My Methodist Confirmation Didn’t Save Me

1. What We Learn from the Video

Does a church ceremony guarantee salvation? The speaker’s journey in "My Methodist Confirmation Didn’t Save Me" reveals it doesn’t. As a Methodist teen, they underwent confirmation, but “no one ever opened the Bible to show me how people were saved in the New Testament.” This realization drove them to discover the Bible plan of salvation, emphasizing obedience over rituals.

The speaker stood before their church, making a vow during confirmation, a Methodist rite marking faith commitment. Yet, as an adult, they studied Acts and found a “different plan.” “I realized baptism wasn’t just a symbol,” they said, rejecting Methodist teaching that confirmation or symbolic sprinkling saves. The truth about baptism—immersion for forgiveness—became clear. Acts 2:38 commands, “Repent and be baptized… for the forgiveness of your sins.” The speaker “obeyed the gospel just like they did in Acts,” likely joining a Church of Christ, where baptism follows belief and repentance (Mark 16:16).

The video challenges reliance on denominational traditions. Confirmation, absent in Scripture, doesn’t save; the Bible plan of salvation requires hearing, believing, repenting, confessing, and baptism (Romans 10:9, 1 Peter 3:21). The speaker’s gratitude—“I’m thankful I saw the truth before it was too late”—underscores urgency. Acts 4:12 affirms, “Salvation is found in no one else.” Methodist confirmation offered assurance, but only Scripture revealed truth.

This message urges us to test traditions against God’s Word. Are you trusting ceremonies or obeying the gospel? The truth about baptism calls for action, as Acts 8:36-38 shows the eunuch baptized after faith. Study Acts to find salvation’s path, leaving rituals for God’s plan.

2. Why We Should Believe the Bible 

Fulfilled Prophecy

Why trust the Bible over church rituals? Its trustworthiness of Scripture shines through fulfilled prophecies. The speaker, studying Acts, said, “I obeyed the gospel just like they did in Acts.” Isaiah 7:14—“The virgin will conceive and give birth to a son”—predicted Jesus’ birth centuries earlier, proving divine foresight.

Historical Accuracy

The authority of the Bible rests on historical reliability. Archaeological finds, like the Pilate Stone, confirm figures like Pontius Pilate (John 19:1). Luke’s Acts, detailing conversions, aligns with first-century records (Acts 2:41: “Those who accepted his message were baptized”). The speaker’s trust in Acts over Methodist confirmation reflects this precision, grounding faith in facts.

Eyewitness Testimony

Scripture relies on eyewitnesses. 2 Peter 1:16 states, “We did not follow cleverly devised stories… but we were eyewitnesses of his majesty.” The speaker’s discovery—“I realized baptism wasn’t just a symbol”—aligns with Acts, written by Luke, a careful historian. These accounts outweigh denominational vows, ensuring credibility.

Divine Inspiration

The Bible is God’s Word is truth. 2 Timothy 3:16 declares, “All Scripture is God-breathed.” The speaker’s shift to “obey the gospel” shows Scripture’s power to reveal salvation, unlike confirmation. John 17:17 adds, “Your word is truth.” Its unified message across centuries proves divine origin, guiding beyond human traditions.

Bible as Ultimate Authority

The speaker’s church emphasized confirmation, but Scripture corrected this. “No one ever opened the Bible,” they noted, finding truth in Acts. The authority of the Bible surpasses rituals. Acts 2:38 calls for baptism, not vows. A young adult, trusting Methodist rites, reads Acts 8:38 and chooses baptism, finding clarity. Persuasively, Scripture’s consistency trumps tradition. Embrace God’s Word is truth, studying Acts to follow the gospel, like the speaker, for eternal life.

3. How to Apply This Truth to My Life 

Study Acts

The speaker “read it [the Bible] for myself,” finding salvation’s plan. To apply God’s Word, study Acts 2:38 (“Repent and be baptized”) daily. Use a Bible app or join a study group. Persuasively, Acts reveals truth, unlike confirmation rituals.

Believe and Repent

The speaker “obeyed the gospel,” implying faith and repentance. John 3:16 calls for belief: “Whoever believes in him shall not perish.” Acts 3:19 urges, “Repent… so that your sins may be wiped out.” Trust Jesus and confess sins (1 John 1:9). A student might repent of pride, embracing humility. Obedience to the gospel begins here.

