Salvation Series

SALVATION SERIES
Contents

Lesson 1: Life After Death

Lesson 2: Salvation

Lesson 3: There Is Only One Way

Lesson 4: Questions About Salvation

Lesson 5: Salvation – Can We Lose It Or Not?

Lesson 6: Three Aspects Of Salvation

Lesson 7: Seven Signs Of A Saved Person

Lesson 8: The Plan of God

Lesson 9: The Second Birth

Lesson 10: Children of God

Lesson 11: The Heavenly Father

Lesson 12: Water Baptism

 LIFE AFTER DEATH
(Salvation Series: Lesson One)

Physical death can happen anywhere, anytime and to anyone. It may occur in the morning, noon,
afternoon, evening, dusk or dawn. Child or adult, male or female, rich or poor succumb to death.
Life may end in a violent, abrupt and unexpected manner such as accident, calamities and
murder. Some deaths are anticipated results of sickness or old age. Its appointed time may be
delayed through medicine, physical fitness or healthy dieting. But death cannot be stopped.
Everyone will die, unless he or she experiences the actual second coming of the Lord Jesus
Christ.

1. WHAT AWAITS DEATH?

“Just as man is destined to die once, and after that to face judgment,”
Hebrew 9:27

 Judgment follows death. Every soul will have to stand before God and give an account
of his or her life on earth.

2. WHAT IS JUDGMENT?

“12 And I saw the dead, small and great, standing before God, and books were opened.
Another book was opened which is the Book of Life. The dead were judged according to
what they had done as recorded in the books. 15If anyone’s name was not found written in
the book of life, he was thrown into the lake of fire.”
Revelation 20:12, 15

 Judgment is the moment when Almighty God decides whether He will accept someone
or not into His kingdom. Death is the door to eternity. There are only two places a soul can
go to after physical death- heaven or hell (Luke 16: 19-23).

If God rules you to go to hell, there you will be. If God receives you into His kingdom,
heaven is your final destination. There is no neutral ground between heaven and hell.

3. HOW DOES THE BIBLE PICTURE HELL?

I. This is the place where Satan and his demons and all sinners will be
condemned.

“Then He will also say to those on the left hand, ‘Depart from Me, you cursed, into the
everlasting fire prepared for the devil and his angel!’”
Matthew 25:41

 All cowards, deceivers, murderers, adulterers, sorcerers, idolaters and liars shall have
their place in the lake of fire (Rev. 21:8). Can you imagine yourself being with the Devil
and all wicked men on earth for all eternity? This is what will happen to someone who
defies God.
 II. This is the place where misery and torment abound.

a. There are worms that never die and fire that never stops.
“… 48 where their worm does not die and the fire is not quenched.”
Mark 9:47-48
b. There is much pain and gnashing of teeth.
“…There will be weeping and gnashing of teeth.”
Matthew 25:30
c. There one can remember his or her life while on earth.
“…remember that in your lifetime you received your good things, while Lazarus
received bad things; but now he is comforted here and you are in agony.”
Luke 16:25

 In hell, the sinners can feel remorse but they cannot anymore repent. They will
remember with much anguish the times they wasted their lives on sinful living. They would
lament over the memory of their loved ones who counseled and admonished them to get
right with God.

III. This is the place where the sinners are eternally separated from God.

“They will be punished with everlasting destruction and shut out from the presence of
the Lord and from the majesty of his power..”
2 Thessalonians 1:9

 Indeed, the message of hell is terrifying, but it is also a message of Love. Love, because
God is warning us before it is too late that there is a place called “Hell”, and that we need
to enter His door and walk in the path He already appointed to enable us to reach that
place called “Heaven”. (Matthew 7:13-14; Philippians 3:20)

4. HOW DOES THE BIBLE PICTURE HEAVEN?

I. This is a place without tears, suffering, mourning and death.

“He will wipe every tear from their eyes. There will be no more death or mourning or crying
or pain, for the old order of things has passed away.”
Revelation 21:4

II. This is a place without wickedness and evil-doers

“Nothing impure will ever enter it, nor will anyone who does what is shameful or deceitful,
but only those whose names are written in the Lamb’s book of life.”
Revelation 21:27

III. This is the place where God will dwell with us forever.
 “And I heard a loud voice from the throne saying, ‘Now the dwelling of God is with men,
and he will live with them. They will be his people, and God himself will be with them and
be their God.’”
Revelation 21:3

5. WHEN SHOULD WE PREPARE FOR LIFE AFTER DEATH?

“27 He answered, ‘Then I beg you, father, send Lazarus to my father’s house, for I have
five brothers. 28Let him warn them, so that they will not also come to this place of
torment’.”
Luke 16:27-28

 In the above passage, the rich man begs that Lazarus be sent to warn his five other
brothers that if they don’t come to God and change, they will end up in the same place of
torment where he is. He knows that his brothers are living in sin as he did while he was
still with them. So, when are we supposed to prepare for the place we want to spend
eternity? Now while we are still breathing! Don’t wait for tomorrow or it might be too late.
The devil doesn’t want you to believe that there is heaven and hell so you will not prepare
in this life.

6. HOW SHOULD WE PREPARE FOR LIFE AFTER DEATH?

“29 Abraham replied, “they have Moses and the Prophets; let them listen to them.’ 30 ‘No,
father Abraham,’ he said, ‘but if someone one from the dead goes to them, they will
repent.’ 31 He said to him, ‘If they do not listen to Moses and the Prophets, they will not be
convinced even if someone rises from the dead.’”
Luke 16:29-31

 In the above verses, Abraham declines the rich man’s request. The condemned man
wants Lazarus to rise from the dead to warn and convince his brothers to change their
sinful ways. But Abraham makes clear that there are already living servants of God who
are preaching the message of salvation, and if the five brothers refuse to believe them,
then there is no other way for them to be saved. How, then, can we prepare for the next
life? We must listen to our friends and other people who remind us of the reality of
heaven and hell according to the Bible.

The next lesson will teach us how we can be assured of salvation. So let us not miss the
next topic for us to be ready for the life ahead and for us to be the agent of this important
message to others. Now is the time to be saved, and not tomorrow when you are already
dead!

APPLICATION:
1. Are you afraid to go to hell? Why?
2. Are you sure you will go to heaven if you die today? Why?

SALVATION
(Salvation Series: Lesson Two)
“And you also were included in Christ when you heard the word of truth, the gospel of your
salvation. Having believed you were marked in him with a seal, the promised Holy Spirit”.
Ephesians 1:13

The verse says that before we get “saved”, we need to hear and believe the message of the
Good News. If we accept that salvation is in Jesus Christ, we will be sealed with the Holy Spirit
who will mark us as God’s children. But why do we need to be saved? What’s wrong with us?
Why do we need to believe in Jesus as the way to salvation? We will now answer these
questions.

