God’s Plan for Salvation and Eternal Life

The Plan of Salvation.

God’s Plan for Salvation and Eternal Life

For the gate is small, and the way is narrow that leads to life,
and few are those who find it. (Matthew 7:14)

Born Again?

Anyone who believes what Jesus said in John 3:3-18 John 3:3 Jesus answered and said unto him, Verily, verily, I say unto thee, Except a man be born again, he cannot see the kingdom of God.
John 3:4  Nicodemus saith unto him, How can a man be born when he is old? can he enter the second time into his mother's womb, and be born?
John 3:5  Jesus answered, Verily, verily, I say unto thee, Except a man be born of water and of the Spirit, he cannot enter into the kingdom of God.
John 3:6  That which is born of the flesh is flesh; and that which is born of the Spirit is spirit.
John 3:7  Marvel not that I said unto thee, Ye must be born again.
John 3:8  The wind bloweth where it listeth, and thou hearest the sound thereof, but canst not tell whence it cometh, and whither it goeth: so is every one that is born of the Spirit.
John 3:9  Nicodemus answered and said unto him, How can these things be?
John 3:10  Jesus answered and said unto him, Art thou a master of Israel, and knowest not these things?
John 3:11  Verily, verily, I say unto thee, We speak that we do know, and testify that we have seen; and ye receive not our witness.
John 3:12  If I have told you earthly things, and ye believe not, how shall ye believe, if I tell you of heavenly things?
John 3:13  And no man hath ascended up to heaven, but he that came down from heaven, even the Son of man which is in heaven.
John 3:14  And as Moses lifted up the serpent in the wilderness, even so must the Son of man be lifted up:
John 3:15  That whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have eternal life.
John 3:16  For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life.
John 3:17  For God sent not his Son into the world to condemn the world; but that the world through him might be saved.
John 3:18  He that believeth on him is not condemned: but he that believeth not is condemned already, because he hath not believed in the name of the only begotten Son of God.
About the requirement of being “born-again” must then ask himself two questions. First, what does it mean to be born again? And second, how do I become born again? When searching for answers to these questions, we must remember that anything beyond a biblically supported answer is speculation. Furthermore, the false teaching which asserts that a person can become “born-again” simply by accepting the Lord Jesus Christ into their heart and asking Him to become their personal Lord and Savior is not found anywhere in the bible, not even once! This is a false doctrine, which is leading multitudes astray. Study the following verses and consider the correlation between the new life that is received through baptism, and the necessity of being born again, which is described in John 3:3-8.

Or do you not know that all of us who have been baptized into Christ Jesus have been baptized into His death? Therefore we have been buried with Him through baptism into death, in order that as Christ was raised from the dead through the glory of the Father, so we too might walk in newness of life. For if we have become united with Him in the likeness of His death, certainly we shall be also in the likeness of His resurrection, knowing this, that our old self was crucified with Him, that our body of sin might be done away with, that we should no longer be slaves to sin; for he who has died is freed from sin. Now if we have died with Christ, we believe that we shall also live with Him, knowing that Christ, having been raised from the dead, is never to die again; death no longer is master over Him.
(Romans 6:3-9) Romans 6:3  Know ye not, that so many of us as were baptized into Jesus Christ were baptized into his death?
Romans 6:4  Therefore we are buried with him by baptism into death: that like as Christ was raised up from the dead by the glory of the Father, even so we also should walk in newness of life.
Romans 6:5  For if we have been planted together in the likeness of his death, we shall be also in the likeness of his resurrection:
Romans 6:6  Knowing this, that our old man is crucified with him, that the body of sin might be destroyed, that henceforth we should not serve sin.
Romans 6:7  For he that is dead is freed from sin.
Romans 6:8  Now if we be dead with Christ, we believe that we shall also live with him:
Romans 6:9  Knowing that Christ being raised from the dead dieth no more; death hath no more dominion over him.

