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Posted: 2011-05-22; updated: 2012-04-19
Salvation Checklist

Salvation is simple. Gospel is called good news or glad tidings, literally "blessed sound" in Chinese.
Romans 10:15 And how shall they preach, except they be sent? as it is written, How beautiful are the feet of them that preach the gospel of peace, and bring glad tidings of good things!

The Bible centres on salvation.
John 5:39 Search the scriptures; for in them ye think ye have eternal life: and they are they which testify of me.
James 1:21 Wherefore lay apart all filthiness and superfluity of naughtiness, and receive with meekness the engrafted word, which is able to save your souls.
1 Peter 1:23 Being born again, not of corruptible seed, but of incorruptible, by the word of God, which liveth and abideth for ever.

To become Christian, one should get to know some basic things about Jesus. A proper object of faith is needed.
Acts 28:31 Preaching the kingdom of God, and teaching those things which concern the Lord Jesus Christ, with all confidence, no man forbidding him.
2 Corinthians 11:4 For if he that cometh preacheth another Jesus, whom we have not preached, or if ye receive another spirit, which ye have not received, or another gospel, which ye have not accepted, ye might well bear with him.
2 Corinthians 13:5 Examine yourselves, whether ye be in the faith; prove your own selves. Know ye not your own selves, how that Jesus Christ is in you, except ye be reprobates?

Do not frighten yourself into rejecting salvation by thinking that you will be unable to repent. Actually it is easier to repent after salvation. In New Testament, if you are saved, then the Holy Spirit dwells in you to strengthen you and shall not leave. Being saved is being born again. Being born cannot be undone.
John 3:7 Marvel not that I said unto thee, Ye must be born again.
John 14:16 And I will pray the Father, and he shall give you another Comforter, that he may abide with you for ever;
Ephesians 1:13 In whom ye also trusted, after that ye heard the word of truth, the gospel of your salvation: in whom also after that ye believed, ye were sealed with that holy Spirit of promise,

This salvation checklist can be used:
  1. to preach the gospel.
  2. to check if one person truly believes all the points in the gospel, especially before baptism.
  3. as a statement of faith.
  4. to protect against heretical doctrines. The conditions for salvation are something cults do not want people to know. Cults even create their own bible to conceal these. If these are not causes for salvation, cults will not bother about them.
  5. to find the right church.

Conditions for salvation

  1. Know the consequence of sin:
    1. Any person with sin shall be with the fallen angels in eternal punishment. (verses)
  2. Know about Jesus:
    1. Heavenly Father is God and is called God. (verses)
    2. Jesus Christ is fully God and fully man but uncreated. (verses)
    3. Holy Spirit is God. (verses)
    4. Father, Jesus and Spirit (Father is not Jesus, Jesus is not Spirit and Spirit is not Father) coexist as one and only God who created the world. (verses)
    5. Jesus is the Christ and the Son of God. (verses)
    6. Jesus incarnated to be a sinless man born of a virgin conceived by Holy Spirit. (verses)
    7. Jesus died on a cross for the sins of any person who wants to be saved. (verses)
    8. One time shedding of Jesus' precious blood forever redeems any sin of any person who wants to be saved. (verses)
    9. Jesus was raised by God in physical body from the dead on third day after burial. (verses)
    10. Jesus is now at the right hand of God making intercession for us. (verses)
    11. Jesus shall on unknown date and time receive saved persons in incorruptible body all at once to be with Him. (verses)
  3. Be willing to be saved:
    1. Admit you have sinned. (verses)
    2. Be willing to start repenting immediately. (verses)
    3. Accept Jesus as your Saviour. (verses)