1. THERE IS A BARRIER THAT SEPARATES GOD AND MAN

Have you ever felt as if God is so far from you? All of us felt the same way. The feeling of
God being distant makes many think that religion and good works can bring us closer to
Him. However, since our separation from God is not physical - no human effort can
bridge such gap. What causes a person to be isolated from God?

“But your iniquities have separated you from your God; and your sins have hidden His
face from you, So that He will not hear.”
Isaiah 59:2

2. SIN SEPARATES US FROM GOD

The separation between God and us is very clear in the Bible. God is holy; we are sinners.
God is righteous; we are wicked. God’s word says, “All have sinned and fall short of
the glory of God” (Romans 3:23). Death or separation is the payment for sin (Romans
6:23).

3. GOD’S JUSTICE REQUIRES SACRIFICE FOR OUR SINS

Because God is just, He sees to it that sin is punished. Because God is loving and
merciful, He does not want people to be distant from Him. The divine solution to God’s
dilemma is Jesus Christ, God’s only Son who became the “sacrifice for the sin of the
whole world.” Hebrews 9:28 says, “so Christ was offered once to bear the sins of
many.” He is the “…the lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world” (John
1:29). The Bible says:

“25 God presented him as a sacrifice of atonement, through faith in his blood. He did this to
demonstrate his justice, because in his forbearance he had left the sins committed
beforehand unpunished, 26 he did it to demonstrate his justice at the present time, so as to
be just and the one who justifies those who have faith in Jesus”.
Romans 3:25-26
4. JESUS PAID FOR THE PUNISHMENT OF OUR SINS

What happened on the cross? Jesus took our place of punishment. He took on himself the
curse and poverty so we may receive His blessings and riches (Galatians 3:13-14; 2
Corinthians 8:9). He took our sins so we may be able to embrace His righteousness (2
Corinthians 5:21). Because He is sinless, only He is worthy to pay for our sins and to
mediate between God and mankind. Our salvation therefore is founded on what Jesus
Christ did on the cross and not based on our good deeds for him. 2 Corinthian 5:21
 says, “God made him who had no sin to be sin for us, so that in him we might become the
righteousness of God”.

5. WE CAN BE SAVED IF WE REPENT FROM OUR SINS AND TRUST CHRIST

All of us sinned against the holy and righteous God. Hell and separation from the living
presence of God are the consequences of sin. God is just and he really punishes sin. On
the other hand, He is also loving, and he does not want us to suffer in hell for all eternity.
He sent Jesus Christ to pay for our sins on the cross instead (Romans 5:8). Because
Christ never sinned, death had no hold of him. He rose from the dead on the third day.
Jesus is alive!

He is here today willing to forgive those who want to turn away from their sins. He is ready
to save those who will commit themselves to Him. The message of the Good News is,
“God was in Christ reconciling the world to Himself (2 Corinthians 5:19). We can receive
salvation if we put our faith on what Jesus Christ accomplished on the cross for us, instead
of trying to save ourselves through good deeds. We need to believe that He did not remain
on the grave. The Bible says in Romans 10:9-10:

“That if you confess with your mouth, ‘Jesus is Lord’, and believe in your heart that God
raised him from the dead, you will be saved. For it is with your heart that you believe and
are justified, and it is with your mouth that you confess and are saved.”

APPLICATION:
1. Are you ready to repent from your sins and entrust your life to Christ?
2. Are you ready to obey Him with all your life?
3. Are you ready to pray a prayer of commitment?

PRAYER FOR SALVATION

Lord Jesus, I come to you with the faith that you are sent by God as a sacrifice for my sins. I
believe your work on cross. I also believe that you rose up from the grave; you are alive. I receive
you as my Lord and Savior. Jesus, I admit that I am a sinner. Forgive me and cleanse me. Lord
Jesus, come into my heart, and through the Holy Spirit, live inside of me. Starting today, I will
obey and serve you. I will stop sinning. Lord Jesus, write my name in the book of life. Thank you
Lord that in you I am saved…in you I’m forgiven…in you I’m now a child of God…in you I’m now
a citizen of heaven and have no part in hell. Amen.

ONE WAY
(Salvation Series: Lesson One)

It’s been said that, “there are many ways to get to God.” “There are many ways in
which man would be saved.” Is this true? Let’s look at what the Bible says about this subject.

1. JESUS IS THE ONLY SAVIOR SENT BY THE FATHER TO SAVE MANKIND

 “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.”
John 3:16

2. JESUS IS THE ONLY PERSON WHO DIED ON THE CROSS FOR OUR SINS

“He himself bore our sins in his body on the tree, so that we might die to sins and live for
righteousness…”
1 Peter 2:24a

3. JESUS IS THE ONLY NAME GIVEN UNDER HEAVEN WHEREBY WE WILL BE SAVED

“Salvation is found in no one else, for there is no other name under heaven given to men
by which we must be saved.”
Acts 4:12

4. JESUS IS THE ONLY MEDIATOR BETWEEN GOD AND MAN

“For there is one God and one mediator between God and men, the man Christ Jesus,
who gave himself as a ransom for all men – the testimony given in its proper time.”
1 Timothy 2:5-6

5. JESUS IS THE ONLY WAY TO THE FATHER

“ Jesus answered, “ I am the way and the truth and the life. No one can come to the
Father except through me.”
John 14:6

6. JESUS IS THE ONLY ONE WHO CAN GIVE US THE RIGHT TO BECOME A
CHILD OF GOD

“Yet to all who received him, to those who believed in his name, he gave the right to
become children of God—children born not of natural descent, nor of human decision or a
husband’s will, but born of God.”
John 1:12-13

7. JESUS IS THE ONLY SOURCE OF ETERNAL LIFE

“And this is the testimony: God has given us eternal life, and this life is in his Son. He
who has the Son has life; he who does not have the Son of God does not have life. I
write these things to you who believe in the name of the Son of God so that you may
know that you have eternal life.”
 1 John 5:11-13

As we have read in the passages above, it is clearly established that there is only one
way to God and that is JESUS CHRIST! He is the only source of forgiveness, salvation
and eternal life. He is the only one who can connect us back to the Father. He is the
ONLY WAY.

5 STEPS OF RECEIVING SALVATION

1. Accept That You Are a Sinner (Humble Yourself Before God)

“If we claim to be without sin, we deceive ourselves and the truth is not in us . If we
claim we have not sinned, we make him out to be a liar and his word has no place
in our lives.”
1 John 1:8, 10

2. Ask God for Forgiveness (Confess Your Sins to God)

“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

3. Forsake Your Sin (Repent)

“Let the wicked forsake his way and the evil man his thoughts. Let him turn to the
Lord, and he will have mercy on him and to our God, for he will freely pardon.”
Isaiah 55:7

4. Believe That the Lord Can Save You by His Grace (Faith)

“ For the grace of God that brings salvation has appeared to all men.”
Titus 2:11

“But because of his great love for us, God, who is rich in mercy, made us alive with
Christ even when we were dead in transgressions - it is by grace you have been
saved.”
Ephesians 2:4-5

 Grace means favor received that which is or was not earned. We deserved
death because of our sins but instead God gave us life in Christ Jesus (Romans
6:23; 1 John 5:11-13).

