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BIBLE TRUTHS ABOUT SALVATION
LESSON ONE
OUR STUDY SOURCE: WHY DO WE LOOK TO THE BIBLE?
The Bible is God’s Word and is, therefore, God’s authority on the subject of salvation/going to Heaven. The authority of the Word of God has remained constant for two thousand years and will continue to do so for eternity, therefore our beliefs must be based on God’s Word.
1. According to 2 Timothy 3:16, where does all scripture come from?
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YOU CAN HAVE ETERNAL LIFE BEFORE YOU DIE.
According to the Jesus’ statements in Matthew 7: 13-14, will there be more people who enter Heaven or miss Heaven at the end of life?
1. Jesus taught that you can have eternal life before death. Read John 3:36; 5:24; and 6:47. In each of these verses, what does a person gain by his/her faith?
Please note that each of these verses is in the present tense. Jesus used the present tense to establish that you can have eternal life right now.
2. According to I John 5:13, what was one of the main reasons that I John was written?
3. Consider the apostle Paul’s testimony. How did he describe death (Philippians 1:21)?
4. What two possible paths lay before the apostle Paul (Philippians 1:23-25?)
a.
b
With whom would Paul be at his departure (death)
(Philippians 1:23)?
c.
Did he seem to have any doubts about his future destiny
(Philippians 1:23)?
d.
5. After Paul left his earthly body, where would he be
(II Corinthians 5:8)?
6. What was the man crucified next to Christ assured of before his death (Luke 23:43)?
What kind of man was he (Luke 23:33)?
Do you think he deserved to be in Paradise?
Why or why not?
WHAT IS SIN?
The first step to a “know-so” salvation is understanding sin.
1. How do the following verses describe sin?
Romans 14:23
James 4:17
I John 3:4
2. According to James 1:13-15, who cannot be blamed for our sin?
What is the source of our sin?
What is the penalty of sin?
3. According to Jesus, how many people of His day kept the law of Moses (John 7:19)?
4. How often would one have to break the law to be guilty (James 2:10)?
5. According to Jesus when does a sinful act take place (Matthew 5:28)?
6. What did Jesus say that people would have to give an account of in the day of judgment (Matthew 12:36,37)?
WHO IS GUILTY OF SIN?
Because of the prior statements describing sin, how many people do you think stand righteous before God?
1. In Romans 3:23, how many people have sinned?
2. How many people are considered just before God according to Romans 3:10-12?
3. Who stands guilty before God (Romans 3:19)?
WE HAVE HOPE OVER SIN.
Thinking honestly through the previous verses about sin could be depressing. However, the first step to a “know-so” salvation is seeing yourself as guilty before a righteous God.
1. Whom did Jesus come to call (Mark 2:17)?
The term “righteous” pictures those who think they are in good standing with God. What truth do we know from Romans 3:10?
2. Read the story of two men who went into the temple to pray (Luke 18:9-14). Describe the first man in your own words.
Describe the second man.
Whose prayer did God hear?
Romans 5:6 says, “Christ died for the ungodly (sinners).” Many people miss the salvation God has provided for them because they never see themselves as ungodly.
**First step: placing yourself in the group called “ungodly”
Bible Truths About Salvation – Lesson 1
First Baptist Church of Niles, – 26 E. Church St., Niles, OH 44446 – www.firstbaptistniles.com
BIBLE TRUTHS ABOUT SALVATION
LESSON TWO
The first lesson about salvation emphasized that —
* every person can know that he or she has eternal life even before death (Philippians 1:21- 23);
* each of us is guilty of sin and in no way deserving of Heaven.
WE CANNOT GAIN SALVATION THROUGH HUMAN MERIT.
Many people feel that salvation is gained through hard work. This is a natural way of thinking, since most of what we now possess comes from our own efforts. Working hard and living a good life are commendable choices. The question to consider is, will personal efforts gain us salvation?
1. Some say we can earn salvation by doing good works. What do Ephesians 2:8 and 9 say?
2. some say we can merit salvation by keeping the Ten Commandments. What does Romans 3:20 say?
3. What is the purpose of the law according to Romans 3:20?
4. Some say if we live a good life, Heaven will be ours. How many people are good according to Jesus in Matthew 19:17?
The Bible is saying that our lives are characterized by sin. Our self-effort never takes away our sins. In fact, selfish motives even influence our best works (Ephesians 2:3).
If it were possible to be good enough to gain Heaven, what would be the purpose of Christ’s death on the cross? Would it have been necessary?
WE CAN GAIN SALVATION BY PLACING OUR FAITH IN THE FINISHED WORK OF CHRIST.
