There are many misconceptions regarding what a person must do in order to go to Heaven. We must be willing to weigh everything we hear in light of the scriptures. If we will simply accept the written word as our only guide, then we will very easily find our way into Heaven. Therefore let us examine what God has said we must do in order to go to Heaven.
1. You must have faith.
John 3:16 teaches that "God so loved the world that he gave His only begotten Son that whosoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life." The faith that is spoken of in the bible is always an active faith. It is not a mere mental ascent that just acknowledges God. The teachings of the bible found in passages such as Hebrews chapter 11 are that faith is active. It acts out, you can see it by the actions one takes. However, just being good apart from Christ won't save you. Notice Ephesians 2 where Paul would say that salvation is the gift of God not of works lest any man should boast. Realize that there is a vast difference between faith and obedience. To be obedient is to say, "I am trusting in His righteousness by doing what He has said I must do" The only faith that will save you is an obedient faith.
2. You must confess that Jesus Christ is the Son of God.
Matthew 10:33 teaches us that in order for Jesus to confess us before the Father, we must be willing to confess Him before others. This confession is not saying a prayer, but rather a very simple and public statement that you believe in Jesus Christ. Also note that confession is not something that is done once, but rather it is a continual confession that we make. It is not done only in the presence of other Christians. It is made before non-Christians as well.
3. You must repent
In Luke 13:3 Jesus warned that unless we repent that we will perish. In Acts 2:38 in response to the question "what shall we do?" Peter told them to "Repent and be baptized everyone of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins." You are probably familiar with the word metamorphosis. We get this word from the Greek word for repent. It is a change of heart that results in a change of life. Repentance is a dramatic change, not merely turning over a new leaf. But a change right down to the very roots of our being.
4. You must be baptized (immersed)
Jesus said in Mark 16:16 that "Whoever believes and is baptized would be saved, but whoever does not believe will be condemned." Many question the Lord on this. Yet His word is true, only those that are baptized will be saved. The word "baptize" means to immerse. Therefore what the Lord said is "He who believes and is immersed shall be saved. Paul said in Galatians 3:26 and 27 that "You are all sons of God through faith. For as many of you as have been baptized into Christ have put on Christ." Only when a person has been immersed do they enter the body of Christ.
Please note that all these things are found in the scriptures. Please take the time to look them up for yourself and study them. Gods' plan is very simple, it is up to you to accept His plan. If you will, then you will be allowed into Heaven. Leave any step of His plans off then whose righteousness are you trusting? What a wonderful God He is! Not willing that any should perish even to the point of giving His only Son. While we were yet sinners Christ died for us.
