“Moreover, brethren, I declare unto you the gospel which I preached unto you, which also ye have received, and wherein ye stand; By which also ye are saved, if ye keep in memory what I preached unto you, unless ye have believed in vain.”  (1Cor 15:1-2)

Whereas mainstream denominations teach that salvation is the end of the matter through their false doctrine of Once Saved Always Saved, the Bible teaches that it’s the beginning of our New Life in Christ.

“Therefore we are buried with him by baptism into death: that like as Christ was raised up from the dead by the glory of the Father, even so we also should walk in newness of life. 15 What then? shall we sin, because we are not under the law, but under grace? God forbid. 16 Know ye not, that to whom ye yield yourselves servants to obey, his servants ye are to whom ye obey; whether of sin unto death, or of obedience unto righteousness? 17 But God be thanked, that ye were the servants of sin, but ye have obeyed from the heart that form of doctrine which was delivered you.” (Rom 6:3,15-16).

Those that have OBEYED the gospel are among the saved. They have…

1. Heard the word. (Matt 7:24)
2. Believed that Jesus is the Christ. (John 8:24)
3. Repented of their sins. (Luke 13:3)
4. Confessed before men that Jesus is the Christ. (Matt 10:32)
5. Baptized in water for the washing away of their sins. (Acts 2:38)
6. And they begin their new life of faithfulness. (Matt 28:20)

Now that we’ve obeyed the Gospel, what do we do next? While there may be some details an individual must do in their new life as it deals with the fruits of repentance, this article will address 5 general actions every Christian must do all the days of their life in Christ. 

It’s well known that one of the first things that new converts do is they go out SPREADING the gospel. “Therefore they that were scattered abroad went every where preaching the word” (Acts 8:4). The gospel is the good news and it is how they were SAVED and they want to tell their loved ones about this Good News. “[1] Moreover, brethren, I declare unto you the gospel which I preached unto you, which also ye have received, and wherein ye stand; [2] By which also ye are saved, if ye keep in memory what I preached unto you, unless ye have believed in vain. [3] For I delivered unto you first of all that which I also received, how that Christ died for our sins according to the scriptures; [4] And that he was buried, and that he rose again the third day according to the scriptures” (1 Corinthians 15:1-4).

They change their behavior, and they change the way they talk to the point that those most familiar with them recognize a dramatic change. “For the time past of our life may suffice us to have wrought the will of the Gentiles, when we walked in lasciviousness, lusts, excess of wine, revellings, banquetings, and abominable idolatries; Wherein they think it strange that ye run not with them to the same excess of riot, speaking evil of you” (1Peter 4:3-4). Some of their friends and family won’t like it, but they’ve been converted and they’re determined to remain faithful to the One that saved them. (Mat 10:22; 24:13; Jas 1:12; Rev 2:10)

Another one of the major changes the newly converted SAVED makes is that they ASSEMBLE with the saints on Sunday (and usually mid-week for bible study). “And let us consider one another to provoke unto love and to good works: Not forsaking the assembling of ourselves together, as the manner of some is ; but exhorting one another : and so much the more, as ye see the day approaching” (Hebrews 10:24-25).

“And upon the first day of the week, when the disciples came together to break bread, Paul preached unto them, ready to depart on the morrow; and continued his speech until midnight” (Acts 20:7). They ASSEMBLE together IN PERSON (1Cor 11:17-34) to worship, and to fellowship in the work of the church. “Upon the first day of the week let every one of you lay by him in store, as God hath prospered him, that there be no gatherings when I come” (1 Corinthians 16:2).

They ASSEMBLE together to learn of Him, and pray through Him who saved them; “And they continued stedfastly in the apostles’ doctrine and fellowship, and in breaking of bread, and in prayers (Acts 2:42).

From these verses (Acts 2:42; 20:7; 1Cor 11:17-34; 16:1-2; Eph 5:19; Col 3:16; Heb 10:24-25), the SAVED will ASSEMBLE with the church in person to do these 5 things.

1. They will have COMMUNION in the observation of the Lord’s Supper, proclaiming the Lord’s death till He comes. (1Cor 11:17-34).
2. They will HEAR a message from God’s word that was once for all delivered to the saints through the Apostles, who spoke and wrote them for us today. (Acts 2:42; John 16:13; 20:30-31; 1Cor 2:9-13; Eph 3:1-4; 4:11-12; Jude 3).
3. They will sing with UNDERSTANDING to one another, “teaching and admonishing one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing with grace in your hearts to the Lord.” (1Cor 14:15; Eph 5:19; Col 3:16).
4. They will make REQUESTS to God in Prayer for one another. They will pray for boldness to spread the gospel (Acts 4:29). They will pray for one another (Phil 4:6). They will pray giving thanks to God (1Thess 5:17-18). They will pray and watching in anticipation of the Lord’s return (Rom 12:12; Eph 6:18; Col 4:2; 1Pet 4:7).
5. They will CONTRIBUTE to the work of the local church through the giving of their means which is true biblical fellowship. (Acts 2:42; 1Cor 16:1-2; 2Cor 8-9; Phil 1:5, 4:14-15).
6. They will provoke one another’s HEART to love and good works. (Heb 10:24-25). This is accomplished in person through their songs, their prayers, the teaching, the Lord’s supper and their contributions.

These are the first two of the five things the SAVED do. Next article will be 3 more things the saved do.

Agape,

Spencer

You’re invited to visit with us and check out one of the assemblies at the Franklin and Juniper St church of Christ.