The Scriptures teach that the first step toward salvation is to believe in the Lord Jesus Christ; that the second step is to repent and turn from sin; that the third step is to be baptized by immersion for the remission of sins; and that the fourth step is to receive the gift of the Holy Ghost through the laying on of hands by those having authority to confer it. These are first among the saving principles of the Gospel of Christ; and while men may claim that the requirements instituted by Him for the salvation of mankind are no longer necessary, the sincere seeker after salvation will prefer to believe the revealed word of God. IS BELIEF ALONE SUFFICIENT? [Sidenote: Rom. 1: 16. Heb. 11: 6.] The Gospel is the power of God unto salvation to every one that _believeth_; and "without _faith_ it is impossible to please Him: for he that cometh to God must _believe_ that He is, and that He is a rewarder of them that diligently seek him." But what constitutes the faith and belief named here? Is it a mere intellectual assent or opinion? Must we also _do_ as well as _believe_? [Sidenote: Genuine Belief.] [Sidenote: John 17: 3. 1 John 2: 3, 4.] The beloveth disciple writes: "And this is life eternal, that they might know thee the only true God, and Jesus Christ, whom thou hast sent." Construe this statement with another passage of Scripture, "And hereby we do know that we know him, if we keep his commandments. He that saith, I know him, and keepeth not his commandments, is a liar, {148} and the truth is not in him." The devils _believe_--and tremble. James 2: 19. [Sidenote: Matt. 28: 19, 20.] Jesus said to his apostles: "Go ye therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost; teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I have commanded you." The disciples were sent to teach all nations, and they were instructed to enjoin obedience to "all things whatsoever" Christ gave as commandments. His language is so comprehensive that no command can be omitted. [Sidenote: Gal. 3: 7.] [Sidenote: John 8: 39.] [Sidenote: Gen. 26: 5.] [Sidenote: James 1: 22.] "Know ye therefore, that they which are of faith, the same are the children of Abraham." But, "If ye were Abraham's children, ye would do the works of Abraham." "Because that Abraham obeyed my voice, and kept my charge, my commandments, my statutes, and my laws." "But be ye doers of the word, and not hearers only, deceiving your own selves." [Sidenote: Faith and works.] [Sidenote: James 2: 14-22.] "What doth it profit, my brethren, though a man say he hath faith, and have not works? can faith save him? But wilt thou know, O vain man, that faith without works is dead? Was not Abraham our father justified by works, when he had offered Isaac his son upon the altar? Seest thou how faith wrought with his works, and by works was faith made perfect?" [Sidenote: Luke 6: 46.] [Sidenote: Luke 11: 28.] [Sidenote: John 14: 15-21.]