Questions: How does
Christ’s atonement really work? How can you be redeemed from the fall and find
salvation?
“Thus all mankind were lost; and behold, they would
have been endlessly lost were it not that God
redeemed his people his people from their lost and fallen state.” Mosiah
16:4 The Book of Mormon
“[F]or verily I say unto you, all those who receive my gospel are sons and daughters in my kingdom.”
Doctrine and Covenants 25:1
“Yea, repent and be baptized, every one of you, for a
remission of your sins; yea, be baptized
even by water, and then cometh the baptism of fire and of the Holy Ghost.”
Doctrine and Covenants 33:11
Members of the Restored Church believe
that Jesus Christ is the Father of salvation by His atonement, and that the
atonement is accessed in the manner Christ detailed in the Bible, by baptism,
sacraments, and the Spirit.
All of God’s
children, but for Christ who was able to live without sin, have been or are
under spiritual death where they cannot progress because they have transgressed
the law. The law has become a curse for
sinners because it has no ability to justify the sinner.
“[F]or it is written, Cursed is every one that
continueth not in all things which are written in the book of the law to do
them. But that no man is justified by the law in the sight of God, it is
evident: for, The just shall live by faith.
And the law is not of faith: but, The man that doeth them shall live in
them. Christ hath redeemed us from the
curse of the law, being made a curse for us. …” Galatians 3:10-13
These fallen
children can only return to God by first being adopted and brought up by Jesus
Christ. This adoption is achieved through baptism in Jesus Christ and through
the receiving of the Holy Spirit.
“Jesus answered, Verily, verily, I say unto thee, Except a man be born of water and of the
Spirit, he cannot enter into the kingdom of God. … Ye must be born again.” John 3:5, 7
Being baptized in
water is an individual’s covenant to follow Jesus Christ.
“Now the God of peace, that brought again from
the dead our Lord Jesus, that great shepherd of the sheep, through the blood of the everlasting covenant.” Hebrews 13:20
“John did baptize in the wilderness, and preach the baptism of repentance for the remission of sins.” Mark 1:4
“For this is my covenant unto
them, when I shall take away their sins.” Romans 11:27
This covenant is
the first portion of the adoption.
“Having predestinated us unto the adoption
of children by Jesus Christ to himself, according to the good pleasure of
his will, … In whom we have redemption
through his blood, the forgiveness of sins, according to the riches of his
grace.” Ephesians 1:5, 7
Baptism
is necessary for sinners.
“But the Pharisees and lawyers rejected the counsel of God against themselves, being not baptized of
him.” Luke 7:30
When a person
begins to develop faith in the Lord, when they begin to fear Him, He will show
them His covenant and teach them. The covenant is connected to divine
instruction.
“The secret of
the LORD is with them that fear him; and
he will shew them his covenant.” Psalms 25:14
“What hast thou to do to declare my statutes, or that
thou shouldest take my covenant into thy
mouth, Seeing thou hatest
instruction, and casteth my words behind thee?” Psalms 50:16-17
Before a person is
baptized into covenant, they must desire repentance through their fear of the
Lord. They must be ready to forsake
their sins and to follow Christ.
“And now, my brethren, I would that ye should humble yourselves before God, and bring
forth fruit meet for repentance, that ye may also enter into that rest.”
Alma 13:13 The Book of Mormon
“And were baptized
of him in Jordan, confessing their sins.
But when he saw many of the Pharisees and Sadducees come to his baptism, he
said unto them, O generation of vipers, who hath warned you to flee from the
wrath to come? Bring forth therefore
fruits meet for repentance.” Matthew 3:6-8
Because baptism is
an individual’s covenant with God that comes about when someone is wanting to
forsake and repent of sins, little children have no need of baptism. Little
children are not accountable for their actions because they are not capable of
committing sin. It is mockery to God for parents to baptize infants, because
the covenant is between God and the person being baptized. An infant cannot
make such a covenant.
