Someone had asked me earlier, what is required for salvation, what is the process. Whilst I was baptized, I leave this open as a requirement for salvation.
Primarily, one must repent and believe upon Jesus Christ as
Lord and savior. From there it is a faith seeking understanding principle, one
must grow. But grow in the grace and knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus
Christ. To him be glory both now and forever! Amen. – 2 Peter 3:18
Order of Salvation (Ordo Salutis)
Many reformers believe in this order or similar variations of salvation:
1. Election--God's choice of people to save. This choice
occurred before the foundation of the world.
2. Predestination--The work of God to ordain to salvation
those who have been elected to it.
3. Calling--The preaching of the gospel message.
4. Regeneration--The change in the person produced by God.
5.Faith--The trust an individual has in the work of God on
the cross.
6. Repentance--Turning from sin.
7.Justification--The imputation of righteousness to the individual
thus making him righteous according to the law.
8.Sanctification--God's work in the individual to make him
more like Christ.
9.Perseverance--God's work in the individual results in the
person continually believing throughout his life.
10.Glorification--Resurrection to glory with God.
Initially; the Father does call us in the beginning (John 6:44). Myself, I have a slight different take on
predestination but suffice it to say there are those that would say God’s sovereignty
would be affected if not precisely agreed upon fashion of predestination (not
getting into that here). Hearing the message one is apt to understand God and
what is required of us, despite the law being written upon our hearts (Jerimiah
31:33, Romans 2:15-16, Hebrews 8:10; 10:16). Regeneration of course takes place
which we can see by the fruits (Titus 3:5, 1 John 3:4-11, Colossians 3:5) and
they will no longer remain in sin purposely and will notice their faults when
they do and repent and not continue in sin.
Of course the believer will trust and rest in the work of Christ on the cross
(1 Cor 15:3-4, Romans 5:11, Hebrews 9:22, Leviticus 17:11). Repentance and
Justification; once one is cognizant of what is sin according to the Bible, then
they must repent of their sin and recognize that they need salvation (Romans
3:23). We become sanctified by Christ through his work on Calvary (1 Cor 1:30, 1
Thessalonians 5:23, Galatians 2:20, John 17:17, 2 Cor 5:17, Romans 6:6; 6:1-23,
Hebrews 13:12, 1 John 1:9, John 15:1-4). Perserverence (Luke 8:11-15, Matt
24:13, 1 John 2:19, Matt 7:21, Philippians 2:12)
Finally, in heaven we reach glorification after resurrection. So it isn’t just
repent, believe and be saved necessarily as Jesus did command certain things of
us.
Some things Christ commanded of us (some have broken this down to 49 things:
Repent
“From that time Jesus began to preach, and to say, Repent: for the kingdom of
heaven is at hand” (Matthew 4:17).
Follow Me
“And he saith unto them, Follow me, and I will make you fishers of men”
(Matthew 4:19).
Rejoice
“Blessed are ye, when men shall revile you, and persecute you, and shall say
all manner of evil against you falsely, for my sake. Rejoice, and be exceeding
glad: for great is your reward in heaven: for so persecuted they the prophets
which were before you” (Matthew 5:11–12).
Let Your Light Shine
“Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works, and
glorify your Father which is in heaven” (Matthew 5:16).
Honor God’s Law
“Think not that I am come to destroy the law, or the prophets: I am not come to
destroy, but to fulfill” (Matthew 5:17).
Be Reconciled
“Therefore if thou bring thy gift to the altar, and there rememberest that thy
brother hath aught against thee; leave there thy gift before the altar, and go
thy way; first be reconciled to thy brother, and then come and offer thy gift”
(Matthew 5:23–25).
Do Not Lust
“But I say unto you, That whosoever looketh on a woman to lust after her hath
committed adultery with her already in his heart. And if thy right eye offend
thee, pluck it out, and cast it from thee: for it is profitable for thee that
one of thy members should perish, and not that thy whole body should be cast
into hell. And if thy right hand offend thee, cut it off, and cast it from
thee: for it is profitable for thee that one of thy members should perish, and
not that thy whole body should be cast into hell” (Matthew 5:28–30).
Keep Your Word
“Let your communication be, Yea, yea; Nay, nay: for whatsoever is more than
these cometh of evil” (Matthew 5:37).
Go the Second Mile
“Ye have heard that it hath been said, An eye for an eye, and a tooth for a
tooth: but I say unto you, That ye resist not evil: but whosoever shall smite
thee on thy right cheek, turn to him the other also. And if any man will sue
thee at the law, and take away thy coat, let him have thy cloak also. And
whosoever shall compel thee to go a mile, go with him twain. Give to him that
asketh thee, and from him that would borrow of thee turn not thou away”
(Matthew 5:38–42).
