There are many different ideas or teachings about how to enter heaven. Some say that you can get to heaven simply by being a good person, attending church, and helping others. According to the Christian scriptures, the only way to enter heaven is to accept Jesus as Savior by becoming a Christian. First, learn things related to Christianity and the teachings of Jesus. Then, say a short prayer to commit to being a lifelong follower of Jesus.
Step
Method 1 of 2: Understanding the Meaning of Salvation
Step 1. Believe that Jesus is the Son of God
Humans are not free from sin or have made mistakes so that they are separated from God. In the Old Testament Scriptures, God commanded people to sacrifice animals so that their sins would be forgiven, but in the New Testament, God sent Jesus, His Son into the world to be killed as the best sacrifice so that all mankind would receive forgiveness if they accepted Jesus. The Bible also reveals that Jesus rose from the dead 3 days after dying on the cross as evidence of His divinity.
- God's mercy to man is written in the Gospel of John 3:16: "For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, so that everyone who believes in Him should not perish but have eternal life."
- Romans 5:8 reveals Jesus' sacrifice for sinners: "But God showed His love for us, because Christ died for us while we were still sinners."
Step 2. Understand that you cannot enter heaven unless you have accepted Jesus who saved mankind from the power of death
In the Gospel of John 14:6: "Jesus said to him, I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me." This means that you should abandon the idea of another way of getting to heaven if you are not already a follower of Jesus. This is the only way to understand the meaning of Jesus' sacrifice and why you should worship Him.
The Word of God in the Bible explains that humans are not good enough to enter heaven on their own because salvation is not something that can be achieved because of what you do. In the book of Ephesians 2:8-9 it is written: "For by grace you are saved by faith; it is not the result of your work, but the gift of God, it is not the result of your work: let no one boast."
Step 3. Ask Jesus to always be with you by saying the prayer of salvation
You cannot enter heaven if you only acknowledge that Jesus is the Son of God who died to atone for the sins of mankind. You must decide to become a follower of Jesus and ask God for forgiveness of sins. In Christianity, this is known as experiencing a "rebirth" because from now on, you will be living a new life.
In the Gospel of John 3:3 "Jesus answered, "Truly I say to you, unless a man is born again, he cannot see the kingdom of God." So you cannot enter heaven if you have not experienced being born again
Step 4. Accept baptism as a form of your commitment to accept Jesus
Baptism is not a guarantee of going to heaven, but Jesus asked His followers to be baptized as a sign to God and others that you have had a significant spiritual experience. When you are drowned in water and lifted up again, this event becomes a symbol that Jesus is freeing you from sin and shaping you into a new person.
- This command is written in Acts 2:38: Peter answered them: "Repent and be baptized each one of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins, and you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit."
- The fact that baptism is not a condition for receiving salvation is conveyed in the Gospel of Luke 23:41 when Jesus was put to death by crucifixion. One of the criminals who was crucified said to Jesus, "Remember me when you come as king." Although he did not get baptized, Jesus said to him: "Truly I say to you, today you will be with me in Paradise."
Method 2 of 2: Saying the Prayer of Salvation
Step 1. Say the prayer of salvation when you are ready to commit to being a lifelong follower of Jesus
The words in the prayer of salvation do not guarantee you will enter heaven and there is no standard sentence that must be said because the most important thing is the intention in your heart to become a follower of Jesus. Therefore, do not say the prayer of salvation if you are not ready to live the life of a Christian because this prayer will be in vain.
Even though you will sometimes sin after experiencing rebirth as a Christian, strive to continue to become more and more like Jesus
Step 2. Begin praying by admitting that you are a sinner
Romans 3:23 says, "For all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God." No matter how hard you try to be a good person, there will be times when you will sin, such as lying, being disrespectful to your parents, or being jealous of other people's success. Confessing sin is the first step to receiving forgiveness from God.
- For example, start your prayer by saying, "Lord Jesus, I know that I am a sinner and am not perfect."
- Even if it's just one small sin, you are still separated from God. In the book of James 2:10 it is written: "For whoever keeps the whole law and neglects one part of it, he is guilty of all."
- Romans 6:23 describes the punishment for sin and the gift from Jesus to sinners: "For the wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord."
Step 3. Repent and ask God for forgiveness
You don't turn into a perfect human being when you become a follower of Jesus. The temptation to sin lurks and you may give in. This is why Jesus' sacrifice was so powerful. If you follow Jesus wholeheartedly and seek to improve yourself, He forgives your past and future sins.
- An example of a prayer of repentance, "Lord Jesus, forgive my sins. I'm sorry that I didn't live my life the way You wanted."
- Repenting is not just apologizing. You must feel truly sorry and try to reject sin.
- In the book of 1 John 1:9 it is written that God will forgive you if you confess your sins and ask for forgiveness: "If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins and cleanse us from all unrighteousness."
Step 4. Convey an intention to follow Jesus for life
After asking for forgiveness, say that you believe that Jesus is Lord and Savior. As God, He will be the leader of your life. As Savior, you acknowledge that Jesus is the Son of God who died on the cross to atone for the sins of mankind, was raised from the dead, and ascended to heaven. Through this prayer, you promise with all your heart to apply the teachings of Jesus and live your life according to God's Word.
- For example, you might close your prayer by saying, "I confess that Jesus is the Son of God and I believe that Jesus died on the cross to atone for my sins. Jesus, come into my heart and help me to be more like You. Amen."
- In the Bible, several verses explain that this prayer is a way of gaining salvation, for example Romans 10:9: "For if you confess with your mouth that Jesus is Lord and believe in your heart that God raised Him from the dead, you will saved."
- Another verse that states that this step is the only way to enter heaven, namely Acts 4:12: "And salvation is in no one but in Him, for there is no other name under heaven given to man. by which we can be saved."
