The Only Thing You Must Believe

Every Sunday we refocus on the gospel—the one message that saves. Today, let’s look at what God actually says a person must believe to be saved… and contrast that with what men have added.

Why We Need Salvation

All of humanity is under sin’s power. We die physically because of sin, but spiritually, we are dead and separated from God. (Genesis 2:17; Ezekiel 18:4; Isaiah 59:2)

Because of that, every human being is eternally lost apart from Christ.

God declares all mankind sinners (Romans 3:23), and the wages of sin is death (Romans 6:23).

But God…

He sent His only Son, Jesus Christ, to die in our place, shedding His blood to pay for our sins. He was buried and rose again—never to die again. (1 Corinthians 15:1–4)

What Must You Believe to Be Saved?

From your How to Get Saved page:

1. Believe that you’re a sinner. 
2. Believe by faith that God sent His Son, Jesus, to die in your place, was buried, and rose again. 

That’s it. That’s all.

“By grace you have been saved through faith, and that not of yourselves; it is the gift of God, not of works, lest anyone should boast.” — Ephesians 2:8–9
“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
“With the heart one believes unto righteousness, and with the mouth confession is made unto salvation.” — Romans 10:10

The moment someone truly believes that gospel—they are saved. Instantly. Sealed by the Holy Spirit. Indwelt. Made a member of Christ’s Body. Blessed with every spiritual blessing in the heavens.

What God Doesn’t Require (Though Many Claim He Does)

Notice carefully: nowhere in those clear passages does God say you must repent, be baptized, live a holy life, perform good works, or keep commandments in order to be saved. Those things are fruits and results—but not conditions for being saved.

Men have added those burdens to the good news, twisting the simplicity of the gospel into a checklist. That’s not God’s design.

The End of All Human Hope

There is only one gospel that saves. It is the gospel of the grace of God—Jesus died, was buried, and rose again, and salvation is received by faith alone (1 Corinthians 15:1–4).

And here’s the ultimate point:

📖 “In the day when God shall judge the secrets of men by Jesus Christ according to my gospel.” — Romans 2:16

From Cain until the last human being, all mankind will be judged according to Paul’s gospel.

So today, believe—not in your works, not in your effort, not in religion—but in Jesus Christ and the gospel “Good News” He freely gave.