Be Baptized

The speaker learned “baptism wasn’t just a symbol.” Acts 22:16 commands, “Be baptized and wash your sins away.” Seek immersion after faith. Persuasively, baptism unites with Christ (Romans 6:3-4), fulfilling obedience to the gospel.

Live Faithfully

Christian living means ongoing obedience. The speaker obeyed “just like they did in Acts.” Revelation 2:10 urges, “Be faithful… and I will give you life.” Pray, worship, and serve (Hebrews 10:25). Persuasively, faithfulness ensures salvation.

Modern Life Scenario

Mark, 28, underwent Methodist confirmation, feeling saved. Reading Acts, he saw “baptism wasn’t just a symbol.” He believed, repented, was baptized, and joined a Church of Christ, transforming his life through Christian living. His family followed, studying Acts 2.

The speaker’s gratitude—“I’m thankful I saw the truth before it was too late”—urges action. Apply God’s Word through study, faith, repentance, baptism, and faithfulness. Start now to obey the gospel, finding true salvation.

4. What This Denomination Teaches about Salvation

Overview of Methodist Salvation Teaching

The denominational view of salvation in the Methodist Church, as experienced by the speaker, emphasizes grace through faith, often formalized through rituals like confirmation. The speaker reflects, “I went through confirmation as a Methodist teen… But no one ever opened the Bible to show me how people were saved in the New Testament.” This highlights a focus on ceremonial steps over scriptural obedience. Methodists teach salvation as a journey of faith, nurtured through grace, with confirmation as a key milestone for young members to publicly affirm their commitment.

Role of Faith and Grace

Methodist theology aligns with Protestant principles, stressing faith alone as central to salvation, drawing from Ephesians 2:8-9: “For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith… not by works.” Faith is seen as trusting Jesus’ atoning sacrifice, often expressed through a personal commitment. While the sinner’s prayer is less formalized in Methodism than in evangelical churches, it’s sometimes used during confirmation or revival settings, echoing Romans 10:9: “If you declare with your mouth, ‘Jesus is Lord,’… you will be saved.” The speaker’s experience of confirmation—“I stood in front of the church and made a vow”—suggests a focus on this commitment, but without biblical grounding, as they later found.

Confirmation in Methodist Practice

Confirmation is a significant Methodist rite, typically for adolescents, where individuals affirm their faith through vows. The speaker notes, “I stood in front of the church and made a vow.” This ritual, rooted in Wesleyan tradition, is seen as a moment of receiving God’s grace, often following baptism in infancy. Methodists view confirmation as a means of grace, strengthening faith, but not explicitly required for salvation. The speaker’s critique—“Confirmation isn’t even in the Bible”—points to its absence in Scripture, contrasting with their later discovery of biblical salvation.

Water Baptism’s Role

The water baptism meaning in Methodism is sacramental, not essential for salvation. Baptism, often administered to infants via sprinkling, symbolizes God’s grace and entry into the church community. Acts 16:33 (“He and all his household were baptized”) is cited to support this practice. The speaker realized “baptism wasn’t just a symbol,” rejecting Methodist teaching that baptism is a sign, not a requirement for forgiveness. Unlike the Church of Christ’s view, Methodists see baptism as an act of grace, not directly tied to remission of sins.

Historical Context

Methodist salvation teaching stems from John Wesley’s 18th-century revival movement in England, emphasizing grace, faith, and holiness. The denominational view of salvation evolved through the Methodist Episcopal Church in America, blending Wesleyan theology with Protestant emphasis on faith alone. Confirmation became formalized in the 19th century to disciple youth, reflecting Wesley’s focus on nurturing faith. The sinner’s prayer, while not central, gained traction in revival settings. The speaker’s church, with its “feel-good” confirmation focus, aligns with this tradition, prioritizing ritual over scriptural steps.

Comparison to New Testament Teaching

The New Testament presents a structured salvation plan, which the speaker discovered: “I obeyed the gospel just like they did in Acts.” Acts 2:38 commands, “Repent and be baptized… for the forgiveness of your sins,” linking baptism to forgiveness. Mark 16:16 states, “Whoever believes and is baptized will be saved.” James 2:24 refutes faith alone: “A person is considered righteous by what they do and not by faith alone.” The Church of Christ, which the speaker joined, teaches salvation through hearing, believing, repenting, confessing, and baptism (Romans 6:3-4), followed by faithfulness (Revelation 2:10). Methodist emphasis on confirmation and symbolic baptism diverges from this, as 1 Peter 3:21 clarifies: “Baptism that now saves you.” The speaker’s shift highlights this gap, as confirmation lacks biblical precedent.