“Listen to the words of Christ, your Redeemer, your
Lord and your God. Behold, I came into the world not to call the righteous but
sinners to repentance; the whole need no physician, but they that are sick;
wherefore, little children are whole, for
they are not capable of committing sin; wherefore the curse of Adam is
taken from them in me, that it hath no power over them; and the law of
circumcision is done away in me. And after this manner did the Holy Ghost
manifest the word of God unto me; wherefore, my beloved son, I know that it is solemn mockery before God, that ye
should baptize little children. Behold I say unto you that this thing shall
ye teach- repentance and baptism unto those who are accountable and capable of
committing sin; yea, teach parents that they must repent and be baptized, and
humble themselves as their little children, and they shall all be saved with
their little children. And their little children need no repentance, neither
baptism. Behold, baptism is unto repentance to the fulfilling the commandments
unto the remission of sins. But little children are alive in Christ, even from
the foundation of the world; if not so, God is a partial God, and also a
changeable God, and a respecter to persons; for how many little children have
died without baptism! Wherefore, if little children could not be saved without
baptism, these must have gone to an endless hell.” Moroni 8:8-13 The Book of
Mormon
Being born again
finds symbolism in the purity and innocence of newborn babes, who grow up
following the teachings of their parents.
“As
newborn babes, desire the sincere milk of the word, that ye may grow
thereby: If so be ye have tasted that the Lord
is gracious.” 1 Peter 2:2-3
“At the same time came the disciples unto Jesus,
saying, Who is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven? And Jesus called a little
child unto him, and set him in the midst of them, And said, Verily I say unto you, Except ye be
converted, and become as little children, ye shall not enter into the kingdom
of heaven. Whosoever therefore shall humble himself as this little child,
the same is greatest in the kingdom of heaven. And whoso shall receive one such
little child in my name receiveth me.” Matthew 18:1-5
Jesus was baptized as
an example for sinners.
“But John forbad him, saying, I have need to be
baptized of thee, and comest thou to me? And Jesus answering said unto him, Suffer it to be so now: for thus it becometh
us to fulfil all righteousness. Then he suffered him.” Matthew 3:14-15
What is needed for
baptism?
“And John also was baptizing in AEnon near to Salim, because there was much water there.
…” John 3:23
Why would there
need to be much water for a baptism? Those
who are baptized must be completely immersed in water, as baptism represents
being reborn, rising from a state of spiritual death.
“Therefore we
are buried with him by baptism into death: that like as Christ was raised up
from the dead by the glory of the Father, even so we also should walk in
newness of life. For if we have been planted together in the likeness of his
death, we shall be also in the likeness of his resurrection.” Romans 6:4-5
“For ye are all the children of God by faith in Christ
Jesus. For as many of you as have been
baptized into Christ have put on Christ.” Galatians 3:26-27
The path of the
adoption is continued through the sacrament.
“Jesus took bread, and blessed it, and brake it, and
gave it to the disciples, and said, Take, eat; this is my body. And he took the
cup, and gave thanks, and gave it to them, saying, Drink ye all of it. For this
is my blood of the new testament, which
is shed for many for the remission of sins.” Matthew 26:26-28
“And when he had given thanks, he brake it, and said,
Take, eat: this is my body, which is broken for you: this do in remembrance of me.”
1 Corinthians 11:24
The bread and drink
represent Christ’s body and blood. The
sacrament is something you need to do as often as you are able as it is
spiritual renewing and purification. Just as in baptism we are buried with
Christ in death, partaking of sacraments is a renewal of the baptism covenant
by yet showing the Lord’s death.
“For as often as
ye eat this bread, and drink this cup, ye do shew the Lord’s death till he come.” 1 Corinthians 11:26
The sacraments are
a functional aspect of salvation, gaining eternal life, and are something to do
over and over again.
