Plan Of Salvation
Perhaps you’ve felt unworthy of salvation because of your past. Perhaps you’ve thought good works and keeping rules saved you. Maybe you thought you were saved because you were baptized or prayed a prayer without experiencing a change of heart.
The good news is that Jesus is calling you to trust and believe that he has done all the work. Jesus’ death, burial, and resurrection means we are forgiven and set free to live an abundant life with God here on earth and in eternity.
Understand the Gospel
1 Cor. 15 defines the “gospel” as the good news about the death, burial, and resurrection of Jesus Christ. His sinless existence, sacrifice, and resurrection all prove His position as the Son of God.
We must obey the Lord’s instruction to:
1. Hear the Good News
Romans 10:13 shows us that we must hear the gospel so that we know how to obey. We must first receive the good news through the teaching of God’s word.
2. Believe
A personal belief in the gospel is essential to God’s plan of salvation: “So faith comes from hearing, and hearing through the word of Christ” (Rom. 10:17). We must believe that the one true God of the Bible sent his son Jesus from heaven as a once-for-all sacrifice for the sins of the world. We must believe in Jesus’ sinless life, death on the cross, and resurrection from the dead. This is the gospel, as defined in 1 Cor. 15.
3. Confess
Romans 10:9 states that “If you confess with your mouth that Jesus is Lord and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved.” Many teach a confession of sins prior to the point of salvation. However, the Bible teaches that we are to confess Jesus as the master of our lives.
4. Repent
The Christian walk requires a complete 180 degree turn away from a life of sin to a life of righteousness. The Bible calls this act repentance. The word repentance literally means “a change of mind and of action.” When a person commits his life to Jesus, he must turn away from their old ways and habits in order to follow a new master.
5. Be Baptized
The Bible is very clear regarding the necessity and role of water baptism in the plan of salvation. We are told in Acts 2:38 to “repent and be baptized, every one of you, in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins”. Through our submission in waters of baptism, our sins are washed away by the blood of Christ, and we put on Christ like a garment (Gal. 3:26-27). We do so to share in Jesus’ death and resurrection (Rom. 6:3-5).
6. Rise to walk a new life
Just as Jesus was buried and rose from the dead, we must also rise from the watery grave of baptism to walk a new life in Jesus Christ (Gal. 3:27; Rom. 6:3-4).
If you are ready to believe and receive God’s gift of salvation, simply talk to God and commit your life Him:
“Dear Lord Jesus, I admit that I’ve fallen short. I’ve sinned and need your forgiveness. I believe that You lived, died, and rose again so that I could be connected to God. I confess you as my Lord and commit my life to You. I give you my past, present, and future. Take my life and use it. I give it to You. Amen.”
If you prayed the prayer of salvation, please let us know! If you have any questions, we want to help you take the next steps so please don’t hesitate to contact us!