Respectful Reflection

Respectfully, Methodism’s focus on grace and confirmation offers a nurturing path but misses the New Testament’s emphasis on obedience. The speaker’s journey—“I’m thankful I saw the truth before it was too late”—urges testing rituals against Scripture. Study Acts 2 to align with the water baptism meaning as an act of obedience, ensuring salvation follows God’s plan, not human traditions.

5. What the Bible Teaches about Salvation 

Have you asked, “What must I do to be saved?” The Bible way to be saved offers a clear path, unlike Methodist confirmation. The speaker, misled by ritual, said, “No one ever opened the Bible to show me how people were saved in the New Testament.” Discovering Acts, they “obeyed the gospel just like they did in Acts,” embracing the New Testament plan of salvation: hear, believe, repent, confess, be baptized, and live faithfully. Let’s explore each step with Scripture, practical guidance, and persuasive insights.

Hearing the Word

Salvation begins with hearing God’s message. Romans 10:17 states, “Faith comes from hearing the message, and the message is heard through the word about Christ.” The speaker “read it for myself,” finding truth in Acts. Hebrews 4:12 describes Scripture as “living and active, sharper than any double-edged sword.” Without hearing, faith cannot grow.

Practically, read Acts 2 or John 5:39 (“These are the Scriptures that testify about me”) daily. Use Bible apps or join studies. A teenager, trusting confirmation, might hear Acts 2:38 in a sermon, sparking curiosity. Persuasively, hearing counters rituals, as the speaker found. Acts 17:11 praises the Bereans for examining Scriptures daily. In a busy life, listen during commutes. This step builds faith, leading to belief.

Believing the Gospel

Hearing fosters belief. Mark 16:16 declares, “Whoever believes and is baptized will be saved, but whoever does not believe will be condemned.” John 3:16 adds, “For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life.” The speaker’s obedience reflects trust in Jesus’ death and resurrection (1 Corinthians 15:3-4).

Practically, study prophecies like Isaiah 53:5 (“He was pierced for our transgressions”). If doubts arise, pray as in Mark 9:24: “I do believe; help me overcome my unbelief!” A young adult, raised Methodist, might read John 20:31 (“These are written that you may believe”) and trust Jesus. Ephesians 2:8 assures, “By grace you have been saved, through faith.” Persuasively, belief is trusting Jesus as the only way (Acts 4:12). The speaker rejected confirmation for faith, urging repentance.

Repenting of Sin

Belief demands repentance. Acts 2:38 commands, “Repent and be baptized, every one of you, in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins.” Luke 13:3 warns, “Unless you repent, you too will all perish.” The speaker’s shift to “obey the gospel” implies turning from ritual to God’s will. 2 Corinthians 7:10 promises, “Godly sorrow brings repentance that leads to salvation.”

Practically, confess sins (1 John 1:9: “If we confess our sins, he is faithful… to forgive”). Replace pride with humility (Ephesians 4:2). A parent, relying on confirmation, might repent of trusting tradition, choosing prayer. Acts 17:30 urges, “God… commands all people everywhere to repent.” Persuasively, repentance frees from guilt, as the prodigal son shows (Luke 15:21). It’s essential in the New Testament plan of salvation, leading to confession.

Confessing Faith

Repentance leads to confession. Romans 10:9-10 states, “If you declare with your mouth, ‘Jesus is Lord,’ and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved.” The speaker’s obedience suggests confessing faith. Matthew 10:32 promises, “Whoever acknowledges me before others, I will also acknowledge before my Father in heaven.”

Practically, confess Jesus in church or prayer. A worker, taught confirmation saves, might declare faith after reading Romans 10. Philippians 2:11 envisions “every tongue acknowledging that Jesus Christ is Lord.” Persuasively, confession strengthens commitment (1 Timothy 6:12). This step leads to baptism.

Baptism for Remission of Sins

Baptism is central. Acts 2:38 links it to forgiveness, and 1 Peter 3:21 clarifies, “This water symbolizes baptism that now saves you… as a pledge of a clear conscience toward God.” The truth about baptism is immersion, not a symbol, as the speaker realized: “Baptism wasn’t just a symbol.” Romans 6:3-4 explains, “All of us who were baptized into Christ… were baptized into his death.”