 GRACE can be an acronym for God’s Riches At Christ’s Expense. We have

been saved by the grace of God through faith in Christ Jesus and not by
ourselves or by our good works. (Ephesians 2:8-9)
 5. Receive Christ as Lord in your heart (Commit)

“ So then, just as you have received Christ Jesus as Lord, continue to live in him”
Colossians 2:6

“That if you confess with your mouth, ‘Jesus is Lord’, and believe in your heart that
God raised him from the dead, you will be saved. For it is with your heart that you
believe and are justified, and it is with your mouth that you confess and are saved.”

Romans 10:9-10

APPLICATION QUESTIONS:
1. Are you ready to repent from your sins and commit your life to the Lord?
2. Are you ready to receive His grace, forgiveness and His free gift of eternal life?
Are you ready to live for Him starting today? Are you willing to accept Him as Lord

QUESTIONS ABOUT SALVATION

(Salvation Series: Lesson Four)

1. WHAT DO WE MEAN WHEN WE SAY WE ARE “SAVED”?

Because we are one with Christ:

i. We are saved from our sins, and we are forgiven (Colossians 1:13-14). We have
also received the righteousness of God (2 Corinthians 5:21; Romans 3:22).

ii. We are saved from the second death which is hell, and we are assured of heaven
(Revelation 21:8; John 5:24; John 11: 25-26; Philippians 3:20).

iii. We are saved from our “sinful nature”, and we have received the “nature of God” (1
John 3:9; 2 Peter 1:3-4. We are new creatures (2 Corinthians 5:17)

iv. We are saved from Satan’s bondage, and we became part of God’s kingdom
(Colossians 1:13). We are one with our Father in heaven (John 14:6; 1 John 2:23).
 Because of sin we are separated from God, but in Christ we have received forgiveness
and oneness with Him. The purpose of salvation is not only to spare us from the present
curse of sin and from going to hell but also to restore our broken relationship with God.

2. CAN OUR GOOD WORKS SAVE US?

“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 man can boast.”
Ephesians 2:8-9

There are two reasons why our good works cannot save us:

i. Salvation is God’s gift, and it can only be received through faith and not by our good
deeds. (Titus 3:4-5)

ii. Salvation is received through faith so that no one can boast before God and man that
he or she is saved by good acts. Jesus is the ONLY savior.

When we were yet sinners, our good deeds were just like “dirty rags” in the eyes of
God (Isaiah 64:6). No matter how much good we did, we still sinned. No sinner can
remove his or her sins no matter how many good works he or she will do. The sinner is a
slave to sin (John 8:34).

Only Jesus Christ can save us from sins (Matthew 1:21). After we are saved, good
deeds which are fruits of the Holy Spirit should be seen in us (Ephesians 2:8-10);
Galatians 5:22-23). These kind of good works inspired by the Holy Spirit are not “ dirty
rags” anymore before God. Instead, these are fragrant offerings and sacrifices that are
pleasing to Him (Hebrews 13:16).

3. IN WHAT WAY CAN A PERSON BE SAVED?

The prison warden asked Paul and Silas, “Sir, what must I do to be saved?” They
answered, “Believe in the Lord Jesus Christ, and you will be saved…”
Acts 16:30-31a

Believe in the Lord Jesus Christ and you will be saved! This is the only means for a
person to be saved. What do we mean by “faith in Jesus Christ”?

This kind of faith is not only head knowledge and superficial, but this faith includes
“surrender”. This includes self-denial and complete submission to the lordship of Jesus
Christ (Galatians 2:20). This “saving faith” recognizes that Jesus Christ is forever the
master of one’s life. This kind of faith is described in 2 Corinthians 5:15:

“and He died for all, that those who live should live no longer for themselves, but for Him
who died for them and was raised again.”
 If you commit your life to Christ, deny self and live for His sake, then you will be saved
(Philippians 1:21; Matthew 16:24-26).

4. WHEN MUST A PERSON BE SAVED?

Now while we are still alive. Not tomorrow when we are dead. The Bible says “Now is
the time of God’s favor; Now is the day of salvation!” (2 Corinthians 6:2). We should
not wait for tomorrow when it is too late. God is calling us now. We should not wait for
judgment day before we do something about our salvation. Commit your life to Christ now
because today is your day of salvation.

5. WHAT IS THE MEANING OF SALVATION OR ETERNAL LIFE AS A GIFT?

“…, but the gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord.”
Romans 6:23b
There are three aspects of salvation as a gift:

i. It is given by someone
ii. It is free
iii. It should be accepted by the recipient
The greatest gift of God to us sinners is Jesus Christ, through whom we receive
eternal life. We must receive Him as LORD for our salvation and for the gladness of the
Father who gave Him to us.

APPLICATION:

1. Give three things that impressed or moved you in this lesson?

2. Do you have questions regarding salvation? What are these?
3. Have you already received the free gift of salvation? If not, are you ready and willing to
accept it now?
 SALVATION: CAN WE LOSE IT OR NOT?
(Salvation Series: Lesson Five)

TWO WRONG TEACHINGS ABOUT SALVATION:

i. The salvation you received from the Lord can be easily lost.
You are saved today because of your faith in Jesus Christ, but if you sin
tomorrow, the salvation will be lost. That is why you need to receive and accept Jesus
Christ again to regain salvation. This teaching is false.

ii. The salvation you received from the Lord can never be lost.
This wrong doctrine teaches that once you are saved, you are forever saved
even if you backslide to your former sinful life. This teaching too is false.

THE CORRECT AND BALANCED TEACHING RESTS IN BETWEEN THESE TWO FALSE
BELIEFS
1. If you are saved, the salvation you received is not easily lost.

If we are God’s children, our relationship with Him is secured. If we sin, we may
lose our fellowship with God, but not our relationship to our Father.

There are two reasons why a Christian continues to sin:

i. He or she is saved but still is childish in faith (I Cor. 3:1-4).

ii. He or she is saved and has matured in faith but has turned
back from following the
Lord (2 Peter 2:20-22). This person is called a “backslider” (Ezekiel 18:24-26).
 Most of the sins we have committed after we receive Jesus Christ are the result
of our immature faith, not because we rebel against God. Many “baby’ Christians live
their lives without so much difference from those who are away from God.

There are two reasons why they remain childish in faith:

i. They were not nurtured by a “spiritual” father.

We must submit to a spiritual authority for us to grow and be equipped (2

Timothy 2:2; I Corinthians 4:14-17).

ii. They did not discipline themselves.

