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Approaching God in Search of 
Pardon, Honor, and Eternal Life

Graphic of the Steps of believing and repenting, for the article: Approaching God in search of pardon, honor, and eternal life: The steps to take.

FAITH comes by HEARING… the WORD of GOD.” Romans 10:17

God predestines souls, that is, selects them, only “through… BELIEF in the TRUTH.”

He CALLS by means of the Gospel… for the obtaining of the glory of… Jesus Christ.”
2 Thessalonians 2:13-14

The FAITH that, in Christcounts” is “FAITH WORKING through love. Galatians 5:6. It is faith that obeys, taking ALL the steps dictated by God as necessary for salvation. It is not FAITH ONLY, for that kind of faith“is DEAD. James 2:14-21

“Without faith, it is impossible to please God, for
whoever would approach him must believe that
he exists
and that he rewards those who seek
him.”
Hebrews 11:6

    Are you approaching him?

 BELIEVE, then, and continue drawing ever closer in
order to receive pardon, peace, grace, power, glory, and life eternal!

Graphic for the steps of Repentance for the article Approaching God in search of pardon, honor, and eternal life: The steps to take.

Steps to change attitudes and the direction of one’s walk. Such is the meaning of “REPENT.

Resurrected, Jesus Christ commanded “that REPENTANCE and forgiveness of sins is to be proclaimed in his name to all nations.” Luke 24:47

To be sure, God himself commands all people everywhere to repent.” Acts 17:30

Photo of the lower legs and feet of a person walking away to illustrate Resist the devil, for the article Approaching God in search of pardon, honor, and eternal life: The steps to take.

To the immoral and criminal: That they repent of corrupt words, adultery, lasciviousness, and unnatural sex. Of anger, racism, hate, verbal and physical violence, vengeance, the sale and/or use of illegal drugs, alcoholism, fraud, theft, and murder. 1 Corinthians 6:9-11; Ephesians 4:22-31

To the erring and corrupt religious: That they repent of
idolatries, traditions, and commandments of men.
Of false prophecies, making merchandise, immorality and the vanities of splendid positions and titles. Of divisions and persecutions. 
1 Thessalonians 1:9; Mathew 7:21-23; 15:1-9; 23:1-36; 2 Peter 2:1-3; 1 Timothy 4:1-5; 6:3-8; 2 Timothy 4:1-5

Do you perhaps believe yourself so evil and unworthy that your repentance would not count for redemption? Maybe becoming severely depressed, even to the point of taking your own life? If so, just know that God wants all people to be saved. As an "example" of his great mercy, he pardoned a blasphemer, persecutor and man of violence called Saul of Tarsus when he repented. That man became the renouned apostle Paul. Read it and convince yourself! 1 Timothy 1:12-17

Photo of an imprint in sand of steps side by side to illustrate taking and stand and confessing faith in Christ, for the article Approaching God in search of pardon, honor, and eternal life: The steps to take.

Stand up firmly on your two feet and proclaim: “I believe that Jesus Christ is the Son of God.” Acts 8:26-40. “For one believes with the heart… and one confesses with the mouth and so is saved.” Romans 10:10

title-baptism-2-steps-approaching.JPG

And, having “made the good confession” (1 Timothy 6:12), don’t stumble, coming up short, but proceed “without DELAY” to be immersed in the waters of baptism, just as did the treasurer of Ethiopia, the Philippian jailer, with his family, Saul of Tarsus, the Roman centurion Cornelius and those with him, the 3,000 baptized on Pentecost, and hundreds of thousands, both Jew and Gentile, converted to Christ in the first century. Acts 8:26-40; 16:25-40; 22:12-16; 10:24-48; 2:36-47; 1 Peter 3:21; Mark 16:15-16

Because Biblical baptism is “that your sins may be forgiven” (Acts 2:38), and is by immersion, the old man of sin being buried in waters and rising from them a new creature” to walk in newness of life. Romans 6:3-7. Thus, “everything old has passed away; see, everything has become new!
2 Corinthians 5:17

Photo of a person being baptized by immersion and the words Steps into the waters of baptism, for the article Approaching God in search of pardon, honor, and eternal life: The steps to take.

"See, everything has become new!That is surpassingly wonderful! A NEW YOU! So then, "be not conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what is that good and acceptable and perfect will of God." Romans 12:2

Composite graphic of a human figure, backview, walking forward on a beach and the words Steps of perseverance, for the article Approaching God in search of pardon, honor, and eternal life: The steps to take.

Lovingly, we encourage you to take the STEPS necessary to find a competent minister of Christ’s “new covenant” (2 Corinthians 3:6-17), who will baptize you biblically. Then, become a loyal, active member of a congregation that faithfully teaches the glorious STEPS of mental and spiritual renovation, of hope and salvation.

When you receive the “washing of regeneration” (Titus 3:5), you also receive “the gift of the Holy Spirit” (Acts 2:38), and continuing in “doing good,” glory, honor, peace, and eternal life will be yours!

To what kind of destiny are your feet taking you and why?

"Happy are those who do not follow the advice of the wicked,
or take the path that sinners tread, or sit in the seat of scoffers; but their delight is in the law of the Lord, and on his law they meditate day and ight."
 
Psalm 1:1-2. King David of Israel. NRSV

"Watch the path of your feet and all your ways will be established." Proverbs 4:26

"Or can a man walk on hot coals and his feet not be scorched?" Proverbs 6:28

When you take these necessary STEPS, Jesus Christ will add you to the CHURCH he established (Acts 2:47; Matthew 16:18), of which he is the only "Head" and "Savior." Ephesians 1:22-23; 5:23; Colossians 1:18-20

If there is a congregation of this church near you, you may go there and ask to be baptized. If there is not, you may contact an evangelist or congregation through the Internet, by telephone, E-mail, texting, etc., requesting assistance in obeying the gospel of Christ. Another option is to ask a family member or friend of good conduct to baptize you, and then proceed, personally, to teach Pure Christianity to others, baptizing them and forming a congregation, using the GUIDELINES in two documents on this site to accomplish what would be a glorious work worthy of highest praise. 

Text and Document Composition by the author Homer Dewayne Shappley. All rights reserved. The only restrictions on the use of this document are the sale of it in any format and proper identification of its origin.

CATEGORY: A new person in MindHeart, and Spirit. Open for a “List of all documents” in the Category.

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"On this rock I will build my church." The church Christ built.

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