The ONLY Way to HEAVEN from (your area)

Most cities on earth can be reached by travelling more than one route. Many ministers say of other churches, “We’re all headed for the same place . . .  just going different ways.” But Jesus said, “I am the way, the truth and the life; no man cometh unto the Father but by me...” (John 14:6). And, “. . . He that entereth not by the door into the sheepfold, but climbeth up some other way, the same is a thief and a robber . . . I am the door of the sheep.” (John 10:1, 7).

  There is only one PLAN OF SALVATION — one way to Heaven — given by the Apostles and preached and practiced throughout the first 120 years after Jesus returned into heaven. But even in the days
of Paul the Apostle, there were some who tried to establish other ways. (See Acts 13:10, Galatians 1:6-8 and 2 Timothy 4:3).

The Apostles sat at the feet of the Greatest Teacher who ever lived for three or more years . Not just for a few hours a day, five days a week, as at most of our colleges and seminaries, but they were with Jesus 24 hours a day for 365 days a year. They understood Jesus as no later followers could ever understand Him, because when they failed to grasp His meaning, He immediately knew it and explained His meaning more clearly and fully. (See Luke 5:22-24 and Mark 8:16-18).

  The Apostles thus came to understand that only the Grace, the undeserved favor of God made Salvation possible. They knew that only by Grace had Jesus come into the world to be the Savior of mankind.

  But Grace is open to every human being on earth without regard to wealth or power status. Many would not believe the message that Jesus came to pay the penalty for sin. Those who would not believe could not have saving faith in the Grace of God, therefore could not be saved simply because of their unbelief. (See John 3:15-18).

  While Jesus was on earth in the flesh, He had the power to forgive sins (Luke 5:20-24 and possibly Luke 23:43.) After His Ascension, a whole new day in God’s relationship to mankind began. The Apostles, in obedience to our Lord’s command, tarried in Jerusalem until they were endued with the POWER of the Holy Ghost. Then, in response to the first evangelistic message ever preached, those who believed the message (you may be sure that there remained many scoffers), asked,“Men and brethren, what must we do?” (Acts 2:37). That they believed is shown; first by the fact that they were “. . . pricked  in their heart . . .”, then by their sincere question, and finally by their response to the command given in response to that question.

  The command to those who had already believed and become convicted was, “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 2:38). Since John the Baptist said to repent, Jesus said to repent, Peter said to repent and Paul said to repent, how can we dare say any less and still claim to believe the Gospel message?

  But Peter did not stop with repentance. The question was, “. . . what must we do?” The answer to the believers continued, “. . . be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins . . . .” Paul likens water baptism to burial of the old nature (the “I am just human” nature) which has died in repentance and to  resurrection with Jesus  to walk in newness of life, (Romans 6:1-4). Peter says that the baptism in water in the name of Jesus Christ is necessary to obtain the forgiveness (remission) of sins. How dare the majority of churches to say that you are saved “the instant you believe?” English, Greek and in fact every language in the world demands that when an answer is given to a question, that is exactly what it is, the answer to that question. “… What must we do?” “ … be baptized . . . for the remission of sins . . . .” The word “for” in that context can ONLY mean: “to receive,  to obtain, or to have.” none of the other meanings of the word “for” fit the context! Your dictionary will tell you that remission and forgiveness mean the exact same thing with “remission” having one added meaning; the removal of disease symptoms (the disease of sin!). Thus it is clear that the Bible teaches you must be baptized inJesus’ name to be forgiven of your sins.  (Besides, it was Jesus Christ who died for you, so you can only be correctly buried with Jesus Christ.)

  Finally, Peter gives God’s promise: “. . . and ye shall receive the gift of the Holy Ghost.” He did not say, “the gift of tongues.” The Holy Ghost is poured out freely on all who believe sincerely and obey the gospel message by genuinely repenting of their sins and being buried by baptism into Jesus Christ. The first Bible evidence of believers being accepted  by God, who knows our inner feelings and thoughts, was that they spoke with tongues. (See also Acts 2:41; 8:12-19; 9:1-18; 10:44-48; 11:15-17; 16:15, 30-34 ; 18:8; 19:1-6.)

  You don't have to “hope” you are born again, You can KNOW you are on the only straight and narrow road to Heaven.