Love Your Enemies
“But I say unto you, Love your enemies, bless them that curse you, do good to
them that hate you, and pray for them which despitefully use you, and persecute
you; that ye may be the children of your Father which is in heaven: for he
maketh his sun to rise on the evil and on the good, and sendeth rain on the
just and on the unjust. For if ye love them which love you, what reward have
ye? Do not even the publicans the same?” (Matthew 5:44–46).
Be Perfect
“If ye love them which love you, what reward have ye? do not even the publicans
the same? And if ye salute your brethren only, what do ye more than others? do
not even the publicans so? Be ye therefore perfect, even as your Father which
is in heaven is perfect” (Matthew 5:46–48).
Practice Secret Disciplines
“. . . When thou doest thine alms, let not thy left hand know what thy right
hand doeth: that thine alms may be in secret: and thy Father which seeth in
secret himself shall reward thee openly. . . . When thou prayest, enter into
thy closet, and when thou hast shut thy door, pray to thy Father which is in
secret; and thy Father which seeth in secret shall reward thee openly. . . .
When thou fastest, anoint thine head, and wash thy face; that thou appear not
unto men to fast, but unto thy Father which is in secret: and thy Father, which
seeth in secret, shall reward thee openly” (Matthew 6:1–18).
Lay Up Treasures
“Lay not up for yourselves treasures upon earth, where moth and rust doth
corrupt, and where thieves break through and steal: but lay up for yourselves
treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust doth corrupt, and where
thieves do not break through nor steal: for where your treasure is, there will
your heart be also” (Matthew 6:19–21).
Seek God’s Kingdom
“Seek ye first the kingdom of God, and his righteousness; and all these things
shall be added unto you” (Matthew 6:33).
Judge Not
“Judge not, that ye be not judged. For with what judgment ye judge, ye shall be
judged: and with what measure ye mete, it shall be measured to you again. And
why beholdest thou the mote that is in thy brother’s eye, but considerest not
the beam that is in thine own eye?” (Matthew 7:1–3).
Do Not Cast Pearls
“Give not that which is holy unto the dogs, neither cast ye your pearls before
swine, lest they trample them under their feet, and turn again and rend you”
(Matthew 7:6).
Ask, Seek, Knock
“Ask, and it shall be given you; seek, and ye shall find; knock, and it shall
be opened unto you: for every one that asketh receiveth; and he that seeketh
findeth; and to him that knocketh it shall be opened” (Matthew 7:7–8).
Do Unto Others
“Therefore all things whatsoever ye would that men should do to you, do ye even
so to them: for this is the law and the prophets” (Matthew 7:12).
Choose the Narrow Way
“Enter ye in at the strait gate: for wide is the gate, and broad is the way,
that leadeth to destruction, and many there be which go in thereat: because
strait is the gate, and narrow is the way, which leadeth unto life, and few
there be that find it” (Matthew 7:13–14).
Beware of False Prophets
“Beware of false prophets, which come to you in sheep’s clothing, but inwardly
they are ravening wolves. Ye shall know them by their fruits. Do men gather
grapes of thorns, or figs of thistles?” (Matthew 7:15–16).
Pray for Laborers
“The harvest truly is plenteous, but the laborers are few; pray ye therefore
the Lord of the harvest, that he will send forth laborers into his harvest”
(Matthew 9:37–38).
Be Wise as Serpents
“Behold, I send you forth as sheep in the midst of wolves: be ye therefore wise
as serpents, and harmless as doves” (Matthew 10:16).
Fear Not
“Fear not them which kill the body, but are not able to kill the soul: but
rather fear him which is able to destroy both soul and body in hell” (Matthew
10:28).
Hear God’s Voice
“He that hath ears to hear, let him hear” (Matthew 11:15).
Take My Yoke
“Come unto me, all ye that labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest.
Take my yoke upon you, and learn of me; for I am meek and lowly in heart: and
ye shall find rest unto your souls. For my yoke is easy, and my burden is
light” (Matthew 11:28–30).
Honor Your Parents
“For God commanded, saying, Honor thy father and mother: and, he that curseth
father or mother, let him die the death” (Matthew 15:4).
Beware of Leaven
“Take heed and beware of the leaven of the Pharisees and of the Sadducees”
(Matthew 16:6).
Deny Yourself
“If any man will come after me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross
daily, and follow me. For whosoever will save his life shall lose it: but
whosoever will lose his life for my sake, the same shall save it. For what is a
man advantaged, if he gain the whole world, and lose himself, or be cast away?”
(Luke 9:23–25).
Despise Not Little Ones
“Take heed that ye despise not one of these little ones; for I say unto you,
That in heaven their angels do always behold the face of my Father which is in
heaven” (Matthew 18:10).
Go to Offenders
“Moreover if thy brother shall trespass against thee, go and tell him his fault
between thee and him alone: if he shall hear thee, thou hast gained thy
brother. But if he will not hear thee, then take with thee one or two more,
that in the mouth of two or three witnesses every word may be established. And
if he neglect to hear them, tell it unto the church: but if he neglect to hear
the church, let him be unto thee as a heathen man and a publican” (Matthew
18:15–17).
