Nuggets to Nourish Your Soul

Assurance of Salvation

(saved or redeemed from sin and death through faith in Jesus alone)

I can think of no better way to begin this study than with this nugget of assurance. What exactly is the blessed assurance of salvation, which choirs sing, ministers preach, and Christians testify about? It is this: the scriptures teach and we declare that because of God’s grace, we have been redeemed, saved, and assured of eternal life through our belief in the death, burial, and resurrection of Jesus Christ (1 Corinthians 15:3–4). This is the foundation of our faith.

As new believers, we are often drawn into the valley of doubt and fear concerning our salvation. As we hear others discuss this fundamental truth, we may think, I don’t feel different. Am I truly saved? Is it possible to really have assurance of my salvation? How can I be as sure as mature saints?

God in His great wisdom knew the question of salvation would plague us. I believe that is why He filled the Bible with many passages to give us assurance in Him and in His Word. What do seasoned saints have that newborn Christians lack? They have wisdom founded in years of feeding upon God’s promises. They have faith and confidence “in hope of eternal life, which God, that cannot lie, promised before the world began” (Titus 1:2).

Instead of depending on how we “feel,” let’s turn to the Bible and rely on God’s truth. There is no need for doubt! God gives us reassurance in this passage: “These things have I written unto you that believe on the name of the Son of God; that ye may know that ye have eternal life” (1 John 5:13; italics added). God said you can know for sure!

Here’s more. “For I am not ashamed of the gospel of Christ: for it is the power of God unto salvation to everyone that believeth” (Romans 1:16). You believe, right?

Believe the Word, which declares, “For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life” (John 3:16). Let’s put our own names in the place of “the world” and read the verse again. Now savor it. God gave us the gift of salvation through belief in His Son, Jesus.

Jesus redeemed (saved) us by dying and paying the price for our sins. Through His shed blood, we are now restored and called the children of God (Romans 8:16) and declared righteous and holy (2 Corinthians 5:21). Finally, when we die, God honors us and says, “And I give unto them eternal life; and they shall never perish, neither shall any man pluck them out of my hand” (John 10:28).

Instead of doubting, start rejoicing! Walk in faith. Not only is it possible to have assurance of our salvation, but we also have biblical truth and a guarantee written and signed in blood by Jesus Himself.

Neither is there salvation in any other: for there is none other name under heaven given among men, whereby we must be saved. (Acts 4:12)

Nuggets to Nourish Your Soul

Study Guide 1

Faith word: assurance of salvation

Definition:

Question 1: Do you think it is possible to have assurance of your salvation?

Question 2: Locate John 3:16 in your Bible. How does God’s Word assure you that you are saved?

Question 3: How can you thank God today for your salvation?

Addresses of scripture found in commentary:

1 Corinthians 15:3–4

Romans 1:16

Titus 1:2

John 3:16

Romans 8:16

2 Timothy 4:8

Acts 4:12

John 10:28

1 John 5:13

Memory verse:

Baptism

(a symbolic, public profession of faith, identification, and obedience to Jesus)

Baptism is a ceremony in which a believer makes a public testimony of faith in Jesus. It serves also as an outward act of obedience and identification with Jesus (Acts 2:38). Publicly, we give our hands to the minister who baptizes us with water, while inwardly, we give our hearts to God. “For by one Spirit [faith in Jesus] are we all baptized into one body [believers are the body of Christ]; all made to drink into one Spirit [indwelling of the Holy Spirit]” (1 Corinthians 12:13).

Furthermore, baptism represents our being baptized into the death, burial, and resurrection of Jesus. It is written, “Know ye not, that so many of us as were baptized into Jesus Christ were baptized into his death? … That like as Christ was raised up from the dead by the glory of the Father, even so we also should walk in newness of life” (Romans 6:3–4).

It would be beneficial to understand the history and purpose of baptism. In the Old Testament days, baptism was practiced as cleansing or purification. However, in the New Testament time, John the Baptist preached to the people the need to repent or turn from sin. He baptized in the Jordan River, crying, “Repent ye: for the kingdom of heaven is at hand” (Matthew 3:2). And he said, “I indeed baptize you with water unto repentance: but he that cometh after me is mightier than I. He shall baptize you with the Holy Ghost and with fire” (Matthew 3:11).

Jesus was baptized by John the Baptist to fulfill all righteousness. Since Jesus committed no sin, His baptism was not for repentance but to fulfill scripture in obedience to the Father. The Holy Spirit descended upon Jesus like a dove (Matthew 3:13–16). And the Father declared from heaven, “This is my beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased” (Matthew 3:17).

The resurrected Jesus appeared to the disciples and commanded, “Go ye therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost” (Matthew 28:19). In this command, which is called the Great Commission, Jesus compels all believers to take the gospel to the entire world—to go, teach, and baptize. It is our duty and privilege to witness and to share the Good News of our risen Savior.

Baptism is a religious ceremony that connects us to the family of believers. For it is written, “We have fellowship one with another, and the blood of Jesus Christ his Son cleanseth us from all sin” (1 John 1:7; italics added).

It is critical to understand that baptism is not a requirement of our salvation, nor does it wash away our sins. We are saved through faith in Jesus alone. The power in His blood saves and cleanses us, not baptismal water. Be assured by these words from the hymn Nothing but the Blood written by Robert Lowry. “What can wash away my sins? Nothing but the blood of Jesus. What can make me whole again? Nothing but the blood of Jesus.”

And he commanded them to be baptized in the name of the Lord. (Acts 10:48)

Nuggets to Nourish Your Soul

Study Guide 2

Faith word: baptism

Definition:

Question 1: Is baptism a requirement of salvation?

Question 2: Locate Matthew 3:13–15 in your Bible. Why did Jesus get baptized?

Question 3: How is our getting baptized an act of obedience and love?

Addresses of scripture found in commentary:

Acts 2:38

1 John 1:7

1 Corinthians 12:13

Acts 10:48

Romans 6:3, 4

Matthew 3:2, 11–17, 28:19

Memory verse:

Born Again

(a spiritual rebirth, restoration)

What does it mean to be born again? What are people really asking us when they pose this question: “Have you been born again?” Understanding this essential truth of our faith is critical to our healthy spiritual growth.