Why This Matters More Than Anything Else
If you asked me what’s the single most important question a person could ever ask, it would be this: How can I be saved according to the Bible?
Not according to tradition. Not according to opinions. But according to God’s Word.
I remember when I first started wrestling with this question. I didn’t want guesses or guesses from other people—I needed truth straight from Scripture. Because the reality is, nothing matters more than your salvation. Eternity isn’t something to gamble with.
If you’re wondering where to start, you’re already asking the right question. And trust me, God wants you to know the answer even more than you do.
I encourage you—don’t just assume you’re saved. Test it by the Bible. That’s why I also recommend checking out What Must I Do to Be Saved?—it breaks down the real, biblical steps you’ll find repeated over and over in God’s Word.
What Jesus Said About Being Saved
When people today talk about being saved, you’ll hear a lot of different opinions. But I don’t want opinions—I want to know what Jesus actually said.
And Jesus was very clear.
“Jesus said to him, ‘I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through Me.’”
(John 14:6, NKJV)
No one. Not through good deeds. Not through simply believing that God exists. Only through Jesus.
Later, Jesus explained the specifics even more:
“Jesus answered, ‘Most assuredly, I say to you, unless one is born of water and the Spirit, he cannot enter the kingdom of God.’”
(John 3:5, NKJV)
And again in His final instructions:
“He who believes and is baptized will be saved; but he who does not believe will be condemned.”
(Mark 16:16, NKJV)
If you want to be saved the way the Bible teaches, you can’t skip what Jesus said.
If you haven’t already, you should definitely dig deeper into John 14:6 and what it really means. It’s more than a memory verse—it’s a life-changing truth.
Step 1: Hear the Gospel Message
The first step toward salvation is hearing the truth about Jesus.
“So then faith comes by hearing, and hearing by the word of God.”
(Romans 10:17, NKJV)
When I first started opening my Bible and actually reading it for myself, everything changed. Hearing the Gospel isn’t just about sitting in church or scrolling past a Bible verse on social media. It’s about truly listening—letting the Word soak into your heart.
The Gospel is simple but powerful:
Jesus lived a sinless life, died on the cross for our sins, was buried, and rose again on the third day—defeating death and offering us eternal life.
If you want a great place to start digging deeper, read 10 Reasons Why Jesus Came. It explains why His mission matters so much for your salvation today.
Step 2: Believe in Jesus Christ
After hearing the Gospel, the next step is to believe it with all your heart.
“For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life.”
(John 3:16, NKJV)
But real belief isn’t just intellectual. It’s not saying, “Sure, I guess Jesus existed.”
True belief trusts, surrenders, and obeys. It moves from your head to your heart—and then out into your life.
Without faith, it’s impossible to please God (Hebrews 11:6). That’s why how to be saved according to the Bible starts with real, living faith in Christ—not just knowing about Him, but trusting Him with everything.
If you’re looking for encouragement about walking by faith, I highly recommend Faith, Love, and Hope: The Sacred Foundations of a Christian Journey. It helped me see that faith isn’t just a feeling—it’s a foundation.
Step 3: Repent of Sin
If there’s one step people seem to skip or downplay today, it’s this one: repentance.
“I tell you, no; but unless you repent you will all likewise perish.”
(Luke 13:3, NKJV)
Repentance isn’t just feeling guilty or saying “sorry.” It’s a complete change of mind, heart, and direction. It’s turning away from sin—and turning toward God.
When I realized how serious my sin was in God’s eyes, it broke me. Not in a way that made me feel worthless—but in a way that showed me how much I needed a Savior.
Repentance isn’t punishment. It’s freedom.
If you’re struggling to grow or move past your old ways, read Push Me, Lord: A Christian’s Prayer for Growth. It’s a great reminder that God isn’t asking for perfection—He’s asking for a willing, humble heart.
Step 4: Confess Jesus as Lord
Believing in your heart is critical—but confessing with your mouth seals the deal.
“That if you confess with your mouth the Lord Jesus and believe in your heart that God has raised Him from the dead, you will be saved.”
(Romans 10:9, NKJV)
When I made that confession out loud for the first time, it felt real. Public. Personal. I wasn’t hiding in the shadows anymore—I was saying, “Jesus is my Lord, and I’m not ashamed.”
