Point Of Pardon
How can I know that my sins are forgiven? Can I be sure? Just at what point is pardon of sins realized? Many questions have been asked, while many answers have been given. Who is right? What is right? Conflicting doctrines are being taught. The only proper way to find our answer to this, as well as other doctrines is to rely completely upon God's word for the answer.
From the beginning of time God has required man to obey Him. Naaman, the leper, was told to dip seven times in the Jordan to be cleansed. He was not cleansed after dipping six times, but after the seventh time he was made whole. 2 Kings 5. Jesus said, "Not every one that saith unto me, Lord, Lord, shall enter the kingdom of heaven; but he that doeth the will of my Father who is in heaven." Matt. 7:21. "Hereby we know that we know him, if we keep his commandments." (1 Jno. 2:3. "He (Jesus) became the author of eternal salvation to all them that obey him." Heb 5:9. "Faith without works is dead" Jas. 2:26. Obedience to the gospel of Jesus Christ is the time of being saved.
We today must look to the New Testament to find the answer to "What one must do to be saved." The Old Testament Law was binding upon those who lived before the death of Christ. The Old Law was fulfilled and nailed to the cross when Jesus died. Col. 2:14. The New Testament Law of Christ says that one must believe in Christ. Jno. 8:24. This believer then has the right to become a son of God. Jno. 1:12. If the right of the believer is exercised, he will repent of his sins. Lk. 13:3. Repentance is a change of heart which leads to a change of life. Matt. 21:28-29. The sinner who becomes a believer in Jesus, and who will turn from his sins in repentance; must confess Jesus to be the Son of God. Acts 8:37. Finally the believer in Jesus must be baptized. Acts 2:38. Even as Noah was saved by water, we are saved by the same figure. I Pet. 3:21. Baptism washes away sins. Acts 22:16. Peter commanded Cornelius and his house to be baptized. Acts 10:48. Jesus charged his apostles to preach the gospel to every creature saying, "He that believeth and is baptized shall be saved." Mk. 16:16.
No one of these gospel commandments is greater than the other. All must be obeyed to be saved, to cross the line from a lost condition to a saved state. Col. 1:13. The point of pardon comes not until complete obedience on the part of the lost. Faith saves when faith obeys. When the sinner is baptized in water, that becomes the time, the place, the line, the point of pardon, the forgiveness of all past sins.
Water baptism is the time one enters Christ. Gal. 3:27. Water baptism is the time one is saved from past sins. Mk. 16:16. Water baptism is the time one's sins are washed away. Acts 22:16. Water baptism is the time one is born again. Jno. 3:3-5. Water baptism is the time one is raised to walk a new life. Rom. 6:4. Water baptism is the time one is added to the Lord's church. Acts 2:38, 41, 47.
Read this carefully, meditate upon it prayerfully, and accept it willingly; and God will bless you abundantly.
— 2601 Teresa Drive Newport, Ark. 72112