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At Overcoming Word Praise Center International we believe that it is important that you understand what salvation is so that you may receive it as a gift and benefit from its blessings.
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What is Salvation?
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Salvation can best be defined as deliverance from all curses, including death. This salvation cannot be limited to the initial stage of redemption-forgiveness of sins. According to the Word of God, one will be saved from enemies - Luke 1:71, save us from sins - Romans 10:1, 9-10, delivered from slavery - Acts 7:25, and saved from physical infirmity - Act 4:12.
Salvation comes from the Greek word "Soteria", which means deliverance. Salvation is used in the New Testament to define material and temporal deliverance from danger and apprehension. Deliverance means a release from bondage, imprisonment and liberation from captivity.
Salvation does not mean that one is perfect. However, it does mean that one has been forgiven. Romans 3:23-24.
1) 2 Peter 3:9, Romans 3:23-25 - God's will is that none perish, but all come to repentance.
2) Romans 5:6-9,17-21, Colossians 2:13-14- Jesus bore our sins when He died on the cross.
3) Ephesians 1:6-7 His blood justified us (made us free from guilt) and made us acceptable to God.
4) 2 Corinthians 5:17 - In Christ, we become a new creation.
5) Titus 3:5 - Our righteousness is through the washing of regeneration and renewing of the Holy Spirit.
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The Expression "BORN AGAIN"
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In John 3:1-7 we find the expression "born again". Here, it means to be a second time. The first time is called being born of water. Being born of water is physical birth, "water" being a reference to the amniotic sac which surrounds the fetus and breaks right before birth. Being born again is being "born of the Spirit"; the second birth. This is when a person accepts Jesus Christ into his or her heart and life.
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How to Get Born Again
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1) By opening the door to your heart and life and asking Jesus Christ to come in.
Revelation 3:20
2) By confession with your mouth that Jesus Christ is Lord (confession the Lordship of Jesus Christ over your life) and by believing in your heart that God raised Him from the dead. Romans 10:9-19
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What Happened When You Were Born Again?
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1) You obtained right standing with God. 2 Cor. 5:21
2) You became a new creation. 2 Corinthians 5:17
3) You possess a new spirit. Ezekiel 36:26-28
4) You became a child of God. Galatians 3:26
5) You were delivered from Satan's control. Colossians 1:13-14
6) You were redeemed from the curse. Galatians 3:13
7) You received eternal/everlasting life. 1 John 5:12-13, John 3:16-36
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What to do Now That You Are Born Again??
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1) Attend church regularly. Hebrew 10:25
2) Receive the baptism of the Holy Spirit and be filled with the Spirit. Acts 2:1-4, Ephesians 5:18
3) Read, study and meditate on the Word. I Timothy 4:6, Peter 2:2
4) Let your mind be renewed by the Word. Romans 12:1-2
5) Be a doer of the Word, not just a hearer. James 1:22-25
6) Pray! Prayer is simply talking to God. I Thessalonians 5:16-18
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How to Know For Sure If You Are Saved?
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1 John 5:11-13 - The Word God
Revelation 3:20 - The Word says if you ask Him to come I, He will come in. God is not a liar If you ask Him in, He will come in. Do not rely on feelings. Rely on His Word which is TRUE.
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What to do if You Sin or Make a Mistake?
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Now that one has been born again, one is called "spiritually" a babe in Christ. Just like a baby in the natural, one will stumble and fall. Because one is born again of God, one will not stay down. It is the responsibility of the mature Christian to assist the babe in Christ in his/her growth and to encourage them to get up.
1 John 1:7-9 - If you sin, immediately confess your sin to God, and God will cleanse and forgive you of all your sins.
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