“Then Jesus
said unto them, Verily, verily, I say unto you, Except ye eat the flesh of the
Son of man, and drink his blood, ye have no life in you. Whoso eateth my flesh, and drinketh my blood, hath eternal life;
and I will raise him up at the last day. For my flesh is meat indeed, and my
blood is drink indeed. He that eateth my flesh, and drinketh my blood, dwelleth
in me, and I in him. As the living Father hath sent me, and I live by the
Father: so he that eateth me, even he shall live by me. This is that bread which came down from
heaven: not as your fathers did eat manna, and are dead: he that eateth of this
bread shall live for ever.” John
6:53-58
The sacrament helps
us partake of the divine nature. It helps us to gain the knowledge of God and
find eternal life.
“And this is life eternal, that they might know
thee the only true God, and Jesus Christ, whom thou hast sent.” John 17:3
With the taking of
sacraments we must strive to be obedient to Jesus Christ, according to the
covenant we made to obey Him at baptism. Partaking of the sacrament is an important
physical act of taking Christ’s nature into ourselves, a similitude of how it
is done spiritually. It is partaking of
His divine nature, and making it part of us, so that we may know Him.
“Grace and peace be
multiplied unto you through the knowledge
of God, and of Jesus our Lord. According as his divine power hath given unto
us all things that pertain unto life and godliness, through the knowledge of him that hath called us to glory and virtue:
Whereby are given unto us exceeding great and precious promises: that by these ye might be partakers of the divine
nature. …” 2 Peter 1:2-4
In addition to
baptism, Jesus received the Gift of the Holy Ghost.
“And Jesus, when he was baptized, went up straightway
out of the water: and, lo, the heavens were opened unto him, and he saw the Spirit of God descending like a dove, and lighting upon him.” Matthew 3:16
The gift of the
Holy Ghost is the second part of the adoption of sons to Jesus Christ. Salvation
comes by Christ’s atonement accessed by baptism, and the Holy Spirit.
“[A]ccording to his mercy he saved us, by the washing of regeneration, and renewing of the Holy
Ghost.” Titus 3:5
“Now when they heard this, they were pricked in their
heart, and said unto Peter and to the rest of the apostles, Men and brethren,
what shall we do? Then Peter said unto them, Repent, and be baptized 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.
For the promise is unto you, and to your children, and to all those that are
afar off, even as many as the Lord our God shall call.” Acts 2:37-39
“[B]ut ye have received the Spirit of adoption. …” Romans 8:15
The Holy Ghost can
attend any person at any time, but the gift of the Holy Ghost is specific to
the administering of Christ’s atonement.
The Spirit provides the divine instruction given after the covenant. The
gift of the Holy Spirit is given by the laying on of hands through priesthood
authority derived from Christ down through His apostles.
“And it came to pass, that, while Apollos was at
Corinth, Paul having passed through the upper coasts came to Ephesus: and
finding certain disciples, He said unto them, Have ye received the Holy Ghost since ye believed? And they said
unto him, We have not so much as heard whether there be any Holy Ghost. ... And when Paul had laid his hands upon them,
the Holy Ghost came on them. …” Acts 19:1-2, 6
“Now when the apostles which were at Jerusalem heard
that Samaria had received the word of God, they sent unto them Peter and John:
Who, when they were come down, prayed for them, that they might receive the
Holy Ghost: (For as yet he was fallen upon none of them: only they were
baptized in the name of the Lord Jesus.) Then laid they their hands on them,
and they received the Holy Ghost. And when Simon saw that through laying on of the apostles’ hands the Holy Ghost was given,
he offered them money, Saying, Give me also this power, that on whomsoever I
lay hands, he may receive the Holy Ghost. But Peter said unto him, Thy money
perish with thee, because thou hast thought that the gift of God may be
purchased with money. Thou hast neither part nor lot in this matter: for thy
heart is not right in the sight of God.” Acts 8:14-21
Just like the
apostles, Moses in ancient times also had the power to give the gift of the
Holy Ghost.
“And Joshua the son
of Nun was full of the spirit of wisdom; for
Moses had laid his hands upon him. …” Deuteronomy 34:9
The Holy Ghost as
the third part of the Godhead has an important role to testify of Christ and
His words, to teach truth, to comfort you, and to renew your spirit.
