Known for Bible Facts or Known by Christ?

Many people are familiar with the Bible, and that’s good! However, Jesus warned that saying the right words or doing religious things is not the same as belonging to Him.

“Not everyone who says to me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ will enter the kingdom of heaven, but the one who does the will of my Father… Many will say… ‘did we not… do many mighty works?’ And then I will declare, ‘I never knew you; depart from me.’” (Matthew 7:21–23)

Jesus makes it plain: knowing and talking about God is not enough. We must actually do what He says. “Why do you call me ‘Lord, Lord,’ and not do what I tell you?” (Luke 6:46). You can even search the Scriptures and still miss Jesus Himself (John 5:39–40). And having correct beliefs alone isn’t enough, “even the demons believe and shudder!” (James 2:19).

Real Examples from Scripture

• Cornelius was devout, generous, and prayerful, but still needed the gospel to be saved. Peter was sent so he could hear “words by which you will be saved” (Acts 11:14), and then he was baptized (Acts 10:48).

• Apollos knew the Scriptures well and taught accurately about Jesus, but he only knew John’s baptism. Priscilla and Aquila taught him “the way of God more accurately,” and then God used him mightily (Acts 18:24–28).

• The Sons of Sceva used Jesus’ name without belonging to Him. The evil spirit said, “Jesus I know… but who are you?” (Acts 19:13–16). Religious words aren’t the same as a real relationship.

What Does It Mean to “Obey the Gospel”?

The Bible says God will judge those who “do not obey the gospel of our Lord Jesus” (2 Thessalonians 1:8; see also 1 Peter 4:17). The gospel is the message that Christ died for our sins, was buried, and was raised on the third day (1 Corinthians 15:1–4).

How do we obey that message? The New Testament shows a clear response:

• People heard the message and were cut to the heart (Acts 2:37).

• They were told, “Repent and be baptized… in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins” (Acts 2:38; see 2:41).

• They believed in Jesus (Acts 16:31–34) and confessed Him as Lord (Romans 10:9–10).

• They called on His name by being baptized to have their sins washed away (Acts 22:16).

Born Again Through Water and Spirit

Jesus told Nicodemus plainly:

“Unless one is born of water and the Spirit, he cannot enter the kingdom of God” (John 3:5).

The "water" refers to baptism, and the "Spirit" refers to the teaching brought by the Holy Spirit through the Word (John 6:63; 1 Peter 1:23). Just like Titus 3:5 says, we are saved by the "washing of regeneration and renewing by the Holy Spirit." These are not two births, but one birth involving two elements. Baptism is the act, and the Word is the instrument used by the Spirit to bring about this new birth.

At Baptism, God Acts

The Bible speaks plainly about what happens at baptism:

• We are put into Christ: “For as many of you as were baptized into Christ have put on Christ” (Galatians 3:26–27).

• We are united with His death: “All of us who were baptized into Christ Jesus were baptized into his death… buried with him through baptism… and raised… to walk in newness of life” (Romans 6:3–4).

• Our sins are washed away: “Arise and be baptized, and wash away your sins, calling on his name” (Acts 22:16).

• We are forgiven and raised by faith in God’s power: “Having been buried with him in baptism… you were also raised with him through faith in the working of God, who raised him from the dead… He forgave us all our trespasses” (Colossians 2:12–13).

This is not "earning" salvation. Baptism is where we put our faith in the working of God, not ourselves. It's not a work of merit, but a work of obedient faith (Ephesians 2:8–9; Colossians 2:12).

Refuting Common Objections

Some say baptism is not necessary, but Scripture never separates it from salvation:

• Jesus said, “He who believes and is baptized will be saved” (Mark 16:16).

• Peter said, “Repent and be baptized for the remission of sins” (Acts 2:38).

• Paul was told, “Be baptized and wash away your sins” (Acts 22:16).

• Baptism now saves you (1 Peter 3:21).

Faith alone is not enough. Even Abraham’s faith was only counted as righteousness when it obeyed (James 2:20–24). "You see then that a man is justified by works and not by faith only."

Life After the Start: Abiding in Jesus Becoming a Christian begins a life of abiding in Jesus:

• “Abide in me… If you keep my commandments, you will abide in my love” (John 15:4,10).

• “By this we know that we have come to know him, if we keep his commandments” (1 John 2:3).

• “If we walk in the light… the blood of Jesus cleanses us” (1 John 1:7).

A Simple Appeal

If you love God and the Bible, wonderful. Keep loving it, but ask yourself: Am I actually in Christ, or do I only talk about Him? If you haven’t yet responded to the gospel the way Scripture shows, the invitation is open: believe, repent, confess Jesus as Lord, and be baptized into Christ so your sins are forgiven and you can walk in new life (Acts 2:38; Romans 10:9–10; Galatians 3:27; Romans 6:3–4). He welcomes those who come (John 6:37).

Summary

1. Right words and even religious works aren’t enough (Matthew 7:21–23; Luke 6:46; John 5:39–40; James 2:19).

2. Obeying the gospel means responding to Jesus’ death, burial, and resurrection (1 Corinthians 15:1–4) with faith, repentance, confession, and baptism (Acts 2:37–41; Acts 16:31–34; Romans 10:9–10; Acts 22:16).

3. At baptism, God puts us into Christ (Galatians 3:27), unites us with His death and resurrection (Romans 6:3–5), washes away our sins (Acts 22:16; Colossians 2:12–13; Acts 2:38), and adds us to His church (Acts 2:47).

4. We then abide in Him (John 15:4,10; 1 John 2:3; 1 John 1:7).

5. Salvation is by grace through faith, not by merit (Ephesians 2:8–9), but that grace is received through an obedient faith, at the moment of baptism (Romans 6:17; Hebrews 5:9).

Don’t settle for being known for Bible facts; be known by Christ.