What to do after believing

  1. Start repenting. For example, if you have taken something that is not yours and that thing is still with you, get rid of it (not giving away as gift in your name). If you are addicted to drug, throw away the drugs and cut the supply. If you gamble, stop it. If you use pirated software tool, stop it. If you are unable to repent, then your faith is not pure yet and you are not saved yet. No excuse. It is not that one cannot repent but actually one does not want to repent. It is correct to say that perhaps a saved person will sin again in future but it is wrong to say that the person does not have to deal with own current sins. After repenting, you will feel clean. If you do not repent, no matter how many times you confess your sin, you will still have guilt.
    James 2:20 But wilt thou know, O vain man, that faith without works is dead?
  2. Resist sins to glorify God and feel the joy. You are not alone in doing this because Holy Spirit is in you strengthening you. Confess to God and repent if you fail to resist sin. After being saved, it does not mean you will never sin again, but your resistance to sin will grow. Such resistance should be 'trademark' for Christians. Do not take sinning for granted. Avoid going to places where temptation may be. Do not sin knowingly. Do not plan to sin. Do not think to sin first and confess later. After sinning, there are consequences. You will not be joyful for a long time and you will still have to face punishment in this life by society law and by God. How will you feel if you are sinning when the rapture takes place?
    1 Corinthians 3:15 If any man's work shall be burned, he shall suffer loss: but he himself shall be saved; yet so as by fire.
    1 Thessalonians 4:5-6 Not in the lust of concupiscence, even as the Gentiles which know not God: That no man go beyond and defraud his brother in any matter: because that the Lord is the avenger of all such, as we also have forewarned you and testified.
    Titus 1:16 They profess that they know God; but in works they deny him, being abominable, and disobedient, and unto every good work reprobate.
    Hebrews 12:4 Ye have not yet resisted unto blood, striving against sin.
    Hebrews 12:6 For whom the Lord loveth he chasteneth, and scourgeth every son whom he receiveth.
    Jude 1:4 For there are certain men crept in unawares, who were before of old ordained to this condemnation, ungodly men, turning the grace of our God into lasciviousness, and denying the only Lord God, and our Lord Jesus Christ.
  3. Find a church that accepts all the salvation conditions above and is near to your house to attend every Sunday. Listening to sermon every week will have you reminded regularly of not sinning. It is good to know a few nearby churches that have different service times so that in case you cannot attend one service, you can still go to another.
    Hebrews 10:25 Not forsaking the assembling of ourselves together, as the manner of some is; but exhorting one another: and so much the more, as ye see the day approaching.
  4. Pray always. Prayer can be done anytime anywhere in the heart. If you do not know how to pray, at least pray before a meal by thanking Heavenly Father in the name of Jesus or simply thanking God. If someone is having the meal with you, ask for permission first before praying.
    1 Thessalonians 5:17 Pray without ceasing.
  5. Read the Bible when you feel to.
  6. Preach the gospel when you feel to. But do not persuade or urge others.
    1 Corinthians 7:15 But if the unbelieving depart, let him depart. A brother or a sister is not under bondage in such cases: but God hath called us to peace.
  7. Get baptized after repenting of all your sins you know and completing Sunday school.
  8. Help others, especially those who need spontaneous help from good Samaritan, such as a traffic accident victim.

Things that do not affect salvation

You do not have to be able to recite all the points in the gospel but just believe in them. If you yourself are sure that you believe all points in the gospel, then you can be sure you are saved. Do not be influenced by some people who cast uncertainty by saying "you cannot be sure because only God has authority over one's salvation".

Faith saves.
Luke 23:42-43 And he said unto Jesus, Lord, remember me when thou comest into thy kingdom. And Jesus said unto him, Verily I say unto thee, To day shalt thou be with me in paradise.
Romans 13:11 And that, knowing the time, that now it is high time to awake out of sleep: for now is our salvation nearer than when we believed.
Ephesians 2:8 For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God:
Hebrews 10:39 But we are not of them who draw back unto perdition; but of them that believe to the saving of the soul.

What Jesus has done for you is already enough for salvation. A few things below do not earn salvation. Nevertheless, people who think that these are required for salvation besides the list above do not lose their salvation.
  1. Sinner's prayer with a preacher, church attendance and baptism. Rituals are observed out of appreciation for salvation, not to acquire salvation. Of course those must still be done if physically able so that other people are more satisfied about your salvation but those must not be done (especially on the person you have just met) before checking acceptance of all points in the gospel. Please forgive the person who judges that you are not Christian on the reason of you have not done those yet. Is a mute person unsaved yet if there is nobody who knows sign language to lead him or her in sinner's prayer?
    Romans 3:28 Therefore we conclude that a man is justified by faith without the deeds of the law.
    Galatians 2:16 Knowing that a man is not justified by the works of the law, but by the faith of Jesus Christ, even we have believed in Jesus Christ, that we might be justified by the faith of Christ, and not by the works of the law: for by the works of the law shall no flesh be justified.
  2. Good work. It is instead an output after salvation.
    Matthew 7:17 Even so every good tree bringeth forth good fruit; but a corrupt tree bringeth forth evil fruit.
    Galatians 5:22 But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, gentleness, goodness, faith,
    Romans 11:6 And if by grace, then is it no more of works: otherwise grace is no more grace. But if it be of works, then is it no more grace: otherwise work is no more work.
    Ephesians 2:9 Not of works, lest any man should boast.
    Titus 3:5 Not by works of righteousness which we have done, but according to his mercy he saved us, by the washing of regeneration, and renewing of the Holy Ghost;
  3. Admitting sins to anybody. If you want to confess your sins, do it to God.
  4. Finishing reading the Bible or any other book.
  5. Reciting or chanting Jesus' name or Bible verses.
    Matthew 7:21 Not every one that saith unto me, Lord, Lord, shall enter into the kingdom of heaven; but he that doeth the will of my Father which is in heaven.
  6. Speaking in tongue.

