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What Must I Do To Be Saved?

  

FROM: 2/2/03 Radio Program

Question:

When you "fall away," do you have to be baptized again?

Answer:

The answer to this question is "No."

From the Bible, we see that after some were baptized for the remission of sins (Acts 2:38), they sinned. In response to their need for forgiveness, they were not told to be baptized again. Rather, something else was necessary. Please read the following passages:

1. Acts 8:9-24 tells us of Philip going to the city of Samaria and preaching Christ (v. 5). Among other things involved in preaching Christ is preaching on baptism (v. 12). When Simon heard Christ preached, he believed and was baptized into Christ (v.13). Yet, he tried to buy the gift of God with money (v. 18, 20), and in so doing, Peter said, "Thy money perish with thee, because thou hast thought that the gift of God may be purchased with money. Thou hast neither part nor lot in this matter: for thy heart is not right in the sight of God. Repent therefore of this thy wickedness, and pray God, if perhaps the thought of thine heart may be forgiven thee. For I perceive that thou art in the gall of bitterness, and in the bond of iniquity." (v. 20-23). Notice that Peter told him to repent and pray because of his wickedness. He was not told to be baptized again.

2. I John 1:9 speaks of those confessing sins. "If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness." Confession of sins is something that a Christian would do. (Note how John includes himself in this passage, using the pronouns: "we," "our," and "us.") One who is not a Christian does not confess his sins, but confesses his faith in Christ (Matthew 10:32-33; Acts 8:37; Romans 10:10). Yet, here is one confessing sins. James 5:16 also speaks of this truth, saying "Confess your faults one to another ...".

Therefore, once one has been baptized into Christ (Acts 2:38), he/she has a new relationship with God (Galatians 3:27; Romans 8:17). In this new relationship, one has an "advocate with the Father" (I John 2:1), wherein he can repent, confess his sins, and pray for God's forgiveness, and receive it!

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Do You Teach "Eternal Security" When You Encourage Christians To Repent And Pray For Forgiveness Of Sins?

Do My Sins Affect My Soul?

What About Once In Grace, Always In Grace? Are There Scriptures That Support This Doctrine?

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