NEW LIFE #1
HOW CAN I BECOME A BELIEVER AND HAVE ETERNAL LIFE?
“What must I do to be saved?” That was the question a jailor asked the Apostle Paul during the middle of the night after he had beaten and mistreated Paul.
A religious leader came to Jesus by night (probably because he was supposed to have already had all the answers about life and eternal life and he was afraid that he would be criticized by the other religious Pharisees for talking to Jesus). Although he didn’t ask the same question in so many words, that question was surely on his mind. “What must I do to be saved?” I hope that question is on your mind also!
Actually, the answer to the question "What must I DO to be saved" is remarkably simple . . . NOTHING . . . except believe that Jesus died on the cross in full payment for all your sins and ask Him to save you. It is kind of like being in quick sand. The more you try to "do" the faster you sink! We just need to reach out by faith and take hold of the hand that is extended to save us.
Paul told the jailer – “Believe in the Lord Jesus Christ and thou shalt be saved.” Acts 16:31
That’s it? Don’t I have to DO something to earn and deserve eternal life?
First of all, no man deserves eternal life because we are all sinners, by birth and by choice: "For by grace are ye saved through faith, and that not of yourselves, it is the gift of God - Not by works, lest any man should boast." Ephesians 2:8-9
I like to use the phrase “embrace the truth” to describe what faith is all about. Faith is not just believing something in your mind . . . but embracing the truth with all your heart.
SO, WHAT DO WE HAVE TO BELIEVE?
#1 Jesus is the Creator and Eternal God Who became a man in order to reveal the glory of His Father in Heaven and to die in payment for all our sins. He is the perfect God-man . . . fully God and fully man.
“Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ and thou shalt be saved.” Acts 16:31
Let’s unpack the words "Lord, Jesus, and Christ" of that verse and take a closer look because every word is important. Actually, there are two verses, one in the New Testament and the other in the Old Testament that will help us to understand just Who Jesus was . . . and is:
OLD TESTAMENT PROPHECY:
“The voice of him that crieth in the wilderness, Prepare ye the way of the LORD, make straight in the desert a highway for our God.”
Notice the word “LORD.” Throughout the Old Testament Scriptures, the Name LORD denotes the Name JEHOVAH. It is referring to our God.
NEW TESTAMENT FULFILLMENT:
“As it is written in the prophets. Behold, I send my messenger before Thy face, who shall prepare Thy way before Thee. The voice of one crying in the wilderness, Prepare ye the way of the Lord, make His paths straight.” Mark 1:2-3
John the Baptist was sent as a herald, expressing the good news that God had become a man . . . Jesus is the LORD or JEHOVAH of the Old Testament. People from the cults will knock on your door and will try to convince you that Jesus is “a” God but not the eternal God. This is nothing short of blasphemy.
In fact, Jesus declared – “If you believe not that I AM (LORD / JEHOVAH) ye shall die in your sins.” John 8:24
John 17:3 also makes it perfectly clear that Jesus is Lord and this belief in His deity is essential for eternal life – “And this is life eternal, that they might know Thee, the only true God, and Jesus Christ Whom Thou has sent.”
“Believe on the Lord - Jesus - Christ and thou shalt be saved.” Acts 16:31 Notice closely how this Scripture refers to Jesus:
LORD / JESUS / CHRIST:
“Lord” identifies Him as God.
“Jesus” is His earthly Name. In many Spanish speaking countries Jesus is a very common first name.
“Christ” means "Messiah" and is a declaration that He is the “anointed One” who is the rightful king of Israel.
TAKE THE QUIZ!
(Some of the questions may have more than one correct answer.)
#1 Who asked the question - "What must I do to be saved?"
#2 Who was the religious leader who came to Jesus by night?
#4 What did Paul tell the jailer he had to do to be saved?
#5 What is a good phrase that really explains what "believe" is all about?
#6 Jesus was ______________ and ______________. (2)
#7 Who was the Prophet Isaiah talking about when he prophesied that someone would come in the Name of the LORD and prepare a way for Him in the wilderness?
#8 What does the Old Testament Name "LORD" refer to? (2)
#9 Jesus is ________________!
#11 "Lord" is the Name that refers to Jesus as _______
#12 "Messiah" means that Jesus is ____________ (2)
#2 Jesus was born of a young virgin girl WITHOUT a human father so that He could come into this world without inheriting the sinful nature which began with Adam in the Garden of Eden.
"Wherefore, as by one man sin entered into the world, and death by sin, so death passed upon all men for all have sinned." Romans 5:12
If Jesus had a human father, He would have been born like the rest of us . . . with a sin nature. “Wherefore, as by one man (Adam) sin entered into the world, and death by sin, and so death passed upon all men, for all have sinned.” Romans 5:12
This miraculous birth was also prophesied in the Old Testament – “Therefore, the Lord Himself shall give you a sign; Behold, the virgin shall conceive, and bear a son, and shall call His Name Emmanuel.” Isaiah 7:14 Note: Immanuel means God with us.