Example New Testament verses for each condition above

1.1 Any person with sin shall be with the fallen angels in eternal punishment.
Matthew 25:41 Then shall he say also unto them on the left hand, Depart from me, ye cursed, into everlasting fire, prepared for the devil and his angels:
Revelation 20:10 And the devil that deceived them was cast into the lake of fire and brimstone, where the beast and the false prophet are, and shall be tormented day and night for ever and ever.
Revelation 21:8 But the fearful, and unbelieving, and the abominable, and murderers, and whoremongers, and sorcerers, and idolaters, and all liars, shall have their part in the lake which burneth with fire and brimstone: which is the second death.

2.1 Heavenly Father is God and is called God.
Luke 11:13 If ye then, being evil, know how to give good gifts unto your children: how much more shall your heavenly Father give the Holy Spirit to them that ask him?
John 5:24 Verily, verily, I say unto you, He that heareth my word, and believeth on him that sent me, hath everlasting life, and shall not come into condemnation; but is passed from death unto life.
Ephesians 4:6 One God and Father of all, who is above all, and through all, and in you all.

2.2 Jesus Christ is fully God and fully man but uncreated.
John 8:24 I said therefore unto you, that ye shall die in your sins: for if ye believe not that I am he, ye shall die in your sins.
Colossians 1:16-17 For by him were all things created, that are in heaven, and that are in earth, visible and invisible, whether they be thrones, or dominions, or principalities, or powers: all things were created by him, and for him: And he is before all things, and by him all things consist.
Colossians 2:9 For in him dwelleth all the fulness of the Godhead bodily.
Hebrews 13:8 Jesus Christ the same yesterday, and to day, and for ever.

2.3 Holy Spirit is God.
Mark 3:29 But he that shall blaspheme against the Holy Ghost hath never forgiveness, but is in danger of eternal damnation:
Acts 5:3-4 But Peter said, Ananias, why hath Satan filled thine heart to lie to the Holy Ghost, and to keep back part of the price of the land? Whiles it remained, was it not thine own? and after it was sold, was it not in thine own power? why hast thou conceived this thing in thine heart? thou hast not lied unto men, but unto God.
1 Corinthians 3:16 Know ye not that ye are the temple of God, and that the Spirit of God dwelleth in you?
2 Corinthians 3:17 Now the Lord is that Spirit: and where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is liberty.

Scutum Fidei
Shield of the Trinity

2.4 Father, Jesus and Holy Spirit (Father is not Jesus, Jesus is not Spirit and Spirit is not Father) eternally coexist as one and only God who created the world.
Matthew 28:19 Go ye therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost:
Luke 3:22 And the Holy Ghost descended in a bodily shape like a dove upon him, and a voice came from heaven, which said, Thou art my beloved Son; in thee I am well pleased.
Luke 24:39 Behold my hands and my feet, that it is I myself: handle me, and see; for a spirit hath not flesh and bones, as ye see me have.
John 17:3 And this is life eternal, that they might know thee the only true God, and Jesus Christ, whom thou hast sent.
Acts 7:55 But he, being full of the Holy Ghost, looked up stedfastly into heaven, and saw the glory of God, and Jesus standing on the right hand of God,
Acts 14:15 And saying, Sirs, why do ye these things? We also are men of like passions with you, and preach unto you that ye should turn from these vanities unto the living God, which made heaven, and earth, and the sea, and all things that are therein:
Romans 3:30 Seeing it is one God, which shall justify the circumcision by faith, and uncircumcision through faith.
1 John 5:7 For there are three that bear record in heaven, the Father, the Word, and the Holy Ghost: and these three are one.