Therefore if any man is in Christ, he is a new creature; the old things passed away; behold, new things have come. (2 Corinthians 5:17) 2Corinthians 5:18  And all things are of God, who hath reconciled us to himself by Jesus Christ, and hath given to us the ministry of reconciliation;
2Corinthians 5:19  To wit, that God was in Christ, reconciling the world unto himself, not imputing their trespasses unto them; and hath committed unto us the word of reconciliation.
2Corinthians 5:20  Now then we are ambassadors for Christ, as though God did beseech you by us: we pray you in Christ's stead, be ye reconciled to God.
2Corinthians 5:21  For he hath made him to be sin for us, who knew no sin; that we might be made the righteousness of God in him.

…having been buried with Him in baptism, in which you were also raised up with Him through faith in the working of God, who raised Him from the dead. And when you were dead in your transgressions and the uncircumcision of your flesh, He made you alive together with Him, having forgiven us all our transgressions, having canceled out the certificate of debt consisting of decrees against us…(Colossians 2:12-14) Colossians 2:12  Buried with him in baptism, wherein also ye are risen with him through the faith of the operation of God, who hath raised him from the dead.
Colossians 2:13  And you, being dead in your sins and the uncircumcision of your flesh, hath he quickened together with him, having forgiven you all trespasses;
Colossians 2:14  Blotting out the handwriting of ordinances that was against us, which was contrary to us, and took it out of the way, nailing it to his cross;
Colossians 2:15  And having spoiled principalities and powers, he made a shew of them openly, triumphing over them in it.

We become united with Christ and His death, burial, and resurrection, through baptism. The spiritual regeneration described in the above passages is clearly conditional upon baptism. Removing baptism from God’s salvation plan leaves the repentant convert clothed in sin, and dead in their transgressions. What God has declared concerning grace, does not at all invalidate what He has declared concerning baptism.
we must hear the Gospel of Jesus Christ. The Bible teaches that "faith comes by hearing, and hearing by the Word of God" (Romans 10:17) So then faith cometh by hearing, and hearing by the word of God.
. One is not a Christian because his parents are. Faith cannot be inherited (Ezekiel 18:20). Each person must believe in Jesus Christ for himself. Christianity is a religion of teaching (Matthew 28:19,20)Matthew 28:19  Go ye therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost:
Matthew 28:20  Teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I have commanded you: and, lo, I am with you alway, even unto the end of the world. Amen. . Unless one has heard the Gospel and learned that Jesus Christ died for his sins, was buried, and arose from the dead, he cannot be saved (1 Corinthians 15:1-4)1Corinthians 15:1  Moreover, brethren, I declare unto you the gospel which I preached unto you, which also ye have received, and wherein ye stand;
1Corinthians 15:2  By which also ye are saved, if ye keep in memory what I preached unto you, unless ye have believed in vain.
1Corinthians 15:3  For I delivered unto you first of all that which I also received, how that Christ died for our sins according to the scriptures;
1Corinthians 15:4  And that he was buried, and that he rose again the third day according to the scriptures:
. The apostle Paul wrote: "How then shall they call on Him in whom they have not believed? And how shall they believe in Him of whom they have not heard? And how shall they hear without a preacher" (Romans 10:14)Romans 10:13  For whosoever shall call upon the name of the Lord shall be saved.
Romans 10:14  How then shall they call on him in whom they have not believed? and how shall they believe in him of whom they have not heard? and how shall they hear without a preacher?
Romans 10:15  And how shall they preach, except they be sent? as it is written, How beautiful are the feet of them that preach the gospel of peace, and bring glad tidings of good things!
 One must first hear the Gospel before he can believe it.
                             First, the bad news...

Jesus said to him, “I am the way, and the truth, and the life; no one comes to the Father, but through Me.” (John 14:6)

…by the name of Jesus Christ the Nazarene…there is salvation in no one else; for there is no other name under heaven that has been given among men, by which we must be saved…(Acts 4:10,12)

…for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God…(Romans 3:23)

For the wages of sin is death, but the free gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord. (Romans 6:23)

…Do not be deceived; neither fornicators, nor idolaters, nor adulterers, nor effeminate, nor homosexuals, nor thieves, nor the covetous, nor drunkards, nor revilers, nor swindlers, shall inherit the kingdom of God.
(1 Corinthians 6:9-10)

…we must all appear before the judgment seat of Christ…(2 Corinthians 5:10)

…Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners…(1 Timothy 1:15)

For there is one God, and one mediator also between God and men, the man Christ Jesus…(1 Timothy 2:5)