1. What burden did Jesus bear on the cross (I Peter 2:24)?
2. For what did Christ die (I Corinthians 15:3)?
3. Read Hebrews 10:12 (this verse is speaking about Jesus Christ) How many times was Christ sacrificed?
How long will that sacrifice be effective?
4. The apostles clearly taught about Christ’s death (Acts 2:23). What else did they teach according to Acts 2:24?
The Bible says in Acts 2:36. “God hath made the same Jesus, whom you crucified, both Lord and Christ.” The Father clearly accepted the sacrifice offered by the Son as shown by the Resurrection and the Ascension. The good news (gospel) could now be preached to the world (Luke 24:47,48).
OUR LORD’S ACTIONS MAKE SALVATION POSSIBLE.
Next, we need to consider how we receive this salvation.
5. Paul was asked in Acts 16:30, “What must I do to be saved?” (Saved means to receive salvation or eternal life.) What was Paul’s response (Acts 16:31)?
The word “believe” means to trust or rely on.
6. According to Jesus, what is necessary in order to have eternal life?
John 3:16
John 5:24
John 6:47
John 11:25
Again, “believe” means to trust. Many people trust in various things to obtain eternal life: good works, keeping the law, going to church, loving their neighbor, believing in God or any combination of these actions. For one to truly believe (trust) in Christ, that person must remove his trust from whatever he feels will get him to Heaven. He must place all his trust in the one sacrifice of Jesus Christ alone to save him. He must move back in time 2000 years look at cross/resurrection and embrace it alone for salvation.
7. How does one actually put his trust in Christ? (Read Romans 10:13.)
What is a person to do?
This is not a prayer to help fix things in this life but a call to save your eternal soul. Consider the man’s call in Luke 23:42.
8. Do you think that the man in Luke 23:42 was placing his trust in Christ?
9. What was Christ’s promise to him (Luke 23:43)?
10. Do you think this man is in Heaven today?
11. Do you think that you could gain entrance into Heaven by doing the same as the man in Luke 23:42? (Read Romans 10:13.)
**Second step: Understanding the salvation that is possible through Jesus Christ
WHY NOT PUT YOUR TRUST IN CHRIST NOW?
The Bible makes salvation a very simple matter. We are lost in our sins, but Christ came and died for our sins. He arose from the dead and now offers eternal salvation to anyone who will simply place his or her trust in Him alone. Therefore, one can respond and place his or her trust in Christ and receive eternal life. There is no greater joy than to know that you have eternal life.
Do you know for certain that you have eternal life? If not, you can know for sure by trusting Christ as your Savior. Talk to the Lord. He’s ready to listen. Admit to Him that you are a sinner in need of forgiveness; believe that Christ died for your sins and rose again from the dead; ask Jesus to save you; claim Jesus Christ as the one you are trusting in alone for your salvation. He will save you and come into your life.
Bible Truths About Salvation – Lesson 2
First Baptist Church of Niles, – 26 E. Church St., Niles, OH 44446 – www.firstbaptistniles.com
BIBLE TRUTHS ABOUT SALVATION
LESSON THREE
The need for the righteousness of God in order to enter heaven
In Lesson 1 the issues of certainty of eternal life and the sinfulness of man were discussed.
Lesson 2 covered how one receives eternal life thru faith.
Lesson 3 will consider the topic of the need for righteousness to enter God’s kingdom.
What is righteousness? The Greek word carries the idea of conformity to a norm or law and often deals with inner character. It refers to that which is just or virtuous displaying integrity or purity. Maybe we could simply say that it refers to “goodness”. The question is if God’s kingdom is a righteous or good kingdom how much goodness or righteousness is required in order for one to enter?
- How many types of righteousness does one find in Rom. 10:3?
- What are they?
- What do we learn about God’s righteousness in:
- Deut. 32:4
- I John 1:5
- What do we learn about man’s righteousness in:
a. Romans 3:10-12
b. Isaiah 64:6
- If a person does not know that the perfect righteousness of God is being offered, what does he normally try and do? Rom. 10:3
- What is the Lord’s desire for our life? Mat. 5:48
- What type of righteousness or goodness is needed to enter the New Jerusalem (God’s kingdom)? Rev. 21:27
- Where does one learn about the righteousness of God?
Rom. 3:21
**Third step: Trusting in Jesus Christ alone to be made right with God.
Do you know for sure that you are right with God? Have you placed your trust in Him and received the gift of eternal life? If you have not yet placed your faith in Jesus Christ as your Savior, you can do so now.