Acts 8:36-38 shows the eunuch baptized after belief: “What prevents me from being baptized?” Acts 22:16 urges, “Get up, be baptized and wash your sins away.” Practically, seek immersion, not sprinkling. A woman, trusting Methodist rites, studies Galatians 3:27 (“Baptized into Christ have clothed yourselves with Christ”) and chooses baptism. Persuasively, baptism remits sins (Acts 2:41), unlike confirmation.

Living Faithfully

Salvation requires faithfulness. Revelation 2:10 urges, “Be faithful, even to the point of death, and I will give you life as your victor’s crown.” The speaker “obeyed the gospel just like they did in Acts,” implying ongoing obedience. Hebrews 10:25 encourages fellowship, and James 1:22 warns, “Do not merely listen to the word… do what it says.”

Practically, pray, study, and serve (Titus 2:12). A man, leaving Methodism, joins a Church of Christ, finding purpose. 2 Timothy 4:7-8 shows Paul’s endurance. Persuasively, faithfulness avoids apostasy (Hebrews 6:4-6).

Heartfelt Appeal

The Bible way to be saved is clear. Like the speaker, who said, “I’m thankful I saw the truth before it was too late,” reject rituals for truth. Obey the gospel today, finding eternal joy.

6. Background of the Denomination 

Founding and Origin

The history of Methodist Church begins with John Wesley, an Anglican priest who founded the Methodist movement in England in the 1730s. Wesley, born in 1703, sought to reform the Church of England, emphasizing personal holiness and practical faith. The movement spread to America by the 1760s, with the Methodist Episcopal Church formally established in 1784 in Baltimore, Maryland. The speaker’s experience—“I went through confirmation as a Methodist teen”—reflects a modern Methodist congregation, likely United Methodist, rooted in this American branch. Methodism grew rapidly during the Second Great Awakening (1790s–1830s), appealing to everyday people through revival meetings.

Core Doctrines

The origin of Methodist Church teachings lies in Wesley’s theology, blending Protestant principles with a focus on grace, faith, and holiness. Salvation is seen as a journey of grace, accessed through faith, as in Ephesians 2:8 (“By grace you have been saved, through faith”). Confirmation, a rite for youth to affirm faith, is central, as the speaker notes: “I stood in front of the church and made a vow.” Baptism, often infant sprinkling, is a sacrament symbolizing grace, not essential for salvation. John 3:16 (“Whoever believes in him shall not perish”) underpins this faith-centered approach. The speaker’s critique—“No one ever opened the Bible to show me how people were saved”—suggests their church prioritized ritual over scriptural obedience.

Salvation Teaching

Methodist salvation teaching emphasizes prevenient, justifying, and sanctifying grace. Prevenient grace draws people to God, justifying grace forgives through faith, and sanctifying grace fosters holiness. Confirmation is a means of grace, where youth publicly commit, as the speaker did. Baptism, per Acts 16:33 (“He and all his household were baptized”), is symbolic, often administered to infants. The speaker’s realization—“Confirmation isn’t even in the Bible”—highlights this gap. Methodists may use a sinner’s prayer in revival settings, drawing from Romans 10:9 (“If you declare… Jesus is Lord”), but it’s secondary to confirmation.

Historical Context

The history of Methodist Church ties to 18th-century England, where Wesley’s open-air preaching sparked revival. The movement’s American growth during the 19th century, through circuit riders and camp meetings, shaped its salvation focus. Confirmation became formalized to disciple youth, reflecting Wesley’s emphasis on nurturing faith. The origin of Methodist Church teachings on salvation draws from Wesleyan Arminianism, rejecting Calvinist predestination for free will and grace. The Second Great Awakening reinforced this, with Methodists like Francis Asbury promoting emotional faith commitments. The speaker’s church, with its confirmation focus, fits this tradition, emphasizing assurance over obedience.

Biblical Contrast

The New Testament presents a structured salvation plan, as the speaker discovered: “I obeyed the gospel just like they did in Acts.” Acts 2:38 commands, “Repent and be baptized… for the forgiveness of your sins.” 1 Peter 3:21 clarifies, “Baptism that now saves you.” The Church of Christ, which the speaker likely joined, teaches hearing, believing, repenting, confessing, and baptism (Mark 16:16), followed by faithfulness (Revelation 2:10). Methodist confirmation and symbolic baptism diverge, as James 2:24 refutes faith-only salvation: “A person is considered righteous by what they do and not by faith alone.”

