Do I Have to Believe in the Bible to Accept Jesus?

A common misconception among Christians and non-Christians alike, is that one must accept the entire Bible as true and reliable before one is able to accept Jesus Christ as Savior. And, since I personally uphold the Bible as fully reliable, I would like to start there to find the answer to this question. What are the "requirements" for salvation?

That if you confess with your mouth, "Jesus is Lord," and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved. Romans 10:9

AND

"Jesus answered, "I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me." (John 14:6)

There is only one way to God and that is through Jesus Christ. The Bible also makes it perfectly clear that acts of service or works cannot be used as tickets into Heaven or as payment for God's love or favor.

For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith--and this not from yourselves, it is the gift of God--not by works, so that no one can boast. (Ephesians 2:8-9)

The process of "being saved" is not nearly so complicated as we try to make it. It is a recognition of who Jesus is and what He has done on my behalf. It is meeting Him as a Person--a Being--not merely a belief. It is a falling in love with Him. It is a commitment to a love relationship with Jesus. That is salvation, because all of the "work" was already done by Jesus on our behalf. The rest that we do--obedience, Scripture study and belief, acts of service--comes later. For though these things are pleasing to God if offered to Him from a loving heart, none of them can get you into Heaven. Only Jesus Christ can do that. (See: How Do I Accept Jesus?)

Once you have begun on that journey of getting to know Jesus, then take a look at how He used and relied on Scripture. As you allow Him to be your guide in life, allow Him to be your guide in your attitudes toward Scripture. It may be a long process. The key is to keep moving forward with Christ as your Guide.