Salvation

What Is Missing?

What if what’s missing isn’t a what but a who?

All humans, even the “good” ones, are born with sin. Sin separates us from God. That separation breaks God’s heart and leaves us feeling lost.

“For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life. For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but to save the world through him.”

- John 3:16-17

God sent His Son, Jesus, to pay for our sin. Jesus came to earth, died on a cross, and was raised to life to save us from sin, give us new life, and bring us into a relationship with God.

If you want to know what life with God is like, we’d love to help.

Faith In

Jesus Christ

God's heart and desire for you is that you would accept His son, Jesus Christ, as your Lord and Savior. We call this "salvation." Perhaps you have heard it described as being "saved." What does this mean? Saved from what? Why do you need to be saved?

There are three important things for you to know:

1. You are a sinner.

2. You cannot save yourself.

3. Only Christ can save you.

The Bible says, "All have sinned" (Romans 3:23 [KJV/NIV]). That includes each and every one of us. The Bible also says, "The wages of sin is death" (Romans 6:23 [KJV/NIV]). This kind of death is spiritual and eternal.

We cannot save ourselves from this death by our good works, by church membership, or by trying to be good. The only way to be saved from penalty is to get rid of our sins.

How can I be saved?

Good news! Jesus provided the way by dying on the Cross. In doing this, He took your place and suffered your punishment. When you ask God to forgive your sins and believe Jesus died for you, God accepts you for Jesus' sake, your sins are forgiven, and Jesus becomes your Savior.

Something else happens. You become a child of God. A child of God, what does that mean? Look at it this way. When you were born as a baby, you received natural life from your parents. Because of this you are like them, you have many of their characteristics. When Jesus becomes your Savior, He brings to you new life, spiritual life, life from God. The Bible calls this the "new birth" (John 3:3 [KJV/NIV]). By your first birth you became a child of your earthly parents; by your new, or second, birth you become a child of God, your Heavenly Father.

What happens when I am saved?

This is important! You will have two natures: (1) The old nature you received when born the first time. This we can call the self-life. (2) The new nature you will receive with the second birth. Since Jesus Christ will live in you by His Holy Spirit, we call this new nature the Christ-life.

As far as your first, or natural, birth is concerned, you may be an adult, a youth, or a child. But as far as your new, or spiritual, birth is concerned, you will be a newborn. You will receive new life, but it is just the beginning.

What's next?

In the few days after your salvation experience, you will begin to grow in your Christ-life. These will be very important days. You will be establishing the pattern for the rest of your life, determining the kind of Christian you will become. As you become a disciple of Jesus, reading the Bible, praying, witnessing, attending church, obeying Scripture, and more, you will begin to mature as a Christian.

Did You Ask Jesus Into Your Heart?

If you have given your life to Jesus or you have more questions about what it means to become a Christian, we would love to connect with you! Please complete the simple form below and one of the pastors or staff at Belmont Assembly of God will be in touch with you soon.

"If you declare with your mouth, “Jesus is Lord,” and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved. For it is with your heart that you believe and are justified, and it is with your mouth that you profess your faith and are saved."

Romans 10:9-10 (NIV)