Answers To Questions

No. Not on your own but, the great news is that you don’t have to try to go it alone! The Bible says no one is good enough to go to heaven on their own. According to scripture, even our good deeds are like filthy rags. (Isaiah 64:6) It also says that all men have gone astray (Isaiah 53:6), all have sinned (Romans 3:23), and none are worthy (Romans 3:10). You’re not good enough to go to heaven on your own but, Jesus Christ has prepared the way for you. He lived the perfect life you couldn’t live, and died the death you should have died, paying the sacrifice you couldn’t pay. You’re not good enough to get to heaven on your own but, you can through faith in Jesus Christ. (John 3:18)

Yes. Jesus Himself said, “I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by me.” (John 14:6) Man tries many ways to get to heaven. But only one man lived a perfect life, and paid the sacrifice for you. His name is Jesus. Though there have been many great men and women throughout history, none were the Son of God. So none could live the life He lived, die the death He died, and offer you true life like He does.

Yes you can but, there is a faith step required in that trust. The Bible is God’s inspired, inerrant, infallible word. God has preserved exactly what we need “that pertain to life and godliness” (2 Peter 1:3-4) in the pages of Scripture. The picture that the Bible itself paints is that Scripture is “breathed out” by God, and “is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness” (2 Timothy 3:16) But to fully trust something, you’ve got to take a step of faith. And trusting the Bible is no different. Read it for yourself contemplate its claims and find out for yourself its trustworthiness. We use and recommend the KJV.

Yes. Jesus talked about it. He said it was a place where the suffering never ends (Matthew 25:41 Mark 9:48). The pain of Hell will produce “weeping and gnashing of teeth.” (Matthew 8:12) Hell is a real place and the place reserved for those who reject Jesus in this life.

No, you can’t. Here’s what Jesus said: “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. My Father, which gave them me, is greater than all and no man is able to pluck them out of my Father's hand.” (John 10:27-29) Salvation is a gift (Ephesians 2:8) that God doesn’t take away (Philippians 1:6). God gives us His Holy Spirit "the earnest" or "the guarantee" of our inheritance. This is a down payment, pledging that the full amount will be paid.(Ephesians 1:14) ​

Baptism is not required for salvation but, is the first step of obedience for new believers. The water we use isn’t special. Touching it doesn’t save anyone it is Jesus that does that. Baptism is a picture of the work that Jesus has done in a person’s heart. Baptism illustrates Christ’s death, burial, and resurrection. (1 Corinthians 15:3-4) It shows our new life as a follower of Christ. (2 Corinthians 5:17) Baptism is simply an outward expression of the changed life that has happened on the inside when we place our faith in Jesus Christ, which is when salvation takes place. It is a beautiful picture of the believer's death to sin, the burial of the old life, and the resurrection to walk in newness of life in Christ. (Romans 6:4) Baptism doesn’t make you a believer it shows that you already are a believer. Baptism doesn’t save you Jesus does! Baptism is like a wedding ring, signifying a relationship rather than forming that relationship. We follow Jesus’ example in baptism. He was baptized (Mark 1:9), and commanded us to be baptized (Matthew 28:19-20). At Vanderbilt Baptist Church, we baptize by immersion. That’s the example we see throughout Scripture, and is the basis for the meaning of the word “baptize,” which means to immerse (or dip under) in water. ​

Be baptized! Join a church that teaches the truth of God’s word and go to work. ​