Understanding how to be saved, according to the Bible, is crucial for anyone seeking eternal life and a relationship with God. Understand the Bible verses as a new believer so that you can answer the important question of how to be saved.
The Bible provides a plan of salvation that involves recognizing our need for forgiveness, believing in Jesus Christ as our Savior, and responding with heartfelt repentance and faith.
This process begins by acknowledging our sins, which separates us from God, and accepting the gift of salvation offered through Jesus’ sacrifice and resurrection.
Believing in Jesus, turning away from sin, and following Him are key steps involved in receiving God’s grace. Baptism is an important outward sign of this new faith.
This guide will walk you through these essential steps, offering a simple and clear explanation of how to embrace God’s promise of eternal life.
Explore how you can be saved according to the Bible and start your journey of faith today!
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What is Salvation?
Salvation means being saved from sin. It is not based on good works. In other words, it is not the result of works done by our hands. Rather, the Bible states that salvation is a special and free gift of God, not something we can earn by doing good things.
In Ephesians 2:8-9, the Apostle Paul shows us that God’s kindness gives salvation, and we receive it by believing in Jesus Christ.
“For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith–and is not from yourselves, it is a gift of God–not by works, so that no one can boast.” – Ephesians 2:8-9 (NIV)
What Role Does Jesus Play in Salvation?
Jesus Christ plays a key role in salvation. He is the way to be saved and have a relationship with God. Jesus’ life, death, and resurrection are crucial for our salvation. As the Scriptures say, Jesus died for our sins and came back to life.
“I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through Me,” – John 14:6 (NIV)
“I passed on to you what was most important and what had also been passed on to me. Christ died for our sins, just as the Scriptures said. He was buried and raised from the dead on the third day, just as the Scriptures said.” – 1 Corinthians 15:3-4 (NLT)
How Does Salvation Help?
Salvation is not just about being saved one time; it also changes our lives now and gives us hope for the future. It helps us now and protects us from the bad things that sin brings. We also look forward to living forever with God, as promised in Titus 1:2 in the New Testament.
“Since we have now been justified by His blood, how much more shall we be saved from God’s wrath through Him.” – Romans 5:9 (NIV)
“This truth gives them confidence that they have eternal life. Which God – who does not lie – promised them before the world began.” – Titus 1:2 (NIV)
Share Salvation
Salvation is about more than just being saved; it is about starting a new life with God and sharing His good news with others. Once we are saved, we should help others know about salvation and share God’s love with them.
The good news is that God loves us and wants us to be with Him forever. He sent Jesus to take the punishment for our sins so we could be forgiven. When we trust Jesus and ask for forgiveness, we can start a new life with God.
This amazing news is something we can share with others so they can know about God’s love and the new life He offers, too.
“Jesus tells His followers, ‘Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit.”’ – Matthew 28:19 (NIV)
Why Be Saved?
Being saved is important because it means we are forgiven and can have a close relationship with God. No one is perfect; we all need help to be right with God.
A Fresh Start
Salvation gives us a fresh start in life. When we accept Jesus, we are forgiven and allowed to live with hope and purpose. We are born again. This second time at birth allows us to experience the Gospel of Jesus Christ.
This new beginning means we can leave behind our past mistakes and start each day with a clean slate, knowing God is with us.
We no longer have to worry about eternal separation from God’s righteousness. Rather, His divine nature lives in us through the finished work of Jesus Christ – the work of Christ on the cross, which is the most important thing to a Christian.
Salvation is a way to experience peace and joy and to live a life filled with God’s love and guidance.
“Salvation is found in no one else, for there is no other name under heaven given to mankind by which we must be saved.” – Acts 4:12 (NIV)
A Future
Salvation gives us hope and a promise of a better future. We are promised to live forever with God in a perfect place when saved. John 3:16-17 shows us that being saved means we can look forward to everlasting life with God, which is just beautiful. It means freedom from eternal punishment and an escape from the power of sin!
Remember, it was not in our own doing that we are saved, but it was through Christ’s death on the cross. When the person of Jesus Christ, who lived a sinless life, was sacrificed for the forgiveness of our sins, we were given this opportunity.
