Accepting the Invitation

Let’s talk about how we comply with the Savior’s invitation. To prepare for this discussion, look over this comprehensive, but not exhaustive, chart of New Testament responses. In each case, Scripture connects these responses to salvation in its various forms.

Chart of Responses to Receive God’s Free Gift

To enter the kingdom, one must…

• exceed the righteousness of the scribes and Pharisees (Matthew 5:20).
• do the Father’s will (Matthew 7:21).
• receive the kingdom of God like a child (Mark 10:15; Luke 18:17).
• be born of water and the Spirit (John 3:5 cf. John 4:1-2; Acts 8:12, 38).
• endure many trials (Acts 14:22).
• practice qualities (2 Peter 1:10-11).

To receive forgiveness, one must…

• turn to God (Mark 4:12; Acts 26:18).
• repent of sins (Mark 1:4; Luke 3:3; 24:47; Acts 2:38; 3:19; 5:31; 8:22).
• believe in Christ (Acts 10:43).
• be baptized (Mark 1:4; Luke 3:3; Acts 2:38).
• forgive others (Matthew 6:14-15; 18:35; Mark 11:25; Luke 6:37).
• confess sins (1 John 1:9).

To escape shame, condemnation, death, one must…

• believe (John 3:18; 8:24; Romans 9:23; 1 Peter 2:6).
• repent of sins (Luke 13:3, 5; Acts 17:30-31; Romans 2:4-5; 2 Peter 3:9; Revelation 2:5, 16, 22; 3:3).
• keep Christ’s word (John 8:51-52).
• conquer, overcome (Revelation 2:11; 3:5).

To receive life, inherit eternal life, one must…

• hear and believe (John 3:15-16, 36; 4:24; 5:24; 6:40, 47; 8:24; 11:25; 20:31; Acts 13:48; 1 Timothy 1:16; 1 John 5:13).
• repent of sins (Acts 11:18).
• look on the Son (John 6:40 cf. John 3:14-15).
• find the narrow gate (Matthew 7:14).
• come, enter (John 5:40; 6:35; 10:9; 14:6; Revelation 22:17).
• be baptized—receive newness of life with Christ (Romans 6:4-5, 11).
• eat His flesh, drink His blood (John 6:54).
• obey, follow (John 3:36; 10:27-28; 12:26).
• keep commandments (Matthew 19:17 cf. John 12:50; 14:21; 15:10, 14; 1 Corinthians 7:19; Galatians 5:6).
• do good, work (John 5:29; 6:27; Romans 2:7).
• know God and Christ (John 17:3; Philippians 3:10-11 cf. 1 John 5:20).
• seek, strive, take hold (Luke 13:23-24; Romans 2:7; 1 Timothy 6:12, 19 cf. Hebrews 4:11).
• lose life, sacrifice (Matthew 16:24-25; 19:29; Mark 8:34-35; 10:17-21, 30; Luke 9:24; 10:25-37; 17:33; 18:18-22, 29-30; John 10:39; 12:24-25).
• become slaves (Romans 6:22-23).
• set one’s mind on the Spirit (Romans 8:6, 10).
• sow to the Spirit (Galatians 6:8).
• have godliness (1 Timothy 4:8).
• hope (Titus 1:2; 3:7).
• love Him (James 1:12).
• abide in His message (1 John 2:24-25).
• conquer, overcome (Revelation 2:7; 3:5).
• remain faithful (Revelation 2:10).
• wash robes (Revelation 7:14; 22:14).

To be saved, have salvation, one must…

• believe the Gospel (Mark 16:15-16; Luke 7:50; 8:12; Acts 16:30-31; Romans 1:16-17; Ephesians 2:8; 2 Thessalonians 2:13; 1 Timothy 4:10; 2 Timothy 3:15; Hebrews 10:39; 1 Peter 1:5, 9).
• receive and hold it fast (1 Corinthians 15:1-4; 1 Peter 1:21 cf. Luke 8:15).
• repent of sins (Acts 11:18; 2 Corinthians 7:10).
• confess Christ (Matthew 10:32; Romans 10:9).
• call on His name (Acts 2:21; Romans 10:13).
• obtain (2 Timothy 2:10).
• be baptized (Mark 16:16; 1 Peter 3:21).
• obey, work (Philippians 2:12; Hebrews 5:9 cf. 1 Timothy 2:12-15; Hebrews 10:36).
• give up life (Matthew 16:24-25; Mark 8:35; Luke 9:24).
• hope (Romans 8:24; Titus 3:7).
• draw near through Christ (Hebrews 7:25).
• persist, endure to the end (Matthew 10:22; 24:13; Mark 13:13; 1 Timothy 4:16).
• grow by the word (1 Peter 2:2).