For us to grow, we need to pray, read the Bible, go to church, be holy, and
fellowship with other believers. All these need self-discipline.
The Lord is so determined to complete what He has started doing in our lives (Phil.
1:6). Even if we turn our backs from God, He does not give up wooing us back to
Himself. But if we really decide to keep sinning, He will…

a. send someone to encourage, advise or rebuke you

b. send problems to “awaken” us (Jonah 1:4-15).
c. visit us through dreams and visions
d. discipline us so we will return to Him (Hebrews 12:5-11).

God is committed in His part to fulfill His plans for our lives (John 10:29).
Therefore, we also need to do our part in obeying God.

2. There is a possibility that the salvation we received can be lost.

“If we deliberately keep on sinning after we have received the knowledge of the truth,
no sacrifice for sins is left, but only a fearful expectation of judgment and of raging fire
that will consume the enemies of God.”
Hebrews 10:26-27

True, we are saved in Christ but the above verse says that we can lose our salvation if
we willingly return to our sinful lifestyle. In this case, only God can judge when he will
remove a rebel in His family. The Bible says in Hebrews 10:29 that God will punish a
believer who chooses to turn his or her back against God. This is because the person is
actually committing three things:

1. He or she mocks the Son of God who died on his or her behalf.
2. He or she does not value the blood that washes away sins.
3. He or she grieves the Holy Sprit living inside him or her.

VERSES IN THE BIBLE THAT SAYS WE CAN LOSE OUR SALVATION

Revelations 3:4-5 says our names can be removed from the Book of Life if we don’t live in
victory over sin.
 Matthew 24:9-13 says that in the last days, many believers will turn away from God
because of how sin will increase in earth.

Jesus Christ has taught three parables in the whole chapter 25 of Matthew. The chapter
tells of many believers who will fall because of their negligence towards their faith. They do
not do what is required of them. This is a serious sin in the eyes of God (James 4:17)

The branch that does not bear fruit must be cut off from the vine (John 15:1-2). It’s not
enough that we are connected to the vine, but it’s also important that we remain in the vine
and bear fruits (John 15:5-6).

Apostle Paul wrote to the churches in Galatia and Rome admonishing the believers to live
in the Spirit and not in the flesh to ensure eternal life (Galatians 5:16-21, 6:7-8, Romans
8:13).

Even Apostle Paul disciplined himself in the faith. Otherwise, the one he preaches to goes
to heaven but not him (1 Corinthians 9:27).

NOW THAT WE ARE SAVED, WHAT MUST WE DO WHEN WE COMMIT SIN?

It is not God’s will that we sin; rather we must come to Jesus Christ who is our defender
every time we commit sin (1 John 2:1). Together with a repentant heart, we must confess our
sins so we can be cleansed (1 John 1:9). We will not easily lose our salvation when we sin,
but don’t abuse this truth. If we feel the conviction of the Holy Spirit, we need to repent
immediately. Don’t let sin take hold inside your hearts (Romans 6:12-14). Don’t ruin the
temple of the Holy Spirit (1 Corinthians 3:16-17).

APPLICATION:

1. Are you ready to submit to the Lord so you may bear fruit according to His will?
2. What must we do so we don’t experience “backsliding”?
 THREE ASPECTS OF SALVATION
(Salvation Series: Lesson Six)

Due to a lack of knowledge on God’s Word, many believe that salvation can be assured only
when we reach heaven. Though found in the bible, this belief is only one of the three aspects
of salvation. We will now discuss these three as taught in the Bible.

I. JUSTIFICATION

According to the scriptures, “No one is righteous…” (Romans 3:10), for all have sinned
and fall short of the glory of God” (Romans 3:23). A sinner cannot justify himself. The bible
says that we cannot be saved through our religious acts and good works. Apostle Paul
wrote in Romans 10:2-4,

“For I can testify about them that they are zealous for God, but their zeal is not based on
knowledge. Since they did not know the righteousness that comes from God and sought
to establish their own, they did not submit to God’s righteousness..”
Romans 10:2-4

God’s justification of us is through our faith in Jesus Christ, not through efforts to do good.
Righteousness is God’s gift that can be received only through His Son.

“The righteousness from God comes through faith in Jesus Christ to all who believe;”
Romans 3:22

“Therefore since we have been justified through faith, we have peace with God through
our Lord Jesus Christ,”
Romans 5:1

This is the first aspect of salvation. We receive forgiveness and righteousness because
we are one with Christ (2 Corinthians 5:19-21). We are “new creations” in Christ (2
Corinthians 5:17). This aspect of salvation is instantaneous. Once we accept Christ,
immediately we are forgiven, saved, received eternal life, justified and united with God.
We are saved 100 percent through faith.

2. SANCTIFICATION

After salvation, there is a “process of change” that follows. This is sanctification, a process
of change that starts from within. Sanctification is not instantaneous but gradual. We are
indeed saved from sin, the devil and hell but we still need to be transformed from our
wrong deeds, thoughts and motives.

Though we were saved from the “power of sin”, we need to forsake the “works of sin”
(sinful attitudes as a result of former evil thought patterns in our lives). We have been
delivered from Egypt but we need to forsake the ungodly practices of Egypt. This second
aspect is the full attainment of our salvation. Philippians 2:12 says, “Continue to work out
your salvation with fear and trembling”. There is a need to grow and mature in our faith.
III. GLORIFICATION

The third aspect of salvation is the glorification of our corruptible bodies (1 Corinthians
15:51-55). This happens when Jesus Christ comes back to take all those who belong to
Him. This is written by Apostle Paul in Philippians 3:2-21.

“20But our citizenship is in heaven. And we eagerly await a Savior from there, the Lord
Jesus Christ, 21who, by the power that enables him to bring everything under his control,
will transform our lowly bodies so that they will be like his glorious body.”
Philippians 3:20-21

In His second coming, Christ will only take those who belong to Him, whether they are
already dead or still living. I Thessalonians 4:16 says

“For the Lord himself will come down from heaven, with a loud command, with the voice
of the archangel and with the trumpet call of God, and the dead in Christ will rise first.”
I Thessalonians 4:16

Those who are justified by Christ must remain pure in order to go with Christ when He
returns (Titus 2:11-13). For without righteousness, no one can see God (Hebrews 14:12). I
John 3:2-3 exhorts God’s children who are waiting for Christ’s second coming.
“2
Dear friends, now we are children of God, and what we will be has not yet been made
known. But we know that when he appears, [a]we shall be like him, for we shall see him as
he is. 3Everyone who has this hope in him purifies himself, just as he is pure.”
I John 3:2-3

Dear friends, yes, we are now God’s children but we can’t fully imagine everything that will
take place when He comes. But Jesus Christ has promised that we will be like Him, and
we will see Him as He really is. Those who have this hope must keep themselves pure,
just as Christ is pure.

