How to Get to Heaven
Believe
Where does the Bible say this is needed for salvation?
- Romans 1:16 "I am not ashamed of the gospel, because it is the power of God for the salvation of everyone who believes: first for the Jew, then for the Gentile."
- Acts 16:31 "They replied, 'Believe in the Lord Jesus, and you will be saved—you and your household.'"
- Hebrews 11:6 "And without faith it is impossible to please God, because anyone who comes to him must believe that he exists and that he rewards those who earnestly seek him."
What does this mean?
In order to be saved, you must believe that God exists and that Jesus is the human son of God and that he has the power and authority of God to forgive your sins and raise you to everlasting life even as he arose to everlasting life.
To consider this "step" completed, you should have a pretty good idea of who God is as documented in the Old and New Testament. Likewise you should understand who Jesus is, what happened to Him and why. On both counts, you should accept those biblical teachings as true.
Responses to Common Objections:
- I can also go to Heaven by sincerely believing in (something/someone else).
- There is only one, true God.
- Jesus is the only person who can gain God's favor on your behalf
- But My Preacher/Neighbor/Friend/Parents said (something else).
- Beware of false teachers and false teachings. Satan uses them to confuse people and keep them from accepting the truth. Trust the Bible, which you must study for yourself.
- Our honest goal is to teach Christ's message as recorded in the Bible. If that is the honest goal of your preacher, then there should be little disagreement. If there is disagreement, we encourage you to study the Bible yourself so that you may rightly learn what the Bible teaches on this or any other topic pertaining to your faith and salvation regardless of what we or anyone else may say.
- The apostle Paul taught, "Therefore, my dear friends, as you have always obeyed—not only in my presence, but now much more in my absence—continue to work out your salvation with fear and trembling." Keep in mind that on judgement day, you will be responsible for your own actions or inactions and your own faith and obedience to God's Word. It will not matter what anyone else told you.