“But when the Comforter is come, whom I will send unto
you from the Father, even the Spirit of truth, which proceedeth from the
Father, he shall testify of me.” John 15:26
“But the Comforter, which is the Holy Ghost, whom the
Father will send in my name, he shall
teach you all things, and bring all things to your remembrance, whatsoever I
have said unto you.” John 14:26
“When the Lord shall have washed away the
filth … by the spirit of judgment, and by the spirit of burning.” Isaiah
4:4
We cannot suppose
that we need only the Spirit, or that we need only baptism. They go together, beginning with Christ’s
covenant of baptism. It must start there. Only when we have put on Christ
through baptism can we then receive the gift of the Holy Ghost.
“For through him [Christ] we both have access by one Spirit unto the
Father.” Ephesians 2:18
There is a reason
why we only receive the gift of the Spirit after our covenant to Christ through
baptism. You must believe in Him and that He is the author of salvation. You
cannot be taught anything if you do not have faith and fear of the Lord. The
fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom.
“But without faith it
is impossible to please him: for he that
cometh to God must believe that he is, and that he is a rewarder of them
that diligently seek him.” Hebrews 11:6
“The fear of the
LORD is the beginning of wisdom: a good understanding have all they that do
his commandments. …” Psalms 111:10
“The fear of the
LORD is the beginning of knowledge. …” Proverbs 1:7
By the atonement of
Christ, the Holy Spirit can bring you into righteousness, into the wisdom,
understanding, and the knowledge of God.
“[T]he things of
God knoweth no man, but the Spirit of God. Now we have received, not the
spirit of the world, but the spirit which is of God; that we might know the
things that are freely given to us of God.” 1 Corinthians 2:11-12
“Then shalt thou understand the fear of the LORD, and find the knowledge of God.” Proverbs
2:5
“And the spirit of the LORD shall rest upon him, the
spirit of wisdom and understanding, the spirit of counsel and might, the spirit of knowledge and of the fear of
the LORD.” Isaiah 11:2
By keeping our
covenant with Christ to remember Him and keep His commandments, we qualify for
the instruction of the Spirit.
“If ye keep my
commandments, ye shall abide in my love; even as I have kept my Father’s
commandments, and abide in his love.”
John 15:10
“And hope maketh not ashamed; because the love of God is shed abroad in our hearts
by the Holy Ghost which is given unto us.” Romans 5:5
“Jesus answered and
said unto him, If a man love me, he will keep my words: and my Father will love
him, and we will come unto him, and make
our abode with him. He that loveth me not keepeth not my sayings; and the
word which ye hear is not mine, but the Father’s which sent me. These things
have I spoken unto you, being yet present with you. But the Comforter, which is
the Holy Ghost, whom the Father will send
in my name, he shall teach you all things, and bring all things to your
remembrance, whatsoever I have said unto you. Peace I leave with you, my peace
I give unto you.” John 14:23-27
The words of the Restored Church's sacramental blessing over the bread demonstrate this covenant and
promise.
“O God, the Eternal Father, we ask thee in the name of
thy Son, Jesus Christ, to bless and sanctify this bread to the souls of all
those who partake of it, that they may eat in remembrance of the body of thy
Son, and witness unto thee, O God, the Eternal Father, that they are willing to take upon them the name of thy Son, and always
remember him and keep his commandments which he has given them; that they may
always have his Spirit to be with them. Amen.” Doctrine and Covenants 20:77
Note the wording in
that scripture. By taking upon us the
name of Christ, remembering Him, and being willing to keep His commandments, we
qualify to have the Holy Spirit with us.
The Holy Spirit will
train you to keep the law of God.
