How are we saved?

There are various places in the Bible where it may seem like there are multiple requirements for salvation - Baptism, works, repentance, faith, love, sacrifice, etc. However there are also places where it solely speaks of Belief.

John 3:16-18 "For God so loved the world that He gave his one and only Son that whoever believes in Him shall not perish but have eternal life.  For God did not send His Son into the world to condemn the world, but to save the world through Him. Whoever believes in Him is not condemned, but whoever does not believe stands condemned already because he has not believed in the name of God's one and only Son."

In this, it simply says to believe, nothing more. Yes we can go to other verses in other areas of the Bible and add to this. But we have to remember, Jesus was speaking to Nicodemus here. Nicodemus was a Pharisee, a teacher. Jesus said to him, "You are Israel's teacher and do you not know these things?" (John 3:10) So he was telling this teacher what had to be done. He wasn't telling him to believe and read the Apostle's letters they would write years later to find out the rest. No, Jesus told Nicodemus what he needed to know as Israel's teacher. Those who would be saved would be those who believed in the name of God's one and only Son.

I am not saying Baptism isn't important. But it is not a requirement. Yes it IS important, but nowhere does it say those who aren't baptized will be condemned. But it DOES say those who do not believe will be condemned. Belief is the only requirement. All these other things, Baptism, works, repentance, faith, love, sacrifice, etc; are commands and will effect our Heavenly reward, but not our Heavenly Entrance.

In His service… Arthur Smith