Historical Posts
Decision Tree – Be Baptized for Remission of Sin
(Did you jump into the middle of this? Please start at the beginning of the decision tree.)
Even though you have now repented of your sin, the guilt of your past sin remains and must be dealt with. It is not something that you can do for yourself, it is something you must allow God to do for you.
God sent Jesus to be the propitiation, or atoning sacrifice, for our sins (1 John 4:9-10).
Peter spoke, in Acts 2:29-37, to people with your current understanding:
- There is a God
- They had sinned
- They asked, “what shall we do?”
Peter answered, In Acts 2:38, “repent and be baptized… for the remission of sins.”
Baptism is the death and burial of our sinful self followed by the rising of our new self, reconciled to God (Romans 6:3-11). This is what the Ethiopian did in Acts 8:35-39 when he went down into the water, then came out of the water.
Will you be baptized and allow God to wash away your sins with the blood of Christ?
- Be baptized, immersed in water, for the purpose of having your sins forgiven.
- Refuse to follow God’s instruction.
More about baptism:
- Baptism (with audio)
- How Do I Know I’m Ready (with audio)
- Can Baptism be Sprinkling, Pouring or Dipping
- Baptism
Content by Zachary Van Tassel
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Decision Tree – Repent of Sin
(Did you jump into the middle of this? Please start at the beginning of the decision tree.)
You have heard God’s Word, believed it, confessed Jesus as the Christ, yet your sin continues to separate from God. But, will your understanding of your participation in sin lead you to have a Godly sorrow, that moves you to repent, which is giving up your sinful actions (2 Corinthians 7:10)?
Will you repent of your sin?
- Refuse to repent and continue to enjoy the temporary pleasure of sin (Hebrews 11:25).
- Be moved to action by Godly sorrow and repent, turning away from your sinful activities.
More about repenting:
What Does Jesus Require of You
Conforming Your Life to Christ
Resulting in Reformation of Life
Content by Zachary Van Tassel
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Decision Tree – Confess Jesus as the Christ
(Did you jump into the middle of this? Please start at the beginning of the decision tree.)
Now that you have heard God’s Word and believe that Jesus is the Christ, are you ready to take further action? Jesus says that if we confess Him before men He will confess that we are His before the Father (Matthew 10:32) and the angels (Luke 12:8).
Will you demonstrate a living faith (James 2:17-20, 24) by verbally and publicly confessing Jesus as Christ?
Will you confess that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God?
More on confessing:
Content by Zachary Van Tassel
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Decision Tree – Believe
(Did you jump into the middle of this? Please start at the beginning of the decision tree.)
It is great that you have decided to listen to God’s instruction, but just listening is not enough because your sin continues to separate you from God. Now that you understand your dire situation, you need to act on the instruction God is providing.
You are now learning of God’s plan to save us from our sin.
Jesus left Heaven and lived among us, performing miracles to provide evidence that He is the Son of God (John 20:30-31).
He has told us that He is the only way for us to return to the Father (John 14:6).
He also says there is a consequence of rejecting Him. John 8:24 Jesus tells us, “I said therefore unto you, that ye shall die in your sins: for if ye believe not that I am he, ye shall die in your sins.”
Will you Believe in God and Believe His Word?
- Disbelieve that Jesus is God’s Son.
- Believe that there is a God and go on with your life.
- Believe that Jesus is God’s Son and desire to obey.
More on belief and faith:
- Why I Believe I Believe in Jesus Christ
- Christian “4-H”
- Without Faith it is Impossible to Please Him
- Three Kinds of Faith
- Can We Still Believe in Jesus
- Increasing our Faith
Content by Zachary Van Tassel
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Decision Tree – Hear God’s Word
(Did you jump into the middle of this? Please start at the beginning of the decision tree.)
Your sin continues to separate you from God, but you are on your first step to removing it by hearing God’s plan to save us from our sin. Romans 10:17 tells us, “faith cometh by hearing, and hearing by the word of God.”
Hearing God’s word is so important, it is the mission of all Christians –
- According to John 12:48, God’s Word will judge us. “He that rejecteth me, and receiveth not my words, hath one that judgeth him: the word that I have spoken, the same shall judge him in the last day.”
- 1 Corinthians 1:21 “For after that in the wisdom of God the world by wisdom knew not God, it pleased God by the foolishness of preaching to save them that believe.” See more here.
- Luke 16:31 “If they hear not Moses and the prophets, neither will they be persuaded, though one rose from the dead.”
Will you listen to God’s word?
Will you receive it? It may seem like the “foolishness of preaching” at first, but it is God’s wisdom and his chosen way to save us.
- Listen to God’s message, the Word of God, leading to…
- Ignore God’s Word and refuse to hear God’s message.
But what about those who never have the chance to hear? Deuteronomy 32:4 tells us that God is just and right, so let’s leave those who never hear His Word in His hands. But that does not apply to you, so pick one of the options above.
More about hearing God’s Word:
Content by Zachary Van Tassel
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Decision Tree – Repent and Pray
(Did you jump into the middle of this? Please start at the beginning of the decision tree.)
When we earnestly continue walking with Christ, he will forgive us should we sin (1 John 1:6-7).
Observe the instruction Peter gave to Simon in Acts 8:9-25.
- We know Simon believed and became a Christian when he was baptized in Acts 8:13.
- Then, he was overcome with temptation and sinned in Acts 8:18-19.
- Peter rebuked Simon for his sin in Acts 8:20-21.
- Then came the instruction on how to deal with this sin in Acts 8:22-23.
Simon responded with Godly sorrow, repenting and asking for prayer in Acts 8:24.
We have seen that God knows that as a Christian, we will not live perfectly, and He has prepared for that. We should expect that we will fail at times and not allow our imperfections to destroy us! Instead, failure should lead us to follow His Word by repenting and praying for forgiveness.
How will you address sin as a Christian?
Content by Zachary Van Tassel
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