There’s a flood of confusion and false teaching about salvation. But the Bible is crystal clear. If you want to know how to get saved, you’ve got to go straight to what God says, not what people assume or feel.
Salvation has nothing to do with your family heritage. There are many laboring under false doctrine simply because it’s what their family brought them into.
As far as I can tell, God does not make any allowances for what you were taught. As an adult, He seems to expect a person to take responsibility for what they believe and do personally.
But false doctrine is often “almost” impossible to escape simply because a person could have been brought up in wrong beliefs and then brought their own children up in doctrines that simply don’t go along with what God Himself wants and expects.
How difficult it is to back out of false doctrines doesn’t matter a wit, compared to the consequences of dying and never having had your faith established in the ONLY ONE POSSIBLE THING THAT CAN ENSURE ETERNITY WITH GOD-faith in Jesus Christ and what He and He alone accomplished at The Cross.
Don’t take a chance on your eternal existence by believing for a moment that any thing whatsoever that you did is as important or adds to Jesus Christ dying as the sacrifice for your life. That’s false doctrine. But what should a person do if they realize they’ve been taught something wrong?
What is The One Sin That Keeps a Person Eternally Separated From God?
The one sin that keeps a person separated from God is unbelief in Jesus Christ.
Jesus made this clear:
“He that believeth on him is not condemned: but he that believeth not is condemned already, because he hath not believed in the name of the only begotten Son of God.”
—John 3:18
God provided the only way to eternal life through His Son. To reject that—whether by disbelief, delay, or indifference—is to remain separated from God.
“And when he is come, he will reprove the world of sin, and of righteousness, and of judgment:
Of sin, because they believe not on me.”
—John 16:8–9
You can struggle with many sins and still be saved, but if you reject Christ, you shut the door to the only path of reconciliation. All other sins were nailed to the cross, but this one—unbelief—blocks the gift of salvation entirely.
Believe on Him, and you step from death into life. Reject Him, and you’re already condemned.
Here’s what the King James Bible actually says about how to be saved—no fluff, no additions, no human traditions.
1. You Must Realize You’re a Sinner
Salvation starts with truth—and the truth is, you’re not good enough on your own. No one is. You’ve sinned. Everyone has.
Romans 3:23:
“For all have sinned, and come short of the glory of God.”
Adam broke God’s law thousands of years before you were born. You’ve broken God’s law by not believing that He Sent Jesus as THE ONE AND ONLY SACRIFICE TO REDEEM YOU.
That separates you from Him.
Until you admit that, you won’t see the need to be saved.
2. Understand the Consequence of Sin
Sin isn’t just a mistake—it has a price. And that price is death. Eternal death. Hell.
Whether it’s the original sin you were born under or your personal sin, the consequences are the same.
Romans 3:23
For all have sinned, and come short of the glory of God;
Romans 6:23:
“For the wages of sin is death; but the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord.”
That’s not fear-mongering. That’s truth. Without Jesus, you’re spiritually dead and destined for judgment.
But—God made a way.
3. Believe the Gospel of Jesus Christ
This is the center of salvation. Jesus Christ, the sinless Son of God, died for your sins, was buried, and rose again on the third day. That’s the gospel. That’s the power of God unto salvation.
1 Corinthians 15:3–4:
“Christ died for our sins according to the scriptures; And that he was buried, and that he rose again the third day according to the scriptures.”
Romans 5:8 (KJV):
“But God commendeth his love toward us, in that, while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us.”
He died in your place. He took your punishment. He rose so you could live.
4. Repent and Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ
You’re not saved by cleaning up your life.
You’re saved by turning from trusting yourself—and putting your full trust in Jesus alone.
Acts 16:30–31:
“Sirs, what must I do to be saved? And they said, Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ, and thou shalt be saved…”
Luke 13:3:
“Except ye repent, ye shall all likewise perish.”
Repentance isn’t about becoming perfect—it’s a heart change.
It’s realizing you’ve sinned against God, and choosing to believe Jesus is the only way to be forgiven and made right.
5. Call on Him to Save You
This is personal. Salvation isn’t automatic. You must call on the Lord from a heart of faith.
Romans 10:9:
“That if thou shalt confess with thy mouth the Lord Jesus, and shalt believe in thine heart that God hath raised him from the dead, thou shalt be saved.”
Romans 10:13:
“For whosoever shall call upon the name of the Lord shall be saved.”
You don’t need a preacher, baptism, a prayer card, or a ceremony.
You need faith in Jesus and a heart that cries out, “Lord, save me!”
6. Salvation Is a Gift—You Can’t Earn It
Don’t miss this.
You cannot earn your way to Heaven.
Salvation is a free gift.
It’s by grace.
Through faith.
Ephesians 2:8–9:
“For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God: Not of works, lest any man should boast.”
If you think you’re getting into Heaven because you’re a good person, got baptized, joined a church, or did enough good things—you’ve missed it.
You’re saved by Jesus alone.
Period.
So How Do You Get Saved?
Here it is, plain and simple:
- Admit you’re a sinner.
- Understand that sin separates you from God and leads to Hell.
- Believe Jesus died, was buried, and rose again for your sin.
- Repent—turn to God with a believing heart.
- Call on Jesus Christ to save you.
And when you do that in sincerity and faith? You’re saved.
John 6:37:
“…him that cometh to me I will in no wise cast out.”
If you’re ready to be saved right now—talk to Him. Right where you are. You don’t need special words. Just a real heart.
“Lord, I know I’m a sinner. I believe You died for me and rose again. I turn from my sin and ask You to save me. Be my Lord. I trust You alone.”
