Salvation

God's Plan Of Salvation

The Bible is very clear about what it takes to become a Christian. Unfortunately, many in the world teach something different. Some think faith alone saves. Some think that a simple prayer to God will save them. Some think that being kind and loving is all that is needed. But what does the Bible say?

Step 1: We Must HEAR the Word

Without first hearing the word of God we would never know we are sinners and that the "wages of sin" are spiritual death (Rom. 3:23For all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God. and Rom. 6:23For the wages of sin is death, but the free gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord.). Without hearing we wouldn't know of Jesus' sacrifice for our sins and our need for him.

Step 2: We Must BELIEVE What We Hear

Merely hearing the word of God doesn't save. We must believe what we hear or we are not likely to obey the Bible's commands. In John 8:24I told you that you would die in your sins; if you do not believe that I am he, you will indeed die in your sins. Jesus says, "...if ye believe not that I am He, ye shall die in your sins." But belief is not enough. In Matt 7:21Not everyone who says to me, 'Lord, Lord,' will enter the kingdom of heaven, but only the one who does the will of my Father who is in heaven. we learn that just declaring our belief is not enough – we must "do" what God demands.

Step 3: We Must REPENT of Our Sins

Sin is what separates us from God (Isaiah 59:2But your iniquities have separated you from your God; your sins have hidden his face from you, so that he will not hear.). Therefore, if we intend to seek God's forgiveness, we must be willing to repent of our sins. Repentence means "turning away from sin" and making the effort to sin no more. If we aren't willing to repent of our sins, we cannot be saved (Acts 3:19Repent, then, and turn to God, so that your sins may be wiped out, that times of refreshing may come from the Lord.; Luke 13:3I tell you, no! But unless you repent, you too will all perish.).

Step 4: We Must CONFESS Our Faith

Those that wish to be saved must confess their faith in Jesus. It was Jesus Christ himself who said, "Whosoever therefore shall confess me before men, him will I confess also before my Father which is in heaven" (Matt. 10:32Whoever acknowledges me before others, I will also acknowledge before my Father in heaven.; 1 John 4:15Whoever confesses that Jesus is the Son of God, God abides in him, and he in God.).

Step 5: We Must Be BAPTIZED

There is considerable religious confusion about baptism. Some think baptism isn't necessary, others believe we are saved before we are baptized. Note what the Bible says baptism does:

1. Baptism shows a good conscience to God (1 Pet. 3:21Baptism, which corresponds to this, now saves you, not as a removal of dirt from the body but as an appeal to God for a good conscience, through the resurrection of Jesus Christ.)
2. Baptism washes away sins (Acts 22:16And now why do you wait? Rise and be baptized and wash away your sins, calling on his name.; 1 Cor. 6:11And that is what some of you were. But you were washed, you were sanctified, you were justified in the name of the Lord Jesus Christ and by the Spirit of our God.)
3. Baptism gives entry "into" Christ (Rom. 6:3Or do you not know that as many of us as were baptized into Christ Jesus were baptized into His death?; Gal 3:27For all of you who were baptized into Christ have clothed yourselves with Christ.)

In other words, our sins are not washed away, and we are not "in Christ" until we are baptized. Since baptism is for the forgiveness of sins (Acts 2:38Repent and be baptized, every one of you, in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins, and you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit.), we are still in our sins (and lost) until we are baptized. We should also realize that baptism is a burial or immersion--not sprinkling (Rom. 6:3Or do you not know that as many of us as were baptized into Christ Jesus were baptized into His death?-4) and baptism is for believers, not infants (Mark 16:16Whoever believes and is baptized will be saved, but whoever does not believe will be condemned.).

Is baptism a work? In one sense it is, but Jesus says belief is a work too (see John 6:29Jesus answered, 'The work of God is this: to believe in the one he has sent.'). Are we saved by our works? No! But we must still do those works, including being baptized for the forgiveness of our sins. We are saved by the mercy and grace of God, but He demands we be baptized to wash away our sins. He does the work, if we follow His instructions.

Step 6: We Must Remain FAITHFUL

While baptism puts us into Christ and washes away our sins, we must still be obedient and faithful to God, otherwise, we will lose our souls. The Bible tells us "...be thou faithful unto death, and I will give thee a crown of life" (Rev. 2:10Do not be afraid of what you are about to suffer. I tell you, the devil will put some of you in prison to test you, and you will suffer persecution for ten days. Be faithful, even to the point of death, and I will give you life as your victor's crown.). Some suggest that once we are saved, we cannot be lost. Doesn't that contradict what Hebrews 6:4-6It is impossible for those who have once been enlightened, who have tasted the heavenly gift, who have shared in the Holy Spirit

who have tasted the goodness of the word of God and the powers of the coming age

and who have fallen[a] away, to be brought back to repentance. To their loss they are crucifying the Son of God all over again and subjecting him to public disgrace. says?

Check out the verses above with your own Bible, pray to God for understanding, and please give this some serious thought.

Your soul depends on it!