APPLICATION:

2. Have you experienced the first aspect of salvation?

3. If we are saved (first aspect), yet there is no transformation from our
sinful
life (second aspect), can we be with Jesus Christ when He comes (third aspect)?
4. Are you preparing yourself for the coming of Christ? In what ways?
SEVEN SIGNS OF A SAVED PERSON
(Salvation Series: Lesson Seven)

“I write these things to you who believe in the name of the Son of God so that you may know
that you have eternal life.”
1 John 5:13
The Apostle John wrote to the believers so that they can be assured of salvation. Assurance
eliminates doubts and fears on our relationship with God. Salvation is not based on feelings
but is rooted in God’s words. The bible gives seven signs of a truly saved person. Some of
these signs may not immediately be recognized especially among new Christians, but the
mature live it.

1. The Holy Spirit bears witness inside of us that we are indeed God’s children.

“The Spirit himself testifies with our spirit that we are God's children.”
Romans 8:16

When we receive Jesus Christ, the Holy Spirit enters our hearts and bears witness that
we belong to God (Ephesians 1: 13-14). There is no shadow of doubt in our hearts that
our faith in God saves us, and that hell is not our destination.

2. Obedience to God’s commandments

“23Jesus replied, "If anyone loves me, he will obey my teaching. My Father will love him,
and we will come to him and make our home with him. 24He who does not love me will not
obey my teaching. These words you hear are not my own; they belong to the Father who
sent me.”
John 14:23-24

“If we claim to have fellowship with him yet walk in the darkness, we lie and do not live by
the truth.”
I John 1:6

“3We know that we have come to know him if we obey his commands. 4The man who
says, "I know him," but does not do what he commands is a liar, and the truth is not in
him.”
I John 2:3-4

Many claim that they love God, but they resist Him. Obedience to God, as a result of
having relationship with Him, is the sign of salvation.

Total obedience does not mean we are perfect. But if our salvation is genuine, the desire
of our hearts is to please our heavenly Father by obeying His Holy Spirit dwelling inside
us.
3. Love to all people

“14We know that we have passed from death to life, because we love our brothers.
Anyone who does not love remains in death. 15Anyone who hates his brother is a
murderer and you know that no murderer has eternal life in him.”
1 John 3:14-15

The passage says that love for others (including enemies) indicates that we are saved.
We can now do the command of Jesus to do good to those who hate us (Luke 6:27). A
child of God forgives, blesses and loves all people (1 John 4:7-8).
4. Consistent growth in Christ

“Like newborn babies, crave pure spiritual milk, so that by it you may grow up in your
salvation,”
1 Peter 2:2

Growth cannot be stopped among new-born babies. Physical growth indicates life.
Spiritual growth is a sign that we are born in God’s family. A maybe slow but consistent
growth in God is a sign of our everlasting life.

5. We can hear the voice of God

“When he has brought out all his own, he goes on ahead of them, and his sheep follow
him because they know his voice.”
John 10:4

One name associated with God’s children is “sheep”. The verse says that the sheep hears
and follows the Good Shepherd. But the ‘goats’ do not hear and recognize His voice.

The believers empowered by the Holy Spirit receives revelation from God (1 Corinthians
2:9-10; 13-14). They can constantly hear the Holy Spirit encouraging, teaching, rebuking
and guiding (Romans 8:14; 1 John 14-26). The children of God hear the voice of their
Father.

6. Service to God

“And you will again see the distinction between the righteous and the wicked, between
those who serve God and those who do not.”
Malachi 3:18

Our good works cannot save us but those who are saved will do the will of God
(Ephesians 2:8-10). The verse says that one can recognize God’s followers because they
serve Him. Jesus says,

“For whoever wants to save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for me and for
the gospel will save it.”
Mark 8:35

A Christian does not only have a “relationship with Him” but also is in “service for Him” so
that the message of salvation will reach others. We do not only receive Jesus Christ as
our Savior but also as our Lord (Romans 10:19). He is our Master. All who are in Christ
have deep desires to please Him through service.

Does this mean that those who have no service or ministry are not true children of God?
NO. Others have simply not yet taken a “step of faith” because they are young believers
but, the “desire to serve” is already evident. They still need to undergo the process of
equipping to be fit for ministry.

7. A helpful heart to the needy

 “Religion that God our Father accepts as pure and faultless is this: to look after orphans
and widows in their distress and to keep oneself from being polluted by the world.”
James 1:27

The one who has a relationship with God also has the characteristics of God. Formerly,
the person maybe self-centered and greedy but now, mercy and generosity overflow from
him or her to others.

We have already mentioned that the true believers are called sheep (John 10:3-4).
Matthew 25:31-46 also talk about the sheep that God will separate from the goats when
judgment comes. God describes His sheep as those who attend to the needy, but the
goats do not mind the helpless around them.

APPLICATION:

1. Are all the seven signs of a saved person already evident in you? Which are lacking?
2. Are you experiencing constant spiritual growth? Why or why not?
3. Why is spiritual growth important? Will faith increase without good works?

GOD’S PLAN
(Salvation Series: Lesson Eight)

Our topic now is one of the most important Bible teachings. “Why did God create us?” “What
is God’s plan for us?

I. WHY DID GOD CREATE MAN?

A. Relationship with Him

“The people I formed for myself that they may proclaim my praise .”
Isaiah 43:21

When God created the angels, animals, fish, birds, and plants, He called them good
but He could not get intimate with them because they don’t have His image. God
wanted a creation dearly close to Him so He said “Let us make man in our image”
(Genesis 1:26). God has mind and intellect, so does man. God feels and makes
decisions, so does man. Man is also holy because God is holy. Man is really like God
 (though he is not God). God intended man to be like Him so that man can truly
understand and relate with God.

B. Govern the earth

26
Then God said, "Let us make man in our image, in our likeness, and let them rule
[a]
over the fish of the sea and the birds of the air, over the livestock, over all the earth,
and over all the creatures that move along the ground."
Genesis 1:26
28
God blessed them and said to them, "Be fruitful and increase in number; fill the earth
and subdue it. Rule over the fish of the sea and the birds of the air and over every
living creature that moves on the ground."
Genesis 1: 28

God has given man the authority to rule the earth. God cannot be seen because He is
a spirit but through man, He can be distinguished in earth. Man is God’s
representative in this world. Man is the “physical representation” of God’s spirit.
Aside from his relationship with God, he is also mandated to govern the earth.

II. WHY DID MAN FALL OUT OF GOD’S PLAN?

God placed two types of trees in the Garden of Eden (Genesis 2:16-17) to test man’s
obedience. Love to God can be best expressed through obedience (John 14:15). He
commanded man not to eat the fruit of the tree that leads to death, but Adam did not
listen. It was his wife Eve, and not him, who was deceived by the devil (1 Timothy 2:14).
Adam willfully sinned against God. Still, God gave him a chance to repent but instead of
admitting his sin, he blamed the woman. Because of his sin, God drove them out of the
garden to prevent them from eating the fruit of the Tree of Life which will make their sinful
state permanent (Genesis 3:22-24). God intended to save the man fallen into sin (Genesis
3: 15).

Sin caused man to stray from God’s plan. To defy God and to follow what pleases us are
harmful.