It is not our own purpose that is achieved when we are saved, it is through the spreading of the Gospel of Christ, who is now seated at the right hand of God, that we bless and please our Father.
The Son of the living God is the one who saved us. He is the first thing that we should be grateful for, the only thing that matters when it comes to being saved. When you declare the name of the Son of God with your mouth, confession sets you free, and you see the love of God in the gift He gave us.
“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 (NIV)
Live Better Now
Being saved helps us live a better life now. It changes how we live and helps us make good choices. When we are saved, we start fresh and can live in a way that pleases God. Being saved is not just about the future; it helps us have a beautiful and meaningful life today.
“Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, the new creation has come: The old has gone, the new is here!” – 2 Corinthians 5:17 (NIV)
How to Be Saved According to the Bible
Do you wonder how to get to heaven or how to be saved according to the Bible? God’s Word explains it clearly. Here is a simple guide to lead you through the steps of salvation.
Step 1 – Know That Everyone Sins
We all make mistakes and sin. The Bible tells us that everyone has sinned (and you are a human being), and sin keeps us away from God. Sin is when we do things that go against God’s will. Understanding sin is essential because recognizing it helps us see why we need forgiveness.
“For all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God.” – Romans 3:23 (NIV)
The Role of Sin
Sin creates a barrier between us and God, like a wall that keeps us from being close to Him. Even if we try our best to be good, we still have this wall because of our mistakes.
Understanding that everyone has sinned is important because it shows why we need Jesus to help us remove this wall and be close to God again.
Jesus is the Way
Jesus tells us that He is the only way to heaven. People try different ways to get to heaven, but Jesus makes it clear that the only path is through Him. If we believe in Jesus, trust Him, and accept Him as Savior, we are promised a place in heaven.
Having a personal relationship with Jesus is so important. His love and sacrifice on the cross make heaven possible for us.
“Jesus answered, ‘I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through Me.’” – John 14:6 (NIV)
Jesus explains that just saying you believe in Him isn’t enough to get into heaven. You have to live out your faith by obeying God. Jesus tells us that we must show our love for God through our actions and choices.
It is not enough to call Jesus “Lord”—we must follow Him and live by God’s rules. Living and obeying God’s Will is the key to entering heaven.
“Not everyone who says to Me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ will enter the kingdom of heaven, but only the one who does the Will of my Father who is in heaven.” – Matthew 7:21 (NIV)
Heaven
Getting into heaven is not something we earn. It is a free gift from God that we receive through faith. No matter how many good things we do, they cannot earn us a spot in heaven. It is only by God’s grace that we are saved.
We cannot brag or feel proud of our good deeds because God’s love and grace bring us into the Kingdom of God.
“For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith–and this is not from yourselves, it is the gift of God – not by works, so that no one can boast.” – Ephesians 2:8-9 (NIV)
Step 2 – Understand the Cost of Sin
Sin has a price: death. But God gives us eternal life through Jesus.
“For the wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord.” – Romans 6:23 (NIV)
What is Sin?
Sin starts with a wrong desire or thought. When we act on these harmful desires, we sin. If we let sin grow, it can bring about serious consequences, even death. This shows us the importance of avoiding sinful thoughts and actions from the start.
By understanding that sin can lead to such serious outcomes, we can be more careful and try to make choices that honor God. If you struggle with persistent sin, consider Celebrate Recovery.
“Then, after the desire has conceived, it gives birth to sin; and sin, when it is full-grown, gives birth to death.” – James 1:15
We learn that our actions have consequences. Just like a farmer who plants seeds will grow crops, our actions – good or bad – will have results. If we choose to sin, we will face negative consequences because God is fair and just.
We cannot trick or fool God; He sees everything we do, and our choices will return to us, so it is essential to choose wisely.
“Do not be deceived; God cannot be mocked. A man reaps what he sows.” – Galatians 6:7 (NIV)
Making Good Choices
Not all paths that seem right are good for us. Sometimes, we might think a certain choice is okay, but if it leads us to sin, it will have serious consequences. Be careful about your choices and seek God’s guidance to make sure you are following the right path.