…it is appointed for men to die once and after this comes judgment…(Hebrews 9:27)

If we say that we have no sin, we are deceiving ourselves, and the truth is not in us.
(1 John 1:8)

Everyone who practices sin also practices lawlessness; and sin is lawlessness.
(1 John 3:4)

You can’t get to God or to Heaven on your own. The Bible teaches that all people are sinners (Romans 3:23), and even one sin separates us from a holy God and dooms us to hell. It says that a death penalty must be paid for sin (Romans 6:23). A lot of people have a false idea of how to get to Heaven. They reason that if you’re basically good, you go to Heaven. And if you’re bad, you go to hell. They measure themselves against other people. That’s not what the Bible teaches. Someone who’s 7-feet tall may be a giant compared to someone who’s 4-feet tall. But compared to Mount Everest, both are short. From God’s perspective all people fall short. Our standard is not other people. It’s God. And He is perfect. None comes close to reaching Heaven on their own (Romans 3:10). That’s bad news for us, but thankfully, that’s not the end of the story...

Now for the good news!...

The Gospel literally means “good news!” The good news is this: God loves us so much He made a plan for us to be with Him in Heaven even though we’ve sinned. God became a man in the person of Jesus Christ, came to earth and lived a sinless life. He died on the cross, paying the death penalty that holy God requires of sin (Romans 5:8). Then he conquered death, rising again, so that through Him–and through Him alone–we can get to God and Heaven. We can’t earn and don’t deserve Heaven. But Jesus purchased a place in Heaven for you which He offers as a free gift. But a gift is not yours until you receive it personally (read on for how to receive it). You must trust Jesus to do what you cannot do–pay for your sin so that in God’s eyes, you are as sinless as Jesus Himself. Now that’s good news!

Belief / Faith

And as Moses lifted up the serpent in the wilderness, even so must the Son of Man be lifted up; that whoever believes may in Him have eternal life. For God so loved the world, that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish, but have eternal life. For God did not send the Son into the world to judge the world, but that the world should be saved through Him. He who believes in Him is not judged; he who does not believe has been judged already, because he has not believed in the name of the only begotten Son of God. (John 3:14-18)

For we maintain that a man is justified by faith apart from works of the Law.
(Romans 3:28)

For by grace you have been saved through faith; and that not of yourselves, it is the gift of God; not as a result of works, that no one should boast. (Ephesians 2:8-9)

Now faith is the assurance of things hoped for, the conviction of things not seen.
(Hebrews 11:1)

What use is it, my brethren, if a man says he has faith, but he has no works? Can that faith save him? If a brother or sister is without clothing and in need of daily food, and one of you says to them, “Go in peace, be warmed and be filled,” and yet you do not give them what is necessary for their body, what use is that? Even so faith, if it has no works, is dead, being by itself. But someone may well say, “You have faith, and I have works; show me your faith without the works, and I will show you my faith by my works.” You believe that God is one. You do well; the demons also believe, and shudder. But are you willing to recognize, you foolish fellow, that faith without works is useless? Was not Abraham our father justified by works, when he offered up Isaac his son on the altar? You see that faith was working with his works, and as a result of the works, faith was perfected; and the Scripture was fulfilled which says, “And Abraham believed God, and it was reckoned to him as righteousness,” and he was called the friend of God. You see that a man is justified by works, and not by faith alone. And in the same way was not Rahab the harlot also justified by works, when she received the messengers and sent them out by another way? For just as the body without the spirit is dead, so also faith without works is dead. (James 2:14-26)
one must believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of the living God (Matthew 16:16) Matthew 16:16  And Simon Peter answered and said, Thou art the Christ, the Son of the living God.
Matthew 16:17  And Jesus answered and said unto him, Blessed art thou, Simon Barjona: for flesh and blood hath not revealed it unto thee, but my Father which is in heaven.
 Jesus said: "...if you do not believe that I am He, you will die in your sins" (John 8:24)Johm 8:24  I said therefore unto you, that ye shall die in your sins: for if ye believe not that I am he, ye shall die in your sins.
. The jailor at Philippi asked Paul and Silas, "Sirs, what must I do to be saved?" They told him to "Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ, and you will be saved, you and your household" (Acts 16:30,31). Jesus also said: "He who believes and is baptized will be saved, but he who does not believe will be condemned" (Mark 16:16). One comes to believe in Jesus Christ when he hears the Gospel taught. Faith comes only by hearing the Word of God (Romans 10:17). This is the reason it is so important that the Gospel be preached to the whole world (Mark 16:15).
                                Repentance

