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Message from the Monthly Flyer from March 2007

Personal Action Plan for Believers

“Repeat after me, ‘I accept the Lord Jesus Christ as my personal Savior.’ Now, there you have it, you are now saved.” This thinking expresses, “only believe and you will be saved.” There is a problem with this type of thinking. In the Bible there was a definite course of action that was followed when someone believed. Let us take a closer look at this course of action. Believing requires action. There are several steps that are followed in the process of “believing.”

Believing through...Hearing the Gospel.

“For I am not ashamed of the gospel of Christ: for it is the power of God unto salvation to every one that believeth...” (Romans 1:16)

“He that believeth on me, as the scripture hath said...” (John 7:38)

Believing through...Accepting that Jesus is the Savior.

“For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life.” (John 3:16) In John 3:15-18, words with the root word “believe” are used five different times. Prior to these verses you will note that Jesus instructed Nicodemus concerning the necessary action of entering the kingdom of God. “...Except a man be born of water and of the Spirit, he cannot enter into the kingdom of God.” (John 3:5)

“...If ye believe not that I am he, ye shall die in your sins.” (John 8:24)

“...Through his name whosoever believeth in him shall receive remission of sins.” (Acts 10:43)

Believing by...Accepting that I am a sinner.

“For all have sinned, and come short of the glory of God.” (Romans 3:23)

“Behold, I was shapen in iniquity, and in sin did my mother conceive me.” (Psalm 51:5)

Believing by...Repenting of my evil ways.

If we believe that Jesus is the Savior and we are a sinner, we will turn from sin towards God. The initial message of both Jesus Christ and John the Baptist was simple; “Repent.” (Matthew 3:2; 4:17) Jesus also said, “...Except ye repent, ye shall all likewise perish.” (Luke 13:3) The disciples were instructed to preach repentance. “And that repentance and remission of sins should be preached in his name among all nations, beginning at Jerusalem.” (Luke 24:47) The Apostles obeyed this command in the Book of Acts. (Acts 17:30; Acts 3:19-20; Acts 20:20-21)

Believing by...Being baptized in the name of Jesus.

“He that believeth and is baptized shall be saved...” (Mark 16:16)

“But when they believed Philip preaching the things concerning the kingdom of God, and the name of Jesus Christ, they were baptized, both men and women.” (Acts 8:12) (Did you notice what happened WHEN they believed?) “And Crispus, the chief ruler of the synagogue, believed on the Lord with all his house; and many of the Corinthians hearing believed, and were baptized.” (Acts 18:8) By the way, did you notice what happened when they believed?

Paul explained to the believers at Ephesus that the Holy Ghost was promised to them that believe in the name of the Lord Jesus. “When they heard this, they were baptized in the name of the Lord Jesus.” (Acts 19:5)

The Apostle Paul (Saul) became a believer on the road to Damascus when he had a blinding encounter with the Lord. Yet, Ananias said, “And now why tarriest thou? Arise, and be baptized, and wash away thy sins, calling on the name of the Lord.” (Acts 22:16) It is at water baptism in the name of Jesus Christ that we call on the name of the Lord Jesus.

Believing by...Receiving the baptism of the Holy Ghost.

“...If any man thirst, let him come unto me, and drink. He that believeth on me, as the scripture hath said, out of his belly shall flow rivers of living water. (But this spake he of the Spirit, which they that believe on him should receive: for the Holy Ghost was not yet given; because that Jesus was not yet glorified.)” (John 7:37-39)

“Have ye received the Holy Ghost since ye believed?” (Acts 19:2) The literal translation of this question reads, “Having believed, did you receive the Holy Spirit?”

It is a fearful thing to walk down a dark passage way and to find that there is no door at the end.

Jesus said, “I am the door...” (John 10:9)

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