“Whereof the
Holy Ghost also is a witness to us: for after that he had said before, This
is the covenant that I will make with them after those days, saith the Lord, I will put my laws into their hearts, and in
their minds will I write them. And their sins and iniquities will I remember no
more.” Hebrews 10:15-17
“This I say then, Walk in the Spirit, and ye shall not fulfil
the lust of the flesh. For the flesh lusteth against the Spirit, and the
Spirit against the flesh: and these are contrary the one to the other: so that
ye cannot do the things that ye would. But if ye be led of the Spirit, ye are not under the law. Now the works of
the flesh are manifest, which are these; Adultery, fornication, uncleanness,
lasciviousness, Idolatry, witchcraft, hatred, variance, emulations, wrath,
strife, seditions, heresies, Envyings, murders, drunkenness, revellings, and
such like: of the which I tell you before, as I have also told you in time
past, that they which do such things shall not inherit the kingdom of God. But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy,
peace, longsuffering, gentleness, goodness, faith, Meekness, temperance:
against such there is no law. And they that are Christ’s have crucified the
flesh with the affections and lusts. If we live in the Spirit, let us also walk
in the Spirit.” Galatians 5:16-25
“Whom shall he
teach knowledge? and whom shall he make to understand doctrine? them that
are weaned from the milk, and drawn from the breasts. For precept must be upon
precept, precept upon precept; line upon line, line upon line; here a little,
and there a little: For with stammering lips and another tongue will he speak
to this people. To whom he said, This is the rest wherewith ye may cause the
weary to rest; and this is the
refreshing. …” Isaiah 28:10-12
By partaking of the
baptism covenant, sacraments, and receiving the Holy Ghost, you are adopted by
Christ and born again.
“To redeem them that were under the law, that we might receive the adoption of sons.”
Galatians 4:5
“Having predestinated us unto the adoption of children by Jesus Christ to himself, according to
the good pleasure of his will.”
Ephesians 1:5
Being born again by
Christ, we are saved from the curse of the law and justified by Christ’s grace,
not by any good work we might do. But what is it to be saved? If our sins cause
us to spiritually die, then by being spiritually alive we are performing works
of righteousness. If sin kills a spirit, then a living spirit is by nature
performing acts of life. It is a state of being, not a list to accomplish so we
can be saved.
“Not by works of righteousness which we have done, but
according to his mercy he saved us, by the washing of regeneration, and
renewing of the Holy Ghost; Which he shed on us abundantly through Jesus Christ
our Saviour; That being justified by his
grace, we should be made heirs according to the hope of eternal life.”
Titus 3:5-7
“How much more shall the blood of Christ, who through
the eternal Spirit offered himself without spot to God, purge your conscience from dead works to serve the living God?”
Hebrews 9:14
Christ was not
sacrificed just to get us out of trouble, but to heal us. His atonement reconciles us to God by
cleansing us from sin and making us workers of righteousness.
“Therefore if any man be in Christ, he is a new
creature: old things are passed away; behold, all things are become new. And
all things are of God, who hath
reconciled us to himself by Jesus Christ, and hath given to us the ministry
of reconciliation; To wit, that God was in Christ, reconciling the world unto
himself, not imputing their trespasses unto them; and hath committed unto us
the word of reconciliation. Now then we are ambassadors for Christ, as though
God did beseech you by us: we pray you in Christ’s stead, be ye reconciled to
God. For he hath made him to be sin for us, who knew no sin; that we might be made the righteousness of God in
him.” 2 Corinthians 5:17-21
Christ’s grace
holds not only forgiveness for sin. His
grace also gives us instruction and wisdom.
“In whom we have redemption
through his blood, the forgiveness of sins, according to the riches of his grace; Wherein he hath abounded toward us in all
wisdom and prudence; Having made known unto us the mystery of his will,
according to his good pleasure which he hath purposed in himself.” Ephesians
1:7-9
“Grace and peace
be multiplied unto you through the knowledge of God, and of Jesus our Lord. According as his divine power hath given
unto us all things that pertain unto life and godliness, through the knowledge of him that hath called us to glory and
virtue: Whereby are given unto us exceeding great and precious promises: that
by these ye might be partakers of the
divine nature. …” 2 Peter 1:2-4
“That as sin hath reigned unto death, even so might grace reign through righteousness unto
eternal life by Jesus Christ our Lord.”
