7 Steps of Salvation
Step One: Saved by Grace
Definition of grace: 1) The unmerited love and favor of God. 2) A state of reconciliation with God.
Someone demonstrated that the letters of the word grace suggest the acrostic: Great Redemption at Christ’s Expense (G.R.A.C.E.).
“All have sinned and come short of the glory of God; being justified freely by the grace through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus.”
Romans 3:23-24
“The grace of God that bringeth salvation had appeared unto all men.”
Titus 2:11
“Even when we were dead in sins, hath (He) quickened us together with Christ: for by grave ye are saved.”
Ephesians 2:5
We are not saved apart from the grace of God, and we are also not saved apart from God’s chosen means of grace.
“For by grace are ye saved through faith: and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God.”
Ephesians 2:8
Step Two: Saved by Faith
Definition of faith: 1) Confidence or trust; 2) Spiritual acceptance of truth; 3) Belief of God.
“By grace are ye saved through faith.”
Ephesians 2:8
“Receiving the end of your faith, even the salvation of your souls.”
1 Peter 1:9
“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.” Hebrews 11:6
“He that believeth not shall be damned.”
Mark 16:16
“Thou believest that there is one God; thou doest well: the devils also believe, and tremble. But wilt thou know, O vain man, that faith without works is dead?”
James 2:19-20
There is more to salvation than believing in God – even the demons believe.
“With the heart man believeth unto righteousness; and with the month confession is made unto salvation."
Romans 10:10
Step Three: Saved by Confession
Definition of confession: 1) To disclose sins or faults to God; 2) To unburden the conscience; 3) To acknowledge guilt, wrong-doing or sinfulness; 4) To admit to unbecoming deeds.
“With the month of confession is made unto salvation.”
Romans 10:10
“If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.”
1 John 1:9
“Confess your faults one to another, and pray for one another, that ye may be healed.”
James 5:16
“He that covereth his sins shall not prosper; but whoever confesses and forsaketh them shall have mercy."
Proverbs 28:13
Step Four: Saved by Repentance
Definition of repentance: 1) To change one’s mind; 2) To turn around; 3) To forsake sin; 4) To make an about face.
“Whoso confesseth and forsaketh his sins shall have mercy.”
Proverbs 28:13
“For godly sorrow worketh repentance unto salvation.”
II Corinthians 7:10
“Except ye repent, ye shall all likewise perish.” Luke 13:3
“The Lord is not willing that any should perish, but that all should come to repentance.” II Peter 3:9
Repentance is more than being sorry for one’s sins – it involves a lifestyle and mindset adjustment. We must not stop here:
“Then Peter said unto them, repent, and be baptized everyone of you in the name of Jesus Christ” Acts 2:38
Step Five: Saved by Baptism
Definition of baptism: 1) To dip, plunge, or submerge; 2) A religious ceremony, signifying spiritual purification by immersion in water.
“Baptism doth also now save us.” I Peter 3:21
“He that believeth and is baptized shall be saved.”
Mark 16:16
“They were baptized in the name of the Lord Jesus.”
Acts 8:16
“He commanded them to be baptized in the name of the Lord.”
Acts 10:48
“Arise, and be baptized…calling on the name of the Lord.”
Acts 22:16
“Through his name whosoever believeth on him shall receive remission of sins.”
Acts 10:43
‘Remission of sins should be preached in his name.”
Luke 24:47
“Then Peter said unto them, Repent, and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins, and yes shall receive the gift of the Holy Ghost.” Acts 2:38
Step Six: Saved by the Holy Spirit
Jesus said unto Nicodemus, “Except a man be born again he cannot see the kingdom of God” Nicodemus asked Jesus, “How can a man be born when he is old? Can he enter the second time into his mother’s womb, and be born…Jesus said unto Nicodemus, “ Verily, Verily, I say unto thee, except a moan be born of water and of the Spirit, he cannot enter into the kingdom of God.” John 3:3-6
“If any man have not the Spirit of Christ, he is none of his.”
Romans 8:9
“As many as are led by the Spirit of God, they are the sons of God."
Romans 8:14
Speaking in other tongues as the Spirit gives the utterance is the initial physical evidence of one receiving the Holy Ghost. Read about the new birth experience in Acts 2:1-4
“While Peter yet spake these words, the Holy Ghost fell on all them which heard the Word. And they of the circumcision which believed were astonished, as many as come with Peter, because that on the Gentiles also was poured out the gift of the Holy Ghost. For they heard them speak with tongues, and magnify God.” Acts 10:44-46 (Also read Acts 19)
Step Seven: Saved by Endurance
Definition of endurance: 1) To act, quality, or power of withstanding hardship; 2) The state or fact of persevering; 3) Duration
“He that endureth to the end shall be saved.”
Matthew 10:22
“Endure hardness as a good soldier of Jesus Christ.”
II Timothy 2:3
“Blessed is the man that endureth temptation for when he is tried, he shall receive the crown of life, which the Lord promised to them that love Him.”
James 1:12