Plan of Salvation
Acts 16:30-34
· Vs. 30- And brought them out, and said, Sirs, what must I do to be saved?
· Vs. 31- And they said, Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ, and thou shalt be saved, and thy house.
· Vs. 32- And they spake unto him the word of the Lord, and to all that were in his house.
· Vs. 33- And he took them the same hour of the night, and washed their wounds; and was baptized, he and all his, straightway.
· Vs. 34- And when he had brought them into his house, he set meat before them, and rejoiced, believing in God with all his house.
o What must I do to be saved? This is your greatest question. “Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ, and thou shalt be saved,” is God’s answer. In these verses a man realized his need for “repentance toward God, and faith toward our Lord Jesus Christ.” “They spake unto him the word of the Lord.” He learned that the Lord Jesus “became the author of eternal salvation unto all them that obey him.” He “turned to God from idols to serve the living and true God.” He was saved. He showed it by his changed life, when he “washed their stripes (wounds)…was baptized…set meat before them and rejoiced.” You, too, need to repent from sin and turn to God. “Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ” and confess Him before men. You can show your salvation by being baptized. Then you, too, will rejoice. Will you admit you need to be saved? If so, say: “I need to be saved.
Romans 3:23
· For all have sinned, and come short of the glory of God;
o “All have sinned” includes you, me, and everyone. What is sin? God answers, “All unrighteousness is sin.” That is, all wrong or evil is sin. “Whatsoever is not of faith is sin,” and the one “that knoweth to do good, and doeth it not, to him it is sin.” “If we say that we have no sin, we deceive ourselves…if we say we have not sinned, we make him a liar, and his word is not in us.” Because you have sinned you are “guilty before God.” That is why you need to be forgiven and saved. Will you admit your are a sinner? If so, say: “I have sinned and have fallen short of the glory of God.”
Romans 6:23
· For the wages of sin is death; but the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord.
o “The wages of sin is death.” Wages are the pay you get for work. Death is the pay you get for sin. Death means to be separated or cut off from God. The penalty of “death passed upon all men, for that all have sinned.” Since you are not saved, God says you are spiritually dead. That is, you are “dead in trespasses and sins.” This is your state of Present Death as a lost person. You too face physical death. God says of physical death, “It is appointed unto men once to die.” This can happen to you at any time. Also there is permanent death if you suffer physical death while “dead in trespasses and sins,” then at God’s Judgment you will experience “the second death.” That is, you will be with those you have “their part in the lake which burneth with fire and brimstone: which is the second death.” This is the threefold death or wages your sin pays. How terrible! You do not have to die like that and be separated from God forever. God wants you to be saved from eternal death. He offers you the gift of eternal life. This is the “gift of God,… in Jesus Christ our Lord.” Jesus said, “He that heareth my word, and believeth on him that sent me, hat everlasting life, and shall not come in condemnation.” Since eternal life is a gift it cannot be obtained by “works, lest an many should boast.” “For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God.” God now offers you eternal life. Jesus Christ died and paid the debt for your sin. To be saved you must, by faith, accept this payment. Do you want eternal life instead of eternal death? If so, say: “The wages of my sin is death. But I see now God offers to give me eternal life in Jesus Christ.”
Romans 5:8
· But God commandeth his love toward us, in that, while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us.
o “While we were yet sinners, Christ died for us.” Christ paid the penalty for your sin. Because the wages of your sin is death, He died for you. On the cross, Jesus poured out His blood, which was “shed for many for the remission of sins.” He did this so that “by the grace of God” He “should taste death for every man.” In this way, “God commandeth (demonstrated) his love toward us.” Do you believe God made payment for your sins in Christ’s death on the cross? If so, say: “I believe Christ died for my sins.”
Romans 2:4
· Or despises thou the riches of his goodness and forbearance and longsuffering; not knowing that the goodness of God leadeth thee to repentance?
o Repentance is a change of mind, heart, and directions. It is shown in a “godly sorrow” which leads you to turn “to God from idols to serve the living and true God. “ You turn away from “sin to salvation not to be repented of.” Jesus warns, “Except ye repent, ye shall all likewise perish.” Remember, God “now commandeth all men everywhere to repent.” Do not presume on God’s mercy. Obey God’s command now. “Repent ye therefore, and be converted, that your sins may be blotted out.” God’s “forbearance and longsuffering” show you the Lord is “not willing that any should perish, but that all should come to repentance.” Are you sorry for your sins and willing to obey God’s command to repent so that your sins may be blotted out? If so, say: “I am sorry for my sins. I see that the goodness of God leads me to repent.”
Romans 10:9-14
· Vs. 9- 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.
· Vs. 10- For with the heart man believeth unto righteousness; and with the mouth confession is made unto salvation.
· Vs. 11- For the scripture saith, Whosoever believeth on him shall not be ashamed.
· Vs. 12- For there is no difference between the Jew and the Greek: for the same Lord over all is rich unto all that call upon him.
· Vs. 13- For whosoever shall call upon the name of the Lord shall be saved.
· Vs. 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?
o When you “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.” God makes it simple. You trust with your heart and tell with your mouth, and this results in righteousness. Whoever shall call on the name of the Lord shall be saved.” You express your repentance and faith by calling in prayer. In this way you invite Jesus into your heart. He promises. “If any man hear my voice, and open the door. I will come in to him.” Jesus told how one man was saved when he spoke from his heart only seven words: “God be merciful to me a sinner.” When should you “call on the name of the Lord?” God says, “I have heard thee in a time accepted…behold, now is the accepted time; behold now is the day of salvation.” Believe Jesus died for your sin and “God raised him from the dead.” “Call on the name of the Lord” and “Confess with thy mouth the Lord Jesus.” He promises “whosoever therefore shall confess me before men, him will I confess also before my Father which is in heaven.” When you do this you know that you are saved. Will you call on the Lord to come into your heart and save you now? If so, say: “I will call on the Lord inviting Him to come into my heart and save me now.” So do it now. Pray this simple prayer: “Lord I have sinned. I am sorry for my sins. I now give my life to you. I accept you as my Lord and Saviour. I ask you to save me and live in my life. God be merciful to me a sinner. In jesus’ name I pray. Amen”
If you believed God has saved you now turn to Matthew 28:18-20 and read.
Credits:
Clift Brannon Evangelistic Association, inc., “Soul Winner’s New Testament” 1977
