What We Believe About Salvation

About the Work of Salvation:

We believe that salvation, or the “New Birth” experience, is a gift that can only be reached by grace, through faith in Jesus Christ, and acceptance of His death on the cross as payment for our sins (Rom. 5:1-2; Rom. 10:8-10). We believe that salvation is granted to man as a work of God’s free grace, or unmerited favor (Eph: 2:8-9). It cannot be earned, bought, or given as a reward for one’s service (Rom. 3:26-28). We also believe that when one is saved, or born again, there is an inner change that is brought about in the heart. True repentance, genuine faith, and dependence upon Jesus Christ for salvation must accompany this change or regeneration. Once one’s heart has been changed by faith they are no longer the same. Christ makes them new (II Cor: 5:17).

About the Process of Salvation
We believe that every believer is called, or elected, and chosen to be saved “according to the forknowledge of God the Father” (I Pet. 1:2; Rom. 8:29-31). The Bible teaches that there is a process that one who is called will complete in recognition of his call and acknowledgement of his salvation.

• First, one must admit that he/she is a sinner and must repent and change from his/her sins (Acts 2:38). He/She must also acknowledge that the penalty of his/her sins is death (Rom: 6:23) and then confess Jesus Christ as their Lord and Savior who paid the penalty in full on His cross. (Ps. 51:3-4; Rom. 3:23).
• The next step is to believe that Jesus Christ, the Son of God, came in flesh, died on the cross of our sins, and God raised Him from the dead (I Pet. 3:18). The Scriptures declare that any man who believes in his heart, and openly confesses Jesus Christ as his Savior and Lord, will be saved (Rom. 10:9).
• The final portion of this process is ongoing and continuous. The new believer must now daily commit his life to Christ (Gal. 2:19-20).

By these simple steps, one acknowledges what Christ did for mankind on the cross by shedding His blood and dying in our place; and he/she recognizes the call of salvation given by the Father through the working of His free grace, and thereby accepts that call through faith in Jesus Christ as Lord.