2.5 Jesus is the Christ and the Son of God.
John 3:18 He that believeth on him is not condemned: but he that believeth not is condemned already, because he hath not believed in the name of the only begotten Son of God.
John 20:31 But these are written, that ye might believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God; and that believing ye might have life through his name.
1 John 4:15 Whosoever shall confess that Jesus is the Son of God, God dwelleth in him, and he in God.
1 John 5:13 These things have I written unto you that believe on the name of the Son of God; that ye may know that ye have eternal life, and that ye may believe on the name of the Son of God.

2.6 Jesus incarnated to be a sinless man born of a virgin conceived by Holy Spirit.
Matthew 1:18 Now the birth of Jesus Christ was on this wise: When as his mother Mary was espoused to Joseph, before they came together, she was found with child of the Holy Ghost.
Matthew 1:23 Behold, a virgin shall be with child, and shall bring forth a son, and they shall call his name Emmanuel, which being interpreted is, God with us.
1 John 3:5 And ye know that he was manifested to take away our sins; and in him is no sin.

2.7 Jesus died on a cross for the sins of any person who wants to be saved.
1 Corinthians 15:3 For I delivered unto you first of all that which I also received, how that Christ died for our sins according to the scriptures;
Hebrews 12:2 Looking unto Jesus the author and finisher of our faith; who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is set down at the right hand of the throne of God.
1 John 2:2 And he is the propitiation for our sins: and not for ours only, but also for the sins of the whole world.

2.8 One time shedding of Jesus' precious blood is able to forever redeem any sin of anybody who wants to be saved.
Hebrews 9:12 Neither by the blood of goats and calves, but by his own blood he entered in once into the holy place, having obtained eternal redemption for us.
Hebrews 10:12 But this man, after he had offered one sacrifice for sins for ever, sat down on the right hand of God;
Hebrews 10:14 For by one offering he hath perfected for ever them that are sanctified.
Hebrews 13:20 Now the God of peace, that brought again from the dead our Lord Jesus, that great shepherd of the sheep, through the blood of the everlasting covenant,

2.9 Jesus was raised by God in physical body from the dead on third day after burial.
John 20:27 Then saith he to Thomas, Reach hither thy finger, and behold my hands; and reach hither thy hand, and thrust it into my side: and be not faithless, but believing.
Romans 4:24 But for us also, to whom it shall be imputed, if we believe on him that raised up Jesus our Lord from the dead;
Romans 10:9 That if thou shalt confess with thy mouth the Lord Jesus, and shalt believe in thine heart that God hath raised him from the dead, thou shalt be saved.
1 Corinthians 15:4 And that he was buried, and that he rose again the third day according to the scriptures:
1 Corinthians 15:17 And if Christ be not raised, your faith is vain; ye are yet in your sins.
1 Peter 1:21 Who by him do believe in God, that raised him up from the dead, and gave him glory; that your faith and hope might be in God.

2.10 Jesus is now at the right hand of God making intercession for us.
Romans 8:34 Who is he that condemneth? It is Christ that died, yea rather, that is risen again, who is even at the right hand of God, who also maketh intercession for us.
Hebrews 1:3 Who being the brightness of his glory, and the express image of his person, and upholding all things by the word of his power, when he had by himself purged our sins, sat down on the right hand of the Majesty on high;

2.11 Jesus shall on unknown date and time receive all saved persons in incorruptible body all at once to be with Him.
Matthew 24:40-42 Then shall two be in the field; the one shall be taken, and the other left. Two women shall be grinding at the mill; the one shall be taken, and the other left. Watch therefore: for ye know not what hour your Lord doth come.
John 14:3 And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again, and receive you unto myself; that where I am, there ye may be also.
1 Corinthians 15:52 In a moment, in the twinkling of an eye, at the last trump: for the trumpet shall sound, and the dead shall be raised incorruptible, and we shall be changed.
1 Thessalonians 4:16-17 For the Lord himself shall descend from heaven with a shout, with the voice of the archangel, and with the trump of God: and the dead in Christ shall rise first: Then we which are alive and remain shall be caught up together with them in the clouds, to meet the Lord in the air: and so shall we ever be with the Lord.

