The Gospel
Salvation
We believe that salvation is by grace through faith in the finished work of Christ, apart from works. Salvation is not in baptism, law-keeping, or religion, but in the blood. Repentance is a change of mind from trusting dead works or false religion to trusting in the shed blood of Jesus Christ alone.
Ephesians 2:8-9
8 For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God:
9 Not of works, lest any man should boast.
Romans 3:25
25 Whom God hath set forth to be a propitiation through faith in his blood, to declare his righteousness for the remission of sins that are past, through the forbearance of God;
The Gospel
The gospel by which we are saved is clearly declared:
1 Corinthians 15:1-4
1 Moreover, brethren, I declare unto you the gospel which I preached unto you, which also ye have received, and wherein ye stand;
2 By which also ye are saved, if ye keep in memory what I preached unto you, unless ye have believed in vain.
3 For I delivered unto you first of all that which I also received, how that Christ died for our sins according to the scriptures;
4 And that he was buried, and that he rose again the third day according to the scriptures.
We emphasize not just that Christ died, but how He died. His blood was shed for our sins. Without that blood, there is no cleansing, no forgiveness, and no salvation.
Romans 5:8-9
8 But God commendeth his love toward us, in that, while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us.
9 Much more then, being now justified by his blood, we shall be saved from wrath through him.
Colossians 1:14
14 In whom we have redemption through his blood, even the forgiveness of sins.
Hebrews 9:22
22 And almost all things are by the law purged with blood; and without shedding of blood is no remission.
The gospel is the message of the blood. Christ loved us, shed His blood for us, and by that blood we are washed, cleansed, justified, redeemed, forgiven, regenerated, atoned for, and eternally secure.
How to Respond
If you have never trusted Jesus Christ and His shed blood for your salvation, the time to believe the gospel is now. Repent—that is, change your mind—from confidence in works, religion, or self-righteousness, and place your faith in the finished work of the Lord Jesus Christ.
If you have questions about salvation, doctrine, or what the Bible teaches, we invite you to contact Mission 1611 or continue exploring the resources on this site.
Why the Gospel Matters
The gospel matters because it is the power of God unto salvation to every one that believeth. Man is a sinner by nature and by choice, guilty before a holy God, and unable to save himself by works, religion, or personal righteousness. No church, sacrament, ordinance, or human effort can take away sin. Only the Lord Jesus Christ can save, because only He died for our sins, shed His blood for our redemption, was buried, and rose again the third day according to the scriptures.
Without the gospel, man remains lost, condemned, and without hope. But through the gospel, the sinner can receive forgiveness of sins, justification, redemption, reconciliation with God, and eternal life through faith in the blood of Jesus Christ. This is why the gospel must be preached clearly, believed personally, and never corrupted by works-based religion or false doctrine.