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Salvation
In John Chapter 3, Jesus talks to a man named Nicodemus. Nicodemus was a good man interested in Jesus and His work.
Verse 3 reads,"I tell you the truth, no one can see the kingdom of God unless he is born again." He goes on to say in verse 5, "I tell you the truth, no one can enter the kingdom of God unless he is born of water and the Spirit. Flesh gives birth to flesh, but the Spirit gives birth to spirit..."
Jesus tells us we must be "born again". He also said, "I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me. (John 14:6).
We believe that Jesus is clear in stating that He alone is the way to salvation. It comes through a spiritual birth. Spiritual birth takes place when we believe in Jesus' identity as God's only begotten Son. When we ask God to forgive us for our sin and give our lives to Him. When we give our lives to God, we turn away from sin and disobedience. As children grow, so God's Spirit gives us the power to resist temptation and leave sinful lifestyles. The Christian life is a life of growth.
In exchange for our faith, God gives us grace, which is unmerited or undeserved favor. This means that He accepts us because of Jesus' sacrifice on the cross. He bore our punishment on himself. When we believe in Jesus, we believe His sacrifice atoned for our sin.
Obedience is followed by water baptism. This is a public testimony of a life that has been given to God and born of water as Jesus said above. See Romans 6 for the meaning of Baptism.
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