We are saved by the gospel. The gospel is preached, we
receive it, and we stand in it.
"Moreover, brethren, I declare unto you the gospel
which I preached unto you, which also ye have received, and wherein ye
stand;" - 1 Corinthians 15:1
We are saved by the gospel when we not only believe it, but
also obey it.
"By which also ye are saved, if ye keep in memory what
I preached unto you, unless ye have believed in vain." - 1 Corinthians
15:2
The gospel is that Jesus died for our sins, was buried, and
rose again on the third day – the death, burial, and resurrection of Jesus.
"Moreover, brethren, I declare unto you the gospel ...
For I delivered unto you first of all that which I also received, how that
Christ died for our sins according to the scriptures; And that he was buried,
and that he rose again the third day according to the scriptures:" - 1
Corinthians 15:1, 3-4
How do we obey Jesus’ death, burial, and resurrection?
We become dead to sin.
"What shall we say then? Shall we continue in sin, that
grace may abound? God forbid. How shall we, that are dead to sin, live any
longer therein?" - Romans 6:1-2
We become dead to sin by turning our back on sin by
repenting.
We are buried with Jesus by water baptism by immersion with
the name of Jesus called over us.
We are resurrected with Jesus when we are baptized with His
Spirit, the Holy Ghost, speaking in other tongues as God’s Spirit gives us the
utterance (God changes our tongue/language).
"Know ye not, that so many of us as were baptized into
Jesus Christ were baptized into his death? Therefore we are buried with him by
baptism into death: that like as Christ was raised up from the dead by the
glory of the Father, even so we also should walk in newness of life." -
Romans 6:3-4
Jesus called this being born again of water and of the
Spirit. This is necessary to enter God’s kingdom.
"Jesus answered, Verily, verily, I say unto thee,
except a man be born of water and of the Spirit, he cannot enter into the
kingdom of God." - John 3:5
When we believe the gospel AND we are water and Spirit
baptized, we are saved; the gospel was not preached to us in vain.
"And he said unto them, Go ye into all the world, and
preach the gospel to every creature. He that believeth and is baptized shall be
saved; but he that believeth not shall be damned. And these signs shall follow
them that believe; in my name shall they cast out devils; they shall speak with
new tongues; they shall take up serpents; and if they drink any deadly thing,
it shall not hurt them; they shall lay hands on the sick, and they shall
recover." - Mark 16:15-18
We have obeyed the gospel when we repent, are baptized in
Jesus name for the remission of sins, and have received the gift of the Holy Ghost.
"And to you who are troubled rest with us, when the
Lord Jesus shall be revealed from heaven with his mighty angels, in flaming
fire taking vengeance on them that know not God, and that obey not the gospel
of our Lord Jesus Christ: who shall be punished with everlasting destruction
from the presence of the Lord, and from the glory of his power; when he shall
come to be glorified in his saints, and to be admired in all them that believe
(because our testimony among you was believed ) in that day." - 2
Thessalonians 1:7-10
On the day of Pentecost, Peter preached the gospel – the
death, burial, and resurrection of Jesus.
"Him, being delivered by the determinate counsel and
foreknowledge of God, ye have taken, and by wicked hands have crucified and
slain: whom God hath raised up, having loosed the pains of death: because it
was not possible that he should be holden of it." - Acts 2:23-24
"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
Peter then preached how to obey the gospel.
"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? 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 2:37-38
Peter let them know that the gospel is for everyone.
"For the promise is unto you, and to your children, and
to all that are afar off, even as many as the Lord our God shall call." -
Acts 2:39
Then those that believed the gospel and received the gospel
obeyed the gospel.
"And with many other words did he testify and exhort,
saying, Save yourselves from this untoward generation. Then they that gladly
received his word were baptized: and the same day there were added unto them
about three thousand souls. And they continued stedfastly in the apostles'
doctrine and fellowship, and in breaking of bread, and in prayers." - Acts
2:40-42
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