Romans 5:21
“Teach ye
diligently and my grace shall attend you, that you may be instructed more
perfectly in theory, in principle, in doctrine, in the law of the gospel,
in all things that pertain unto the kingdom of God, that are expedient for you
to understand.” Doctrine and Covenants 88:78
We receive grace
from God and Christ by the Holy Spirit. If we have the Spirit we are not under
the curse of the law, but under grace.
The Spirit is sent in God’s name, and that is one important aspect of
His grace.
“[T]he Spirit of
grace.” Hebrews 10:29
“[T]hat we might receive the promise of the
Spirit through faith. … Wherefore the law was our schoolmaster to bring us
unto Christ; that we might be justified by faith. But after that faith is come,
we are no longer under a schoolmaster.”
Galatians 3:14, 24-25
“For sin shall not have dominion over you: for ye are not under the law, but under grace.”
Romans 6:14
“This I say then, Walk
in the Spirit, and ye shall not fulfil the lust of the flesh. For the flesh
lusteth against the Spirit, and the Spirit against the flesh: and these are
contrary the one to the other: so that ye cannot do the things that ye would. But if ye be led of the Spirit, ye are not
under the law. Galatians 5:16-18
“There is
therefore now no condemnation to them which are in Christ Jesus, who walk not
after the flesh, but after the Spirit. For the law of the Spirit of life in
Christ Jesus hath made me free from the law of sin and death. For what the
law could not do, in that it was weak through the flesh, God sending his own
Son in the likeness of sinful flesh, and for sin, condemned sin in the flesh: That the righteousness of the law might be
fulfilled in us, who walk not after the flesh, but after the Spirit. For
they that are after the flesh do mind the things of the flesh; but they that
are after the Spirit the things of the Spirit. For to be carnally minded is
death; but to be spiritually minded is life and peace. Because the carnal mind
is enmity against God: for it is not subject to the law of God, neither indeed
can be. So then they that are in the flesh cannot please God. But ye are not in
the flesh, but in the Spirit, if so be that the Spirit of God dwell in you. Now
if any man have not the Spirit of Christ, he is none of his. And if Christ be
in you, the body is dead because of sin; but the Spirit is life because of righteousness.” Romans 8:1-10
We must be taught
righteousness by the Spirit of Grace to find eternal life.
“And these
shall go away into everlasting punishment: but the righteous into life eternal.” Matthew 25:46
“That as sin hath
reigned unto death, even so might grace
reign through righteousness unto eternal life by Jesus Christ our
Lord.” Romans 5:21
“And if a man also strive for masteries, yet he is not
crowned, except he strive lawfully.”
2 Timothy 2:5
“I will give thee a crown of life.” Revelations 2:10
“And hereby we do know that we know him, if
we keep his commandments. He that saith, I know him, and keepeth not his
commandments, is a liar, and the truth is not in him.” 1 John 2:3-4
“And this is life eternal, that they might
know thee the only true God, and Jesus Christ, whom thou hast sent.” John
17:3
This is a process.
“Create in me a
clean heart, O God; and renew a right spirit within me. Cast me not away
from thy presence; and take not thy holy spirit from me.” Psalms 51:10-11
“And have out on the
new man, which is renewed in
knowledge after the image of him that created him.” Colossians 3:10
“That ye put off concerning the former conversation
the old man, which is corrupt according to the deceitful lusts; And be renewed
in the spirit of your mind; And that ye
put on the new man, which after God is created in righteousness and true
holiness.” Ephesians 4:22-24
“And be not conformed to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of
your mind, that ye may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and
perfect, will of God.” Romans 12:2
“For which cause we faint not; but though our outward
man perish, yet the inward man is renewed
day by day.” 2 Corinthians 4:16
If you covenant to
follow Christ and gain the knowledge of
Him by His Spirit, but later rebelliously choose sin, there is no more
grace of Christ’s atonement for you.
