Where In The Bible Will I Find:

That We Are Called Through The Gospel?

That we are called by God is taught in the Bible (Acts 2:39).  And, it is through the gospel of Christ that we are called (II Thess. 2:14).  No person is called by some "faint voice," or in some "mysterious way," but all are called in the same way, by the same gospel, for the gospel of Christ is the power of God unto salvation (Rom. 1:16).

God has left us His Word on what we must do to be saved.  This is His part in our salvation.  Our part is believing His Word and obeying it.  "Not every one that saith unto me, Lord, Lord, shall enter into the kingdom of heaven; but he that doeth the will of my Father which is in heaven...And being made perfect, he became the author of eternal salvation unto all them that obey him" (Matt. 7:21; Heb. 5:9).  God has said that whosoever calls on the name of the Lord shall be saved (Acts 2:21; Rom. 10:13).

We find what those who called on the name of the Lord were told to do in order to be saved, "...Repent, and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins...arise, and be baptized, and wash away thy sins…"  (Acts 2:38; 22:16).  These people did not merit salvation, but because of their faith and obedience to the gospel of Christ, their faith led them to obey the commandments of the Lord (John 14:15).  When we are baptized scripturally we are depending on Christ.

First, baptism must be an act of faith.  One cannot be baptized unless he believes that Christ is the Son of God (John 8:24; Acts 8:37), and that He is the Saviour of mankind.  Second, in the act of baptism we are depending NOT on our own wisdom (for what wisdom of man would lead us to be baptized?).  Third, we are NOT depending on our own merit (for what merit is there in the act of baptism?) but in the blood of Christ.  For we are buried with Him by baptism into His death (Rom. 6:2-5).

Fourth, we are NOT depending on our own word, but on His Word (Acts 2:38; Mark 16:15, 16).  Fifth, in the act of baptism Saul was calling upon, depending on, Christ (Acts 22:16).  Sixth, baptism is an appeal to God through Christ's resurrection (I Peter 3:21).  Do not be led by the false doctrine of "faith only," or any other man made doctrine.  Salvation of our soul is only through our belief and obedience to the gospel of Christ.