Respectful Reflection

Respectfully, Methodism’s grace-focused approach nurtures faith but overlooks obedience. The speaker’s shift—“I’m thankful I saw the truth before it was too late”—urges testing traditions against Scripture. Study Acts 2 to align with God’s plan, prioritizing biblical obedience over rituals.

7. Key Bible Passages to Read and Study

The speaker’s journey—“I obeyed the gospel just like they did in Acts”—highlights Bible verses about salvation. These Scriptures for eternal life reveal God’s plan, countering confirmation’s inadequacy. Below are 10 verses with explanations to guide your study.

1. Acts 2:38

“Repent and be baptized… for the forgiveness of your sins.”
Peter’s command links baptism to forgiveness, unlike Methodist confirmation.

2. Mark 16:16

“Whoever believes and is baptized will be saved…”
Jesus emphasizes faith and baptism, which the speaker embraced.

3. John 3:16

“Whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life.”
Belief is foundational, as the speaker trusted Jesus over rituals.

4. Romans 10:9

“If you declare… Jesus is Lord… you will be saved.”
Confession is key, part of the speaker’s obedience.

5. 1 Peter 3:21

“Baptism that now saves you…”
The speaker realized “baptism wasn’t just a symbol,” aligning with this truth.

6. Romans 6:3-4

“Baptized into his death… we too may live a new life.”
Baptism unites with Christ, a step the speaker took.

7. Acts 8:36-38

“What prevents me from being baptized?”
The eunuch’s baptism after belief mirrors the speaker’s action.

8. Acts 22:16

“Get up, be baptized and wash your sins away…”
Baptism cleanses sins, unlike confirmation’s symbolic role.

9. Galatians 3:27

“Baptized into Christ have clothed yourselves with Christ.”
Baptism connects to Jesus, part of the speaker’s gospel obedience.

10. Revelation 2:10

“Be faithful… and I will give you life.”
Faithfulness ensures salvation, as the speaker followed post-baptism.

Study these Bible verses about salvation to find the Scriptures for eternal life. Obey the gospel, as the speaker did, for eternal hope.

8. Common Misunderstandings about Salvation 

False teachings about salvation often mislead, as the speaker discovered in their Methodist church. “No one ever opened the Bible to show me how people were saved in the New Testament,” they said, highlighting misconceptions about grace that obscure God’s plan. Below, five common errors are explained, each corrected with Scripture, emphasizing the truth about baptism. These contrast with the speaker’s shift to obeying the gospel, as in Acts.

Faith Only Saves

Many believe faith alone secures salvation, without obedience. Methodist teaching, rooted in Ephesians 2:8-9 (“By grace you have been saved, through faith”), often emphasizes faith over works. The speaker’s church focused on confirmation, not obedience, leading to their realization: “I realized baptism wasn’t just a symbol.” James 2:24 corrects: “A person is considered righteous by what they do and not by faith alone.” James 2:17 adds, “Faith by itself, if it is not accompanied by action, is dead.” Persuasively, faith without baptism and repentance is incomplete, like a seed unplanted. The speaker’s shift to “obey the gospel” aligns with Mark 16:16: “Whoever believes and is baptized will be saved.”

Baptism Is Optional

Some view baptism as a symbolic ritual, not essential for salvation. Methodists teach infant sprinkling or adult confirmation as sacramental, not salvific. The speaker’s church, with its “vow” during confirmation, implied baptism’s symbolic role. Acts 2:38 refutes: “Repent and be baptized… for the forgiveness of your sins.” 1 Peter 3:21 clarifies, “Baptism that now saves you… as a pledge of a clear conscience toward God.” The speaker’s realization—“Baptism wasn’t just a symbol”—shows the truth about baptism as immersion for forgiveness. Practically, optional baptism risks incomplete obedience, unlike the speaker’s biblical response.

Saved Before Baptism

This error claims salvation occurs at belief, with baptism as a later testimony. Methodist confirmation, as the speaker experienced (“I stood in front of the church and made a vow”), suggests faith or vows suffice. Acts 22:16 corrects: “Get up, be baptized and wash your sins away, calling on his name.” Romans 6:3-4 explains, “All of us who were baptized into Christ Jesus were baptized into his death… we too may live a new life.” The speaker’s action—“I obeyed the gospel just like they did in Acts”—rebuts this, emphasizing baptism’s role. Persuasively, salvation includes immersion, not just emotional commitment.

