When you die do
you know where you will spend eternity? This is the most important question
every person must answer. The Bible is very clear, we will all stand before the
Lord and give an account for our lives (Rom. 14:12). Therefore, it does
matter how we live. On the one hand, it is impossible for anyone of us to save
ourselves (Matt. 19:25-26). There is no such thing as a “good” person (Rom.
3:10-23; 6:23). But on the other hand, it is by grace through faith that
salvation is made possible (Eph. 2:8-9). But what steps are necessary to be
saved through faith?
Some believe that all people will be saved, so there are no steps
necessary to become saved. Others believe that they must somehow earn their
salvation. Many believe that all one must do is say a sinner’s prayer. Some add
to that trusting in Jesus in order to be saved, and others add things like
baptism as well. So what is the Biblical plan of salvation through faith, when
ALL of Scripture is examined?
First, by faith: a person must believe in Jesus, that He died, rose
from the grave, and that He takes a person’s sins away (John 3:16; 11:25-26;
Col. 1:23). The belief talked about in John 3:16 means a present active trust
in Christ for salvation. It is NOT a past tense, one-time event. In other
words, this type of belief must remain in the person until death if it is to be
effective.
Second, by faith: a person must repent of their sins (Luke 13:3, 5;
Acts 2:38; 3:19; 5:31; 17:30; 26:20; 2 Peter 3:9). Repentance is a change of
mind about sin which will result in a change of lifestyle (Matt. 3:9; Acts
26:20).
Third, by faith: a person must confess Jesus as Lord. Peter models
this type of confession in Matthew 16:16, “You are the Christ, the Son of the
Living God.” Through this confession, the new believer has just declared that
all that they do must first be cleared through Jesus; He is their Master (Matt.
10:32-33; Rom. 10:9-10; 1 John 4:2-3, 15).
And fourth, by
faith: a person must be baptized (Matt. 28:19; Mark 16:16; John 3:3-5; Acts
2:38; Gal. 3:27; 1 Peter 3:21). In Acts 2:38, Peter plainly teaches that
baptism is essential for salvation:
“Repent 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.”
The Greek word
for baptism (baptizo) always means to immerse. This is the picture of
being buried with Christ (Rom. 6:3-6; Col. 2:12). Immersion is a passive event.
It is not a work for the person being immersed. Likewise Saul (the Apostle
Paul) was told how to be saved which included being immersed. 'Now why do you
delay? Get up, be baptized and wash your sins away, calling on His name” (Acts
22:16). Furthermore, the New Testament church modeled this pattern (see Acts
8:12, 36-38 9:18; 16:14-15, 33-34).
While some may
argue some of the points laid out above, we must remember which of the Three
Great Ages we are in (Patriarchal Age, Mosaic Age, and the Christian/Church
Age). Hebrews 7:12 says, “For when there is a change of the priesthood, there
must also be a change of the law.”
With the change
of law also came a change in the way we receive salvation, or God’s grace. In
the Mosaic Age, a person needed to have faith in the God of Israel including
following all of the prescribed laws; thus becoming a Jew. Now, in the
Christian/Church Age this is no longer necessary, but this is where common
misunderstandings come in.
Some people
will point to the thief on the cross and say, “Since the thief did not have to
be immersed in order to be saved then neither do I.” However, one must consider
when did the thief on the cross live and die? Answer: he lived and died in the
Mosaic Age. Christian baptism was not commanded until 50 days later (Acts 2:38
see also Mark 16:16) at the beginning of the Christian/Church Age.
Others will
look at one passage without considering who it was originally written to. Were
they non-believers, or were they already immersed believers? Remember,
immersion is a one-time event. However, the necessity to continue in the
present active trust in Christ for a person’s salvation must be present until
we are with the Lord in heaven (Matt. 10:32-33; 1 John 1:7-10).
Therefore, the
faith Eph. 2:8 mentions is the heading under which each part of the Biblical
plan of salvation falls: belief, repentance, confession and immersion. To
reject this, is to reject numerous clear passages of Scripture and goes against
proper Biblical interpretation.
By having and
following the Biblical plan of salvation we can have assurance of our salvation
(1 John 5:13). We can enjoy times of refreshing from the presence of the Lord
here and now (Acts 3:19). And we are
free from condemnation on the Day of Judgment, since we are in Christ (Rom.
8:1).
It is my prayer
that you follow the Biblical plan of salvation in order that you can have great
confidence both now and on that Day when you stand before the Lord concerning
your eternity. If you have not, what is
holding you back from getting right with God?
Because of
God’s love,
Matt
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