Most people are trusting in their good works. However, you may be suprised to learn that the Bible clearly states that we cannot earn Heaven through any good works - including the work of baptism.

In Ephesians chapter 2, the apostle Paul writes, "For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God: Not of works, least any man should boast (Eph. 2:8-9).

No good works - including Baptism - are good enough to get us into Heaven. Why is that? In Romans 3:23, the Bible says that "all have sinned, and come short of the glory of God." God's perfect holiness and justice requires that a penalty be paid for sin. In fact, in Romans 6:23, the Bibles teaches that "the wages of sin is death." The good news is that the son of God, the Lord Jesus Christ, paid that penalty for us by shedding His bood and dying upon the cross in our place. It is only through repentance and faith in Christ that our sins are forgiven. Romans 6:23 says, "the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord." If you will repent and receive Christ as your savior, the Bible says that you can know for certain that you have eternal life (1 John 5:13).

How may I know that my sins are fogiven?

1. Understand that Christ died on the cross and paid for all our sins. Jesus Christ was the perfect sacrifice that satisfied God’s demand for justice against our sins. Because Jesus did that for us, eternal life is offered to us as a free gift. God paid the price for our sin Himself!

2. Turn away from sin and receive Christ as your savior. The Bible teaches that, in order to receive forgiveness of sins, we must repent and place our faith in Christ. To repent is simply to make a conscious decision to turn away from sin and to turn toward Christ. Repentence involves a change of mind that produces a change in action. Repentence normally involves sorrow over our past sins - especially when we realize that Christ died on the cross in our place. The Bible say, "...there is joy in the presence of the angels of God over one sinner that repenteth." (Luke 15:10)

The Bible says that "...Whosoever shall call upon the name of the Lord shall be saved." (Romans 10:13) "For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life." (John 3:16). The word believe in John 3:16 means to place your trust in Christ. If you will place your trust in Jesus Christ as the one who paid for your sins on the cross of Calvary, and in nothing else, God promises you both forgiveness of sin and eternal life.

Here’s a sample prayer you can pray:

Dear Lord Jesus Christ, I acknowledge I have sinned against a Holy God and my sins have separated me from Him. I believe that you Jesus, are the Son of God, and I believe you died and paid for my sins on the cross some 2000 years ago, and that you rose from the dead. Today, I'm choosing to turn away from a life a sin and to turn toward you, Lord. I trust you alone, Lord Jesus, for my eternal salvation.

God bless you my friend! If you have made this decision, please contact us and let us know. And please be baptized by immersion in a Bible-believing church such as ours. Get involved, and learn what it is to live the Christian life.