What We Believe
God’s Plan of Salvation
“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.”
Acts 2:38 (NASB)
Salvation begins with God. Sin separates every accountable person from Him, and no amount of good behavior can erase guilt or earn eternal life. Yet God acted in grace by sending His Son to die for our sins and raising Him from the dead. The New Testament reveals both what God has done and how He commands us to receive His gift. We should accept that message as a whole rather than selecting only the parts favored by a creed, denomination, family tradition, or personal experience.
Saved by Grace Through Christ
All have sinned and fall short of God’s glory (Romans 3:23), and sin earns death (Romans 6:23). We cannot rescue ourselves. Ephesians 2:8–9 teaches that salvation is by grace through faith, not a result of works about which anyone may boast. The basis of salvation is Jesus’ sacrificial death, His shed blood, and His resurrection—not human goodness.
The gospel is the good news that Christ died for our sins, was buried, and was raised on the third day (1 Corinthians 15:1–4). God offers this salvation freely, but grace does not cancel the response God commands. The New Testament speaks of “the obedience of faith” (Romans 1:5; 16:26). Obedience does not purchase grace; it trusts God enough to receive His gift in the way He has revealed.
Hear the Gospel and Believe in Christ
Faith begins by hearing. Romans 10:17 says, “faith comes from hearing, and hearing by the word of Christ.” Before a person can respond, the gospel must be taught: who Jesus is, what sin has done, what Christ accomplished at the cross, and the hope secured by His resurrection. A religious feeling without the gospel is not biblical faith.
Jesus said, “unless you believe that I am He, you will die in your sins” (John 8:24). Biblical belief is more than agreeing that Jesus existed. It trusts Him as the Son of God, Savior, Lord, and risen King. John 3:16 promises eternal life to the believer, while John 3:36 contrasts belief with disobedience. Saving faith listens to Christ and is prepared to follow Him.
Repent and Confess Jesus
God now commands all people everywhere to repent (Acts 17:30). Repentance is a change of mind and will that turns a person away from sin and toward God. It produces changed conduct (Matthew 3:8). Repentance is not sinless perfection, nor is it merely feeling sorry. It is the sincere decision to leave the rule of sin and submit to Christ.
Faith is also confessed. Romans 10:9–10 connects believing in the heart with confessing Jesus as Lord. Before the Ethiopian was baptized, he confessed his faith in Jesus Christ (Acts 8:35–38). This confession does not mean repeating a magical formula. It openly acknowledges Jesus’ identity and authority and expresses the allegiance that will shape the believer’s life.
Be Baptized into Christ for Forgiveness
When convicted hearers asked what to do, Peter answered: repent and be baptized in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of sins (Acts 2:37–38). Those who received the message were baptized that day (Acts 2:41). Jesus likewise said, “The one who has believed and has been baptized will be saved” (Mark 16:16). The New Testament never presents baptism as an optional ceremony performed after salvation is complete.
In baptism, a believer is united with Christ’s death, burial, and resurrection and rises to walk in newness of life (Romans 6:3–4). Baptism is an appeal to God for a good conscience through Jesus’ resurrection (1 Peter 3:21), and it is how believers are clothed with Christ (Galatians 3:26–27). Water has no magical power. Christ’s blood saves; God acts; faith submits. Baptism is God’s appointed moment for entering Christ and receiving forgiveness.
Live Faithfully in Christ
Baptism begins the Christian life; it does not complete it. The Lord adds the saved to His church, where they continue in the apostles’ teaching, fellowship, the Lord’s Supper, and prayer (Acts 2:42, 47). Christians grow in knowledge, resist sin, worship, serve, love others, and bear spiritual fruit.
Faithfulness does not mean we never stumble. When Christians confess their sins, God faithfully forgives and cleanses them through Christ (1 John 1:7–9). Yet grace must never become permission to live rebelliously (Romans 6:1–2). Jesus calls His people to remain faithful even unto death, promising the crown of life (Revelation 2:10). Our confidence rests in His grace as we continue walking obediently with Him.
What This Means for Us
God’s plan is clear and gracious: hear the gospel, believe in Jesus Christ, repent of sins, confess Jesus as Lord, and be baptized into Christ for the forgiveness of sins. Then live faithfully as part of His church. These responses do not earn salvation; they are the obedient faith by which we accept what Christ alone has provided.
No one should replace this New Testament message with a sinner’s prayer, infant baptism, inherited membership, or a human plan. If you have not obeyed the gospel, do not delay. Receive God’s word, turn to Christ, and be baptized into Him. If you are already in Christ, continue trusting His grace, following His teaching, and helping others hear the saving gospel.