S A L V A T I O N
The Process Of Becoming God’s Child

Salvation is both a privilege and a responsibility. It is a privilege because it is a right we don’t deserve, and it comes with the gifts of forgiveness and eternal life. It is a responsibility because God holds us accountable for the choice we make. These gifts cost Him the life of His Son Jesus, and He offers them to us free of charge through His grace. That means He has a right to expect us to graciously accept His gifts with gratitude. At New Life we encourage everyone to accept God’s wonderful offer and make their own personal choice today. If you would like assistance in making that choice, you may contact our church office at 707-765-0956.

Our Purpose
The Bible teaches that we were created to be God’s children. Although He rightfully wears many titles (Creator, Savior, etc.) one of God’s favorites is “Father.” That is the way He chooses to relate to us, inviting us to become His children.
I will welcome you and be a Father to you, and you will be my sons and daughters. 2 Corinthians 6:17-18 (TLB)

Our Problem
Although we were created to be God’s children and He loves us very much, we are disobedient…and disobedience separates us from Him.
Just like sheep, we all have chosen the wrong path, each of us has turned to his own way. Isaiah 53:6 (NIV)
It is your sins that separate you from God. Isaiah 59:2 (TEV)

God’s Solution
Because of His great love for us, God decided to solve this problem for us. He came to earth as Jesus, and lived a perfect life. Through His interaction with people, He demonstrated His perfect love. By healing the sick, walking on water, stilling a raging storm, and many other miracles, He demonstrated His power over creation. By raising Himself and others from the dead, He demonstrated His power over life and death. And by voluntarily allowing Himself to be killed (sacrificed) on our behalf, He paid the penalty for our disobedience or sin.
Jesus of Nazareth was a man whose divine authority was clearly proven to you by all the miracles and wonders which God performed through him. You yourselves know this, for it happened here among you. In accordance with his own plan God had already decided that Jesus would be handed over to you; and you killed him by letting sinful men crucify him. But God raised him from death, setting him free from its power, because it was impossible that death should hold him prisoner. Acts 2:22-25 (TEV)
God has shown us how much he loves us – it was while we were still sinners that Christ died for us! Romans 5:8 (TEV)

Our Choice
Although He has already purchased our forgiveness and loves us very much, he does not force His salvation on us. That choice is ours and must be made individually.
To all who received Him, to those who believed In His name, He gave the right to become children of God. John 1:12 (NIV)

Exercising Our Choice
How do we indicate to God and others that we are making the choice to become His child and a follower of His Son Jesus? And just when does that official moment of salvation happen in our lives? Only God Himself establishes the exact moment of salvation, but what follows are the simple responses people in the Bible made as they chose to become Christians. At New Life, we lead people in these same responses.

A
dmit that I am a sinner and make a personal commitment to become a Christ-follower. – Not until we understand that we have sinned and are in need of God’s forgiveness, will we turn to Him for salvation. Because all sin is destructive and separates us from God, salvation begins with a personal realization that sin is a big deal, and it cannot be ignored or overlooked. God not only wants to forgive us for our sin, but to set us free from its practice. Repentance is the initial process in making the choice to become God’s child, and it involves both an admission of personal sin and a commitment to begin living like Jesus.
If we say that we have no sin, we are only fooling ourselves and refusing to accept the truth. But if we confess our sins to Him, He can be depended on to forgive us. 1 John 1:8-9 (TLB)
He is patient with you, not wanting anyone to perish, but everyone to come to repentance. 2 Peter 3:9 (NIV)
B
elieve that Jesus’ death paid for my sins. – Jesus’ death was unlike that of any other human. He died as a voluntary sacrifice (payment) for the sins of all people. Salvation is given to us as we turn to Him in faith, believing that as the Son of God, He laid down His life for us.
I passed on to you what was most important — that Christ died for our sins, just as the Scriptures said. 1 Corinthians 15:3 (NLT)
C
hoose to personally accept God’s gift without trying to earn it. – Salvation is something we receive, not earn or work towards. Although it is natural for us to try to earn God’s favor, the Bible teaches that God’s favor is given because of His grace and unconditional love, and not because of anything we do. As we place our trust in His goodness and promised forgiveness we exercise our choice to become His child.
You have been saved by grace through believing. You did not save yourselves. It was a gift from God. Ephesians 2:8 (NCV)
D
ecide to openly indentify myself as a Christ-follower. – Jesus made it very clear that He would not accept secret followers, only public ones. After all, He laid down His life for us when we were undeserving. It only follows that we should publicly identify ourselves with Him by confessing our belief in Him as the Son of God.
Whoever acknowledges me before men, I will also acknowledge him before my Father in heaven. Matthew 10:32 (NIV)
E
xpress through baptism my faith in Jesus’ death and resurrection. – Baptism is a public declaration to God and others that we have made the choice to become His child. The simple act of immersion pictures Jesus death for our sins, his burial and resurrection three days later. These events changed the course of human history, and they are the central events in the Christian faith. Baptism also symbolizes our decision to die to (leave) our old life of sin, bury it, and then be raised to live as a follower of Christ.
When we were baptized, we were buried with Christ and shared in His death. So, just as Christ was raised from the dead by the wonderful power of the Father, we also are raised to a whole new way of living. Romans 6:4 (NCV)
F
ollow the example and teachings of Jesus. – The choice to become God’s child includes the choice to follow Jesus. The Bible teaches that all children of God are disciples (followers) of Christ. In fact, the command Jesus gave most often during His ministry was “follow me.”
Whoever claims to live in him must walk as Jesus did. 1 John 2:6 (NIV)

Important Note
The decision to become a Christian is not only the right thing to do, it’s the best thing that can be done in life. It is much more than just a logical decision that aligns our lives with the God who created us. It is a heart-level decision that often stirs our deepest emotions because it marks the beginning of our relationship to God as our loving Father. At New Life we encourage every person to make this choice as soon as possible. We are excited that you are considering this decision, and invite you to contact one of our pastors through our church office at 707-765-0956.