For all have sinned and fallen short of the glory of God
The punishment for sin is death and eternal separation from God
We all need salvation
There is only one name by which
man can be saved
The name of Jesus Christ, the Son of
God
When God created the world, it was perfect
and Man was
without sin. But this situation didn't last long. Man disobeyed God (which
is what sin is) and ate of the tree of 'Knowledge of Good and Evil'. As a
consequence he became aware of his nakedness. He tried to cover
him self but couldn't. He tried to hide from God but couldn't.
God did provide man a
covering but sent man out of the Garden of Eden.
Subsequently God made a Covenant with Abraham. "I
will be your God and you will be my people as long as you obey me" This
covenant was symbolized by circumcision.
God later gave them some rules to live by called the Ten
Commandments when he spoke to Moses on Mount Sinai. Man was able to offer
animal sacrifices to atone for sin when he broke God's law.
The trouble was, God's people were not able to keep God's
law and did not seek atonement. They became uncircumcised in heart and
broke his Covenant.
So God decided to send his only begotten son Jesus Christ
to establish a New Covenant symbolized by baptism. Jesus was to be a once
and for all sacrifice to pay for the sins of all men once and for all. Any
man who would trust in Jesus to be his Lord and Savior would receive cleansing
and forgiveness of sins (Justification) as well as eternal life
(Salvation) and freedom from oppression (Redemption). In addition, they
would receive a new Spirit when he baptized them (Rebirth, Born again,
Regeneration) and he would make them Holy (Sanctification, Transformation) as
they grew in the Knowledge of God.