Talk to the Lord. He’s ready to listen. Admit to Him that you are a sinner in need of forgiveness; believe that Christ died for your sins and rose again from the dead; ask Jesus to save you; claim Jesus Christ as the one you are trusting in alone for your salvation. He will save you and come into your life. Romans 10:13 says, ”For whosoever shall call upon the name of the Lord shall be saved.”
Bible Truths About Salvation – Lesson 3
First Baptist Church of Niles, – 26 E. Church St., Niles, OH 44446 – www.firstbaptistniles.com
BIBLE TRUTHS ABOUT THE ASSURANCE OF YOUR SALVATION
LESSON FOUR
This is the fourth and final lesson on the subject of salvation. In the first lesson we learned that * every person can know that he/she has eternal life even before death (Philippians 1:21-23);* each of us is guilty of sin and in no way deserving of Heaven.
The second lesson clarified that a person is not saved by his works, but only by his faith in Christ. A person can be saved by admitting that he is a lost sinner and calling upon the name of the Lord to be saved (Romans 10:13). If you have personally trusted Christ for salvation, the Bible says that you are saved.
How long does this salvation last? Can you lose it? We would like to consider these questions in lesson four, The Assurance of Your Salvation.
OUR ASSSURANCE IS BASED ON GOD’S FAITHFULNESS, NOT OURS.
1. Read John 10:28 and 29 and answer the following questions:
What does Jesus give to those who are saved (to those who follow Him)?
Will they ever perish?
In whose hand are they?
In this passage, does our security depend on our hanging onto God or upon God hanging onto us?
2. What is Jesus’ prayer for the believers as recorded in John 17:11 and 15?
Do you think Jesus ever prayed a prayer that was not answered?
3. According to Romans 8:35 and 37, what will not separate us from the love of Christ?
4. According to Romans 8:38 and 39, what will not separate the believer from the love of God, which is in Christ Jesus?
5. What was Paul confident about in Philippians 1:6?
6. By whose power is a believer kept (I Peter 1:5)?
7. What are two things that Christ is able to do for the saved person (Jude 24; Jude is the next to the last book in the New Testament)?
8. Read Hebrews 10:14. This verse states that the believer has been perfected, or brought to a completed state. Those who are being sanctified, or set apart, are t hose who have trusted Christ.
How many offerings or sacrifices did it take to perfect the believers?
How long will they be perfected?
9. Who is Christ able to save (Hebrews 7:25)?
This is true only because Christ continues to make intercession for them before God.
THE HOLY SPIRIT SEALS OUR SALVATON.
In the New Testament a seal was a mark of ownership. A person would place a mark, or imprint, on an object that belonged to him, similar to the branding of animals.
1. What happens to a person immediately after he/she believes (Ephesians 1:13)?
2. How long is this seal effective (Ephesians 4:30)?
3. If the seal is mark of ownership, to whom does the believer belong (I Corinthians 6:19, 20)?
TRUE SECURITY IN CHRIST DOES NOT GIVE THE BELIEVER A LICENSE TO SIN.
Some might say, “If I am saved and kept by God’s power, I can live any way I please.” Read Romans 6:1 and 2. (The whole chapter of Romans 6 is beneficial to read.)
1. After a person has been freed from the control of sin (this happens at the time of salvation), whose servant does he become?
Romans 6:13
Romans 6:18
Romans 6:22
2. What will happen to a believer if he strays from living according to God’s standards (Hebrews 12:5)?
Whom does the Lord chasten?
3. If a person can live as he pleases and without God’s chastening, what do we know about that person (Hebrews 12:8)?
After we have been truly saved (by faith apart from works), God not only keeps us, but He also guides our lives. If we stray, we do not lose our eternal life, but we are lovingly chastened by our Heavenly Father. Eternal life is the greatest gift anyone can receive.
Do you know for sure that you have received this gift? If you have not yet placed your faith in Jesus Christ as your Savior, you can do so now.
Talk to the Lord. He’s ready to listen. Admit to Him that you are a sinner in need of forgiveness; believe that Christ died for your sins and rose again from the dead; ask Jesus to save you; claim Jesus Christ as the one you are trusting in alone for your salvation. He will save you and come into your life. I John 5:12 says, “He that hath the Son hath life, and he that hath not the Son of God hath not life.”
Thank you for taking time to work through these studies. If you would like to study further, please let us know.
Please Contact:
First Baptist Church
26 E Church Street, Niles, OH 4446
330-652-4370 – www.firstbaptistniles.com
or email: pastordave@firstbaptistniles.com
Bible Truths About Salvation – Lesson 4
First Baptist Church of Niles, – 26 E. Church St., Niles, OH 44446 – www.firstbaptistniles.com