Before we examine the most important topic of all, we must first establish a source of credibility. Has anyone ever been to heaven and back to tell us of his or her experience? If man does not even know where it is, then how does he know how to get there? Can we therefore depend on the “wisdom” or the opinions of man as a reliable source to know how to get to heaven? Can we rely upon the writings of philosophers, or the ideas or feelings of men? For something as important as our eternal souls, we cannot wait to die trusting in an unproven opinion.
The Bible claims that it came to us directly from God Himself for this express purpose – to show us how to get to heaven. It claims, in contrast to the opinions and books of men, that God Himself is the Author (therefore we are hearing about this subject from an Expert).
For the prophecy came not in old time by the will of man: but holy men of God spake as they were moved by the Holy Ghost.
(2 Peter 1:21)
Notice that God used man to write the Scriptures, but it wasn’t something that man came up with. God dictated, man wrote it down, but it was God’s idea.
We can trust God without reservation because His word claims to have no mistakes.
The words of the LORD are pure words: as silver tried in a furnace of earth, purified seven times. (Psalms 12:6)
Every word of God is pure. (Proverbs 30:5)
How can a book have no mistakes? Simple. It was written by a God who can make no mistakes.
God is not a man, that he should lie; neither the son of man, that he should repent (to be sorry for a mistake he has made): hath he said, and shall he not do it? or hath he spoken, and shall he not make it good? (Numbers 23:19)
Furthermore, God gave us the Bible for the very purpose of answering this most important question. He would not give it to us to mislead us, but to clear up the confusion caused by all the different opinions and speculations. God loves us and does not want us to be wandering around aimlessly not knowing how to find Him. Therefore, as an accurate, precise, and perfect roadmap to Him, the Bible was given to us that we can know for sure that heaven can be our home when we die.
These things have I written unto you… that ye may know that ye have eternal life, and that ye may believe on the name of the Son of God. (1 John 5:13)
Furthermore, Jesus Christ relied upon the Bible (the Old Testament) and quoted it without apology (it was the only book He quoted). He Himself proclaimed that the way to heaven was found in the Bible (where one would find Him).
Search the scriptures; for in them ye think ye have eternal life: and they are they which testify of me. (John 5:39)
As a matter o fact, Jesus Christ is the One who is the source and giver of salvation,
[Jesus is] the author of eternal salvation…. (Hebrews 5:9)
Earlier, we said that no man has gone into heaven and come back to tell us what it was like, but there is a God who has come DOWN from heaven to become a man to show us how to get there.
And no man hath ascended up to heaven, but he that came down from heaven, even the Son of man…. (John 3:13)
If Jesus is the Author of Salvation, we can rely upon Him to explain it to us.
If Jesus came down from heaven, we can rely upon Him to show us how to get there.
Therefore, throughout this booklet, we will be using the words of Jesus Christ and the Scriptures which He quoted to answer the details relating to salvation.
Now that we have declared the source upon which we will be relying, let us look at some other statements that Jesus and the Bible make to see what we can learn about salvation.
WHAT KIND OF SALVATION DOES GOD GIVE?
1) The Only One to Give this Salvation
[Jesus is] the author of eternal salvation…. (Hebrews 5:9)
2) Duration: Jesus states that the kind of salvation that He gives is “eternal life.” That means it is a salvation that you can never lose.
My sheep hear my voice, and I know them, and they follow me: And I give unto them eternal life; and they shall never perish, neither shall any man pluck them out of my hand. (John 10:27-29)
3) It is a salvation that is available to all. There is no person, however sinful he may be, that Jesus Christ will turn away if that person is truly sorry for his sins.
Wherefore he is able also to save them to the uttermost that come unto God by him… (Hebrews 7:25)
…him that cometh to me I will in no wise cast out.
(John 6:37)
4) It is life changing
It is a salvation that is so powerful, that it will “clean up” a person’s life. Therefore, God wants you to come to Him as you are, and let Him change you.
Therefore if any man be in Christ, he is a new creature: old things are passed away; behold, all things are become new. (2 Corinthians 5:17)