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As a diligent student of the Bible, you will want to make sure the Bible really says what this study says.  Always remember to test all things with God's word - as the Bereans did.  They "received the word with great eagerness, examining the Scriptures daily, to see whether these things were so" (Acts 17:11). 

First, read the study all the way through, without looking up the Scriptures.   Then read the study again, this time looking up the Scriptures.  Highlight or mark each verse you look up so you can easily find it later.

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The blood of Jesus cleanses us from all of our sins - past, present and future.   But are there any conditions that must be met before the blood applies?  Yes, 1 Peter 1:2 says we must obey Jesus Christ first.

What happens when a person repents and is baptized in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins?  Everyone knows that disciples of Jesus Christ are to live a different way of life.  Some people today are simply told to stop sinning.   Others are told only what the church expects of them in order to be right with God in the eyes of that particular faith.  Some are told that God wants them to keep the Ten Commandments, love God and love their fellow man, but it is never explained to them how this is done.

One thing is for sure, there is much confusion as to exactly what you should do after you are baptized. Man might be confused, but God is not the author of confusion (1 Cor. 14:33).  Satan is that author and he loves to leave you hanging.  He gives you information, but never enough to make a permanent change for the good in your life.

Jesus came that we might have peace, abundance and joy in our daily lives (John 10:10; 17:13; Acts 3:19, 26; Rom. 14:17).  In 1 Peter 2:24 it says, "Jesus Christ bore our sins in His body, that we might die to sin and live to righteousness."  How do you live to righteousness?  Simply practice righteousness (1 John 2:29; 3:7, 10).   How do you practice righteousness?  Engage in good deeds (Titus 3:8; Gal. 6:9; 2 Thess. 3:13).  To what degree should you do them?  Zealously (1 Peter 3:13; Matt. 5:20)!  Why zealously?  Because zealously overcoming evil with good, along with daily study of God’s word and prayer, is putting on the full armor of God (Rom. 12:21; Eph. 6:11).  Most people who profess Jesus Christ as their Savior are totally unaware of this.

What can you do to practice righteousness?  Look for people who are in need and help them (Matt. 25:33-40).  Share your clothes, your food, your money, your time and your love with them (Luke 3:10-11; James 2:15-26; 1 John 3:17-19).  Entertain widows, orphans, the blind, lame and poor (Luke 14:13).  Have them over for dinner.

Do something; do not just sit there (Titus 1:16; 2:7)!  Walk in the light.   Keep yourself busy with acts of righteousness, charity and love.  Be like Dorcas (Acts 9:36; 10:35).  Then the blood of Jesus Christ can cover your sins (1 John 1:7; 1 Peter 1:2; Acts 5:32; Luke 6:46; 11:28; Matt. 7:24; James 1:22; John 12:47-48). Remember, if good works cover a multitude of sins, you had better have some, don’t you think (1 Peter 4:8, 18; James 5:20)?

(Feel free to give copies of this study to others who want to know God’s truth.   You will be doing God’s Will when you show and tell others how to live this special Way.)      

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