Understanding that some paths can lead to death helps us make better decisions that honor God.
“There is a way that appears to be right, but in the end, it leads to death.” – Proverbs 14:12 (NIV)
God calls us to turn away from our sins and change our hearts. He wants us to stop doing wrong and live a life that pleases Him.
If we do not change, we will face the consequences of our sins, which lead to death.
Understanding the cost of sin means we must make a real effort to change and live differently, choosing to follow God’s ways instead of our own.
“Therefore, rid yourselves of all the offenses you have committed and get a new heart and a new spirit. Why will you die, people of Israel?” – Ezekiel 18:30 (NIV)
Step 3 – Believe in Jesus
God loves us, for He gave His only Son, Jesus, to give eternal life to those who believe in Him. If we trust Jesus, we will live forever with God. Jesus did not come to make us feel bad about our mistakes but to save us and help us have a better life with God.
Believing in Jesus is the key to receiving this amazing gift of eternal life.
“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 (NIV)
Salvation Through Jesus
We can be saved by believing in Jesus. If we say with our mouths that Jesus is the Lord and truly believe in our hearts that God raised Him from the dead, we will be saved.
Believing in Jesus means trusting that He is the Son of God and that He came back to life after dying for our sins. Believing in Jesus and confessing Him as Lord is the way to receive salvation and have a close relationship with God.
”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.” – Romans 10:9 (NIV)
Sharing Jesus
It is not just about us when we believe in Jesus; our whole family can also be blessed. This shows us how important it is to share our faith with others.
Believing in Jesus brings salvation, which means being saved from the wrong things we have done and being able to live forever with God.
It is a simple but powerful promise for everyone who trusts Jesus.
“They replied, ‘Believe in the Lord Jesus, and you will be saved – you and your household.’” – Acts 16:31 (NIV)
Step 4 – Turn Away from Sin (Repent)
We are encouraged to repent, which means turning away from our sins and returning to God. When we do this, God promises to wipe out our sins and bring times of refreshment into our lives.
Repentance
By asking God to forgive us and help us change our ways, we can experience a new start and find renewed strength and peace from the Lord.
“Repent, then, and turn to God, so that your sins may be wiped out.” – Acts 3:19 (NIV)
When we turn away from wrongdoing and seek God, He will listen to us and forgive our sins. It is important to humble ourselves, pray, and ask God to help us stop sinning.
God promises to heal and help us when we try to change our ways and follow Him. Repenting and turning from our mistakes opens the door for God’s forgiveness and healing.
“If My people, who are called by My name, will humble themselves and pray and seek My face and turn from their wicked ways, then I will hear from heaven, and I will forgive their sin and will heal their land.” – 2 Chronicles 7:14 (NIV)
Humility
To be humble means to think about others and not just yourself. It is about putting other people’s needs and feelings before focusing on what you want – whatever your heart’s desire might be at that time. When you are humble, you show respect and kindness to others and do not try to make yourself look better than anyone else.
Humility helps us build strong, caring relationships and is an important way to follow Jesus’ example by valuing others and serving them with a loving heart. When humble, we listen more, argue less, and work together better.
Humility helps us show kindness and make friends because people feel appreciated and respected when you consider their needs.
“Do nothing out of self-ambition or vain conceit. Rather, in humility, value others above yourselves.” – Philippians 2:3 (NIV)
Living Out Repentance
When we repent, we must turn to God and show that we have truly changed through our actions. It is not just about saying sorry; our actions should reflect our repentance.
Living a life that shows we’ve turned away from sin demonstrates that our hearts have truly changed. This is how we can prove that we are following God and living in a way He approves.
“First to those in Damascus, then those in Jerusalem and all Judea, and then to the Gentiles* I preached that they should repent and turn to God and demonstrate their repentance by their deeds.” – Acts 26:20 (NIV)
*Note: A Gentile is a person who is not Jewish.
Step 5 – Receive God’s Gift of Grace
God’s grace is a special gift that we receive because we believe in Him. Grace means that God gives us something wonderful—salvation—without us having to earn it by doing good things. We cannot brag about it or say we deserve it because it is a gift.
