Believe the Gospel and you shall be saved.
Gospel literally means, "Good News." The Bible contains both good news and bad news for mankind. First, the bad news. Although God created the earth and everything in it and it was all "very good," Adam and Eve disobeyed God's command and introduced sin into the world. And, the bad news is that we are all sinners and the consequence for our sin is death. Our sin also separates us from God, who is holy and perfect and without sin. Well, why can't God just forgive everyone and accept everyone in heaven? God cannot do that because He is also perfectly just. And sin, just like any rebellion or law-breaker, must receive a just punishment.
So, mankind has a problem. We are sinners and that sin separates us from having a relationship with God now and eternally in heaven when we die. And, because of our sin, we must suffer the penalty of death - eternal separation from God in hell.
However, there is Good News! God provides a solution to our sin problem. Jesus Christ, the Son of God, willingly became a man, obediently lived a perfect, sinless life, and sacrificially suffered the penalty of sin and death on the cross for all of mankind. On the cross, Jesus took upon Himself the punishment you deserve for your sin. He suffered death on the cross in your place. He was dead and buried in a tomb.
But, Jesus didn't stay dead. Jesus conquered sin and death by rising from the grave and He is alive today with God in heaven. While on earth, Jesus promised his disciples (and all those who believe in Him), "Because I live, you will live also." This is eternal life with God in heaven.
Now, it is through faith in Jesus Christ alone and His death and resurrection that one receives the forgiveness of sins and is reconciled to God. Romans 10:9-10 says, "If you openly declare that Jesus is Lord and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved. For it is by believing in your heart that you are made right with God, and it is by openly declaring your faith that you are saved."
So, mankind has a problem. We are sinners and that sin separates us from having a relationship with God now and eternally in heaven when we die. And, because of our sin, we must suffer the penalty of death - eternal separation from God in hell.
However, there is Good News! God provides a solution to our sin problem. Jesus Christ, the Son of God, willingly became a man, obediently lived a perfect, sinless life, and sacrificially suffered the penalty of sin and death on the cross for all of mankind. On the cross, Jesus took upon Himself the punishment you deserve for your sin. He suffered death on the cross in your place. He was dead and buried in a tomb.
But, Jesus didn't stay dead. Jesus conquered sin and death by rising from the grave and He is alive today with God in heaven. While on earth, Jesus promised his disciples (and all those who believe in Him), "Because I live, you will live also." This is eternal life with God in heaven.
Now, it is through faith in Jesus Christ alone and His death and resurrection that one receives the forgiveness of sins and is reconciled to God. Romans 10:9-10 says, "If you openly declare that Jesus is Lord and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved. For it is by believing in your heart that you are made right with God, and it is by openly declaring your faith that you are saved."