Articles
Are You Saved?
Are you a Christian? Most would say yes. Are you saved? Again, most would say yes. Are you a member of Christ's church, the church of Christ? Many I'm sure would say no. Friend, did you know that the Bible teaches that one that is a Christian, is saved, and is a member of Christ's church, the church of Christ? In fact, the Bible teaches that one CAN NOT be saved or be a Christian without being a member of Christ's church, the church of Christ. If you do not believe that the Bible teaches this or have doubts about it, please with an open heart and an open Bible study with me whether this is taught in the Word of God.
First, let's start with the idea of being saved. Someone might ask, "Saved from what?" The Bible teaches that “all have sinned” (Romans 3:23). Sin separates us from God (Isaiah 59:1-2). The “wages of sin is death”, eternally in hell (Romans 6:23; Revelation 21:8; Ezekiel 18:20). Jesus came to this earth to save sinners (I Timothy 1:15; John 3:16). ONLY through Jesus Christ can we be saved (Matthew 19:25; Acts 4:12).
We have an example in the book of Acts of folks being saved. The apostle Peter preached on the day of Pentecost that Jesus came to this earth and was crucified (Acts 2:22-24). Peter says that they were sinners when he said, "ye have taken, and by wicked hands have crucified and slain" (Acts 2:23) Jesus Christ. He went on to say, "Therefore let all the house of Israel know assuredly, that God hath made that same Jesus, whom ye have crucified, both Lord and Christ" (Acts 2:36).
Notice what the people's reaction was to Peter and the rest of the apostles, "Now when they heard this, they were pricked in their heart, and said unto Peter and to the rest of the apostles, Men and brethren, what shall we do?" (Acts 2:37). In the very next verse, Peter answers the question, "What must we do to be saved?" "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 2:28). Those that believed were baptized (Acts 2:41).
Now notice my friend, that the ones that were baptized "for the remission of sins" (Acts 2:38) were added to the church by the Lord and were called the saved, "And the Lord added to the church daily such as should be saved" (Acts 2:47).
So, my friend, what the Word of God teaches from what we have studied today is that one that hears the Word of God (Romans 10:17) concerning Jesus Christ and believes Him to be the risen Christ (Romans 10:9); repents of his sins (Acts 2:38); and is baptized for the remission of those sins (Mark 16:16), the Lord adds him to the church and is saved (Acts 2:47)!
Who are the saved? Are they Christians? Are they members of Christ's church, the church of Christ? Look for next week’s study. Remember friend to "study to shew thyself approved unto God" (2 Timothy 2:15). Come worship with us at the Anderson church of Christ, where the Bible is our only source of authority in spiritual matters.
