THE LIGHTHOUSE CHAPEL UPC

The Whole Truth of Bible Salvation

Compiled by:  Darrel Hooper

Salvation

Salvation consists of deliverance from all sin and unrighteousness through the shed blood of Jesus Christ. The New Testament experience of salvation consists of repentance from sin, water baptism in the name of the Lord Jesus Christ for the remission of sins, and the infilling of the Holy Spirit. This coincides with the first gospel message preached in the Bible after Calvary and after the forming of the church, which the hearers were convicted of their sins and asked the preacher (Peter) and the rest of the apostles what they must do (Acts 2:36-41).  This is the grace of God whereby we are saved through obedient faith (Eph 2:8-9.  Obedience to the gospel is just that - it is obedience, not "works".   

Repentance

After one believes on the Lord Jesus Christ as their Savior, the Bible teaches that the old man must die out and the new man must come alive in Jesus Christ.  To repent means to turn from a lifestyle of sin to a lifestyle for God and to change one's way of thinking.  Repentance fulfills the commandment to obey the gospel in following Jesus in His death (Acts 2:38, Rom 6:2, 1 Cor 15:1-4, Gal 2:20).  Repentance is living in demonstration of one's belief in Jesus Christ as their Savior and their desire to please him in all they do.

Baptism

This is how we demonstate our faith and obedience of the gospel to follow Jesus in His burial.  This brings the promised sign of spiritual circumcision of the heart, by faith.  An operation of God takes place, which puts off the body of sins of the flesh (Col 2:9-14).  Jesus said, "He that believeth and is baptized shall be saved. (Mk 16:16)  Water baptism is to be administered only by immersion.  Paul said, "We are buried with Jesus Christ by baptism" (Rom 6:4; & Col 2:12); Jesus came up "out of the water" (Mk 1:10); and Philip and the eunuch went down "into the water" and came up "out of the water" (Acts 8:38-39).  Jesus' death, burial, and resurrection are applied to our lives when we experience New Testament salvation: "Repent [death to sin], and be baptized [burial of sins] every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins, and ye shall receive the gift of the Holy Ghost. [spiritual resurrection]." (See Acts 2:38; Rom 6:1-7; 8:2). Sprinkling, pouring, or infant baptism of any kind are traditions of man and cannot be substantiated by the Word of God.

Administration of Baptism

The name in which baptism is administered is vitally important, and this name is Jesus Christ.  Jesus commissioned his disciples to preach repentance and remission of sins in His name and to baptize all nations  in the name of the Father and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost" ( Lk 24:47; Mt 28:19).  We should notice that Jesus said name (singular) not names.   Father, Son, and Holy Ghost are not names of separate persons; rather, they are but a few of the titles by which we know God.  An angelic announcement revealed God's saving name in the New Testament: "She shall bring forth a son, and thou shalt call his name JESUS: for he shall save his people from their sins, and they shall call his name Emmanuel, (God with us) (Mt 1:21, 23).  The apostles understood that Jesus Christ is the name to use at baptism.  On the Day of Pentecost, the church was established and they baptized everyone who believed, both Jews and Gentiles, in the name of the Lord Jesus Christ. (Acts 2:38; ch 8:16; ch 10:45; ch 19:5)  In fact, Jesus is the only name given for our salvation. "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).

Infilling of God's Holy Spirit

 Jesus commanded all to wait for the promise of the Holy Ghost before they were to fulfill his great commission. (Acts 1:4, 8)  The infilling or baptism of the Holy Ghost (God's Spirit), is the fulfillment of the resurrection of Jesus in each of His followers.  The baptism of the Holy Ghost is the new birth or regeneration of God's Spirit within. (John 3:5)  Spiritual regeneration is necessary in order to be added to the Kingdom of God.  The fullness of God's Spirit in us is evidenced by speaking in other tongues (languages) as the Spirit gives the utterance.  It was prophesied by Joel (Joel 2:28-29) and Isaiah (Isaiah 28:11), foretold by John the Baptist (Matthew 3:11), purchased by the blood of Jesus, and promised by Him to all.  (John 7:38-39; 14:26; 15:16) "This promise is unto you, and to your children, and to all that are afar off, even as many as the Lord our God shall call" (Acts 2:39).

Living the Life

After we are saved from the penalty of sin, we are commanded to love, forgive, live soberly, righteously, and godly in this present world (Titus 2:12).  We are told that without holiness no one shall see the Lord (Hebrews 12:14).  We must present ourselves holy unto God (Romans 12:1), cleanse ourselves from all filthiness of the flesh and spirit (II Corinthians 7:1), and separate ourselves from all worldliness (James 4:4).  After all, that is really what repentance is about.  If the righteous scarcely be saved, where shall the ungodly and the sinner appear (I Peter 4:18)? No one can live a holy life by his own power, but only through the Holy Spirit.  "Ye shall receive power, after that the Holy Ghost is come upon you" (Acts 1:8).