At the close of this book we return to our original question: "What must I do to be saved?" The New Testament answer is to exercise faith in the Lord Jesus Christ, by repenting from sin, being baptized in the name of Jesus for the remission of sins, receiving the Holy Ghost with the initial sign of speaking in tongues, and continuing to live a holy, separated life by the power of the indwelling Spirit.
All avenues of biblical study lead to this answer. The Bible presents this answer in response to direct questions about salvation (Chapter 1 - An Honest Question). This is the biblical definition of saving faith (Chapter 2 - Grace and Faith). This is the gospel of Jesus Christ, since it applies His death, burial, and resurrection to our lives, and it is the gospel proclaimed by all the New Testament preachers (Chapter 3 - The Gospel of Jesus Christ). This is the new birth, which consists of water and Spirit (Chapter 4 - Birth of Water and Spirit).
Repentance is a turn from sin to God, involving the intellect, the emotions, and the will, and it includes recognition of sin, confession of sin, contrition for sin, and a decision to forsake sin (Chapter 5 - Repentance). The proper mode for Christian water baptism is immersion in water, and God remits the sins of the repentant believer at that time (Chapter 6 - Water Baptism). The proper formula for Christian water baptism includes an oral invocation of the name Jesus, since Jesus is the only saving name and the highest name by which God has revealed Himself to mankind (Chapter 7 - Baptismal Formula: In the Name of Jesus). The baptism of the Holy Ghost is a part of salvation, since God imparts His Spirit to the believer at that time (Chapter 8 - The Baptism of the Holy Spirit) The biblical evidence of the Spirit baptism is speaking in tongues; tongues is also available as a gift to Spirit filled believers for both personal and congregational edification (Chapter 9 - Speaking in Tongues).
Not only did the apostles preach this message, but the early post-apostolic church also preached it; moreover, it has appeared throughout church history, and it has enjoyed a remarkable revival in the twentieth century (Chapter 10 - The Witness in Church History: Baptism and Chapter 11 - The Witness in Church History: Tongues).
The Bible presents no clear-cut exceptions to this full gospel message; as a result, we should not be satisfied with receiving or preaching anything less (Chapter 12 - Are There Exceptions?).
The various works of salvation, including justification, regeneration, adoption, and sanctification, all manifest themselves in our lives when we obey the gospel completely (Chapter 13 - Four Aspects of Salvation). However, the new birth experience is only the beginning of a Christian's relationship with God," thereafter he must continue to walk by faith and live a holy life separated from sin in order to enjoy eternal salvation in the future (See In Search of Holiness by Loretta Bernard and David Bernard.)
We do not reject those who have not received the New Testament experience, but we simply encourage them to receive what God has for them. Instead of dwelling on negative questions such as, "Do I have to receive this?" we should ask "Is this available for me today?" and "Does God want me to receive this?" Living for God should not be a question of minimum requirements for salvation; instead we should actively seek to please Him in every way possible and to do His perfect will.
Our experience and doctrine should conform to the complete biblical, apostolic pattern; those who serve God without fulfilling this pattern will answer to God. Our responsibility is clear: we must act on what we know to be the truth.
Sometimes people ask, "Am I going to hell if I have not received the New Testament experience?" We do not presume to play God or to judge anyone's ultimate salvation on our own authority. However, we can and must present the Word of God. When we analyze the Word of God, we find that God has instructed everyone to obey the simple message of salvation. The words of Peter still ring true today: "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. For the promise is unto you, and to your children, and to all that are afar off, even as many as the Lord our God shall call" (Acts 2:38-39).
In conclusion, we have honestly presented our understanding of the biblical doctrine of the new birth. In everything we have studied to ascertain the true message of God's Word, and we have prayed that His Spirit would illuminate His Word. Our doctrinal presentation affirms that the atoning death, burial, and resurrection of Jesus Christ is the only necessary and sufficient basis for our salvation and that we are saved by grace through faith in the Lord Jesus Christ. The application of grace and the expression of faith come to us as we obey from our hearts the doctrine delivered to us from God's Word, and experience the new birth of water and the Spirit.