However, through grace of God and sacrifice that Jesus Christ made on cross we can receive a free gift - gift of salvation. We can be saved from awful fate of second death which is hell. God has provided a way for us to escape torment of hell and to live in eternity with Him. The only way for this to happen is that we must be forgiven for our sins. Since Jesus took our sins to cross and paid price for our sins we can receive forgiveness for our sins. We can have our sins remitted or forgiven.

How are our sins forgiven? They are forgiven because Jesus took them to cross and paid penalty for us. However, we must accept free gift that God is offering to us. How? First by believing that Jesus is Christ, Son of living God. Second, by repenting of our sins and asking God's forgiveness. Third, by confessing to our fellow man that we indeed believe that Jesus is God's Son. Fourth, by submitting ourselves to watery grave of baptism. And finally by living a live which is faithful to Christ and His church.

But exactly when is our sin forgiven? "He who believes and is baptized will be saved; but he who does not believe will be condemned." (Mark 16:16) "Then Peter said to them, 'Repent, and let every one of you be baptized in name of Jesus Christ for remission of sins; and you shall receive gift of Holy Spirit.'" (Acts 2:38) "Then those who gladly received his word were baptized; and that day about three thousand souls were added to them." (Acts 2:41) "And now why are you waiting? Arise and be baptized, and wash away your sins, calling on name of Lord." (Acts 22:16) How could anything possibly be more clear than is this issue. Our sins are forgiven when we in faith believing submit ourselves to watery grave of baptism. There are many false teachings concerning baptism in world today. But Scriptures make it clear. Baptism is what obtains for us forgiveness of our sins. Unless we voluntarily, with a believing heart and a repentant spirit submit to baptism by immersion, our sins cannot be forgiven. Jesus said it, apostles preached and practiced it and I believe it. And that should be end of it!

There are those who may say, "How can I know that I have been forgiven of my sins?" When we come up out of baptism there are no lights that flash, no trumpets that sound, no mighty rushing wind that fills place - so how can we know? Is it not enough for us to know that Jesus promised us that our sins would be forgiven? Is it not enough for us to know that apostles preached forgiveness of sins during establishment of early church? Consider following Scriptures.

"God is not a man, that He should lie, nor a son of a man, that He should repent. Has He said, and will He not do it? Or has He spoken, and will He not make it good?" (Numbers 23:19) "These things I have written to you who believe in name of Son of God, that you may know that you have eternal life, and that you may continue to believe in name of Son of God. Now this is confidence that we have in Him, that if we ask anything according to His will, He hears us. And if we know that He hears us, whatever we ask, we know that we have petitions that we have asked of Him." (1 John 5:13-15) "If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness." (1 John 1:9) "But God be thanked that though you were slaves of sin, yet you obeyed from heart that form of doctrine to which you were delivered. And having been set free from sin, you became slaves of righteousness." (Romans 6:17,18)

It is beyond my comprehension for a person to say that he or she believes that Jesus is Christ, Son of living God and that they believe what Bible has to say about nature of God and then to question whether or not they have received remission for their sins. If we believe what Bible has to say about God, His Son and Holy Spirit, we should rejoice when we come up out of watery grave of baptism - not begin to question our salvation. If you do what Bible says to do to receive salvation, there is not need for questions!

If you study God's Word on a regular basis (daily if possible, but at least several times each week), then you will receive strength to come to know with certainty in your heart that God has forgiven you. As our monograph series says. "Do not merely listen to word, and so deceive yourselves. Do what it says." (James 1:22 NIV)

All Scriptures quoted are from New King James Version unless otherwise noted.

Stephen Kingery is an author, preacher, teacher and founder of The Home Bible Study Institute.

Visit our site at http://www.james1-22.org

I & II CHRONICLES The tribe of Judah figures prominently in Chronicles because it is tribe from which Messiah will come. The genealogies in Chapters 1-9 of I Chronicles is a preamble to genealogy of Jesus found in Matthew. The messianic line was threatened by murders, treachery, battles, and captivity but it remains clear and unbroken from Adam to Zerubbabel. (See genealogies of Christ in Matthew 1 and Luke 3) The temple also is a picture of Christ. Note these three passages: "in this place there is One greater than temple." (Matthew 12:6); "Destroy this temple, and in three days I will raise it up." (John 2:19); and "But I saw no temple in it, for Lord God Almighty and Lamb are its temple." (Revelation 21:22)

EZRA: In Ezra we see continuation of promise of God to keep descendants alive. Zerubbabel is part of messianic line. The remnant has returned to land of promise, and it is here in Bethlehem that Jesus will be born. The book of Ezra itself is a picture of Christ and His work of forgiveness and restoration.

