to guess. He wants us to trust Him wholly and do His will.
- What do I do when I sin?
-
Understand that you do not lose your salvation. You are still
Christian, but you have simply messed up (this will happen fairly
often because you are human.) There are two steps to get right
with God:
- Simply acknowledge that what you did was wrong before God and ask Him to forgive you. He will according to 1 John 1:9.
- Stop doing it! Jesus has provided a way for us to deal with sin, but that does not allow us to develop a habit of it. Romans 6:1-2 tells us that salvation is not a "free pass" to live however we want. The reason we are to live for Him is to show our thankfulness for His salvation (for proof, see the rest of Romans 6).
- Does baptism save?
- No. Baptism cannot save, nor is it required for salvation. A major proof of this truth is found while Christ was being crucified. He told the criminal that he would be in "paradise" [heaven] that day with Him. The criminal did not have to get down off the cross, get baptized and get back on! He was simply saved by his confession to Christ. (This story is found in Luke 23:39-43). Another example is of the Philippian jailor found in Acts 16. In verse 30, he asks what he has to do to be saved. Their simple reply in verse 31 was to "Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ, and thou shalt be saved and thy house." Baptism was never mentioned in their reply. It needs to be done by a new believer, but it is not a part of salvation.
- How am I supposed to be baptized?
- The word baptism literally means "immersion." It is a picture of what Christ has done for us. He was crucified, buried and resurrected to pay the penalty for our sins. It is to show others your new committment to Christ. You should be completely submerged under water, picturing your death to your self and your new life in Christ. This is how Christ was baptized in Mark 1.
- Why should I go to church?
- Not only is it a command given in Hebrews 10:25, but it is also one of God's ways of speaking to us. 1 Corinthians 1:18-21 and Romans 10:14–15 tell us that it is His power and method of spreading His Word.
- Is there any other way to get to heaven?
- Acts 4:12 tells us that Christ is the only way and name to get to heaven. John 3:18 tells us that we have to believe on the name of the Son of God (Jesus) to be saved. He is the way, the truth, and the life (John 14:6).
- What first steps should I take after I get saved?
- See the "I'm Saved, Now What?" link at the top of the page.
© Marc Skwarczynski 2011
All quotations are from the Authorized King James Version (KJV).
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