…unless you repent, you will all likewise perish. (Luke 13:5)

…Repent, and let each of you be baptized in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins…(Acts 2:38)

…God is now declaring to men that all everywhere should repent, because He has fixed a day in which He will judge the world…(Acts 17:30-31)

For the sorrow that is according to the will of God produces a repentance without regret, leading to salvation; but the sorrow of the world produces death. (2 Corinthians 7:10). One must repent of his sins in order to be saved (Acts 17:30,31). Jesus commanded that "repentance and remission of sins should be preached in His name to all nations, beginning at Jerusalem" (Luke 24:47). Repentance is a result of being sorry for one’s sins (2 Corinthians 7:10). When the Jews on Pentecost Day learned from Peter that they had crucified the Son of God, they "were cut to the heart" ( Acts 2:37). They wanted to be forgiven of their sins, so they asked, "What shall we do?" They were told to "Repent, and let every one of you be baptized in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins..." (Acts 2:37,38). When one repents, he turns away from his sins (1 Thessalonians 1:9). He shows he has repented by doing good works (Matthew 3:8).

                                       Confess

Everyone therefore who shall confess Me before men, I will also confess him before My Father who is in heaven. But whoever shall deny Me before men, I will also deny him before My Father who is in heaven. (Matthew 10:32-33)

…if you confess with your mouth Jesus as Lord, and believe in your heart that God raised Him from the dead, you shall be saved; for with the heart man believes, resulting in righteousness, and with the mouth he confesses, resulting in salvation. (Romans 10:9-10)

If we confess our sins, He is faithful and righteous to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.
(1 John 1:9)

Whoever confesses that Jesus is the Son of God, God abides in him, and he in God.
(1 John 4:15) One must confess that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of the living God (Matthew 16:16). This great truth is the very foundation upon which the church of Christ is built (Matthew 16:18; Acts 4:11,12; 1 Corinthians 3:11). Jesus said that we must be willing to confess Him before men if we want Him to confess us before the Father (Matthew 10:32,33). The apostle Paul wrote: "But what does it say? ‘The word is near you, in your mouth and in your heart’ (that is, the word of faith which we preach): that if you confess with your mouth the Lord Jesus and believe in your heart that God has raised Him from the dead, you will be saved. For with the heart one believes unto righteousness, and with the mouth confession is made unto salvation" (Romans 10:8-10). When Philip preached Jesus to the Ethiopian eunuch, the eunuch asked, "What hinders me from being baptized?" Philip told him he could be baptized if he believed. The eunuch then confessed, "I believe that Jesus Christ is the Son of God" (Acts 8:35-38). We must make this important, yet simple confession also in order to be saved.
                           
                              The Sinners Prayer

A common salvation doctrine taught in Christian churches today, makes the claim that Jesus stands at the door of our hearts, and a sinner only has to ask Jesus into their heart, to become their personal Lord and Savior, and they will be saved. Reciting what has been called “the sinners prayer” or “the prayer of salvation” sometimes performs this. Yet there is not even one example recorded in the New Testament, of a prayer like this being used to convert a person to Christianity. So what then is this teaching based upon? One verse that is often used to support this false doctrine is Revelation 3:20.

“Behold, I stand at the door and knock; if anyone hears My voice and opens the door, I will come in to him, and dine with him, and he with Me.” (Revelation 3:20)

To accurately understand the correct meaning of this verse, it must be kept in proper context of the passage in which it was written. Revelation chapter 3, verse 14, indicates that verse 20, was part of a letter written to the “angel of the church” in Laodicea.