3.1 Admit you have sinned.
Romans 6:20 For when ye were the servants of sin, ye were free from righteousness.
1 John 1:8-9 If we say that we have no sin, we deceive ourselves, and the truth is not in us. If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.

3.2 Be willing to start repenting immediately.
Luke 13:3 I tell you, Nay: but, except ye repent, ye shall all likewise perish.
Acts 2:38 Then Peter said unto them, Repent, and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins, and ye shall receive the gift of the Holy Ghost.
Acts 3:19 Repent ye therefore, and be converted, that your sins may be blotted out, when the times of refreshing shall come from the presence of the Lord;

3.3 Accept Jesus as your Saviour.
John 1:12 But as many as received him, to them gave he power to become the sons of God, even to them that believe on his name:
John 3:15 That whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have eternal life.
John 3:16 For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life.
John 4:42 And said unto the woman, Now we believe, not because of thy saying: for we have heard him ourselves, and know that this is indeed the Christ, the Saviour of the world.
John 6:40 And this is the will of him that sent me, that every one which seeth the Son, and believeth on him, may have everlasting life: and I will raise him up at the last day.
John 6:47 Verily, verily, I say unto you, He that believeth on me hath everlasting life.
John 10:9 I am the door: by me if any man enter in, he shall be saved, and shall go in and out, and find pasture.
John 11:25-26 Jesus said unto her, I am the resurrection, and the life: he that believeth in me, though he were dead, yet shall he live: And whosoever liveth and believeth in me shall never die. Believest thou this?
John 12:46 I am come a light into the world, that whosoever believeth on me should not abide in darkness.
John 16:27 For the Father himself loveth you, because ye have loved me, and have believed that I came out from God.
John 20:29 Jesus saith unto him, Thomas, because thou hast seen me, thou hast believed: blessed are they that have not seen, and yet have believed.
Acts 2:21 And it shall come to pass, that whosoever shall call on the name of the Lord shall be saved.
Acts 10:43 To him give all the prophets witness, that through his name whosoever believeth in him shall receive remission of sins.
Acts 13:38 Be it known unto you therefore, men and brethren, that through this man is preached unto you the forgiveness of sins:
Acts 13:39 And by him all that believe are justified from all things, from which ye could not be justified by the law of Moses.
Acts 15:11 But we believe that through the grace of the LORD Jesus Christ we shall be saved, even as they.
Acts 16:31 And they said, Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ, and thou shalt be saved, and thy house.
Romans 5:1 Therefore being justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ:
Romans 6:23 For the wages of sin is death; but the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord.
Romans 10:13 For whosoever shall call upon the name of the Lord shall be saved.
1 Timothy 4:10 For therefore we both labour and suffer reproach, because we trust in the living God, who is the Saviour of all men, specially of those that believe.
1 John 5:13 These things have I written unto you that believe on the name of the Son of God; that ye may know that ye have eternal life, and that ye may believe on the name of the Son of God.

In Chinese:

  1. 了解罪責:
    1. 有罪的人必與墮落天使在永刑裏。
  2. 認識耶穌:
    1. 天父是神,也稱作神。
    2. 耶穌徹底是神,也徹底是人,但不被造。
    3. 聖靈是神。
    4. 天父、耶穌、聖靈(天父非耶穌、耶穌非聖 靈、聖靈非天父)同時存在為一位獨一、創世的神。
    5. 耶穌是基督、是神的兒子。
    6. 耶穌化身無罪的人,由童女從聖靈懷孕所 生。
    7. 耶穌為願意得救的 人之罪死在十字架上。
    8. 耶穌的寶血流一次就永遠為願意得救的 人贖任何罪。
    9. 耶穌死後被埋第三天肉身復活。
    10. 耶穌現在天父右邊,替得救的人祈求。
    11. 耶穌必一次過接所有得救的人,在不朽壞的 身體裏與祂 一起。
  3. 願意得救:
    1. 承認曾經觸犯道德。
    2. 有心立刻開始悔改。
    3. 接受主耶穌作救主。

I categorize this article under Christian. Other articles are accessible from homepage.

External pages that link to this article:
  1. Crossroads: Where Faith And Inquiry Meet

 

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