Today we have three ways of being saved according to the church world.

The first
way is from the oldest group. They say one first must receive baptism as an infant
in their church. It is a sacrament ("A visible sign of an invisible reality," or
vehicle of grace.) according to them that brings children into a new spiritual
birth by sprinkling called baptism. Does this line up with the word of God?
Baptism comes from the Greek word "Baptizo". It means to dip, immerse, or wash.
The experts say the following words. Beasley-Murray writes: “Despite assertions to
the contrary, it seems that baptizo, both in Jewish and Christian contexts,
normally meant ‘immerse,’ and that even when it became a technical term for
baptism, the thought of immersion remains”. Unquestionably, the Greek terms denote
the action of dipping, immersing, or submerging an object. Biblically, each
baptism was completed via immersion. John baptized at Aenon because there was
“much water” [many waters] there (John 3:23). Such a reference would hardly have
been necessary if baptism can be administered with but a few drops of water. When
John the baptizer baptized someone they had to do the following steps. First, the
candidate must possess a confidence in the Messianic message of the Old Testament
and “believe on him that should come after him [John], that is on Jesus” (Acts
19:4). Second, the baptism was one “of repentance” (Mark 1:4), i.e., characterized
by repentance – motivated by a radical change in disposition. Too, it was a
baptism “unto” repentance (Matthew 3:11). Third, John’s baptism involved a
“confession” of sin (Matthew 3:6). Finally, the purpose of the prophet’s immersion
rite was “for the forgiveness of sins” (Mark 1:4). When these requisites were
satisfied, the individual received pardon, hence, was a part of that people
“prepared” for the Lord (Luke 1:17). He was “ready” to be set in the Savior’s
kingdom when such was formally launched on Pentecost. On the Day of Pentecost all
of the 120 disciples were assembled at Jerusalem, even as instructed by Jesus.
(Luke 24:45-49) There they received power from on high and testified to devout
Jews from all over the world of Jesus Christ. Afterwards 3,000 repented, and
believed the word as they were baptized in the name of Jesus Christ, for the
forgiveness of sins. (Acts 2:37-42) Though some allege that the phrase “for the
forgiveness of sins” (Mark 1:4 and Acts 2:38) does not mean “in order to obtain
the forgiveness of sins,” the evidence suggesting otherwise is overwhelming. Now
what if these men who heard the message but did not follow the conviction of God
in their hearts? We will take a look back to John, the forerunner of Jesus, for an
example. Luke’s record reveals the dire consequences of rejecting John’s baptism.
“And all the people when they heard, and the publicans, justified God, being
baptized with the baptism of John. But the Pharisees and the lawyers rejected for
themselves the counsel of God, being not baptized of him” (7:29-30). Two words in
this text are key. Submitting to John’s baptism was described as “justifying” God,
i.e., “by receiving the baptism [they] declared that it had been prescribed by God
rightly” (Thayer, 150). A rejection of the baptism, therefore, would have, in
effect, “condemned” God for requiring it. Again, those who refused John’s
immersion rejected for themselves the “counsel of God” i.e., “the purpose of God
respecting salvation” as fulfilled in Christ (Thayer, 104). One cannot but ask: If
the rejection of John’s baptism incurred such divine displeasure, what must be the
fate of those who refuse the baptism of HIM who is far greater than John? Mark
16:16 And he said unto them, Go ye into all the world, and preach the gospel to
every creature.
He that believeth and is baptized shall be saved; but he that believeth not shall
be damned. Faith is a requirement prior to baptism. No newborn baby or small
infant could ever fulfill this needed act. Faith is a active word as each elder in
the faith acted upon their faith in Hebrews 11:1-2/6-7 Now faith is the substance
of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen. For by it the elders
obtained a good report. But without faith it is impossible to please him: for he
that cometh to God must believe that he is, and that he is a rewarder of them that
diligently seek him. By faith Noah, being warned of God of things not seen as yet,
moved with fear, prepared an ark to the saving of his house; by the which he
condemned the world, and became heir of the righteousness which is by faith. And
if Noah failed to move upon his faith by making the ark, he would of drowned.
Today if you fail to move upon your faith by being baptized, you will perish in
your sins. 1 Peter 3:18-21 For Christ also hath once suffered for sins, the just
for the unjust, that he might bring us to God, being put to death in the flesh,
but quickened by the Spirit: By which also he went and preached unto the spirits
in prison; Which sometime were disobedient, when once the longsuffering of God
waited in the days of Noah, while the ark was a preparing, wherein few, that is,
eight souls were saved by water.The like figure whereunto even baptism doth also
now save us (not the putting away of the filth of the flesh, but the answer of a
good conscience toward God,) by the resurrection of Jesus Christ. There are other
newer groups out there who say salvation is simply saying "I believe on the Lord
Jesus Christ." Let us first check the word of God to verify this statement. James
2:17-26 says something important on the subject of just believe without action.