Beware of Covetousness
“And he said unto them, Take heed, and beware of covetousness: for a man’s life
consisteth not in the abundance of the things which he possesseth” (Luke
12:15).
Forgive Offenders
“Then came Peter to him, and said, Lord, how oft shall my brother sin against
me, and I forgive him? till seven times? Jesus saith unto him, I say not unto
thee, Until seven times: but, Until seventy times seven” (Matthew 18:21–22).
Honor Marriage
“And he answered and said unto them, Have ye not read, that he which made them
at the beginning made them male and female, and said, For this cause shall a
man leave father and mother, and shall cleave to his wife: and they twain shall
be one flesh? Wherefore they are no more twain, but one flesh. What therefore
God hath joined together, let not man put asunder” (Matthew 19:4–6).
Be a Servant
“. . . Whosoever will be great among you, let him be your minister; and
whosoever will be chief among you, let him be your servant: even as the Son of
man came not to be ministered unto, but to minister, and to give his life a
ransom for many” (Matthew 20:26–28).
Be a House of Prayer
“It is written, My house shall be called the house of prayer . . . ” (Matthew
21:13).
Ask in Faith
“Verily I say unto you, If ye have faith, and doubt not, ye shall not only do
this which is done to the fig tree, but also if ye shall say unto this
mountain, Be thou removed, and be thou cast into the sea: it shall be done. And
all things, whatsoever ye shall ask in prayer, believing, ye shall receive”
(Matthew 21:21–22).
Bring In the Poor
“Then said he also to him that bade him, When thou makest a dinner or a supper,
call not thy friends, nor thy brethren, neither thy kinsmen, nor thy rich
neighbors; lest they also bid thee again, and a recompense be made thee. But
when thou makest a feast, call the poor, the maimed, the lame, the blind: and
thou shalt be blessed; for they cannot recompense thee: for thou shalt be
recompensed at the resurrection of the just” (Luke 14:12–14).
Render to Caesar
“Show me the tribute money. And they brought unto him a penny. And he saith
unto them, Whose is this image and superscription? They say unto him, Caesar’s.
Then saith he unto them, Render therefore unto Caesar the things which are
Caesar’s; and unto God the things that are God’s” (Matthew 22:19–21).
Love the Lord
“Jesus said unto him, Thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and
with all thy soul, and with all thy mind. This is the first and great
commandment” (Matthew 22:37–38).
Love Your Neighbor
“And the second [commandment] is like unto it, Thou shalt love thy neighbor as
thyself. On these two commandments hang all the law and the prophets” (Matthew
22:39–40).
Await My Return
“Watch therefore: for ye know not what hour your Lord doth come. But know this,
that if the goodman of the house had known in what watch the thief would come,
he would have watched, and would not have suffered his house to be broken up.
Therefore be ye also ready: for in such an hour as ye think not the Son of man
cometh” (Matthew 24:42–44).
Take, Eat, and Drink
“As they were eating, Jesus took bread, and blessed it, and broke it, and gave
it to the disciples, and said, Take, eat; this is my body. And he took the cup,
and gave thanks, and gave it to them, saying, Drink ye all of it; for this is
my blood of the new testament, which is shed for many for the remission of
sins” (Matthew 26:26–28).
Be Born Again
“Jesus answered, Verily, verily, I say unto thee, Except a man be born of water
and of the Spirit, he cannot enter into the kingdom of God. That which is born
of the flesh is flesh; and that which is born of the Spirit is spirit. Marvel
not that I said unto thee, Ye must be born again” (John 3:5–7).
Keep My Commandments
“If ye love me, keep my commandments” (John 14:15).
Watch and Pray
“Watch and pray, that ye enter not into temptation: the spirit indeed is
willing, but the flesh is weak” (Matthew 26:41).
Feed My Sheep
“So when they had dined, Jesus saith to Simon Peter, Simon, son of Jona, lovest
thou me more than these? He saith unto him, Yea, Lord; thou knowest that I love
thee. He saith unto him, Feed my lambs. He saith to him again the second time,
Simon, son of Jona, lovest thou me? He saith unto him, Yea, Lord; thou knowest
that I love thee. He saith unto him, Feed my sheep” (John 21:15–16).
Baptize My Disciples
“Go ye therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the
Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost” (Matthew 28:19).
Receive God’s Power
“And, behold, I send the promise of my Father upon you: but tarry ye in the
city of Jerusalem, until ye be endued with power from on high” (Luke 24:49).
Make Disciples
“Go ye therefore, and teach all nations . . . teaching them to observe all
things whatsoever I have commanded you: and, lo, I am with you always, even
unto the end of the world. Amen” (Matthew 28:19–20).
List of 49 commands taken from:
http://iblp.org/questions/what-are-commands-christ