And to the angel of the church in Laodicea write: The Amen, the faithful and true Witness, the Beginning of the creation of God, says this: “I know your deeds, that you are neither cold nor hot; I would that you were cold or hot. So because you are lukewarm, and neither hot nor cold, I will spit you out of My mouth. Because you say, ‘I am rich, and have become wealthy, and have need of nothing,’ and you do not know that you are wretched and miserable and poor and blind and naked. I advise you to buy from Me gold refined by fire, that you may become rich, and white garments, that you may clothe yourself, and that the shame of your nakedness may not be revealed; and eyesalve to anoint your eyes, that you may see. Those whom I love, I reprove and discipline; be zealous therefore, and repent. Behold, I stand at the door and knock; if anyone hears My voice and opens the door, I will come in to him, and will dine with him, and he with Me.” (Revelation 3:14-20)

Strong’s Concordance #1577 defines “church” as; “a calling out, a popular meeting, a religious congregation, an assembly; (a Christian community of members on earth or saints in heaven or both)”. The word “church” is used here to refer to members of the body of Christ. Verse 19 clearly shows us that in verse 20, Christ is calling lukewarm Christians to repentance. This teaching, which claims that salvation can be obtained by simply asking Jesus into your heart, has no biblical foundation.

Lord Jesus, I know I am a sinner and have displeased You in many ways.  I believe You died for my sin and only through faith in Your death and resurrection can I be forgiven.  I want to turn from my sin and ask You to come into my life as my Savior and Lord.  From this day on, I will follow You by living a life that pleases You.  Thank You, Lord Jesus, for saving me.  Amen.

                                                   Be Baptized

One must be baptized in order to be saved. Jesus said: "He who believes and is baptized will be saved" (Mark 16:16). Please note that baptism follows belief. One who does not believe the Gospel cannot be truly baptized. Therefore, babies cannot be baptized for they are too young to (1) have sin, (2) hear the Gospel, (3) repent of sins, and (4) confess that Jesus Christ is the Son of God. Baptism also follows repentance. On Pentecost Day, Peter told those who asked what to do to be saved to "Repent, and let every one of you be baptized..." (Acts 2:38). One cannot be truly baptized who has not truly repented.

Baptism is a burial in water (Romans 6:3,4; Colossians 2:12). Therefore, sprinkling or pouring are not proper baptism. Baptism is in order to be saved (Mark 16:16; 1 Peter 3:21). One is not saved before he is baptized! Baptism is "for the remission (forgiveness) of sins" (Acts 2:38). Just as Jesus shed His blood for the remission of sins (Matthew 26:28), so we are baptized in order to receive the remission of sins. In baptism, the sinner’s sins are washed away by the blood of Jesus ( Acts 22:16; Revelation 1:5).

What does one have to do in order to be forgiven of his sins? He must (1) Hear the Gospel of Christ; (2) Believe that Jesus Christ is the Son of God; (3) Repent of all his past sins; (4) Confess that Christ is God’s Son; (5) Be baptized for the remission of sins. When he does this, he is added by the Lord to His church (Acts 2:41,47). He is born again (John 3:3-5; 2 Corinthians 5:17). He is in Christ where all spiritual blessings are to be found (Ephesians 1:3; Galatians 3:26,27). In short, he is a Christian (Acts 11:26; 26:28; 1 Peter 4:16).

Isa 61:1  The Spirit of the Lord GOD is upon me; because the LORD hath anointed me to preach good tidings unto the meek; he hath sent me to bind up the brokenhearted, to proclaim liberty to the captives, and the opening of the prison to them that are bound;
Isa 61:2  To proclaim the acceptable year of the LORD, and the day of vengeance of our God; to comfort all that mourn;
Isa 61:3  To appoint unto them that mourn in Zion, to give unto them beauty for ashes, the oil of joy for mourning, the garment of praise for the spirit of heaviness; that they might be called trees of righteousness, the planting of the LORD, that he might be glorified.
Isa 61:4  And they shall build the old wastes, they shall raise up the former desolations, and they shall repair the waste cities, the desolations of many generations.
Isa 61:5  And strangers shall stand and feed your flocks, and the sons of the alien shall be your plowmen and your vinedressers.
Isa 61:6  But ye shall be named the Priests of the LORD: men shall call you the Ministers of our God: ye shall eat the riches of the Gentiles, and in their glory shall ye boast yourselves.
Isa 61:7  For your shame ye shall have double; and for confusion they shall rejoice in their portion: therefore in their land they shall possess the double: everlasting joy shall be unto them.
 

                                                                                

                                                                               

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