#3 Jesus was the perfect and sinless sacrifice for the sins of all men who will believe.
John the Baptist revealed the true character of Jesus when he announced that Jesus is Lamb of God. John declared – “Behold the Lamb of God Who taketh away the sins of the world.” John 1:29 The Jewish people who heard John’s declaration knew full well what he was talking about. The Passover lamb was slain each year on the day before Passover just as the Lord had commanded in Exodus chapter 12. The lamb had to be a male lamb without blemish. It’s blood had to be applied above and on the side posts of their doors. Only then, would the entire family be saved from the wrath of the death angel who passed through Egypt so long ago.
The people were aware that the Temple lambs were raised in the hill country of Bethlehem, not far from Jerusalem where they would be sacrificed. It is interesting that Jesus, the perfect Lamb of God was born in Bethlehem and that He gave His life as a sacrifice outside the walls of Jerusalem for you and for me.
#4 Jesus died in our place and was in the tomb three days and three nights.
“For I delivered unto you first of all that which I also received, 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 Corinthian 15:3-4
Scripture tells us that “God showed His love toward us in that while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us.” Romans 5:8 What incredible love, that the Eternal Creator of the universe would come to earth as a human in order to die and pay in full the terrible price of our sins! What is the price and penalty for our sins?
“For the wages of sin is death . . . but the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord.” Romans 6:23
#5 Jesus was resurrected from the dead in victory over sin, death, and Satan.
Jesus died. The God-man paid the penalty for our sins. But death could not hold Him. His resurrection showed His power over sin, death and Satan. You may say, so Jesus was raised from the dead . . . what does that have to do with me?” It has everything to do with you if you have trusted Him as your Savior. Jesus told His followers and He is telling us today –
“Because I live, ye shall live also.” John 14:19
#13 Why did Jesus have to come to earth and be born without a human father?
#14 What does Immanuel mean?
#15 What did John the Baptist call Jesus?
#16 The Passover Lamb (in Egypt) had to be ____________.
#18 Where were the lambs sacrificed?
#19 How long was Jesus buried in the tomb before He was raised from the dead?
#20 How did God demonstrate His love for us according to Romans 5:8 and John 3:16? (2)
#21 Jesus' resurrection showed ____________ (3)
#22 According to Romans 6:23, what is the penalty or wages for our sin?
#23 According to Romans 6:23, what is the gift of God?
#24 Jesus declared - "Because I live __________________.
6. Jesus is alive, interceding for His followers in Heaven.
“Wherefore, He is able also to save them to the uttermost that come unto God by Him, seeing He ever lives to make intercession for them.” Hebrews 7:25
Jesus, the High Priest of Heaven, is seated at the right hand of His Father in Heaven, interceding for you and me. Every time we sin, Jesus is there like a defense attorney on our behalf. The price of ALL our sins, past, present, and even future, were paid in full and the Eternal God is able to dismiss each charge against us because of our faith in the Lord Jesus Christ.
7. Salvation is a gift to be received . . . you can’t work for it.
“For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves, it is the gift of God - not of works, lest any man should boast.” Ephesians 2:8-9
One of the criminals who died along side of Jesus asked Jesus to remember him when Jesus came into His kingdom. In the hour of His own agony Jesus told the dying thief – “Today shalt thou be with me in Paradise.” Luke 23:43
That dying thief didn’t have time to “go make things right and turn over a new leaf in his life” . . . he was at the point of death. But he cried out in faith and asked Jesus to remember him . . . to forgive him . . . and take him to glory. That man was able to close his eyes at death and say “I know where I am going after I die.” You can say the same thing! “But as many as received Him, to him gave He power to become the sons of God.” John 1:12
8. Salvation is God’s eternal gift of love.
“For God so loved the world, that He gave His only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in Him should not perish, but have ever lasting life.” John 3:16
9. You can pray and receive Christ as your Savior . . . right now! The following is a suggest prayer . . . but God would love to hear from you in your own words. Remember, God doesn’t just hear the words of a prayer but He listens to our hearts. Your prayer could be something like this:
“Lord Jesus, I know that I am a sinner and that I do not deserve to live with you in Heaven. I know that I cannot save myself but I believe that You died in my place upon the cross to pay the penalty for all my sins. Thank you for dying for me. Please save me from my sins. I ask you to come and live in my heart and life. Help me to walk in obedience and faith. Please change my heart. Thank you again for giving you life so that could have eternal life. In Your blessed Name I pray, Amen.”
CLICK BELOW for the next lesson: