Question, how does a NON-Christian “obey” the gospel? i.e. people need to have believed and received that Lord to be your Savior. ~ Helyn
That we mortals need to “obey the Gospel” is certain from especially two passages in the New Testament. “…the Lord Jesus shall be revealed from heaven with his mighty angels, In flaming fire taking vengeance on them that know not God, and that obey not the gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ: Who shall be punished with everlasting destruction from the presence of the Lord, and from the glory of his power” (2 Thessalonians 1:7-9). “For the time is come that judgment must begin at the house of God: and if it first begin at us, what shall the end be of them that obey not the gospel of God?” (1 Peter 4:17; see also Romans 10:16). Add to this that Jesus Christ is the author of salvation to them who obey Him; “Though he were a Son, yet learned he obedience by the things which he suffered; And being made perfect, he became the author of eternal salvation unto all them that obey him” (Hebrews 5:8-9). Jesus said, “He that rejects me, and receives not my words, hath one that judges him: the word that I have spoken, the same shall judge him in the last day” (John 12:48).
A person obeys the Gospel and obeys Jesus Christ when he obeys the Christian faith (the Gospel). “…for obedience to the faith among all nations…” (Romans 1:5). “But now is made manifest, and by the scriptures of the prophets, according to the commandment of the everlasting God, made known to all nations for the obedience of faith” (Romans 16:26).
In the New Testament, addresses to non-Christians, instructing them how to become Christians, include obeying these commands: have faith or believe, repent and be baptized (immersed, Romans 6:3-5; Colossians 2:12). Jesus said, “He who believes and is baptized will be saved…” (Mark 16:16). Jesus preached, “I tell you, no; but unless you repent you will all likewise perish” (Luke 13:3). The apostle Peter presented this invitation to become Christians in the first recorded Gospel sermons, “…Repent, and let every one of you be baptized in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins…” (Acts 2:38). One example of conversion to Christianity in the first century includes a verbal acknowledgement or confession that Jesus is the Son of God (Acts 8:37).
From the foregoing passages and these that follow, it is obvious to sincere Bible believers that the New Testament, divinely inspired plan of salvation whereby one becomes a Christian occurs at the point of immersion in water (baptism) for the remission of sins. “And now why are you waiting? Arise and be baptized, and wash away your sins, calling on the name of the Lord” (Acts 22:16). “There is also an antitype which now saves us–baptism (not the removal of the filth of the flesh, but the answer of a good conscience toward God), through the resurrection of Jesus Christ” (1 Peter 3:21). Preceding baptism, one must turn exclusively to the New Testament for instruction about salvation in our time (Romans 10:17), develop a Bible-based faith in Jesus Christ as the Son of God (John 8:24), repent of past sins (Acts 17:30) and be willing to acknowledge or confess that faith in Christ (Matthew 10:32; Romans 10:9-10). Manmade doctrines and churches are useless and condemned by our Lord. “And in vain they worship Me, Teaching as doctrines the commandments of men. …Every plant which My heavenly Father has not planted will be uprooted” (Matthew 15:9, 13).
