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     In past weeks, we have considered how a person becomes a Christian, the change of faith (only in Jesus – Mark 1:15), a resolve to change one’s life to be in harmony with the commands of Jesus, and submitting to Jesus in an immersion in water signifying Jesus death, burial and resurrection, and in that being granted the forgiveness of sins and the gift of the Holy Spirit (Acts 2:38; 22:16).  We observed, Jesus knows who actually becomes a Christian in baptism (Acts 2:47; Romans 6:3, 4, 17).

     Salvation is like a chain.  If one link is missing – no salvation: no faith – no salvation; no change of heart – no salvation; no baptism – no salvation.   These are all man’s response of submission to Jesus upon hearing the gospel “...faith comes by hearing, and hearing by the word of God” (Rom 10:17).   But, without Jesus there is no possibility of salvation.

     Following the beginning of the Lord’s church on Pentecost (Acts 2), daily the apostles preached the good news of salvation in the Jewish temple area (Acts 2:46; 5:42).  Soon the number who became Christians was 5000 (Acts 4:4).  The deep concern of the high priest, the priesthood, the rulers of the Jews and lawyers prompted a legal hearing, questioning the apostles about who gave them authority to preach this gospel of Jesus (Acts 4:5-7).  In part, and referring to Jesus, Peter responded, “Nor is there salvation in any other, for there is no other name under heaven given among men by which we must be saved” (Acts 4:12).  Only by Jesus and His way alone can a person be saved from their sins.  Jesus clearly declared this to His disciples on the eve before He went to the cross – “I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through Me” (John 14:6).

     The reasons Jesus is the only source of salvation, is He (1) fulfilled the law God commanded to be fulfilled under the Old Covenant (Matthew 5:17, 18). In so doing, Jesus (2) offered Himself as the sacrifice to pay the penalty of death for each of us (Genesis 2:16,17; Rom 7:21-24; 2 Timothy 1:10; Hebrews 2:9; 7:26-27).  “The sting of death is sin, and the strength of sin is the law” (1 Corinthians 15:56).

     Ultimately without Jesus, this penalty of death is eternal separation from God.  By fulfilling the law and being given all authority, He set aside the law of the Old Testament (Colossians 2:13-14; Heb 10:9-10).  “For if when we were enemies we were reconciled to God through the death of His Son, much more, having been reconciled, we shall be saved by His life”(Rom 5:10).  Jesus initiated the New Testament by His death – “And for this reason He is the Mediator of the new covenant, by means of death....” (Heb 9:15).

     Through Jesus death, we have the opportunity to be in harmony with God and live forever with Him.  Where do you stand with God?  Do you trust Jesus so as to follow Him as He presented in the New Testament?

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