III. WHAT HAPPENED TO MAN AFTER HE SINNED?

A. God’s glory left them.

Both the man and the woman did not feel shame in their nakedness because God’s
glory covered them (Genesis 2:25). But when they sinned, they saw they were naked
because the glory departed (Genesis 3:7). The glory of God that brought them peace,
satisfaction and joy was lost, and sin that caused them shame, fear and void took over.

B. They were afraid to come to God.

Before they sinned, they enjoyed wonderful and free fellowship with God, but their sin
caused them to fear His presence (Genesis 3:10).
 C. Curse entered their lives.

Their lives, relationship, livelihood and years became cursed (Genesis 3:16-19). Sin
brought chaos to man.

IV. WHAT IS GOD’S WAY OF BRINGING MAN BACK TO HIM?

18
All this is from God, who reconciled us to himself through Christ and gave us the
ministry of reconciliation: 19that God was reconciling the world to himself in Christ, not
counting men's sins against them. And he has committed to us the message of
reconciliation.
2 Corinthians 5:18-19.

Jesus Christ is the solution to man’s separation from God and His plan!

V. WHAT SHOULD MAN DO TO BE IN THE PLAN OF GOD?

Allow Jesus Christ to live inside and walk with Him

Let us receive Jesus Christ in our hearts as our God and live with Him (Colossians
2:6-7). It’s not enough that we are saved from our sins, but it is very important to
deepen our fellowship with Him. This is the first purpose why God made us to have
relationship with Him.

Authority in Christ

Let us also use our authority against sin, sickness and all works of the enemy. Let us
remember that we were made to have dominion over the earth so we must live
victorious lives. We must not forget that in Christ, we become God’s
representatives in this earth so that He who is not seen can be seen through us.

APPLICATION:

1. Is it important to have God’s purpose fulfilled in our lives? Why?

2. In what way can we obtain true freedom?
 THE SECOND BIRTH
(Salvation Series: Lesson Nine)

Before we discuss the meaning of the second birth or what we commonly call “born again”,
this lesson will tackle false ideas on it. First of all, “born again” is not a religious sect in which
one can be a member. Second, being “born again” is not a change of self through human
effort. When a person turns over a new leaf, others may immediately brand him or her as
“born again”. Third, it is not achieved through water baptism, such as sprinkling of water
among infants and total immersion in water among adults. These beliefs are not in line with
the bible.

I. WHAT IS BEING BORN AGAIN?

13
children born not of natural descent, nor of human decision or a husband's will, but born
of God.
John 1:13

Being born again is an experience when one is born into God’s family. This spiritual birth
is a miracle of God. He said “…the spirit gives birth to spirit” (John 3:6). Born again is not
part of religion, nor change of self through human effort nor water baptism, but is spiritual
birth in God’s kingdom.

II. WHY DO WE NEED TO BE BORN IN GOD’S FAMILY? AREN’T ALL

PEOPLE IN THE WORLD CHILDREN OF GOD?

“This is how we know who the children of God are and who the children of the devil
are…”
I John 3:10
 The two (2) kinds of person

God made all the people in the world but not all are God’s children. We discover in the
verse above that there is a person who is a child of God and there is also a person
who is a child of Satan who is the father of all lies (John 8:44).

The two (2) kinds of birth

The bible talks about two types of birth, “Flesh gives birth to flesh, but the Spirit
gives birth to spirit” (John 3:6). These are the physical birth and the spiritual birth.
The first happens when we come out from our mother’s womb. In this, we also inherit
the sinful nature of man (Psalm 51:5) passed on to all mankind by Adam (Romans
5:12). Sin and death are the inheritance and condition of all people on earth (Galatians
3:22). This does not mean though that babies who die will go to hell because they are
not yet accountable for their actions, that is why the kingdom of God belongs to them
(Matthew 19:14). But the truth is all men are sinners, therefore…
A. They are spiritually dead.
“As for you, you were dead in your transgressions and sins”
Ephesians 2:1

B. They belong to the devil.

”in which you used to live when you followed the ways of this world and of the ruler of the
kingdom of the air, the spirit who is now at work in those who are disobedient.”
Ephesians 2:2
”He who does what is sinful is of the devil, because the devil has been sinning from the
beginning. The reason the Son of God appeared was to destroy the devil's work.”
1 John 3:8

C. They are going to hell.

“Then he will say to those on his left, 'Depart from me, you who are cursed, into the
eternal fire prepared for the devil and his angels”.
Matthew 25:41

These are the very reasons why Jesus Christ said we must be born again. Jesus
mentioned this three times when he talked with Nicodemus (John 3:3, 5, 7). Because of
sin, you belong to the devil. You need to be born again to become a child of God.
You are born a sinner and you need to be born again in righteousness. Sin leads you to
eternal condemnation in hell but being born again assures you of God’s kingdom (John
3:3).

In reply Jesus declared, “I tell you the truth, no one can see the kingdom of God unless
he is born again.”
John 3:3

III. WHAT MUST WE DO TO BECOME BORN AGAIN?

 “12 Yet to all who received him, to those who believed in his name, he gave the right to
become children of God— 13children born not of natural descent, [a] nor of human decision
or a husband's will, but born of God.”
John 1:12-13

You can be born again if you put your faith in Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of sins and
reconciliation with God the Father. The Bible says, “You are all sons of God through faith
in Christ Jesus.

IV. WHAT FOLLOWS AFTER BEING BORN AGAIN?

Apostle Paul calls the Christians in Corinth as “infants in Christ” (1 Corinthians 3:1). When
we were born in this world, we came out as little ones. In the same manner, when we are
born in God’s family, we are also infants in Christ. That is why we need to grow and
mature in faith after we receive Him. Change must take place after being born again.

“11It was he who gave some to be apostle, some to be prophets, some to be evangelists,
and some to be pastors and teachers, 12 to prepare God’s people for work of service, so
that the body of Christ may be built up 13 until we all reach unity in the faith and in the
knowledge of the Son of God and become mature, attaining to the whole measure of the
fullness of Christ, 14 then we will no longer be infants, tossed back and forth by the waves,
and blown here and there by every wind of teaching and by the cunning and craftiness of
men in their deceitful scheming. 15 Instead, speaking the truth in love, may grow up into
Him in all things, who is the Head, that is, Christ”
Ephesians 4:11-15
APPLICATION:

1. Are you sure that you are God’s child? Why?

2. What’s the difference between those young in faith and those who are mature in
Christ?
3. What are the benefits of being mature Christians?
4. What should we do to grow in God?
 CHILD OF GOD
(Salvation Series: Lesson Ten)
12
Yet to all who received him, to those who believed in his name, he gave the right to become
children of God— 13children born not of natural descent, [a] nor of human decision or a
husband's will, but born of God.
John 1:12-13

Jesus Christ came to save us from the devil, sin, curse and death. But above all these, He
came to make us God’s children. Through Him, we are one with our heavenly Father (John
14:6; 1 John 2:23). Now that we are God’s children, what should our response be to His great
love? The bible teaches us how to live as His children.

