It was God’s plan from the beginning to provide us forgiveness from our sins through the death of Jesus. The bible calls God’s act of love, grace. God has provided examples in his inspired word for how we can receive forgiveness of our sins by the precious blood of Jesus which was poured out for many on the cross.
Hear the word of God
Romans 10:14 How then will they call on him in whom they have not believed? And how are they to believe in him of whom they have never heard? And how are they to hear without someone preaching?
Believe
Believe in Jesus the Son of God
John 3:16 For God so loved the world, that he gave his only Son, that whoever believes in him should not perish but have eternal life.
We have all sinned and deserve to be punished for those sins
Romans 3:23 for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God,
The shedding of blood is required for the forgiveness of sins
Hebrews 9:22 Indeed, under the law almost everything is purified with blood, and without the shedding of blood there is no forgiveness of sins.
Jesus shed his own blood for the forgiveness of our sins
Matthew 26:28 for this is my blood of the covenant, which is poured out for many for the forgiveness of sins.
Faith alone cannot save us from sin
James 2:24 You see then that a man is justified by works, and not by faith only.
Faith without works (of obedience) is dead
James 2:26 For as the body without the spirit is dead, so faith without works is dead also.
Matthew 7:21 “Not everyone who says to Me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ shall enter the kingdom of heaven, but he who does the will of My Father in heaven.
Repent
We repent by turning away from sin and turning to living a life following the examples in the New Testament
Luke 13:3 No, I tell you; but unless you repent, you will all likewise perish.
Acts 2:38 And Peter said to them, Repent and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins, and you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit.
True repentance requires a change in our actions
Matthew 21:28-31“But what do you think? A man had two sons, and he came to the first and said, ‘Son, go, work today in my vineyard.’ He answered and said, ‘I will not,’ but afterward he regretted it and went. Then he came to the second and said likewise. And he answered and said, ‘I go, sir,’ but he did not go. Which of the two did the will of his father?”
They said to Him, “The first.”
Confess
We confess that Jesus is the Son of God
Matthew 10:32-33 So everyone who acknowledges me before men, I also will acknowledge before my Father who is in heaven, but whoever denies me before men, I also will deny before my Father who is in heaven.
We confess that we are sinners and need God's forgiveness
1 John 1:8-9 If we say that we have no sin, we deceive ourselves, and the truth is not in us. If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.
We confess that Jesus Christ is Lord
Philippians 2:11 and that every tongue should confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.
Be Baptized
After Peter’s Sermon at Pentecost, he told the people to repent and be baptized for the forgiveness of their sins
Acts 2:36-38 Let all the house of Israel therefore know for certain that God has made him both Lord and Christ, this Jesus whom you crucified.” Now when they heard this they were cut to the heart, and said to Peter and the rest of the apostles, “Brothers, what shall we do?” And Peter said to them, Repent and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins, and you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit.
After three days, Saul (later called the apostle Paul) without sight and no food or drink, Ananias told him to be baptized and have his sins washed away.
Acts 22:16 And now why do you wait? Rise and be baptized and wash away your sins, calling on his name.’
Full immersion baptism based upon the example of the Ethiopian eunuch
Acts 8:36-39 And as they were going along the road they came to some water, and the eunuch said, “See, here is water! What prevents me from being baptized?” And he commanded the chariot to stop, and they both went down into the water, Philip and the eunuch, and he baptized him. And when they came up out of the water, the Spirit of the Lord carried Philip away, and the eunuch saw him no more, and went on his way rejoicing.
