The Plan of Salvation is really very simple.
That’s how it was meant to be.
But it still is a PLAN and there still is a way that it needs to be done.
HERE IT IS:
- HEAR THE WORD. How will someone know that there is a plan if they don’t hear it first? How will someone know about the Good News? How will someone come to know about Jesus Christ? By hearing the Word of God. Romans 10.17 says, “Consequently, faith comes from hearing the message, and the message is heard through the word about Christ.” (NIV)
- BELIEVE. One must believe in God and that He exists and believe the Word of God is true. Hebrews 11.6 says, “And without faith it is impossible to please God, because anyone who comes to him must believe that he exists and that he rewards those who earnestly seek him.” (NIV) See also John 5.24 “Truly, truly I say to you, whoever hears my Word and believes him who sent me has eternal life.”³
- REPENT. To repent means to turn away, as in stop sinning. Well no one can actually stop sinning. It just means that one has to try their best not to sin and to turn away from their old life and old ways. Acts 17.30 says, ”In the past God overlooked such ignorance, but now he commands all people everywhere to repent.” (NIV) “For all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God. Romans 3.23 and 2 Corinthians 7.10 “For godly grief produces a repentance that leads to salvation without regret”.
- CONFESS. What does one confess? That Jesus did come in the flesh, that He died for the whole world to save them from their sins, that He is the Christ, the Redeemer, the Son of God. One must confess this before men or others who can witness this. Romans 10.10 says, “For it is with your heart that you believe and are justified, and it is with your mouth that you profess your faith and are saved,” (NIV) and also, Acts 8.36-37 – “And as they went on their way, they came unto a certain water: and the eunuch said, See, here is water; what doth hinder me to be baptized? And Philip said, If thou believe with all thine heart, thou mayest. And he answered and said, I believe that Jesus Christ is the Son of God.” (KJV)
- BE BAPTIZED. Why, when, how? One must be baptized for the remission/forgiveness of sins and not to be able to “join” a certain church. Acts 2.38 says, “Peter replied, ‘Repent and be baptized, every one of you, in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins.” (NIV) One should be immediately baptized on the day that they have done the above steps for one does not know if they will see the next day. It is that urgent! 2 Corinthians 6.2 says, “I tell you, now is the time of God’s favor, now is the day of salvation.”(NIV) Also, Acts 22.16 says, “And now what are you waiting for? Get up, be baptized and wash your sins away, calling on his name.” (NIV) One should be immersed in water, which means to go down, go into, water. Acts 8.38 says, “And he gave orders to stop the chariot. Then both Philip and the eunuch went down into the water and Philip baptized him.” (NIV) The word “baptize” comes from the Greek word “baptizo” which means to immerse. One must be completely immersed in water, not dipped or sprinkled.
- LIVE FAITHFULLY UNTIL DEATH. This is a very important step because one cannot just do anything and everything after confessing Jesus and becoming baptized. One must grow spiritually by renewing one’s mind. Romans 12.2 says, “Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewal of your mind.” (NIV) Revelations 2.10 says, “Be faithful, even to the point of death, and I will give you the crown of life.” (NIV) and also Matthew 24.13 says, “But the one who endures to the end will be saved.”
I am a proud member of the Church of Christ. The Bible teaches that it is the ONLY church that Jesus established.
Matthew 16.18 says, “And I tell you that you are Peter, and on this rock I will build my church, and the gates of Hades will not overcome it.” (NIV)
But don’t just take my word for it. NEVER, never take someone’s word as gold! Study it for yourself and test everything.
