"WHAT SHALL WE DO TO BE SAVED?"

Dr. Kluane Spake

We’re now living in the time of a great restoration to the church of her original glory. That’s why we need to reconsider the fundamental view of being “born again.” Shockingly, this doctrine that we have believed IS NOT FOUND IN THE SCRIPTURES. The book of Acts tells about thousands of people getting born-again, but none of them did it by “Giving their heart to the Lord" or "Asking Jesus into their life." There’s NOT ONE example of anyone "Inviting Jesus into their heart." 

They didn’t even pass out tracts about the “Roman Road.” It is shocking to find out that here again TRADITION has blinded our eyes to how to get “born again.” We just don’t want to face our misguided theology. Of course, we acknowledge that we’re saved by Grace through faith (***). But, let’s look at the New Testament Pentecost as a good model for what happened AFTER those believers found grace – As soon as the Holy Spirit infilled 120 disciples, Peter preached and 3000 people were added to the church. Notice that there were some things that they HAD TO DO.

And we’re told exactly what occurred: ... they were cut to the heart, and said to Peter and the rest of the apostles, 'Brethren, WHAT SHALL WE DO?' And Peter said to them, 'REPENT, and be BAPTIZED every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the FORGIVENESS OF YOUR SINS; and you shall receive the gift of the HOLY SPIRIT’ (Acts 2:37-38 RSV). This vital pattern is repeated over and over throughout the New Testament and differs greatly from "Just ask Jesus into your heart" messages that we hear today. (Read about the Samaritans in Acts 8, Cornelius in Acts 10 & 11. See also Acts 19:1-6.)

1. REPENTANCE – Make a life decision to turn the other way and be a witness (martyros ***– willing to die for your belief). It is the belief in our heart that the covering of the blood of Jesus redeems us from sin. This includes a confession of faith with your mouth (Rom. 9:10—which may have been a baptismal confession).

1. WATER-BAPTISM – Was not an option or a SYMBOL. Immersion (baptizo) baptism seems to be the essential action to obtain 'circumcision of the heart', a "cutting off", a "burial" into the DEATH of Christ. And it is said to be done “for the forgiveness of sins" and to "wash one's sins away." See Mark 16:16-18, 1 Peter 3:20-21, Titus 3:5-6, 1 Cor 10:1-2, Gal 3:27, Col 2:11-12, 1 Cor 12:13, Heb 6:1-2, Rom 6:2-11, Rom 8:9, Mt 28:19, etc.

Notice that there were no "Foundation classes" to prepare people for baptism. Throughout the book of Acts, people were baptized STRAIGHT AWAY-- and that meant as soon as they believed and repented. The Philippian jailer and his entire household were baptized immediately - IN THE MIDDLE OF THE NIGHT (Acts 16:32-33). The Ethiopian eunuch was baptized by Philip straight away (Acts 8:35-38). AFTER Paul was blinded and fell off his horse, Ananias said something very interesting to him: Rise and be BAPTIZED, and WASH AWAY YOUR SINS, calling on His name (Acts 22:16). Today’s theologies assume that that Paul was "born again" when he was blinded and fell off the horse. But, it was when Paul was BAPTIZED that his sins were "washed away."

1. RECEIVE the HOLY SPIRIT. Peter later told others how the HOLY SPIRIT FELL ON THE house of Cornelius JUST AS ON them AT THE BEGINNING" (Acts 11:15). He also referred to this incident as them being "Baptized in the Holy Spirit" (Acts 11:16). We see that the Holy Spirit 'FALLING' is the same experience as people 'RECEIVING' or being 'BAPTIZED' in the Holy Spirit. There are enumerable scriptures for this as well.

Think about how many of us have avoided getting baptized in water thinking that it was only symbolic. We looked at the thief on the cross, who received a wonderful pardon when he repented and believed, and assumed that’s all there is for us. Admittedly, death bed repentances are unusual conditions! But beyond that merciful grace that we all receive, we are still reminded of the model that Jesus taught to Nicodemus - "Unless a man (person) is BORN OF WATER AND OF THE SPIRIT he cannot see the kingdom of God"? (Jn 3:5). Let’s see… born of WATER and born of the SPIRIT.

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Hmmmmm. That's really not a tough one to figure out! That’s how we SEE the kingdom. Listen, these thoughts are not meant to be legalistic, nit-picking, divisive, or controversial. We’re trying to say that there must begin a radical LIFE CHANGE. Christians cannot just keep on living like they did before! This is a BIG issue. We must begin and continue to walk in the POWER OF THE HOLY SPIRIT and the "FAITH THAT SAVES US." It is LIVING the important LIFE OF FAITH that enables us to SEE.