Bible Blueprint Bible Study

      In the previous lesson, we examined the validity of the Bible as God’s word, the history contained in the Bible, and the unifying theme of the Bible: The redemption of man. In this lesson, we will examine in more detail man’s need for redemption from his sins and how man can be reconciled to God.

The Problem: Sin

      Sin separates a person from God. Isaiah the prophet wrote concerning the nation of Israel, “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) In Romans 3, Paul charged that both the Jews and the Gentiles were guilty of sin. In establishing this similarity between the two, Paul goes on to write, “. . . even the righteousness of God, through faith in Jesus Christ, to all and on all who believe. For there is no difference; for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God, . . .” (Romans 3:22-23) And then, in Galatians 3 we read that the “Scripture has confined all under sin, . . .” (Galatians 3:22) Suffice it to say, sin has separated man from God and has made man worthy of eternal punishment. (Cf. Romans 6:23)

      Since sin has separated man from God, there must be a reconciliation between man and God before a person can enter into a relationship with God. This is where Jesus Christ comes into the picture.

Redemption Made Possible

      Sinful man needs redemption from his sins in order to be reconciled unto God. This redemption was made possible through the death of Jesus Christ. A careful study of the Bible reveals that Jesus gave His life as a ransom. Jesus said, “just as the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give His life a ransom for many.” (Matthew 20:28; cf. 1 Timothy 2:6) When Jesus died on the cross of calvary, He was delivered for our offences. The apostle Paul wrote, “. . . It shall be imputed to us who believe in Him who raised up Jesus our Lord from the dead, who was delivered up because of our offenses, and was raised because of our justification.” (Romans 4:24-25) Hebrews 9:14 teaches us that the blood of Christ shall “purge your conscience from dead works to serve the living God.”

      When Jesus died on the cross, He “bore” our sins so that we could live unto righteousness. Regarding the death of Jesus, the apostle Peter wrote, “who, when He was reviled, did not revile in return; when He suffered, He did not threaten, but committed Himself to Him who judges righteously; who Himself bore our sins in His own body on the tree, that we, having died to sins, might live for righteousness by whose stripes you were healed.” (1 Peter 2:23-24) When Jesus died on the cross, the way was paved so that man might be reconciled unto the Father in Heaven. Let us take to heart the inspired words of the apostle Paul when he wrote, “Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; old things have passed away; behold, all things have become new. Now all things are of God, who has reconciled us to Himself through Jesus Christ, and has given us the ministry of reconciliation, that is, that God was in Christ reconciling the world to Himself, not imputing their trespasses to them, and has committed to us the word of reconciliation.” (2 Corinthians 5:17-19, NKJV; cf. Colossians 1:19-23)

What Must Sinful Man Do To Be Reconciled Unto God?

      Having clearly seen that Jesus Christ bore our sins, making reconciliation to God possible, we must now ask the question, “What must one do to be reconciled unto God?” The key to understanding the answer to this question is found in 2 Corinthians 5:17. Paul wrote, “Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; old things have passed away; behold, all things have become new.” In order for one to be “a new creation,” he must be in Christ. As we study the scriptures, we find that the only way into Christ is through obedience to His Word.

      Consider the following steps to reconciling oneself with God.

      Step One: Jesus and His apostles taught that a person must believe that Jesus is the son of God. Carefully read the following passages:

• Jesus said, “For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life.” (John 3:16)
• Jesus said, “Therefore I said to you that you will die in your sins; for if you do not believe that I am He, you will die in your sins.” (John 8:24)
• “But without faith it is impossible to please Him, for he who comes to God must believe that He is, and that He is a rewarder of those who diligently seek Him.” (Hebrews 11:6)
• “that if you confess with your mouth the Lord Jesus and believe in your heart that God has raised Him from the dead, you will be saved. For with the heart one believes unto righteousness, and with the mouth confession is made unto salvation.” (Romans 10:9-10)

      Step Two: Once a person believes in Jesus and His teachings, that individual should desire to turn away from his sins, turning to Jesus Christ. This change or turning is called “repentance.” Jesus and His apostles taught that a person must repent of his past sinful life.

