God has not left mankind to guess about salvation. Throughout the New Testament, we find a clear and consistent pattern showing how a sinner comes to Christ and how a Christian must continue faithfully in Him.
HEAR THE GOSPEL
“So then faith cometh by hearing, and hearing by the word of God.”
Romans 10:17
BELIEVE IN JESUS CHRIST
“He that believeth and is baptized shall be saved; but he that believeth not shall be damned.”
Mark 16:16
Biblical faith is more than simply acknowledging that Jesus exists. Saving faith responds obediently to what Christ has commanded.
REPENT OF SINS
“And the times of this ignorance God winked at; but now commandeth all men every where to repent:”
Acts 17:30
Repentance involves a change of mind that results in turning away from sin and turning toward God.
CONFESS JESUS CHRIST
When the Ethiopian eunuch asked what prevented him from being baptized, Philip answered:
“And Philip said, If thou believest with all thine heart, thou mayest. And he answered and said, I believe that Jesus Christ is the Son of God.”
Acts 8:37
The confession is faith in Jesus Christ openly expressed—not a “sinner’s prayer” substituted for the biblical pattern.
BE BAPTIZED FOR THE REMISSION OF SINS
When the people on Pentecost realized they had crucified the Christ, they asked:
“Men and brethren, what shall we do?”
Acts 2:37
Peter answered:
“Repent, and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins…”
Acts 2:38
Ananias likewise told Saul:
“And now why tarriest thou? arise, and be baptized, and wash away thy sins, calling on the name of the Lord.”
Acts 22:16
Baptism is not man’s attempt to earn salvation. It is an obedient response of faith in the working of God. Compare Colossians 2:12.
REMAIN FAITHFUL
Becoming a Christian is the beginning of the Christian life, not the end.
Jesus told the church at Smyrna:
“…be thou faithful unto death, and I will give thee a crown of life.”
Revelation 2:10
The biblical pattern is therefore not:
Faith only → Saved
Nor is it:
Say a prayer → Saved
The pattern revealed in the New Testament is:
HEAR → BELIEVE → REPENT → CONFESS CHRIST → BE BAPTIZED FOR THE REMISSION OF SINS → REMAIN FAITHFUL
We should never ask what a denomination teaches, what a preacher teaches, or even what we have always believed and make that our standard.
We should ask:
WHAT DO THE SCRIPTURES TEACH?
Open the Scriptures. Examine the context. Compare Scripture with Scripture. Test the conclusions.
ALLOW SCRIPTURE TO INTERPRET SCRIPTURE.
The Biblical Pattern
Biblical Studies & Books by Kevin L. Walker
The Biblical Pattern 