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NASB | Acts 2:38 Peter said to them, "Repent, and each of you be baptized in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins; and you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit. |
AMPLIFIED 2015 | Acts 2:38 And Peter said to them, "Repent [change your old way of thinking, turn from your sinful ways, accept and follow Jesus as the Messiah] and be baptized, each of you, in the name of Jesus Christ because of the forgiveness of your sins; and you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit. |
Bible Question:
Having just attended a memorial service for a Christian that now resides in the presents of the Lord, there was something that caught my attention that I have heard hundreds of times, by about as many pastors, but this time it just seemed to jump out at me. The pastor that held the service presented a very good message on God’s plan for mankind with emphasis on the gospel message. He ended his message by saying: “If anyone wanted to have a relationship with Christ, and be saved, all that they needed to do was to ask Jesus to come into their heart and ask God to forgive them and surrender their life to Christ.” Question: Where in the Bible are these recommendations for “salvation” found? I’m sure I’m not the only one who has heard this! Wouldn’t we be better to stay with what the Scripture actually says? John 1:12 But as many as received him, to them gave he power to become the sons of God, even to them that believe on his name: John 20:30-31 And many other signs truly did Jesus in the presence of his disciples, which are not written in this book: [31] But these are written, that ye might believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God; and that believing ye might have life through his name. I know that people mean well but that just isn’t the way to be saved. Ephes. 2:8 For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God: CDBJ x |
Bible Answer: Hey Brother, I hear what your saying and I would agree with you that we should stay with the scripture (Romans 10:17). I think many times some tend to try and sum up what the scripture says and we tend to use catch phrases that have been introduced throughout time. I guess I should not speak as if I know the motivation or reasoning of other men but I do believe in the power of God's word (Hebrews 4:12, Isaiah 55:11) and have experienced it myself so I personally would agree repeating it as it is written is the way it should be delivered. We need not fear the lack of understanding on the part of another because we know that without God revealing His truth to us we will never understand it to the point of belief unless He Himself opens our heart to it and draws us to Him and gives us the faith to believe (John 6:44-45 Romans 12:3, Ephesians 2:8). You said "I know that people mean well but that just isn’t the way to be saved. Ephes. 2:8 For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God:" This scripture does not exactly tell someone how to be saved either (Was that your point or am I misinterpreting you?). It tells them they are saved by faith, but faith in what? It tells them that it is nothing they do on their own but that it's a gift from God. Isn't this scripture speaking to those already saved? Is it required that someone know and understand that salvation is a gift from God before they receive this gift or is the fact they know and understand that Christ died for their sins and was buried and that He was raised on the third day and that they believe this in their heart and confess Him as Lord that is important? How could one ever understand the depth of the gift of salvation without first having God reveal it to them? Forgive me if I've drifted off subject and/or misinterpreted you. Your Brother in Christ, Steve |