The Bible teaches that a man is separated from God when he sins. Therefore, mankind has a common need: the forgiveness of sins. Our simple message to people is to obey the gospel. The gospel will lead people to Christ and to His church where forgiveness is found.

We believe that we are saved by grace through faith (Ephesians 2:8-10). The grace of God, demonstrated in Christ’s death on the cross, is free, but there are conditions required of those who would receive it. Many different man-made teachings and theories are heard in religion today concerning forgiveness. Here is what the Bible says about it:

Belief

This word describes trust or faith. It is a total reliance upon God, not just a mental acceptance of facts.

“And without faith, it is impossible to please Him, for he who comes to God must believe that He is, and that He is a rewarder of those who seek Him.” Hebrews 11:6.

True faith is willing to act upon what is believed:

“What use is it, my brethren, if a man says he has faith, but he has no works…For just as the body without the spirit is dead, so also faith without works is dead” James 2:14, 26. Faith is obtained by listening to God’s word (Romans 10:17).

Repentance

This is a change of mind that brings about a change in behavior. The Scriptures plainly teach that our conduct must not be habitually sinful:

“Therefore, bear fruit in keeping with repentance” Matthew 3:8. Repentance is a command and hence a condition for salvation: “God is now declaring to men that all people everywhere should repent.” Acts 17:30.

Confession

Believers must not be ashamed of their faith. Jesus said,

“everyone who confesses Me before men, I will also confess him before My Father who is in heaven, but whoever denies Me before men, I will also deny him before My Father who is in heaven.” Matthew 10:32-33.

This obviously identifies confession as a condition for being saved.

Baptism

We contact the life-giving blood of Christ in the waters of baptism:

“Or do you not know that all of us who have been baptized into Christ Jesus have been baptized into His death? Therefore, we have been buried with Him through baptism into death, so that as Christ was raised from the dead through the glory of the Father, so we too might walk in newness of life.” Romans 6:3-4.

Furthermore, the apostle Peter distinctly indicates baptism to be essential to salvation:

“Corresponding to that, baptism now saves you — not the removal of dirt from the flesh, but an appeal to God for a good conscience — through the resurrection of Jesus Christ.” 1 Peter 3:21.

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