Confirmation Saves

Methodist confirmation is mistaken for salvation, as a rite affirming faith. The speaker notes, “Confirmation isn’t even in the Bible.” This ritual, absent in Scripture, is seen as a means of grace but not salvation. Acts 8:36-38 corrects: “What prevents me from being baptized?” The eunuch’s baptism after belief shows the biblical pattern, unlike confirmation. Galatians 3:27 adds, “Baptized into Christ have clothed yourselves with Christ.” Persuasively, confirmation lacks scriptural basis, while baptism is essential, as the speaker discovered.

Grace Excuses Ritual Over Obedience

Some think grace allows rituals like confirmation to replace obedience. The speaker’s church emphasized vows over Scripture. Titus 2:11-12 corrects: “The grace of God… teaches us to say ‘No’ to ungodliness and worldly passions.” The speaker’s shift—“I’m thankful I saw the truth before it was too late”—rebuts this, aligning with Romans 6:1-2: “Shall we go on sinning so that grace may increase? By no means!” Persuasively, grace demands obedience, not ceremonial substitutes.

These misconceptions about grace distort salvation, but the speaker’s journey shows the power of truth. Study Acts 2 to embrace the truth about baptism and obey the gospel, ensuring eternal life through God’s plan, not human traditions.

9. Real-Life Examples of Changed Lives 

Testimony 1: Sarah’s Awakening

Sarah, 30, underwent Methodist confirmation as a teen, believing it secured salvation. “I made my vow, but never questioned it,” she recalls. Reading Acts, she echoed the speaker: “I realized baptism wasn’t just a symbol.” Studying Acts 2:38 (“Repent and be baptized… for the forgiveness of your sins”), Sarah believed, repented, and was immersed, joining a Church of Christ. “Baptism gave me true peace,” she says. Her Christian testimony reflects a changed life through the gospel, now teaching others to obey Scripture.

Testimony 2: James’ Journey

James, 27, grew up in a Methodist church, trusting confirmation’s vows. “I thought I was saved,” he shares. The speaker’s words—“No one ever opened the Bible to show me how people were saved”—prompted him to study Mark 16:16 (“Whoever believes and is baptized will be saved”). James repented, confessed faith, and was baptized, embracing the Church of Christ. “I found God’s truth,” he says, mentoring youth. His Christian testimony shows a changed life through the gospel, moving from ritual to obedience.

A Shared Path

Sarah and James mirror the speaker’s shift: “I obeyed the gospel just like they did in Acts.” Acts 8:36-38 illustrates immediate baptism, reflecting their urgency. Romans 6:4 promises, “We too may live a new life.” Both left Methodist traditions for biblical salvation, finding purpose in Acts 2:47’s church. Their stories urge studying Scripture to obey the gospel.

The speaker’s gratitude—“I’m thankful I saw the truth before it was too late”—inspires action. Will you reject rituals for the gospel, finding eternal joy in Christ’s truth?

10. Why Urgency Matters in Responding to the Gospel (

Why delay salvation when eternity hangs in the balance? The urgency of salvation drives the speaker’s story: “I’m thankful I saw the truth before it was too late.” Realizing “baptism wasn’t just a symbol,” they “obeyed the gospel just like they did in Acts,” moving from Methodist confirmation to biblical obedience. Scripture demands immediate action, rejecting rituals for God’s plan.

Life’s Fragility

Life’s uncertainty underscores the need for haste. James 4:14 warns, “You do not even know what will happen tomorrow… you are a mist that appears for a little while and then vanishes.” The speaker’s gratitude—“I saw the truth before it was too late”—reflects this reality. Proverbs 27:1 adds, “Do not boast about tomorrow, for you do not know what a day may bring.” A young professional might plan to obey later, but illness or accidents strike without warning. Persuasively, life’s brevity demands action now, as the speaker’s swift obedience shows.