By trusting in Jesus, we receive this amazing gift of grace and salvation.
“For it is by grace you have been saved. Through faith…not by works, so that no one can boast.” – Ephesians 2:8-9 (NIV)
Jesus is full of grace and truth. He gives us grace on top of the grace we have already received. We receive extra help and kindness from Jesus every day. God’s grace keeps coming to us, and we can always count on His love and help, no matter what.
“Out of His fullness, we have all received grace in place of grace already given.” – John 1:16 (NIV)
The Freedom of Grace
Everyone is made right with God for free because of His grace. This grace comes through Jesus, who saved us from our sins. We get a clean slate without having to pay for it.
Jesus’ sacrifice on the cross makes it possible for us to be forgiven and have a close relationship with God, all because of His amazing grace.
“And all are justified freely by His grace through the redemption that came by Christ Jesus.” – Romans 3:24 (NIV)
The Gift of Grace
God’s grace has come to everyone and offers us salvation. God wants everyone to be saved and to experience His love.
Grace is an invitation to be part of God’s family, and it’s available to everyone who accepts it. No matter who you are, you can receive the gift of salvation through grace.
“For the grace of God has appeared that offers salvation to all people.” – Titus 2:11 (NIV)
When we believe in Jesus and accept Him into our lives, we become part of God’s family. It is like being adopted into a loving family where God is our Father. By trusting in Jesus, we are forgiven for our mistakes and welcomed into a special relationship with God.
You will have a new identity as His children, with all the love, care, and protection of being part of His family.
“Yet to all who did receive Him, to those who believed in His name, He gave the right to become children of God.” – John 1:12 (NIV)
Step 6 – Confess and Live Out Your Faith
When we openly discuss our faith in Jesus and show that we follow Him, He will stand up for us before God in heaven.
It is important to confess our faith in Jesus to others. When we do, Jesus will recognize us as His own. Living out our faith means being proud to share and show it through our actions.
“Whoever acknowledges Me before others, I will also acknowledge before My Father in heaven.” – Matthew 10:32 (NIV)
Confession
When we admit our mistakes and ask God for forgiveness, He always forgives us and cleanses us from our sins. Confessing our sins is an important part of living our faith because it helps us stay close to God and live in a right and true way.
“If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness.” – 1 John 1:9 (NIV)
Forgiveness
We should be kind and understanding towards others and forgive them just like Jesus forgives us. We must let go of our anger when someone hurts us and offer them forgiveness. Do this out of love and because Jesus forgave us for all our mistakes, even though we did not deserve it.
Forgiving others is a way to show that we understand and appreciate the forgiveness we have received from Jesus. It is also important to forgive ourselves when we make mistakes. Just like God forgives us, we should be kind to ourselves and let go of feelings of shame or guilt.
The knowledge of the truth that God loves and forgives us helps us live a more peaceful life.
“Be kind and compassionate to one another, forgiving each other, just as in Christ God forgave you.” – Ephesians 4:32 (NIV)
Step 7- Get Baptized
Jesus wants us to baptize people as part of sharing our faith. Baptism is a special act where we show that we follow Jesus. It is an important step that Jesus asked us to do when we become His followers.
By getting baptized, we follow Jesus’ command and show that we are part of God’s family.
“Therefore, go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit.” – Matthew 28:19 (NIV)
Peter tells us to repent of our sins, be baptized in Jesus’ name, and ask for forgiveness. Baptism helps us get a fresh start with God and receive the gift of the Holy Spirit (the Holy Ghost). It is a new beginning, where we leave our mistakes behind and follow Jesus more closely.
“Peter replied, Repent and be baptized, every one of you, in the name of Jesus Christ, for the forgiveness of your sins. And you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit.” – Acts 2:38 (NIV)
What is Baptism?
Baptism symbolizes being buried with Jesus and coming back to life just like He did. When we are baptized, we are starting a new life with Jesus, leaving behind our old ways. It shows that we are starting over and living in a way that honors God.
