The Salvation Experience
Summer Neal
By: Michael Patterson/Edited by: Summer Neal
Jesus commanded us to be “born again” of the water & of the Spirit.
We see this in a conversation between Jesus & Nicodemus...
“There was a man of the Pharisees, named Nicodemus, a ruler of the Jews: The same came to Jesus by night, and said unto him, Rabbi, we know that thou art a teacher come from God: for no man can do these miracles that thou doest, except God be with him. Jesus answered and said unto him, Verily, verily, I say unto thee, except a man be born again, he cannot see the kingdom of God. Nicodemus saith unto him, how can a man be born when he is old? can he enter the second time into his mother's womb, and be born? 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. That which is born of the flesh is flesh; and that which is born of the Spirit is spirit. Marvel not that I said unto thee, Ye must be born again.” – John 3:1-7
Jesus continues…
“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. For God sent not his Son into the world to condemn the world; but that the world through him might be saved.” – John 3:16-17
Why would Jesus tell us that “if we believe, we should not perish”?
Because Jesus Christ made a way for us to have everlasting life by...
“Salvation begins, but does not end, with repentance.”
Believing in Jesus
Repenting of our Sins
Being Baptized in the name of Jesus
Receiving the Gift of the Holy Spirit
Enduring to the end
Experiencing the “New Birth” is as simple as repenting of our sins, being baptized in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of our sins, & receiving the gift of the Holy Spirit. (Acts 2:38)
Ho do we know we have received the gift of the Holy Spirit?
We speak in other tongues as the Spirit of God give the utterance... just like they did in the Book of Acts.
What is repentance?
Repentance is turning away from sin & turning to God.
It involves an intellectual, emotional, and volitional (will) change. Repentance was the fundamental message of the New Testament.
“I tell you, Nay: but, except ye repent, ye shall all likewise perish.” – Luke 13:3
Why is repentance so important?
1. We are all sinners, and the judgment of sin is death (eternal separation from God).
2. God has provided us with a way of salvation (the Gospel of Jesus Christ).
3. Repentance is the first step in the new birth.
Repentance involves:
1. Recognition of your sin.
2. Genuine sorrow towards God for your sins.
3. A change of mind, heart, and life away from (forsaking) sin and toward God.
4. Confession to God of your sins.
5. Asking God to forgive you of your sins.
Salvation begins, but does not end, with repentance. You must repent, believe, & obey the full gospel of Jesus Christ. (Mark 1:14-15)
Scripture teaches us that we must also take on the name of Jesus in water baptism for the washing away of our sins.
Baptism is not merely an outward sign of an inner work of grace. The Bible indisputably declares that water baptism in the name of Jesus is essential for our salvation.
Baptism was a direct command of Jesus Christ and the Apostles.
Baptism was commanded as an essential part of being saved from our sins.
The Bible instructs us that the proper method of baptism is full immersion in water in the name of Jesus Christ.
Speaking the name of Jesus orally.
Re-baptizing those who have been baptized another way.
Why? Because, where God enters into covenant, there He places His name.
Notice the first message preached by the Apostle Peter after Jesus’ death.
“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.” – Acts 2:38
Water baptism is ESSENTIAL to salvation and we must be baptized in the name of Jesus Christ.
One of the first things we discover in Scripture about the Holy Spirit is that it is a promise from God to everyone.
“And it shall come to pass afterward, that I will pour out my spirit upon all flesh; and your sons and your daughters shall prophesy, your old men shall dream dreams, your young men shall see visions: And also upon the servants and upon the handmaids in those days will I pour out my spirit.” - Joel 2:28-29
Wherever God puts His name, there He dwells.
Receiving the promise of the Holy Spirit is essential to our salvation.
1. It is a direct command of Jesus Christ.
2. It is confirmed as essential to salvation by the Apostles.
“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. But if the Spirit of him that raised up Jesus from the dead dwell in you, he that raised up Christ from the dead shall also quicken your mortal bodies by his Spirit that dwelleth in you.” - Romans 8:9-11
Receiving the Holy Spirit can be experienced by anybody!
Speaking in tongues is the initial sign of receiving the Holy Spirit.
1. Speaking in tongues is the supernatural gift of speaking in another language that you have never learned.
2. It is not unintelligible speaking.
3. It is speaking in a heavenly language as the Spirit of God gives the utterance.
Biblical salvation is the identification with the death, burial, and resurrection of Jesus Christ (the Gospel) through repentance, baptism in the name of Jesus Christ, and receiving the Gift of the Holy Ghost as evident by speaking in other tongues.
Edited by Summer Neal