“For if we sin wilfully after that we have received
the knowledge of the truth, there
remaineth no more sacrifice for sins, But a certain fearful looking for of
judgment and fiery indignation, which shall devour the adversaries. He that
despised Moses’ law died without mercy under two or three witnesses: Of how
much sorer punishment, suppose ye, shall he be thought worthy, who hath trodden
under foot the Son of God, and hath counted the blood of the covenant,
wherewith he was sanctified, an unholy thing, and hath done despite unto the
Spirit of grace? For we know him that hath said, Vengeance belongeth unto me, I
will recompense, saith the Lord. And again, The Lord shall judge his people. It
is a fearful thing to fall into the hands of the living God.” Hebrews 10:26-31
Only those who keep
the covenant and do His commandments have the promise of mercy.
“But the mercy of the LORD is from everlasting to
everlasting upon them that fear him, and his righteousness unto children’s
children; To such as keep his covenant,
and to those that remember his commandments to do them.” Psalms 103:17-18
When you covenant
to follow Christ and do what He tells you to, you become a saint.
“[T]he LORD … he
preserveth the souls of his saints. ...”
Psalms 97:10
“Gather my
saints together unto me; those that have made a covenant with me by sacrifice.” Psalms 50:5
“[T]o them that
are sanctified in Christ Jesus, called to be saints. …” 1 Corinthians 1:2
Baptism, the gift
of the Holy Spirit, and the renewing through the sacraments, are required for
salvation. If you base your salvation on
anything other than what Jesus Christ taught was necessary, you build on an
unsafe foundation.
“Therefore whosoever
heareth these sayings of mine, and doeth them, I will liken him unto a wise
man, which built his house upon a rock: And the rains descended, and the floods
came, and the winds blew, and beat upon that house; and it fell not: for it was
founded upon a rock. And every one that heareth these sayings of mine, and
doeth them not, shall be likened unto a foolish man, which built his house upon
the sand. And the rain descended, and the floods came, and the winds blew, and
beat upon that house; and it fell: and great was the fall of it. And it came to
pass, when Jesus had ended these sayings, the people were astonished at his
doctrine: For he taught them as one having authority, and not as the
scribes.” Matthew 7:24-29
Many people believe that simply believing in
Christ is enough to save. This is the most simplistic kind of religion. If we
really believe in Jesus Christ, we believe in all His words, we believe we must
do all that He told us we must do. When we really believe, we seek Him by
learning all we can about Him. There is a difference in believing in Jesus, and
believing Jesus. How can you say, “I believe in Jesus, but I don’t believe Him
when He said I needed baptism”?
“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
“This is a faithful saying, and these things I will that thou affirm
constantly, that they which have believed
in God might be careful to maintain good works. These things are good and
profitable unto men.” Titus 3:8
“Then Peter said unto them, Repent,
and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission
of sin, and ye shall receive the gift of the Holy Ghost.” Act 2:38
“Verily, verily, I say
unto you, He that believeth on me, the
works that I do shall he do also. …” John 14:12
“Then they that gladly
received his word were baptized. …”
Acts 2:41
If we believe Jesus, we must do His words and
His works. We must be baptized as He was, receive the Holy Spirit as He did,
partake of the sacrament as He did, follow His examples of good works, and love
as He loved. This is true belief in Jesus Christ. This is true love for Christ.
“Jesus answered and
said unto him, If a man love me, he will
keep my words: and my Father will love him, and we will come unto him, and
make our abode with him. He that loveth
me not keepeth not my sayings; and the word which ye hear is not mine, but
the Father’s which sent me. These things have I spoken unto you, being yet present
with you. But the Comforter, which is the Holy Ghost, whom the Father will send
in my name, he shall teach you all things, and bring all things to your
remembrance, whatsoever I have said unto you. Peace I leave with you, my peace
I give unto you.” John 14:23-27
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