This is an easy-to-remember acrostic for anyone who proclaims the good news (= the gospel). Call it the A-B-C’s of the gospel.
I heard this acrostic a few years ago (you may have heard it from your youth). But if I heard it only a few years ago, then maybe it is new to you too. I have expanded it in each letter, to conform to Scripture more closely and fully.
These letters–representing biblical truths– are the pure gospel in its essential elements of salvation in Christ, the beginning steps.
The translation used here is the NIV. But you can see many translations at biblegateway.com. All bold font has been added.
Let’s get started without a longer introduction.
A
Admit you’re a sinner and repent.
Then you experience God’s forgiveness.
for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God, (Rom. 3:23)
If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness. (1 John 1:9)
“The time has come,” he said. “The kingdom of God has come near. Repent and believe the good news!” (Mark 1:15)
Peter replied, “Repent and be baptized, every one of you, in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins. And you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit. (Acts 2:38)
Repent, then, and turn to God, so that your sins may be wiped out, that times of refreshing may come from the Lord, (Acts 3:19)
B
Believe
A jailer in Philippi is speaking to Paul and Silas, who answer him:
30 He then brought them out and asked, “Sirs, what must I do to be saved?” 31 They replied, “Believe in the Lord Jesus, and you will be saved—you and your household.” (Acts 16:30-31)
Believe that God raised Jesus from the dead:
If you declare with your mouth, “Jesus is Lord,” and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved. (Rom. 10:9)
Here is a time-tested acronym to explain faith:
F-A-I-T-H = Forsaking All, I Trust Him
Born again
You can also add rebirth to the Letter B.
The seed is the word of God:
For you have been born again, not of perishable seed, but of imperishable, through the living and enduring word of God. (1 Peter 1:23)
In this next verse see = experience:
Jesus replied, “Very truly I tell you, no one can see the kingdom of God unless they are born again.” (John 3:3)
When you admit you’re a sinner and repent, you become born again.
He saved us through the washing of rebirth and renewal by the Holy Spirit (Titus 3:5)
C
Call on the name of the Lord.
“Everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved.” (Rom. 10:13)
Confessing is the same as calling on the name of the Lord and declaring with your mouth “Jesus is Lord”:
If you declare with your mouth, “Jesus is Lord,” and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved. (Rom. 10:9)
Genuine repentance and faith (trust and full confidence) lead to conversion.
It is really just that simple.
Wrap up
And so throughout the whole salvation experience, as seen in those three lettered points, the Spirit of God is prompting and wooing you to repent and believe and be born again. The Spirit is behind all of it.
For those who are led by the Spirit of God are the children of God. (Rom. 8:14)
The Spirit himself testifies with our spirit that we are God’s children. (Rom. 8:16)
Now pray this prayer:
Loving, Heavenly Father,
In the name of Jesus, I repent of my sins. I surrender my life to Jesus. I place my faith and trust in him. I believe that he is the Son of God. I believe in my heart that God raised him from the dead. I declare him Lord of my life. Cause me to be born again by your Holy Spirit. Fill me with your Spirit to overflowing. Wash and cleanse me from all my sins.
Thank you, Father, for saving me and filling me with your Spirit.
In Jesus’s name, Amen.
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