We often refer to The Plan of Salvation. To what are we referring? We may quote Acts 2:38 or Mark 16:16, which is certainly the thing to do, but let’s go into a little more detail. The word plan means: “a method for achieving an end” (https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/plan). The end is salvation. The scriptures tell us, “For this is good and acceptable in the sight of God our Saviour; Who will have all men to be saved, and to come unto the knowledge of the truth” (1 Tim. 2:3-4). God wants all to be saved. If you ask most people, “Do you want to be saved?” they will respond in the affirmative. So God has provided a way to accomplish this, a method for achieving that end – salvation. What is that method?
First, you have to know what to do. Saul asked our Lord, “…Lord, what wilt thou have me to do…” (Acts 9:6)? We learn what to do from the Holy Word of God. Paul informs us that, “So then faith cometh by hearing, and hearing by the word of God” (Rom. 10:17). This rules out a direct operation of the Holy Spirit. The Holy Spirit directs us all through the word of God. So we hear.
Second, we must believe in Jesus Christ. The Hebrew writer makes it very clear when he writes, “But 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” (Heb. 11:6). Jesus said it like this, “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” (John 8:24). So we are to believe in Jesus Christ.
Third, we are to repent of our sins. Sin separates one from God (Isa. 59:1-2), and we also know that the wages of sin is death (Rom. 6:23). Repentance is a change of direction as a result of a change in our heart (2 Cor. 7:10). This is characterized by the word stop. Stop what you are doing wrong and start doing what is right. Peter’s instruction on the day of Pentecost, to those who had crucified Christ, was “Then Peter said unto them, Repent, and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins, and ye shall receive the gift of the Holy Ghost” (Acts 2:38). If you are committing adultery, stop! If you are stealing, stop! If you are gambling, stop! So we repent of our sins.
Fourth, we are to confess Christ before men. Let the scriptures speak, “That if thou shalt confess with thy mouth the Lord Jesus, and shalt believe in thine heart that God hath raised him from the dead, thou shalt be saved. For with the heart man believeth unto righteousness; and with the mouth confession is made unto salvation” (Rom. 10:9-10). So we confess Christ.
Fifth, we are to be baptized. It is in baptism that we come into contact with the blood of Christ, which saves us (Eph. 1:7). When we are baptized into Christ, we obey the death, burial and resurrection of Christ (Romans 6) which is obeying the gospel (1 Cor. 15:1-4). So we are baptized into Christ.
Fifth, we are to be baptized. It is in baptism that we come into contact with the blood of Christ, which saves us (Eph. 1:7). When we are baptized into Christ, we obey the death, burial and resurrection of Christ (Romans 6) which is obeying the gospel (1 Cor. 15:1-4). So we are baptized into Christ.
This is God’s plan of salvation, not man’s.
