salvation

Religious tradition says that healing has passed away. They aren’t exactly sure when it happened, but they seem certain of its demise.

When you start reading the Bible, however, it’s easy to see why tradition is mistaken. God said, “I am the LORD that healeth thee” (Exodus 15:26, KJV). He didn’t say, "I was the LORD who healed you," or, "I will be the LORD who heals you in heaven someday." He said, "I am your Healer—right now, today!" “I am the LORD, I change not” (Malachi 3:6, KJV).

No. As important as water baptism is, we know from multiple scriptures that it’s not what saves a person. What does save a person is the new birth resulting from faith in the shed blood of Jesus, confession of Him as Lord and believing that God raised Him from the dead (Ephesians 1:7; Hebrews 9:22; Revelation 1:5; Romans 10:9-10).

Some have thought Acts 2:38 tied water baptism to salvation. It says, “You must repent of your sins and turn to God, and be baptized in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins. Then you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit.”

The New Age movement is one of many religions and belief systems in the world today. Here’s the problem—all religions and non-Christian belief systems teach that we have no need of a savior or that we can earn salvation by good works or attaining higher spiritual levels.

God is the creator of life. He is life. In Him no death or darkness exists.

When God created Lucifer, He created an eternal being. God did not create him to die or cease to exist, but to live forever. Ezekiel 28 tells how Lucifer was created perfect and then iniquity was found in him (see also Isaiah 14:12-15).

The Bible certainly teaches there is an unpardonable sin of blaspheming the Holy Spirit. But fearful thoughts of whether you have committed this sin are designed by the devil to keep you out of fellowship with God. Think about it: if you’re concerned about having committed the unpardonable sin, you’re proving by your concern you have not!

But what about others? Time spent trying to judge whether another has committed the unpardonable sin removes you from the proper place of love and intercession for that person.

There has been much discussion about whether salvation is available to all mankind, or if it is only reserved for a special group of elect people whom God has already chosen to be born again. (This is commonly referred to as “predestination.”) But the simple answer is found in Acts 2:21: “Everyone who calls on the name of the LORD will be saved.”

The difference—and it is major—is that under the Old Covenant, those who trusted God in regard to the Law could not be born again like we are under the New Covenant. Their new birth could not take place until Jesus died for their sins, was raised from the dead and glorified. (See John 7:37-39.) 

When you’re praying for a loved one to come to know the Lord, keep in mind that Satan who has blinded their eyes and darkened their understanding. So, your goal is to get their eyes opened, and that is something the Word of God will do. Try to get them under the sound of the Word, and it will open their eyes. 

Scripture tells us not only when the disciples were born again, but also how. The answer may surprise you: They were born again the very same way you and I, or any other person is.

We know the disciples walked and talked with Jesus on a daily basis. But like every Christian, each individual disciple had to accept that Jesus was raised from the dead and make Jesus his Lord (Romans 10:9-10). The Bible describes how and when this took place after Jesus’ resurrection:

The enemy tries to discourage or confuse all believers on this issue. Think about it: Anytime he can get believers to spend time wondering if they are saved is time he is keeping them from discovering how much authority this new life gives them over the kingdom of darkness. 

Here is some really good news—you can know without a doubt that you are born again! 

The family that lives out their faith together sees victory together! Even if you weren’t raised in an atmosphere of faith, you can create one for your children, your grandchildren and your entire family when you set out to create an atmosphere that puts God first place and pursues Him every day in every way.

Create your own legacy of faith, and make faith a family affair with these four fun and easy tips!