NEHEMIAH: Nehemiah is also a picture of Christ in His work of restoration. Nehemiah also is a type of Christ in that he too gave up a high position in order to help his people. In book of Nehemiah, everything except king is restored: temple, Jerusalem, covenant, and faithfulness of people.

ESTHER: Esther pictures Christ in that she puts herself in place of death for her people and is a picture of Christ in His being an advocate for us. Also in this book we see another attempt by Satan to destroy linage of David, but God preserves His people and messianic line.

JOB: Job says, "For I know that my Redeemer lives, and He shall stand at last on earth;" (Job 19:25) He also cries out for a mediator (see 9:33, 25:4, 33:23). The problems raised in book of Job are answered in Christ who knows of our suffering, "For we do not have a High Priest who cannot sympathize with our weaknesses, but was in all points tempted as we are, yet without sin." (Hebrews 4:15)

PSALMS: In book of psalms we see that life and ministry of Jesus Christ is specifically anticipated. There are five different kinds of messianic psalms. In some, subject of psalm is a type of Christ. In others, psalmist uses language to describe his present experience which points beyond his own life to become historically true only in Christ. We also see in some psalms that it refers to a king or house of David but final fulfillment is not come until Christ. Some are purely prophetic in that they refer only to Christ. And in still others we see that psalmist anticipates coming of Yahweh and His kingdom, which is fulfilled in Christ.

PROVERBS: In book of Proverbs we see fabulous wisdom of Solomon, who it is said was wisest man on earth. However, this wisdom is a picture of Christ who has ultimate wisdom, wisdom of God; "But of Him you are in Christ Jesus, who became for us wisdom from God - and righteousness and sanctification and redemption..." (1 Corinthians 1:30)

ECCLESIASTES: This book shows us how empty our life can be without a relationship with God. Only Christ can provide those things which make life meaningful.

SONG OF SOLOMON: In Old Testament, Israel is considered to be bride of Yahweh and in New Testament church is bride of Christ. This book illustrate first and pictures second.

ISAIAH: The prophecies in this book are clearer and more explicit than any other Old Testament book. Isaiah is brimming with prophecies of Christ.

JEREMIAH: The book of Jeremiah points directly to Christ: "Behold, days are coming, says Lord, That I will raise to David a Branch of righteousness; A King shall reign and prosper, and execute judgement and righteousness in earth. In His days Judah will be saved, and Israel will dwell safely; now this is His name by which He will be called: THE LORD OUR RIGHTEOUSNESS." (Jeremiah 23:5,6)

LAMENTATIONS: Jeremiah, author, is a type of Christ in that both wept over Jerusalem.

EZEKIEL: This book pictures Messiah as a tender twig that becomes a stately cedar.

DANIEL: In visions of Daniel we see prophecies of Christ. Also his vision of 69 weeks pinpoints coming of Messiah.

THE MINOR PROPHETS - HOSEA, JOEL, AMOS, OBADIAH, JONAH, MICAH, NAHUM, HABAKKUK, ZEPHANIAH, HAGGAI, ZECHARIAH, & MALACHI: In these books we see several prophecies of Christ as well as types and pictures of Christ. Space does not permit us to give as much detail on these, minor prophets.

I hope that through this discussion of Scarlet Cord which runs through Old Testament in prophecies, types and pictures of Christ you can see that He is very center, cornerstone if you will, of God's plan of salvation for man. We should not think of Old Testament and New Testament as two distinct and separate parts, but as one whole plan by which God will redeem those who want to be His people. There is much which could be said about differences in Old and New Testaments, but we will save that for a future article. The thing for us to remember is that though there are many significant differences in two testaments as to their purpose and so forth, together they form one beautiful and magnificent account of God's love, devotion, and longing to save His creation - man.

All scriptures quoted are from New King James Version unless otherwise noted.

Stephen Kingery is an author, preacher, teacher and founder of The Home Bible Study Institute.

Visit our site at http://www.james1-22.org