The New Testament Plan of Salvation

    The Bible teaches us plainly how we are to become a Christian and a member of the Church of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. The pattern was set in the New Testament and followed by the first century Christian. That pattern has not changed and continues to be the way in which we become children of God. We must have faith in the grace of God and our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ and not ourselves as we follow God's word.

Hear the Word

    Hearing the word means listening to the word from a preacher/evangelist, learning from someone in a private study, or reading the Bible for yourself and learning what you must do. Hearing the word recognizes the dependence we have on the word of God, and not an outside agent, in order to be saved.

    Romans 10:17-"So then faith cometh by hearing, and hearing by the word of God."

    Other References: Mark 4:13-23, John 6:44-45; Acts 8:25, 35, 13:7, 44, 14:6-7, 15:7; Romans 1:15-16, 10:10-17, 15:19-20, 16:25-26, I Corinthians 15:1-4, II Corinthians 4:4-6, Colossians 1:23, II Timothy 3:16-17.

Believe

    Believing involves faith in God, Christ, and the Holy Spirit. A person must believe that Jesus Christ is the Son of God and through faith in His blood we can have salvation. A person must believe that Jesus died on the cross for our sins, arose from the tomb, and ascended to the right hand of the Father.

    John 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."

    Other References: Mark 16:16, John 3:15-16, 36, 6:29, 40, 47, 11:25, 20:31, Acts 8:36-37, 10:43, 16:31-33, Romans 1:16, 10:9, I Corinthians 1:21, Galatians 3:22, I Timothy 1:16, I John 5:13.

Repent

    Repentance is an acknowledgement and regret over our past sinful life. A person is sorry for what they have done and makes a determination to turn their life around. It is a recognition of one's weaknesses and the need for forgiveness.

    Acts 3:19-"Repent ye therefore, and be converted, that your sins may be blotted out, when the times of refreshing shall come from the presence of the Lord."

    Other References: Luke 13:3, 5, Acts 2:38, 17:30, 26:20, II Corinthians 7:10, II Peter 3:9

Confess

    Confession is an acknowledgement verbally before witnesses that Jesus is the Christ the Son of God. It is a statement that shows our belief and commitment to Christ. It shows our faith in Christ before others outwardly and our determination to live for Him.

    Matthew 10:32-33-"Whosoever therefore shall confess Me before men, him shall I confess also before My Father which is in heaven. But whosoever shall deny Me before men, him will I also deny before My Father which is in heaven."

    Other References: Luke 12:8-9, Acts 8:37, Romans 10:9-10, I John 4:15.

Baptism

    Baptism is an immersion in water where we contact the blood of Christ. The word baptism is from the word "baptizo" which means immersion. Baptism is the essential final step for our salvation. In every conversion in the book of Acts (the book of conversions) baptism was the end result. There is no power in the water, but it is our faith in Christ Jesus and His blood as we are being baptized that cleanses our sins. We are baptized in the name of (into the possession of) the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. (Matthew 28:19)

    Acts 2:38-"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.'"

    What does baptism do for us?

                1. Saves us (I Peter 3:20-21)

                2. Cleanses our sins (Acts 2:38, 22:16, Romans 6:6-7)

                3. Puts us into the possession of the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit (Matthew 28:19)

                4. Emulates the death, burial, and resurrection of Christ. (Romans 6:3-6)

                5. Puts on Christ (Galatians 3:27)

                6. Puts us into the Church (Acts 2:47, I Corinthians 12:13)

    Acts Conversions: Jews on Pentecost (Acts 2:38), The Samaritans (Acts 8:12), The Ethiopian Eunuch (Acts 8:36-38), Saul of Tarsus (Acts 9:18, 22:16), Cornelius (Acts 10:47-48), Lydia (Acts 16:14-15), The Philippian Jailer (Acts 16:31-33), The Corinthians (Acts 18:8), The Ephesians (Acts 19:3-5).

    Other References; Mark 16:16, Acts 2:41, Ephesians 4:5, Colossians 2:12.