Introduction:

A. Jesus’ death was for a reason:

1. Colossians 1:12-14
2. Hebrews 9:27-28
3. Revelation 1:5

B. The Devil’s work is to:

1. Keep the lost from being saved: II Corinthians 4:3-4
2. Get the saved to be lost: II Corinthians 11:3

C. Outside of Christ, as a sinner, you are lost:

1. Those who know the difference between right and wrong need to obey (James 4:17).
2. You cannot come to God without coming through Christ (John 14:6).
3. Ezekiel 18:4 /  CF. Romans 6:23

I. Being Converted (Matthew 18:3)

A. In being converted one must hear the word of God, the Gospel, the truth:

1.Mark 4:20
2. Romans 10:17
3. Truly hearing the word of God produces faith, then action: Acts 18:8
4. Hearing the word of God alone does not save anyone: Acts 26:27-29

B. In being converted one must believe the word of God, the Gospel, the truth that they have heard:

1. Faith is a condition of salvation: John 6:47 /  CF. Hebrews 11:6
2. John 8:24
3. Faith produces action: Acts 8:12
4. Faith alone saves no one (James 2:19-26).

C. In being converted one must repent of their sins:

1. God does not receive sinners, but demands repentance of all (Acts 17:30).
2. Repentance is a requirement prior to conversion: Acts 3:19
3. Repentance alone will save no one: Acts 9:6; 18

D. In being converted one must confess Christ:

1. One who hears, believes, and makes changes in their sinful lives will confess Christ: Acts 8:37
2. Confession is prior to salvation: Romans 10:9-10
3. However, confession alone saves no one: Matthew 8:28-29; Mark 5:1-7

E. In being converted one must be baptized [immersed] in water:

1. Jesus gave the example: Matthew 3:16-17
2. Jesus commanded the action of baptism: Mark 16:15-16
3. Anyone converted in the New Testament was baptized (Acts 2:37-41; Acts 8:12-13; 26-39; Acts 9:1-20; Acts 10:44-48; Acts 16:14-15; Acts 16:23-34; Acts 18:8; and Acts 19:1-7).
4.  Baptism is for the remission of sins: Acts 2:38 “Then Peter said unto them, Repent [active tense], and be baptized [passive tense] every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ for [“Eis” meaning unto as translated in Romans 10:10, preposition pointing forward, not because of.  Sins are not remitted until after one is immersed] the remission of sins, and ye shall receive the gift of the Holy Ghost.”

a. Just as Jesus did not die because of the remission of sins, but FOR / UNTO the remission of sins (Matthew 26:28).

5.  Baptism washes away sin (Acts 22:16).
6.  Baptism is a death, burial, and resurrection (Romans 6:1-6)

a. Colossians 2:12

7.  Baptism puts you into Christ and you put on Christ: Galatians 3:27
8. Baptism is not the only part of God’s pattern of saving souls and alone will save no one.

F. Once converted you are added to the church of Christ:

1. Acts 2:41
2. ASV 1901 Acts 2:47

II. Realizing the Danger of Apostasy – The Slippery Slope to Hell

A. After one is converted there are to be taught more and begin their walk of faithfulness with the need to remain faithful:

1. Matthew 28:19-20
2. Acts 2:41-42

B. Can a child of God fall away?

1.  Romans 6:1-2; 15
2.  I Corinthians 9:27
3.  I Corinthians 10:12
4.  Galatians 5:4
5.  Galatians 6:7
6.  Hebrews 10:38
7.  II Peter 2:20-22

a. Ephesus: Revelation 2:1-7
b. Pergamos: Revelation 2:12-17
c. Thyatira: Revelation 2:18-28
d. Sardis: Revelation 3:1-6
e. Laodicea: Revelation 3:14-21

C. Overall lesson: Hebrews 12:1-2

III. Remaining Faithful

A. Once a person is born into Christ they are to remain faithful unto death (Revelation 2:10).

1. Faithfulness is about putting the Lord first (Matthew 19:16-22).
2. Becoming a child of God is one that has costs (Luke 14:26-33).

B. Once you have the foundation of faith, you must add to it (II Peter 1:5-7):

1. Virtue: To faith we are to add virtue [moral power or energy to do what is right].  We are called to glory and virtue (II Peter 1:3).

a. Abstaining from every form of evil (I Thessalonians 5:22).
b. Not being fooled into learning from the wrong sources (I Corinthians 15:33).

2. Knowledge is power and comes through fervent study of the word of God (John 5:39).

a. And proper application of those things learned (II Timothy 2:15).
b. Without knowledge we face destruction (Hosea 4:6).

3. Temperance [self-control] the ability to resist (James 4:7).
4. Patience [endurance / perseverance] (James 1:2-4).
5. Godliness [humble reverence or honor and respect] (James 4:10).
6. Brotherly Kindness:

a. John 15:17
b. Hebrews 13:1
c. I John 4:20-21

7. Charity: Colossians 3:14

a. Matthew 22:36-40
b. I John 5:3

8. II Peter 1:8-10

Conclusion:

A. We obey the Lord so that Heaven will be our home:

1. John 14:1-3
2. II Corinthians 5:1
3. Hebrews 13:14

B. The other option is not so wonderful to think about:

1. Matthew 18:8-9
2. Matthew 25:46
3. Revelation 21:8

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© 2004 May be used if permission by author is granted and proper acknowledgment as to the authorship of this material is made.  In other words, preachers do your own work.  Use this as a tool for your own work if such is helpful! – B.A.Y.