God’s Call Is Immediate

Scripture declares today is the day for salvation. 2 Corinthians 6:2 states, “Now is the time of God’s favor, now is the day of salvation.” The speaker’s shift—“I obeyed the gospel just like they did in Acts”—mirrors this urgency, prompted by studying Acts. Hebrews 3:15 urges, “Today, if you hear his voice, do not harden your hearts.” Practically, read Acts 2:38 (“Repent and be baptized”) now, not next year. A parent, trusting confirmation, might study Mark 16:16 and act immediately. Persuasively, God’s grace is available today—waiting risks missing it.

Obedience Demands Promptness

Do not delay obeying the gospel. The speaker’s action—“I realized baptism wasn’t just a symbol”—aligns with Acts 8:36-38: “What prevents me from being baptized?” The eunuch’s immediate baptism shows no delay. Acts 2:41 records thousands baptized on the spot after believing. Hebrews 6:4-6 warns against falling away, urging prompt obedience. Practically, believe, repent, and be immersed now, as Romans 6:3-4 links baptism to new life. A student, swayed by Methodist vows, might choose baptism after reading Acts 22:16 (“Wash your sins away”). Persuasively, delay hardens hearts, while obedience brings forgiveness, as the speaker found.

Consequences of Waiting

Delaying risks eternal loss. 2 Thessalonians 1:8-9 warns of “everlasting destruction” for those who “do not obey the gospel.” The speaker’s urgency—“Before it was too late”—rebuts reliance on confirmation. Matthew 7:21 states, “Not everyone who says to me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ will enter the kingdom of heaven, but only the one who does the will of my Father.” A worker, trusting Methodist rituals, might delay baptism, risking judgment. Acts 4:12 affirms, “Salvation is found in no one else.” Persuasively, acting now ensures forgiveness through baptism, not vows.

A Call to Respond

The urgency of salvation is undeniable. Romans 13:11 urges, “The hour has already come for you to wake up… salvation is nearer now than when we first believed.” The speaker’s obedience—“I obeyed the gospel just like they did in Acts”—shows the joy of acting promptly. Acts 2:47 praises God adding to His church those who obey. A retiree, taught confirmation saves, might study 1 Peter 3:21 and choose baptism. Don’t let rituals delay you—today is the day to obey.

Reject confirmation’s false assurance and obey the gospel now, securing eternal life through Christ’s plan.

11. Questions to Ask Yourself After Watching 

Is your salvation rooted in Scripture or tradition? The speaker’s journey—“I realized baptism wasn’t just a symbol”—prompts examining your eternal destiny. Here are six questions to reflect on the Bible truth about salvation.

1. Am I saved by God’s plan or human rituals?
   The speaker “obeyed the gospel just like they did in Acts.” Does your salvation align with Acts 2:38 (“Repent and be baptized”)?
2. Do I trust confirmation or Scripture?
   “Confirmation isn’t even in the Bible,” the speaker said. Are you relying on vows or Acts 8:38?
3. Have I truly believed in Jesus?
   The speaker studied Acts for truth. Do you trust Jesus’ sacrifice (John 3:16)?
4. Have I repented of my sins?
   Acts 3:19 urges, “Repent… so that your sins may be wiped out.” Have you turned from sin?
5. Was I baptized biblically?
   The speaker learned “baptism wasn’t just a symbol.” Were you immersed for forgiveness (Mark 16:16)?
6. Am I living faithfully?
   The speaker “obeyed the gospel.” Are you faithful daily (Revelation 2:10)?

These questions challenge reliance on Methodist confirmation, urging the Bible truth about salvation. Will you obey the gospel today, securing your eternal destiny?

12. Next Steps for Learning More 

The speaker’s transformation—“I’m thankful I saw the truth before it was too late”—urges action to learn how to be saved. Take these steps to follow the gospel.

Join a Bible Study

The speaker “read it for myself,” discovering Acts. Join a free Bible study at AreUSaved.com to explore Acts 2:38 (“Repent and be baptized”) and understand baptism’s role.

Read More Articles

Dive into AreUSaved.com’s articles to learn how to be saved. The speaker rejected “confirmation isn’t even in the Bible” for truth. Discover why baptism is essential (1 Peter 3:21).

Contact Us

Have questions about salvation? “I obeyed the gospel just like they did in Acts,” the speaker said. Use AreUSaved.com’s chatbot or contact page for guidance.

Act Now

The speaker’s urgency—“Before it was too late”—calls for action. Join a free Bible study, read articles, or reach out via the contact page at AreUSaved.com. Study Mark 16:16 to obey the gospel. Leave rituals behind and embrace Christ’s plan today for eternal hope!

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