Vol. 04, No. 19

Mt. Baker Beacon - 2025

Steven J. Wallace
05/18/25 - Mt. Baker Beacon - 2025

Beyond Belief, the Full Path to Salvation in Christ (2)
(By Ralph L. Myers)

Confession and Repentance, turning away from Sin.

Salvation is not just about accepting Christ; it also requires turning away from sin. The scriptures repeatedly call for repentance as an essential step toward eternal life. Luke 13:3 says, “Unless you repent, you will all likewise perish.” Repentance is a conscious, active transformation of one’s life, rejecting sin and choosing righteousness. Romans 10:9-10 emphasizes the importance of confession, stating, “For with the heart one believes and is justified, and with the mouth one confesses and is saved.” Confessing Christ is not merely admitting belief but openly acknowledging one’s need for forgiveness and committing to follow him.

Baptism through immersion is a biblical requirement.

In a religious context, immersion means the baptismal practice of completely submerging a person in water. In a secular religious world, the concept that one must be wholly immersed in water when one is baptized is often ignored. Depending on the denomination one may attend, baptism is sometimes considered not to be needed for salvation. Or the sprinkling of an infant at the time of Christening is all that is required. However, the scriptures make it clear that when one is baptized, they are to be immersed in water. This is one of the most misunderstood aspects of salvation: baptism. Many view it as symbolic or unnecessary, but scripture clarifies that baptism is becoming a follower of Christ.

Acts 2:38 commands, “Repent and be baptized, every one of you, in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins. Baptism is not optional; it is the point at which one enters Christ’s covenant.

Romans 6:3-4 illustrates that baptism is a spiritual, burial, and resurrection, stating, “We were therefore buried with Him through baptism into death in order that, just as Christ was raised from the dead, we too may live a new life.” Water immersion symbolizes dying to sin and being reborn in Christ.

Mark 16:16 reinforces baptism’s necessity: “Whoever believes and is baptized will be saved, but whoever does not believe will be condemned.” Faith and baptism work together in the salvation process.

Living a life under God’s instructions.

Salvation is not a one-time event; it is a lifelong journey. Being saved means walking in obedience to God until the end. Jesus warned in Revelation 2:10, “Be faithful unto death, and I will give you the crown of life.” Salvation requires perseverance. One must continue studying the scripture, praying, assembling with fellow believers, and obeying God’s commandments. Matthew 7: 21 reinforces this truth: “Not everyone who says to me, Lord, Lord, will enter the kingdom of heaven, but only the one who does the will of my Father who is in heaven.” Merely professing belief is not enough; living according to God’s will is essential. Okay, now that we have followed all the requirements to be saved, we can just coast through life, continuing to live a lifestyle contrary to what God commands, right?

Wrong, nothing can be further from the truth than believing this. Hebrews 10:26 warns, “If we deliberately keep on sinning after we have received the knowledge of the truth, no sacrifice for sins is left.” This verse emphasizes that salvation can be lost if one turns away from obedience to God.

I want to conclude this article by saying salvation is more than believing in Christ’s resurrection; it is an ongoing commitment to live in obedience to God’s word. One must acknowledge Jesus as the Son of God.

To learn more and assure you are on the right path to heaven, the Lord’s church, the Church of Christ, cordially invites you to attend one of our services. If you do, and you are genuinely interested in the salvation of your soul, the Church of Christ is where you will know you are in the right place.

We use God’s GPS (God’s Plan for Salvation).

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SHARPER THAN STEEL (THE SWORD IN OUR MOUTHS)

Psalm 64:1-4

In the Old Testament, when someone fell in battle, it was often said they died by “the edge of the sword.” What is the Hebrew expression? (Young’s Literal Translation of Exo. 17:13)

Identify three general areas where words are inappropriately weaponized by men:

Psalm 55:20-21 __________________________________________________________________
1. Identify other passages that discuss this sin.
2. What is this sin rooted in?
Psalm 64:1-4 _____________________________________________________________________
1. What metaphors are used of bitter words and the tongue?
2. An ancient Greek gnome said, “A _____________ the body wounds, a ____________ the soul.”
Psalm 57:4 _______________________________________________________________________
1. What historical context is this Psalm to be understood in? (See the Psalm’s superscription)
2. Identify the primary meaning and differences of each of the following:
  1. Slander:
  2. Gossip:
  3. Flattery:

THOUGHT QUESTION: Who will have the last word on man’s malicious use of words? (Psalm 64:7-10)

THE GUARD OVER OUR MOUTHS
Psalm 141:1-4

In Psalm 141, David urgently pleads for his prayer to be heard and for God to guard his mouth. He knows careless words are not harmless—they’re tied to the heart and can lead to shared sin. This is not a prayer for polite speech but for right speech. David isn’t merely concerned about outward enemies, but also the adversaries within.

What did the Revelator see coming out of the Lord’s mouth (Rev. 1:16)?
Although the tongue is small, how much power does it wield (Jas. 3:3ff)?

HELPS FOR CHRISTLIKE SPEECH:

Think Before _______________

What kind of mind should we strive to develop, and how would that shape the way we speak? (Phil. 2:5; Gal. 4:19; Jas. 3:10-12)
Tie the Tongue to _______________

What are we called to speak, and how are we called to speak it? (Eph. 4:15, 25)

What is better than love carefully concealed? (Prov. 27:5, 6)
Master the _______________ or—Brace for _______________

What does a person who guards his mouth keep his soul from? (Prov. 21:23)
_______________ the Tongue for God’s _______________

THOUGHT QUESTION: How does Isaiah 6:5-7 contradict the modern saying,
“I speak my truth.”?