JOEL - The doctrine of salvation is a very big subject. The
short answer to your question is, Yes. Here's a longer but still short
answer with more specifics.
We believe that salvation is obtained only through
Jesus Christ and what He did before, during, and after
His life on this earth.
Before the earth was formed Jesus agreed to come to
earth and take on a human body and atone for the sins
of all mankind, making it possible for us to obtain
eternal life with God. He was born to the virgin Mary,
taught His gospel of salvation, and later paid for
our sins by suffering in the Garden of Gethsemane, the
spiritual pain of which caused Him to sweat great
drops of blood.(Luke 22: 44) and require the
assistance of angels to sustain Him(Luke 22: 43). Both
His suffering in Gethsemane and death on the cross
were necessary for the atonement to be complete, but
the actual suffering for our sins was mainly
experienced in the Garden. That was where the real
price was paid for our sins because it was spiritual,
voluntary, and directly related to payment for our
sins according to eternal laws. Justice requires someone
to pay and suffer for our sins(including Adam's original transgression).
Christ fullfilled this requirement for us.
We can make the atonement work for us by repenting of
our sins, being baptized (Acts 2: 38), and obeying the
commandments of God (Luke 11: 28).
Another requirement for our salvation was satisfied
when Jesus rose on the third day after His death,
restoring His spirit to His body (Luke 24: 39), thus
making it possible for all of us to be resurrected and
receive our reward in heaven. (1 Cor 15: 21-22)
When Jesus comes again, all those who are members of
His kingdom on earth will be taken up to meet Him as
He descends(1 Thes 4: 16-17) and then He will rule on
the earth for a thousand years (Rev. 20: 2-7). After
all are resurrected we will eventually stand before
God and will be judged according to our works(Rev.
20:12-13) and through the grace of God will receive a
glory in heaven commensurate to what we deserve(1 Cor
15: 40-42, John 14:2).
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