Verse 19. Thou believest that there is one God; thou doest well: the devils also
believe, and tremble. Here there is but one God and belief alone or apart from
action cannot save. Verses 20-24. But wilt thou know, O vain man, that faith
without works is dead? Was not Abraham our father justified by works, when he had
offered Isaac his son upon the altar? Seest thou how faith wrought with his works,
and by works was faith made perfect? And the scripture was fulfilled which saith,
Abraham believed God, and it was imputed unto him for righteousness: and he was
called the Friend of God. Ye see then how that by works a man is justified, and
not by faith only. Obviously Paul himself believed and obeyed the words of Jesus,
as recorded by his baptism in the name of the Lord Jesus. Acts 22:14-16 And he
said, The God of our fathers hath chosen thee, that thou shouldest know his will,
and see that Just One, and shouldest hear the voice of his mouth. For thou shalt
be his witness unto all men of what thou hast seen and heard. And now why tarriest
thou? arise, and be baptized, and wash away thy sins, calling on the name of the
Lord. Paul tells of his conversion here to a crowd. Again, it shows the Just One
means one God only in these scriptures references. Also that he called upon the
name of the Lord to be saved, (Acts 10:36 and Romans 10:13) through the washing
away of his sins in baptism. Another example of true belief is the Jailer. Acts
16:30-34 And brought them out, and said, Sirs, what must I do to be saved? And
they said, Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ, and thou shalt be saved, and thy
house. And they spake unto him the word of the Lord, and to all that were in his
house. And he took them the same hour of the night, and washed their stripes; and
was baptized, he and all his, straightway. And when he had brought them into his
house, he set meat before them, and rejoiced, believing in God with all his house.
Here it is evident that Paul baptized all that believed the word in the only name
under heaven given among men, whereby we must be saved. (Acts 4:10-12) That is in
the name of Jesus. The house of the Jailer all acted upon their beliefs. If
someone shouted to you that your house was on fire, what would you do? If you had
faith in their words then you would act upon them by quickly exiting that
establishment. The third or last group states that to receive salvation we must
only believe it in our hearts. No action is required. Or is it? Let us check the
scriptures to look for any similar examples. Acts 8:35-39 Then Philip opened his
mouth, and began at the same scripture, and preached unto him Jesus. And as they
went on their way, they came unto a certain water: and the eunuch said, See, here
is water; what doth hinder me to be baptized? And Philip said, If thou believest
with all thine heart, thou mayest. And he answered and said, I believe that Jesus
Christ is the Son of God. And he commanded the chariot to stand still: and they
went down both into the water, both Philip and the eunuch; and he baptized him.
And when they were come up out of the water, the Spirit of the Lord caught away
Philip, that the eunuch saw him no more: and he went on his way rejoicing. Now
here Phillip preached unto the Eunuch Jesus and immersion in the same name. As
earlier in this same chapter he baptized along with Peter, the Samaritans in
immersion into the name of the Lord Jesus Christ. (Acts 8:5-16) In both cases
here, the people were preached the Gospel message and the hearers obeyed the truth
to the saving of their souls. This agrees with Romans 10:8-10 But what saith it?
The word is nigh thee, even in thy mouth, and in thy heart: that is, the word of
faith, which we preach; 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. For with the heart man believeth unto righteousness; and with the
mouth confession is made unto salvation. If one only obeys part of the word, it is
to no effect. 1 Samuel 15:10-11/22-25 Then came the word of the LORD unto Samuel,
saying, It repenteth me that I have set up Saul to be king: for he is turned back
from following me, and hath not performed my commandments. And it grieved Samuel;
and he cried unto the LORD all night. And Samuel said, Hath the LORD as great
delight in burnt offerings and sacrifices, as in obeying the voice of the LORD?
Behold, to obey is better than sacrifice, and to hearken than the fat of rams. For
rebellion is as the sin of witchcraft, and stubbornness is as iniquity and
idolatry. Because thou hast rejected the word of the LORD, he hath also rejected
thee from being king. And Saul said unto Samuel, I have sinned: for I have
transgressed the commandment of the LORD, and thy words: because I feared the
people, and obeyed their voice. Now therefore, I pray thee, pardon my sin, and
turn again with me, that I may worship the LORD. Here Samuel rebukes King Saul for
his partial obedience to the word of God. As it not only cost him the kingdom but
the Lord would not forgive his sins any more. 1 Chronicles 10:13-14 So Saul died
for his transgression which he committed against the LORD, even against the word
of the LORD, which he kept not, and also for asking counsel of one that had a
familiar spirit, to enquire of it; And inquired not of the LORD: therefore he slew
him, and turned the kingdom unto David the son of Jesse. Now Saul died and God put
another man after his own heart upon the throne of Israel. We must all put the
words of almighty God upon our throne (Heart) and let them show us the way to
please God. 1 Corinthians 10:1-4/11-13 Moreover, brethren, I would not that ye
should be ignorant, how that all our fathers were under the cloud, and all passed
through the sea; And were all baptized unto Moses in the cloud and in the sea; And
did all eat the same spiritual meat; And did all drink the same spiritual drink:
for they drank of that spiritual Rock that followed them: and that Rock was
Christ. Now all these things happened unto them for examples: and they are written
for our admonition, upon whom the ends of the world are come. Wherefore let him
that thinketh he standeth take heed lest he fall. There hath no temptation taken
you but such as is common to man: but God is faithful, who will not suffer you to
be tempted above that ye are able; but will with the temptation also make a way to
escape, that ye may be able to bear it. Today and now you are delivered from
bondage and freed from sin, if you indeed follow the word of God to the saving of
your soul.