“We were therefore buried with Him through baptism into death in order that, just as Christ was raised from the dead through the glory of the Father, we too may live a new life.” – Romans 6:4 (NIV)
Baptism is more than just getting clean; it is about making a promise to live right with God.
Water baptism symbolizes the fresh start we get when we follow Jesus. It demonstrates that we are committed to living with a clear conscience and trusting in Jesus’ resurrection for our salvation.
“And this water symbolizes that it now saves you, not the removal of dirt from the body but the pledge of a clear conscience toward God. It saves you by the resurrection of Jesus Christ.” – 1 Peter 3:21 (NIV)
Full Baptism
John the Baptist chose a place with “plenty of water” for baptizing people. The presence of a lot of water indicates that baptism was performed by immersing people fully.
This example shows that having enough water for full immersion is important in baptism, which aligns with the symbolic meaning of going under the water to represent dying to our old selves and coming out as a new person in Christ.
Full immersion is a powerful way to show our commitment to follow Jesus.
“Now John also was baptizing at Aenon near Salim, because there was plenty of water, and people were coming and being baptized.” – John 3:23 (NIV)
Jesus’ Baptism
Jesus was baptized by John the Baptist. Even though Jesus was sinless and did not need to be baptized for the forgiveness of sins, He chose to be baptized to set an example for us. By being baptized, Jesus showed us the importance of this act and how we should follow His ways.
His baptism was not about removing sin but fulfilling God’s plan and demonstrating obedience. Through His example, Jesus teaches us that baptism is an essential step in our faith journey, helping us publicly show our commitment to God and follow in His footsteps.
“As soon as Jesus was baptized, He went up and out of the water. At that moment heaven was opened, and He saw the Spirit of God descending like a dove and alighting on Him.” – Matthew 3:16 (NIV)
A Prayer to Be Saved
When we follow Jesus, we can talk to God from our hearts. Repent of your sins and believe Jesus is your Savior. Ask God to help you avoid making the same mistakes and live in a way that follows Jesus.
Praying the sinner’s prayer will give you assurance of salvation. You are turning away from your sinful nature and becoming a grateful child of God. In fact, praying this way and getting baptized show that you are starting a new life with God and want to live each day to honor Him.
Dear Father,
I come to You today with an open heart and a good conscience. I know that I have made mistakes and need Your forgiveness. However, I believe that Jesus is my Savior, who died for the remission of sins and rose again to give me new life.
I am sorry for the wrong things I have done and ask for Your help to turn away from them. I want to do the right thing.
Please come into my life and be my guide. I want to follow Jesus and live in a way that honors You. Thank You for loving me and giving me the chance to start fresh. I trust in Your promise of salvation and want to live each day as a part of Your family.
In the name of the Lord Jesus Christ,
Amen.
Conclusion
You should now have a greater understanding of how to be saved according to the Bible. The revelation of Jesus Christ and what He did for us should be apparent. The Word of God teaches that salvation begins with understanding our need for a Savior. We have all sinned and fallen short of God’s glory. We have all made mistakes, and our sin separates us from God.
God, in His great love, made a way for us to be forgiven and restored to Him. Recognizing that we are sinners who need forgiveness is the first step to being saved.
Next, the Bible teaches us to believe in Jesus Christ as our Savior. Jesus’ death and resurrection made it possible for us to be saved from our sins and have a relationship with God.
Salvation is not something we can earn by doing good things–it is a gift from God that we receive by faith in Jesus. It’s up to us on Earth to decide what we want for our eternal destiny.
Once we believe, we are called to confess our faith and repent. Repentance means turning away from our old sinful ways and living a life that honors God.
Confessing Jesus as Lord publicly shows that we are committed to following Him.
Finally, baptism is an important step in showing our new life in Christ. Baptism symbolizes being cleansed from sin and starting fresh with God. It is an outward expression of our inward faith and shows that we are serious about living a life for Jesus.
By following these steps–recognizing our sin, believing in Jesus, confessing our faith, and being baptized–we receive the gift of salvation and eternal life with God. Use the Word of God as daily food and the great truth that you are saved will become apparent. The narrow gate to Heaven will not seem so narrow as you embrace your faith!
