Knowledge is defined as awareness of facts, truths, or principles. In order to gain knowledge about the gospel of Christ we must be taught about Him, and what He has done for us. Isaiah 53 shows us what Christ has done for us. From that we can know He gave Himself to die for us.

Having knowledge about the gospel is good, but something more is needed - understanding. You might think of it this way, when one of your teachers at school introduces you to a new subject, you have the facts about the subject, but not the understanding. To gain understanding more study is needed. It is the same with obeying the gospel. We must continue studying the Bible to find out how to obey the gospel. In the book of Acts we have several accounts of how people did just that. Acts 2 tells us of how Peter preached to the multitudes in Jerusalem on day of Pentecost and told them of the "good news" of Jesus. By his teaching they received knowledge about Jesus and their need for Him. Verse 37 tell us that they wanted to know what to do. Peter told them, "Then Peter said unto them, Repent, and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins, and ye shall receive the gift of the Holy Ghost" (v38). So we see they had knowledge, and understanding, but one more thing was needed - an obedient heart. Luke tells us that about 3000 had such a heart. They were willing to obey the gospel in order to be saved.

What happens when we are baptized? Physically we are immersed in water. Paul described this process in Roman 6: 3--5. "Know ye not, that so many of us as were baptized into Jesus Christ were baptized into his death? Therefore we are buried with him by baptism into death: that like as Christ was raised up from the dead by the glory of the Father, even so we also should walk in newness of life.For if we have been planted together in the likeness of his death, we shall be also in the likeness of his resurrection:" Spiritually our sins are forgiven (Eph.1:7). We receive the remission of our sins (Acts 2:38). Are sins are washed away (Acts 22:16). And we are added to the Church (Acts 2:47).

We can get to heaven, but we must follow God’s way!

Nelson is minister of Richmond Hill United Church of Christ.