Saying that won’t save you one wit more than being baptized will save you. However, if that’s the cry of your heart, you are saved. Not by emotion. Not by ritual.
But by the unshakable promise of God’s Word.
Here’s What Jesus Himself Had to Say About Your Salvation
Here is everything Jesus Himself said about how to be saved, using only the words of the King James Bible. This is a clean, clear presentation of His teachings on salvation.
You Must Be Born Again
John 3:3
Verily, verily, I say unto thee, Except a man be born again, he cannot see the kingdom of God.
John 3:5
Verily, verily, I say unto thee, Except a man be born of water and of the Spirit, he cannot enter into the kingdom of God.
Does “born of water” refer to baptism?
Here’s the short answer:
Not necessarily. Jesus didn’t specifically say baptism in this verse. The meaning of “born of water” has been interpreted in a few different ways, and context is key.
Natural Birth (Amniotic Fluid)
One strong interpretation is that “born of water” refers to physical birth—the water of the womb. In this view, Jesus is drawing a contrast between two kinds of birth:
- Water = natural birth (born into this world)
- Spirit = spiritual birth (born again from above)
That fits with the next verse:
John 3:6
That which is born of the flesh is flesh; and that which is born of the Spirit is spirit.
This explanation makes sense in the flow of the conversation. Nicodemus was confused about being “born again,” so Jesus clarified that He wasn’t talking about going back into the womb, but rather about a second, spiritual birth.
Jesus told Nicodemus that salvation begins with a spiritual rebirth. It’s not religion or heritage—it’s being born from above by the Spirit of God.
Believe on Him for Eternal Life
John 3:15
That whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have eternal life.
John 3:16
For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life.
John 6:47
Verily, verily, I say unto you, He that believeth on me hath everlasting life.
John 11:25–26
I am the resurrection, and the life: he that believeth in me, though he were dead, yet shall he live:
And whosoever liveth and believeth in me shall never die. Believest thou this?
Jesus repeatedly made it clear: believing on Him is the only path to eternal life. That belief isn’t mental agreement—it’s trust in who He is and what He came to do.
Jesus Is the Only Way
John 14:6
I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by me.
There are not many roads to God. According to Jesus Himself, He alone is the only way into God’s presence and kingdom.
You Must Repent
Luke 13:3
I tell you, Nay: but, except ye repent, ye shall all likewise perish.
Luke 5:32
I came not to call the righteous, but sinners to repentance.
Repentance means a turning—a change of mind and heart away from sin and toward God. Jesus never offered salvation without it.
Confess and Follow Him
Matthew 10:32–33
Whosoever therefore shall confess me before men, him will I confess also before my Father which is in heaven.
But whosoever shall deny me before men, him will I also deny before my Father which is in heaven.
John 10:27–28
My sheep hear my voice, and I know them, and they follow me:
And I give unto them eternal life; and they shall never perish, neither shall any man pluck them out of my hand.
True belief leads to confession, and confession is backed up by a life that follows His voice.
Enter Through the Narrow Gate
Matthew 7:13–14
Enter ye in at the strait gate: for wide is the gate, and broad is the way, that leadeth to destruction, and many there be which go in thereat:
Because strait is the gate, and narrow is the way, which leadeth unto life, and few there be that find it.
Jesus warned that most will miss salvation because it comes through a narrow way—one that demands humility, surrender, and faith in Him alone.
Do the Will of the Father
Matthew 7:21
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.
John 6:40
And this is the will of him that sent me, that every one which seeth the Son, and believeth on him, may have everlasting life: and I will raise him up at the last day.
To do the will of the Father is to believe on His Son. Salvation is not found in empty words but in true faith that obeys.
Come to Him and He Will Save You
John 6:37
All that the Father giveth me shall come to me; and him that cometh to me I will in no wise cast out.
Matthew 11:28–30
Come unto me, all ye that labour and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest.
Take my yoke upon you, and learn of me; for I am meek and lowly in heart: and ye shall find rest unto your souls.
For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light.
Jesus invites you to come to Him. If you do, He promises He will never turn you away.
He Came to Save the Lost
Luke 19:10
For the Son of man is come to seek and to save that which was lost.
You don’t have to fix yourself first. You don’t have to clean up to come to Him. He came looking for you.
He Gave His Life as a Ransom
Matthew 20:28
Even as the Son of man came not to be ministered unto, but to minister, and to give his life a ransom for many.
Salvation isn’t earned. It was purchased. Jesus gave His life to pay the price for your sin.
Summary
According to Jesus Christ:
- You must be born again
- To be born again means to experience a spiritual rebirth that comes from God, not from human effort or tradition. Jesus told Nicodemus that unless a person is born again, he cannot see the kingdom of God. This new birth isn’t physical—it’s a transformation of the heart and spirit. When you’re born again, the Holy Spirit gives you new life by cleansing you from sin and filling you with the life of Christ. It’s not about turning over a new leaf or trying to live better; it’s about receiving a new nature. Then it’s about learning to take possession of your new life and living it out. You don’t become a child of God by religion, good deeds, or knowledge—but by trusting in Jesus Christ as your Savior and receiving the gift of eternal life through Him.
- You must repent
- You must believe on Him alone
- You must follow Him
- You must confess Him before others
- You must come through the narrow gate
- You must do the will of the Father—which is to believe on the Son
- You must come to Him in faith, and He will not reject you
This is what Jesus said. No ritual can replace it. No tradition can change it. He is the Savior. He is the door. He is the way. He gave His life so you could have eternal life.