Page 80 - Discipleship Ministries Student E-Book

Following Christ fully is a process of maturing in faith and takes time. That is what discipleship is all
about: helping others become step by step more like Christ as they immerse themselves in God’s Word.

However, the flip side to this is that if a person receiving Christ as Savior does not want to make Jesus
Christ Lord of their lives, their faith in invalid. Jesus is both our Savior and Lord. You are either “all in”
or you are not exercising saving faith. The first step in faith is believing in what Christ has accomplished
for us at the Cross. A person must make the cross of Christ personal.

7. Avoid saying “Accept or receive Jesus as Savior” These phrases may be all right if they’re understood
and clearly explained. Christians may understand them to mean “trust in Christ,” but unbelievers may
wonder “How do I accept or receive Jesus?” Catholics teach that “receiving Jesus” means communion.
Never does scripture say to “accept Jesus” and only once does it mention “receiving” Him (John 1:12).
And even that reference about the Jews receiving Him (He came unto his own and his own received him
not vs 11 – He was rejected by Israel) is clarified by the expression “believing in His name.”

John 1:12 But as many as received him, to them gave he power to become the sons of God, even to them
that believe on his name:

Note these verses that call men to salvation which use the proper words to share:

Verses that call men to salvation.

Acts 2:38 And Peter said to them, "Repent and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ
for the forgiveness of your sins, and you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit.

Ephesians 2:8-9 8 For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith—and this is not from yourselves,
it is the gift of God— not by works, so that no one can boast.

John 3:16-18 16 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. 17 For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the
world, but to save the world through him. 18 Whoever believes in him is not condemned, but whoever
does not believe stands condemned already because they have not believed in the name of God’s one
and only Son.

Acts 16:30-33 30 He then brought them out and asked, “Sirs, what must I do to be saved?” 31 They
replied, “Believe in the Lord Jesus, and you will be saved—you and your household.” 32 Then they spoke
the word of the Lord to him and to all the others in his house. 33 At that hour of the night the jailer took
them and washed their wounds; then immediately he and all his household were baptized.

Romans 10:9-10 9 If you declare with your mouth, “Jesus is Lord,” and believe in your heart that God
raised him from the dead, you will be saved. 10 For it is with your heart that you believe and are justified,
and it is with your mouth that you profess your faith and are saved.

Acts 2:21 And everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved.

Romans 10:10 For it is with your heart that you believe and are justified, and it is with your mouth that
you profess your faith and are saved.

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