When we think about the road to salvation, it can take time to determine the right way. Some say our salvation depends not on our deeds, but on our faith. However, when we consider some instances in the Bible, can it be proven true?
Baptism Is An Important Deed for Salvation
The Bible allows us to know and understand that our deeds and faith must go hand in hand. For example, when a person wants to start their life of faith, baptism is one of the first things they must undergo.
However, people insist being baptized has nothing to do with our salvation. They say this because the robber on Jesus’ right side received salvation without baptism. Although this is true, this was a special case that does not apply to us.
Mark 16:16 Whoever believes and is baptized will be saved, but whoever does not believe will be condemned.
Jesus told his people two thousand years ago that whoever is baptized and believes will be saved. Nonetheless, the robber himself was not baptized because he did not believe in Jesus prior to his crucifixion. For us, however, Jesus is saying our baptism concerns our salvation and is an essential step in one’s life of faith. Like this, baptism is a deed that a Christian must undergo to receive salvation as commanded by the Savior Jesus Christ in the New Testament.
The Passover, a Deed for Life
The Passover, which is the core teaching of the Bible, is another crucial command that must be kept by those who want to be faithful and chosen followers of Christ. Even in the time of the Apostolic age, the faith of the believers who followed Jesus did not truly realize and fathom the sacrifice and many trials Jesus had to undergo silently just so that his children could be saved. When he was resurrected, they had more of an understanding of it.
Luke 24:13-27 Now that same day two of them were going to a village called Emmaus, about seven miles from Jerusalem…As they talked and discussed these things with each other, Jesus himself came up and walked along with them; but they were kept from recognizing him…He said to them, “How foolish you are, and how slow to believe all that the prophets have spoken! Did not the Messiah have to suffer these things and then enter his glory?” And beginning with Moses and all the Prophets, he explained to them what was said in all the Scriptures concerning himself.
The apostles who faithfully followed Jesus could hardly recognize the sacrifice that Jesus endured for their sins. The robber who was on the right-hand side of Jesus, who had met the Savior at that time, could not have understood it at all. However, due to the word spoken by Jesus, “Today you will be with me in paradise,” the robber was able to receive forgiveness at the last moment of his life on Earth. In this time, our Savior has commanded all peoples to partake in the precious ceremony of the Passover by eating his flesh and drinking his blood so that those who completely obey God’s word may receive the complete forgiveness of sins, just as did the robber.
John 6:54 Whoever eats my flesh and drinks my blood has eternal life, and I will raise them up at the last day.
Matthew 26:17-28 On the first day of the Festival of Unleavened Bread, the disciples came to Jesus and asked, “Where do you want us to make preparations for you to eat the Passover?”..While they were eating, Jesus took bread, and when he had given thanks, he broke it and gave it to his disciples, saying, “Take and eat; this is my body.” Then he took a cup, and when he had given thanks, he gave it to them, saying, “Drink from it, all of you. This is my blood of the covenant, which is poured out for many for the forgiveness of sins.
Taking Action for Salvation
As the followers of Christ, deeds must coincide with our salvation. The thought to do nothing in our life of faith leads us to a different way that was not given to us for eternal happiness. Therefore, we must keep God’s commands that are more precious than pure gold. They are a treasure to those who value the kingdom of heaven and look forward to it by putting the word of God into practice every day.
