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Salvation
THE STAIRWAY TO HEAVEN
Salvation is more than just believing, though belief is the first step. Belief in Jesus Christ opens the door and is the first step on the stairway to heaven. But salvation doesn’t stop there, God calls us to keep walking up the stairs: repentance, water baptism in the name of Jesus, and Spirit baptism (Acts 2:38).
Once you have taken these steps, the journey continues with daily living for the Lord; walking, growing, and being sanctified day by day. This means practicing daily repentance, reading the Word of God, prayer, and fasting, while continually learning and growing in Christ. It also means being part of a church that teaches biblical truth, attending regularly for encouragement, accountability, and fellowship with other believers who are striving to make heaven their home.
REPENTANCE
Turning From Sin
Repentance means turning away from sin and turning fully toward Jesus Christ. True repentance is more than just feeling sorry; it involves a genuine change of heart. It is a change of mind and heart that leads to a new direction in life.
The Bible declares, “Repent therefore and be converted, that your sins may be blotted out, so that times of refreshing may come from the presence of the Lord” (Acts 3:19). God commands all people everywhere to repent (Acts 17:30), for “godly sorrow produces repentance leading to salvation, not to be regretted; but the sorrow of the world produces death” (2 Corinthians 7:10). When we repent, we die to sin, laying down our old ways so we can walk in newness of life.
WATER BAPTISM
Buried with Christ
After repentance, the Bible commands us to be baptized in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins. Baptism is burial with Jesus Christ; it washes away sin and brings us into covenant with Jesus through His name. As Peter declared, “Repent, and let every one of you be baptized in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins; and you shall receive the gift of the Holy Spirit” (Acts 2:38). Paul testified of his own conversion, “And now why are you waiting? Arise and be baptized, and wash away your sins, calling on the name of the Lord” (Acts 22:16).
In baptism, we are buried with Christ, as it is written, “Do you not know that as many of us as were baptized into Christ Jesus were baptized into His death? Therefore we were buried with Him through baptism into death” (Romans 6:3–4).
SPIRIT BAPTISM
Filled with Power from Above
The baptism of the Holy Spirit is the promise of God to all believers, completing the new birth that is both water and Spirit. Jesus said, “Unless one is born of water and the Spirit, he cannot enter the kingdom of God” (John 3:5).
On the Day of Pentecost, this promise was fulfilled: “They were all filled with the Holy Spirit and began to speak with other tongues, as the Spirit gave them utterance” (Acts 2:4).
The same experience came upon the Gentiles in Cornelius’ house, “for they heard them speak with tongues and magnify God” (Acts 10:46), and Paul asked the Ephesian believers, “Did you receive the Holy Spirit when you believed?” (Acts 19:2).
Receiving the Spirit empowers us to walk in holiness, bear witness of Jesus, and live a victorious life.
ACTS 19:2
He said unto them, Have ye received the Holy Ghost since ye believed? And they said unto him, We have not so much as heard whether there be any Holy Ghost.
THIS QUESTION STILL APPLIES TO US TODAY.
SO HAVE YOU?
STEPS TO HEAVEN
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BELIEF (1st STEP): "Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ, and you will be saved, you and your household.” Acts 16:31
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DAILY REPENTANCE (dying to self): "I affirm, by the boasting in you which I have in Christ Jesus our Lord, I die daily." 1 Corinthians 15:31
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READING THE WORD (guidance and instruction): "Your word is a lamp to my feet and a light to my path." Psalm 119:105
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PRAYER (constant communion with God): "Pray without ceasing." 1 Thessalonians 5:17 (Note: We can't physically and literally pray all day long & God knows this but we should have an daily prayer life, and keep a prayer posture at all times.)
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FASTING (discipline and deeper walk with God): "But you, when you fast, anoint your head and wash your face, so that you do not appear to men to be fasting, but to your Father who is in the secret place; and your Father who sees in secret will reward you openly." Matthew 6:17–18
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FELLOWSHIP IN THE CHURCH (growth and encouragement with believers): "And let us consider one another in order to stir up love and good works, not forsaking the assembling of ourselves together, as is the manner of some, but exhorting one another, and so much the more as you see the Day approaching." Hebrews 10:24–25
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SANCTIFICATION (lifelong process of becoming more like Christ): "But grow in the grace and knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ." 2 Peter 3:18 (Note: This includes daily repentance as noted above).