Jesus even said:
“Therefore whoever confesses Me before men, him I will also confess before My Father who is in heaven.”
(Matthew 10:32, NKJV)
Confession isn’t a one-time event either. It’s a lifestyle.
Every day, by how we live and love, we confess that Jesus is King over our lives.
Step 5: Be Baptized for the Forgiveness of Sins
This is where a lot of people stop short. But the Bible doesn’t.
Baptism isn’t optional—it’s commanded.
“Then Peter said to them, ‘Repent, and let every one of you be baptized in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins; and you shall receive the gift of the Holy Spirit.’”
(Acts 2:38, NKJV)
And again:
“He who believes and is baptized will be saved; but he who does not believe will be condemned.”
(Mark 16:16, NKJV)
When I first really studied it out, it hit me: baptism is where our sins are washed away. It’s not just a symbol. It’s the moment of obedience where we’re buried with Christ and raised into a new life.
If you’ve never been baptized the way the Bible teaches, it’s never too late. I recommend digging into Mark 16:16 Meaning and John 3:5 Meaning to see just how clear and beautiful God’s plan really is.
Living Saved: Walking in the New Life
Salvation isn’t the end of the journey—it’s the beginning.
When you’re saved according to the Bible, you start a new life in Christ.
“Therefore we were buried with Him through baptism into death, that just as Christ was raised from the dead by the glory of the Father, even so we also should walk in newness of life.”
(Romans 6:4, NKJV)
It’s not about being perfect. It’s about being transformed.
You’ll still stumble sometimes (I sure have), but you’ll have the Spirit of God living in you, guiding you, convicting you, and strengthening you every step of the way.
If you ever find yourself struggling after salvation, you’re not alone. I recommend reading Why Christians Still Struggle With Sin—it’s a real and honest reminder that salvation is a journey, not a moment.
You Can Be Saved Today—Just Follow the Bible
If you’ve been wondering how to be saved according to the Bible, it’s not complicated—but it is serious. God doesn’t leave us guessing. His Word lays it out with love, clarity, and urgency.
You need to hear the Gospel, believe in Jesus Christ, repent of your sins, confess Him as Lord, and be baptized for the forgiveness of your sins. Then you walk forward daily, growing in grace and truth.
If you’re ready to take that step—or if you’re still unsure—please don’t leave without reading What Must I Do to Be Saved?.
Jesus paid the price. Now the invitation is in your hands.
Frequently Asked Questions About Salvation According to the Bible
Can you be saved without baptism?
The Bible clearly teaches that baptism is part of the salvation process—not an optional extra.
Jesus said:
“He who believes and is baptized will be saved; but he who does not believe will be condemned.”
(Mark 16:16, NKJV)
And Peter preached in Acts 2:38 that baptism is for the forgiveness of sins.
So according to Scripture, baptism is necessary to fully obey the Gospel—not just belief alone.
For more on this, read Mark 16:16 Meaning.
Is faith alone enough to be saved?
Faith is absolutely essential—but real biblical faith includes obedience.
James 2:17 says:
“Thus also faith by itself, if it does not have works, is dead.”
(NKJV)
Belief leads to action: repentance, confession, baptism, and walking in the Spirit.
Faith that never obeys isn’t saving faith according to the Bible.
What are the basic steps to salvation in the Bible?
Here’s a quick biblical summary:
- Hear the Gospel (Romans 10:17)
- Believe in Jesus Christ (John 3:16)
- Repent of sins (Acts 17:30)
- Confess Jesus as Lord (Romans 10:9–10)
- Be baptized into Christ (Acts 2:38)
- Live faithfully (Revelation 2:10)
Each of these is grounded in Scripture, not man-made traditions.
Can anyone be saved no matter what they’ve done?
Absolutely.
No sin is too big for the blood of Jesus to cover.
“For ‘whoever calls on the name of the Lord shall be saved.’”
(Romans 10:13, NKJV)
No matter your past, Jesus stands ready to forgive, redeem, and make you new.
If you need encouragement, take a moment to read Finding Hope in Truth: A Christian Guide to Sin, Salvation, and Redemption.
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