• Jesus said, “I tell you, no; but unless you repent you will all likewise perish.” (Luke 13:3)
• “Then Peter said to them, ‘Repent, and let every one of you be baptized in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins; and you shall receive the gift of the Holy Spirit.’” (Acts 2:38)
• “Truly, these times of ignorance God overlooked, but now commands all men everywhere to repent,” (Acts 17:30)
• Note: Repent means, “to change one's mind for better, heartily to amend with abhorrence of one's past sins.” (Thayer)

      Step Three: The person who truly believes in Jesus and is willing to repent and turn to Christ must confess his belief in Jesus Christ. This step is seen in Paul’s letter to the church in Rome.

• “that if you confess with your mouth the Lord Jesus and believe in your heart that God has raised Him from the dead, you will be saved. For with the heart one believes unto righteousness, and with the mouth confession is made unto salvation.” (Romans 10:9-10)
• This confession is accomplished through outward obedience as well as the verbalizing of one's belief.

      Step Four: If a person truly believes in Jesus enough to make a repentant change, beginning with confessing his belief in Christ, then that person must obey Christ's command to be baptized. Jesus and His apostles taught that a person must be baptized into Jesus Christ.

• “For you are all sons of God through faith in Christ Jesus. For as many of you as were baptized into Christ have put on Christ.” (Galatians 3:26,27)
• Jesus said, “And He said to them, ‘Go into all the world and preach the gospel to every creature. He who believes and is baptized will be saved; but he who does not believe will be condemned.’” (Mark 16:15-16)
• “Then Peter said to them, ‘Repent, and let every one of you be baptized in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins; and you shall receive the gift of the Holy Spirit.’” (Acts 2:38)

Why the Need for Baptism?

      In the religious world, there is general agreement on the need for belief, repentance, and confession in order to be saved. However, there is much disagreement as to whether or not Christ taught that one must believe and be baptized in order to be saved. (cf. Mark 16:16)

      Please take a moment to consider what the Bible has to say regarding the importance of baptism. First, we notice that Jesus Christ commanded that a sinner is to believe and be baptized in order to be saved. As a matter of fact, Jesus referred to this as the Gospel. (Mark 16:15-16) Secondly, Ananias told the Paul, “And now why are you waiting? Arise and be baptized, and wash away your sins, calling on the name of the Lord.” (Acts 22:16) According to Ananias, once Paul obeyed the command to be baptized, his sins would be washed away. (Remember, as we have already shown, Paul’s obedience to the command to be baptized had to follow his belief, repentance, and confession. Without either of the three, Paul would not have been saved.)

      Thirdly, going a little farther in our study, we find a statement written by Peter. Peter wrote, “There is also an antitype which now saves us baptism (not the removal of the filth of the flesh, but the answer of a good conscience toward God), through the resurrection of Jesus Christ,” (1 Peter 3:21) The meaning of this verse is clear: Baptism is necessary to being saved. Baptism does not remove the dirt of the flesh, but it is an act of obedience, thereby providing one with a good conscience towards God. Lastly, we see from the scriptures that baptism is a burial. In Romans 6:1-14, Paul teaches that when a person is baptized into Christ, he is baptized into Christ’s death. The reason for this is simple: Just as Jesus Christ was raised from the dead by the glory of the Father, so too will the one being baptized arise to walk in a newness of life. After baptism, the individual is now set free from his bondage to sin. He is made alive in Christ.

      Baptism is an important act of obedience. Baptism is just as important as believing in Jesus Christ, as repenting of one’s sins, and as confessing the name of Christ. Upon obedience to the commands of Jesus Christ and His inspired apostles, a person will be added to the church, the body of Christ. (Acts 2:47)

The Question

      The question that you should ask yourself is simple: Have you been reconciled unto God? If not, then why not consider becoming a Christian today so that you will be added to the great body of Christ.