NOW THAT WE ARE GOD’S CHILDREN…

1. God’s character must be seen in us.

Just as Jesus Christ reveals to us who God is (John 14: 7-10), we too should
demonstrate His character to people around us. The unbelievers cannot do this
because they have not received the spirit of God who empowers. They live under
the influence of Satan who is the father of all lies (John 8:44). But we, the children
of God, have the righteousness of God (1 John 3:9) and we need to show this to
other so they may glorify our Father in heaven (Matthew 5:16). It is not appropriate
for us to live our lives like those who do not know Him. There is a great difference
between God’s children and the devil’s children (1 John 3: 10). Jesus Christ
teaches us to live holy lives just like our Father (Matthew 5:43-48).

2. All that we do must please Him

Jesus Christ’s motive behind all his deeds on earth was to glorify the Father (John
8:29). He didn’t seek praise from man but from God alone (John 5:41-44). Jesus
teaches us to follow His example. If we do things to please God alone, then He will
reward us (Matthew 6:1-4, 5-6, 16-18).

3. We must deepen our relationship with Him

Since we have a relationship with God, we need to deepen it through giving

enough time to commune with Him. Jesus said, “…go into your room, close the
door and pray to your Father who is unseen” (Matthew 6:6). Before Jesus
Christ ministered, He first talked to His Father (Mark 1:35). There were times when
He would leave anything He was doing to talk to the Father (Luke 4:42; 5:16; 6:12).

4. We must walk in His perfect will

 Jesus said, “Not everyone who says to me, Lord, Lord will enter the kingdom of
heaven, but only those who does the will of my Father who is in heaven.” (Matthew
6:11). The children of God do not only desire God’s will but really work for it. Their
prayer is to walk closely in His perfect will. Jesus is our perfect example because
He did anything that is completely God’s will (John 5:19).

5. We must trust Him for our daily needs.

Jesus teaches us to pray for our daily needs (Matthew 6:11). The role of God’s
children is to ask and the Father’s role is to answer them (Matthew 7:7-11). (This
does not mean that we must stop working, but we must understand that without
God’s grace, there is nothing we can do). It is the responsibility of the Father to
provide His children so we must not worry for what we need (Matthew 6:25-32). But
we must ensure that we are under His perfect will so that we are in a position to
receive what He wants to give us (Matthew 6:33).

6. We must walk in purity and holiness before Him

Because we are God’s children, we must love what He loves and hate what He
hates. We must hate sin and all forms of evil (1 Thessalonians 5:21-22). We must
confess and repent of our sins because God forgives and cleanses us (Matthew
6:12; 1 John 1:9). Do not allow a sin to remain in your heart. Also, do not harbor
unforgiveness to anyone (Matthew 6: 14-15). Forgive them because the Father has
forgiven you through the Son (Ephesians 4:32).

7. We must always ask for His protection

All earthly fathers will always protect their children from all dangers. Part of our
prayer is to seek covering from our Father in heaven (Matthew 6:13). We must ask
for protection wherever we go and whatever we do so we will not fall into harm and
temptation. He is pleased to protect us from the evil one.

8. We must serve Him

All good children give happiness to their father if they help in the household chores.
At the age of 12, Jesus Christ started to help build God’s kingdom on earth (Luke
2:42, 49). Jesus Christ is our example. He came to fulfill God’s plan entrusted on
Him (John 4:34).On the cross, He completed his mission to pay all the sins of the
world. All true believers must serve their Father just like Jesus did (Matthew 6:24).
Their hope is to store treasures in heaven (Matthew 6: 19-21). Their purpose is to
carry out God’s kingdom on earth.

APPLICATION:

1. Once we understand that we are God’s children, what change takes place in us?
2. Are we good children of God? Have we glorified Him in our lives?
 THE HEAVENLY FATHER
(Salvation Series: Lesson Eleven)

I. THERE ARE TWO REASONS WHY JESUS CHRIST CAME TO EARTH

A. To save us from sin and to unite us with God

Jesus’ work on the cross is to both save us and unite us with His Father (Matthew
1:21; Luke 19:10; 2 Corinthians 5:19).

B. To reveal God as a Father

Jesus Christ is the way to the Father (John 14:6). The “way” is not the end of the
journey, but it is the open door to our destination. Jesus Christ is the way who
ushers us to the destination who is the Father.

Jesus appealed to the Father in behalf of the disciples (John 17:6-26). He did not
call “Elohim” or “Jehovah” because these are names common to the Jews. Instead
He called the name FATHER. In John 17, Jesus calls God Father seven times in
His prayer. In the book of John, God is called Father for 122 times.

In the old days, God spoke to His children through the prophets, but today He
speaks to us through the Son (Hebrew 1:1-2). The Son of God has a message that
had never been preached before-He is the Son sent by the Father to give eternal
life to those who believe (John 5:36-40).If they will believe and accept Jesus
Christ, they too are God’s children and God becomes their Father (John 1:12-
13; Galatians 3:26; John 20: 17).

No one will know God unless Jesus revealed Him to us (Matthew 11:27). Only
through Jesus Christ did we know Him

Jesus revealed the heavenly Father to His believers not only in His preaching but
also through his life. The character and glory of God was displayed in the Son.
Whoever has seen Him has also seen the Father (John 14:8-11).

Jesus always lived his life like a son towards His Father (John 11:41; 17:1). We can
see that He always called God Father.

He also teaches us to do this when we pray. He said, “this is how you should pray:
“Our Father in heaven” (Matthew 6:9). This is repeated by Apostle Paul, “let us call
God Father” (Ephesians 5:20). As clearly stated in the New Testament, God should
be called and recognized as Father.

II. HOW IS GOD REVEALED AS FATHER IN THE BIBLE?

1. He is a good Father
 “Every good and perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of the
heavenly lights, who does not change like shifting shadows”.
James 1:17

He does not give sickness, poverty and destruction because He is a God of blessings!

2. He is a generous Father
9
"Which of you, if his son asks for bread, will give him a stone? 10Or if he asks for a
fish, will give him a snake? 11If you, then, though you are evil, know how to give good
gifts to your children, how much more will your Father in heaven give good gifts to
those who ask him!
Matthew 7:9-11

3. He is a protective Father

”1How great is the love the Father has lavished on us, that we should be called
children of God! And that is what we are! The reason the world does not know us is
that it did not know him”.
1 John 3:1

4. He is a disciplinarian Father

“7Endure hardship as discipline; God is treating you as sons. For what son is not
disciplined by his father? 8If you are not disciplined (and everyone undergoes
discipline), then you are illegitimate children and not true sons. 9Moreover, we have all
had human fathers who disciplined us and we respected them for it. How much more
should we submit to the Father of our spirits and live! 10Our fathers disciplined us for a
little while as they thought best; but God disciplines us for our good, that we may
share in his holiness. 11No discipline seems pleasant at the time, but painful. Later on,
however, it produces a harvest of righteousness and peace for those who have been
trained by it.”
Hebrews 12: 7-11

III. WHAT ARE THE BENEFITS OF KNOWING GOD AS FATHER

1. We discover our true identity

If God is Father, then we are His children through Christ.

