Morning Moments

True Salvation

[Acts 2:38] 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.

There is so much shallow Christianity today that demands nothing, expects nothing, and produces nothing. It is the result of “another gospel”. People are paid big bucks for coming up with new little schemes of “witnessing” when the Scripture clearly teacher that when the Holy Spirit comes upon you, “you WILL BE my witnesses”.

There are clearly three things that happened in the context of the birth of the New Testament Church which brought some 3,000 to Christ on one day. They are worthy of our consideration.

1. There was the Conviction of Sin – 2:37 – “they were pricked in their hearts”. Jesus Christ came to save sinners and one must realize the burden of sin to experience the blessing of salvation. It is so easy to say you are a Christian today because you go to church somewhere. One man be having pre-marital sex, extra-marital sex, homosexual, taking drugs or whatever and say, “Oh yes, I’m a Christian.” WHERE THERE IS NO CONVICTION OF SIN THERE IS NO CONVERSION!

2. There was the Conversion of Life – 2:28 – “Repent” means CHANGE! If one is not willing for God to change him/her, He won’t. But true conversion involves turning from sin and turning to Christ. It is an about face and one cannot walk in two directions at the same time. When I got saved I had to immediately end my relationship with my girlfriend because it was not moral. She said I needed a psychiatrist; I said I needed the Savior. I was 25 then. I am 69 now. I have never regretted the turnabout.

3. There was a Confession of Faith – “Be baptized” – 2:38 – This was more than merely going through the waters of baptism, for it meant the loss of everything for many to confess that their faith was in Jesus Christ. Today it is a simply matter of going forward, shaking the preacher’s hand, nodding your head that you believe in Jesus, and being taken away to the water for baptism in many churches. One rarely is required to “confess with your mouth Jesus as Lord” because the preacher has done it for you, even if there was no “belief in your heart that God raised Him from the dead”. True confession of faith comes from the heart of a person who has been convicted of sin, converted in mind, will, and emotions, and who publicly confesses personal faith in Jesus Christ.

Maybe we should try it the Bible way.

BLESSINGS!