To receive grace, mercy, one must…

• draw near (Hebrews 4:16 cf. Hebrews 10:22; James 4:8).
• have faith (Romans 4:16; 5:2; Ephesians 2:8).
• receive, obtain (2 Corinthians 6:1; Hebrews 12:15; 1 Peter 2:10).
• continue, stand (Acts 13:43; Romans 5:2; 1 Peter 1:13; 5:12; Jude 1:21).
• be humble (James 4:6; 1 Peter 5:5 cf. Luke 18:13-14).
• grow in grace (2 Peter 3:18).
• be merciful (Matthew 5:7; James 2:13).
• fear God (Luke 1:50).

To receive the Holy Spirit, one must…

• hear and believe (John 7:38-39; Ephesians 1:13; Galatians 3:2, 14).
• be baptized (Acts 3:38 cf. Acts 19:1-5).
• obey (Acts 5:32).
• ask (Luke 11:13).

To have light, one must…

• follow Christ (John 8:12).
• believe (John 12:36, 46).

To be set free, one must…

• come to senses (2 Timothy 2:26 cf. Luke 15:17).
• know the truth (John 8:32).
• believe (Acts 13:39).
• obey (Romans 6:17-18).

To become God’s child, one must…

• receive Christ (John 1:12-13).
• believe in Him, His name (John 1:12-13; Galatians 3:25-26; 1 John 5:1).
• be baptized (Galatians 3:25-26).

To be cleansed, have sin and blame removed, one must…

• have faith (Acts 15:9; Colossians 1:22-23; 2:12).
• receive Christ’s word (John 15:3).
• be baptized (Acts 22:16; Colossians 2:11-12 cf. Ephesians 5:26; Titus 3:5).
• appeal to His name (Acts 22:16; 1 Peter 3:21).
• obeying the truth (1 Peter 1:2, 22).
• walk in the light (1 John 1:7).

To be justified, counted as righteous, one must…

• believe, have faith (Romans 3:22-26; 4:3-5, 11, 24; 5:1-2; 9:30; 10:6, 10; Galatians 2:16; Philippians 3:9).
• obey (Romans 6:16).
• take actions, works (James 2:23-25).
• run the race, keep the faith (2 Timothy 4:7-8).
• be trained by discipline (Hebrews 12:11).

To be sanctified, made holy, one must…

• have faith (Acts 26:18; 2 Thessalonians 2:13).
• become a slave (Romans 6:19, 22).
• purify self (2 Corinthians 7:1; 2 Timothy 2:21 cf. 1 Thessalonians 4:7).
• continue in faith (Colossians 1:22-23).

To become a disciple who is connected to Christ, one must…

• abide in His word (John 8:31; 1 John 2:24, 27 cf. John 15:7; 2 John 1:9).
• deny self, give up all, follow Jesus (Matthew 16:24-25; Luke 14:26-33).
• be baptized “into Christ” (Matthew 28:19; Romans 6:3-4; Galatians 3:27 cf. John 4:1-2).
• love one another (John 13:35; 1 John 4:16).
• keep His commandments (John 15:10; 1 John 2:3-6; 3:24).
• hold to confidence (Hebrews 3:6, 14).
• be trained, strive (Hebrews 12:10, 14 cf. Philippians 3:14).
• hear, open the door (Revelation 3:20).

Salvation in its various forms is the gift. God, as the giver, shows how the giving takes place. He tells us how we should respond in order to receive His free gift.

The Savior Himself ties these responses to receiving His gift of salvation.

As the survey above shows, there are many facets to the jewel of salvation, and many facets to the response. Some are invitational, as responses for first coming to Christ. Others follow initial conversion. But in each case, the Savior ties them to His saving gifts of grace. To verify this link, check the references that raise questions or seem challenging. Decide what you think of each one. In the next lesson, we will discuss our response to the responses God requires.