Part 1: Putting the Puzzle Together
Jesus died by being crucified upon a cross, and he was brought back to life after spending three days in a burial tomb – and it’s when you, in a sense, join Jesus in these experiences that eternal life in the kingdom of God is made possible for you. No, you’re not required to hang on a cross and then wait for God to raise you from the dead. Rather, your death is symbolized by water baptism (burying your “old life” in water), and your new life begins when you are filled with the power of the Holy Spirit (the holy Spirit of God):
Romans 6:4&6, “Therefore we are buried with him by baptism into death…our old man is crucified with him, that the body of sin might be destroyed, that henceforth we should not serve sin.”
1 Peter 3:18, “For Christ also hath once suffered for sins, the just for the unjust, that he might bring us to God, being put to death in the flesh, but quickened by the Spirit:” (Note: “Quickened” is based on the Greek word “zoopoieo” which means “to cause to live, make alive, give life.”)
Ephesians 2:1, “And you hath he quickened, who were dead in trespasses and sins;”
Colossians 2:13, “And you, being dead in your sins and the uncircumcision of your flesh, hath he quickened together with him, having forgiven you all trespasses;”
Sharing in Jesus’ death and new life experience is all you really need to know in order to come to God, looking to be saved from the judgment that awaits those who are never reconciled to their Creator:
Matthew 7:21, “Not every one that saith unto me, Lord, Lord, shall enter into the kingdom of heaven; but he that doeth the will of my Father which is in heaven.”
1 John 2:17, “And the world passeth away, and the lust thereof: but he that doeth the will of God abideth for ever.”
2 Corinthians 5:17-18, “Therefore if any man be in Christ, he is a new creature: old things are passed away; behold, all things are become new. And all things are of God, who hath reconciled us to himself by Jesus Christ, and hath given to us the ministry of reconciliation;”
However, repentance is the first and most important step toward this reconciliation, for without a humble heart (which must continue all the days of our walk with God), no one can expect to receive anything from the Lord:
Matthew 4:17, “From that time Jesus began to preach, and to say, Repent: for the kingdom of heaven is at hand.”
Matthew 9:13, “…for I am not come to call the righteous, but sinners to repentance.”
1 Peter 5:5, “God resisteth the proud, and giveth grace to the humble.”
Your repentance need not be complicated. If you’re tempted to think otherwise, be encouraged by Acts 2:41 which records three thousand people being added unto the followers of Jesus the very day they were preached to. This is what it was like for the first believers.
(Back in those days, they were called believers, or “people of the Way” – of the way of Jesus. The unbelievers first used the term “Christian” as a derogatory term! Although, the word “Christ” comes from the Greek word “Christos” which means “anointed,” so the term Christian is technically correct – Christians are anointed by Jesus with the Holy Spirit!)