What Does It Mean To Believe In Jesus And Be Saved?
Acts 16:31
By: Dr. Robert F. Toney
This gift of Eternal life is received by faith. Faith is the key that opens the door to Heaven. Many people mistake two things for saving faith:
[1] Mere intellectual assent, that is, believing certain historical facts. The Bible says the devil believes in God, so mere intellectual assent is not saving faith.
[2] Mere temporal faith, that is, trusting God for temporary crises such as financial, family, or physical needs. Now these are good, and you should trust Christ for these, but they are not saving faith!
The Bible has much to say about faith in regards to Salvation. In John’s writing, Jesus Himself said much about the necessity of faith in Him. Some believed in Him and some did not.
Saving faith is trusting in Jesus Christ alone for salvation.
It means resting upon Christ alone and what He has done rather than upon what you or I have done to get us into Heaven. "Believe (trust) on the Lord Jesus Christ, and you will be saved..." (Acts 16:31)
Faith is like the hand of a beggar receiving the gift of a King. We don't deserve the gift of eternal life. But we can have it, if we will receive it by faith.
Read in Acts 16:31,the greatest story ever told about the greatest offer ever made by the greatest person who ever lived--Jesus Christ. The question God is asking you now is "Would you like to receive the gift of eternal life?" Because this is such an important matter, let's clarify just what this involves. that you transfer your trust from what you have been doing to what Christ has done for you on the cross.
It means, first of all,
It means, next, that you receive the resurrected, living Christ into your life as Savior. He says, "Behold I stand at the door and knock (at the door of your heart and life). If any one hears My voice and opens the door, I will come in to him." (Revelation 3:20)
It means further that you receive Jesus Christ into your life as Lord. He comes as Master and King. There is a throne room in your heart, and that throne is rightly His. He made you, and He wants to take His rightful place on the throne of your life.It means, finally,Now,
If you want to receive the gift of eternal life through Jesus Christ, then call on Him, asking Him for this gift right now.
Here's a suggested prayer:
"Lord Jesus Christ, I know I am a sinner and do not deserve eternal life.
But, I believe You died and rose from the grave to purchase a place in Heaven for me.
Lord Jesus, come into my life; take control of my life; forgive my sins and save me.
I repent of my sins and now place my trust in You for my salvation.
I accept the free gift of eternal life."
If this prayer is the sincere desire of your heart, look at what Jesus promises to those who believe in Him. "Most assuredly, I say to you, he who believes in Me has everlasting life." (John 6:47)
Welcome to God's family! If you have truly repented (forsaken, turned away) from your sins, placed your trust in Jesus Christ's sacrificial death, and received the gift of eternal life, you are now a child of God! Forever! Welcome to the Family of God! "But as many as received Him, to them He gave the right to become children of God, even to those who believe in His name." (John 1:12)
If you have truly repented of your sins and believed on Jesus and He has saved you, the next step for you is be baptized and to get into a Bible Preaching Church and begin to serve Jesus Christ as Lord of your new life in Him.
if this is what you really want you can go to God in prayer right where you are. You can receive His gift of eternal life through Jesus Christ right now. "... with the heart one believes to righteousness, and with the mouth confession is made to salvation... for whoever calls upon the name of the Lord shall be saved." (Romans 10:10,13) that you repent of your sins. That means that you are willing to turn from anything you have been doing that is not pleasing to Him and to commit yourself to and follow Him as He reveals His will to you in His Word.