“12
Yet to all who received him, to those who believed in his name, he gave the
right to become children of God—“
John 1:12
26
You are all sons of God through faith in Christ Jesus,
Galatians 3:26

2. We understand our self-worth

 If we know that our Father truly loves us, we also learn to love ourselves (1 John
3:1). We must see ourselves the same way God sees us. We are precious and
important to Him.

3. We feel security

We are secure when we understand that our Father is pleased to give us all that is
good for us (Luke 12: 32; Romans 8:32). We don’t have worries and sadness just
like a child close to his or her father. If he had met the needs of birds in the air and
flowers in the field, how much more He would to us His children. (Matthew 6:25-
33).

The problem of some God’s children is that they are living outside the will of God
so problems beset them (Luke 5:13-16). They need to wake up and return to their
Father so they can experience His presence, new life (beautiful robe), the authority
of God (ring), His ministry (shoes), and abundant supply of their needs (fattened
calf). Security comes to us when we are living intimately close to our Father.

4. We feel motivated for service

All good children of God want to please their Father. Jesus only did the perfect will
of God (John 4:34; 5:19), and this pleased the Father (John 8:28-29). May it be our
greatest joy to please our Father by doing His will in our lives.

5. We become aware of a home in heaven

Heaven is the home of the righteous (John 14:2, Philippians 3:20) and this is not
only a place full of wonderful things (house) but also a place full of love (home).

IV. WHAT MUST WE DO TO KNOW GOD AS FATHER?

1. Tell the Holy Spirit to open your “spiritual eyes” so you may see God as a good and
loving Father
15
For you did not receive a spirit that makes you a slave again to fear, but you received
the Spirit of sonship.[a] And by him we cry, "Abba,[b] Father."
Romans 8:15

2. Start to call God “Father”

“9This, then, is how you should pray, "Our Father in heaven, hallowed be your name,”
Matthew 6:9

3. Deepen your relationship with Him through prayer.

 6
But when you pray, go into your room, close the door and pray to your Father, who is
unseen. Then your Father, who sees what is done in secret, will reward you.
Matthew 6:6

V. WHAT MUST BE TAKEN CARE OF IN OUR RELATIONSHIP WITH GOD?

1. Be careful that your “walk with Him” should not be replaced by your “service to Him”.
Before anything else, our intimate fellowship with God should be first.
2. Be careful that your motive to seek Him first is His presence and not His blessings.
Seek first His face before His hands. Relationship is what God wants; give Him
relationship. He first loved us so we must love Him also in return.

APPLICATION:

1. Do we see God as master or as Father? What’s the difference between the two?
2. What are the reasons why some can’t see God as Father?

WATER BAPTISM
(Salvation Series: Lesson Twelve)

I. WHAT IS WATER BAPTISM?

“19
Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in [a] the name of the
Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit,”
Matthew 28:19

Jesus Christ mandated his followers to make disciples and baptize them in water. Water
baptism is a commandment of God to all who believe in Him.

II. WHAT IS THE MEANING OF WATER BAPTISM?

 The word “baptism” in Greek means “to immerse” in the English language. So water
baptism means immersion in water.

III. WHAT IS THE SIGNIFICANCE OF WATER BAPTISM TO OUR CHRISTIAN WALK?

“3
Or don't you know that all of us who were baptized into Christ Jesus were baptized into
his death? 4We 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 6:3-4

Water baptism symbolizes our union with Christ’s death, burial and resurrection. When we
submerge in water, we also “bury” our old self. On the other hand, when we surface from
the water, we also “resurrect” with Christ into the new life He has for us (Read).
“12
having been buried with him in baptism and raised with him through your faith in the
power of God, who raised him from the dead. 13When you were dead in your sins and in
the uncircumcision of your sinful nature, [a] God made you[b] alive with Christ. He forgave us
all our sins,”
Colossians 2:12-13

IV. SHOULD BABIES BE BAPTIZED?

No. Water baptism is only for those who already understand what it means. The bible
does not mention any infant being baptized. Instead, babies are to be dedicated, just like
the dedication of Jesus Christ in the temple when he was only eight days old.
“21
On the eighth day, when it was time to circumcise him, he was named Jesus, the name
the angel had given him before he had been conceived. 22When the time of their
purification according to the Law of Moses had been completed, Joseph and Mary took
him to Jerusalem to present him to the Lord”
Luke 2: 21-22

V. WHAT ARE THE REQUIREMENTS FOR WATER BAPTISM?

A. Repentance from sin

“38
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

B. Faith in Christ
“16
Whoever believes and is baptized will be saved, but whoever does not believe will be
condemned.”
Mark 16:16

C. Commitment to Christ
“19
Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in [a] the name of the
Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit,”
Matthew 28:19
 When we have repented, believed and followed Christ, then we can be water baptized.

VI. CAN WATER BAPTISM SAVE US?

No. Salvation can only be achieved through our faith in Jesus Christ (Acts 16:31).
Salvation is God’s gift, and it cannot be obtained through good works such as water
baptism (Ephesians 2:8-9).

There are people in the bible who were already saved even before they got baptized in
water. Examples are Zacchaeus who was a cheater was instantly saved because of his
repentant heart (Luke 19:8-10), and the thief crucified together with Christ received
eternal life because he believed that Jesus is the Messiah (Luke 23:40-43).

Water baptism cannot save, but it is a fruit or a result of our salvation.

VII. WHY DO WE NEED TO BE BAPTIZED?

There are three answers to this question:

1. To obey God’s command- water baptism is a commandment to all believers (Matthew

28:19)

2. To show our faith- water baptism is our seal as believers in Christ (Mark 16:16). If we
have faith, then we should be baptized (Acts 8:12-13). Just as faith without works is
dead (James 2:26), so is faith without obedience to the commandment of water
baptism.

3. To fully follow Christ-Jesus was baptized by John the Baptist in obedience to all the
Father had commanded of Him (Matthew 3:13-15). Jesus sets an example for us to
follow.

VIII. IN WHOSE NAME ARE WE BAPTIZED?

Jesus Christ commanded us to be baptized in the name of the Father, the Son and the Holy
Spirit.

“19Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in [a] the name of the Father
and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit,”
Matthew 28:19

IX. WHEN SHOULD WE BE BAPTIZED?

When we have already understood what it means, it is time to be baptized. When we are
willing to bury our old self and live a new life in Jesus Christ, we are ready for this baptism. If
we sin after we are baptized, we must remember that “we are dead in sin and are new
creations in Christ Jesus.”

APPLICATION:

1. Why should not infants be baptized in water?

2. Should we be “perfect” or sinless first before we undergo water baptism?
3. Are you ready to follow God’s command of water baptism?