5. Salvation
There are many different plans offered by many different people relative to how one obtains salvation. Since we are saved strictly on the basis of Christ and His authority (Acts 4:12), we need to see what He has to say on the matter.
1. Hear and believe
These are linked together in several passages. In the great commission we are commissioned to preach so that men can believe (Mark 16:15-16). Paul stresses this relationship of hearing and believing in Romans 10:14-17. Faith, says Paul, comes by hearing. One cannot possibly believe before he hears. This means we do not get a special calling directly from the Spirit as some would teach. We are called by the gospel (II Thessalonians 2:14). Those that never hear will be lost (Luke 12:47-48), not saved in ignorance as some would claim. To begin the journey to salvation we must first hear the gospel and believe it.
2. Repent
To repent means to turn and go in a different direction. It means to have genuine sorrow in your heart for your actions. Repentance does not necessarily demand a public confession of sin, but it does demand that one do what he can to fix the damage he has done. Repentance comes before salvation (Luke 13:1-5, Acts 2:38).
3. Confess
Our confession is not a confession of sin – it is a confession of faith in Christ. Jesus says if we confess Him, He will confess us; if we deny Him, He will deny us (Matthew 10:32-33). That seems pretty reasonable and fair. An example of confession is found in Acts 8:36-38. Faith without confession is worthless (John 12:42-43).
4. Be baptized
The new covenant, the covenant of Christ, requires one to be baptized (immersed in water) in order to receive forgiveness of sins (Acts 2:38, Acts 22:16). Jesus was immersed as an example of fulfilling all righteousness (Matthew 3:13-15). Baptism, then, is a righteous act. Baptism puts us into Christ (Galatians 3:27) and opens the door for us to receive spiritual blessings (Ephesians 1:3). There are no spiritual blessings (including forgiveness of sins) found outside of Christ (John 1:7). On the day of Pentecost (Acts 2) those that gladly received the word were baptized (verse 41). The same is true today. Those who refuse baptism or deny its validity and/or its necessity have not gladly received the word and, therefore, have no hope. Baptism must be received for forgiveness of sins to be obtained, according to the Scriptures.
5. Faithful
Salvation also requires continued faithfulness on the part of the Christian. This principle has existed throughout time (Ezekiel 18:4, 20-24) and certainly carries over into this last dispensation (Revelation 2;10, Matthew 24:13). Those who teach “once saved – always saved” ignore this principle entirely.
Faithfulness means obedience. Jesus says obedience is necessary to show our love for Him (John 14:15,21,23). If we do not remain faithful (obedient) to Jesus, we will again enter into a lost condition (II Peter 2:20-22).
6. Salvation by grace
Those who teach as I teach on the plan of salvation are often accused of believing we are saved by works and not by grace. This accusation is grossly unfair and inaccurate.
A. What is grace?
Thayer’s Greek Lexicon says that grace, in part, is “kindness which bestows upon one what he has not deserved.” Because of sin we all deserve punishment. But because of grace God bestows forgiveness on those that obey Him even though it is not deserved.
B. The Bible says we are saved by grace not by grace only.
Consider the following passages:
Saved by grace
“For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God:”
Ephesians 2:8
Saved by hope
“For we are saved by hope: but hope that is seen is not hope: for what a man seeth, why doth he yet hope for?”
Romans 8:24
Saved by gospel
“Moreover, brethren, I declare unto you the gospel which I preached unto you which also ye have received, and wherein ye stand; by which also ye are saved, if ye keep in memory what I preached unto you, unless ye have believed in vain.”
I Corinthians 15:1-2
Saved by baptism
“The like figure whereunto even baptism doth also now save us (not the putting away of the filth of the flesh, but the answer of a good conscience toward God,) by the resurrection of Jesus Christ:”
I Peter 3:21
Now we are saved by grace, not by grace only. We are saved by hope, the gospel, baptism, etc. While our salvation is by grace (undeserved gift) that grace is conditional on other things. Why? Because God said so!! Consider also these passages:
Endurance
“And ye shall be hated of all men for my name’s sake: but he that endureth to the end shall be saved.”
Matthew 10:22
Faith
“And he said to the woman, Thy faith hath saved thee; go in peace.”
Luke 7:50
Call on the Lord
“And it shall come to pass, that whosoever shall call on the name of the Lord shall be saved”
Acts 2:21
Now consider, if we are saved by “grace only” then we are saved without obedience, faith, love, or anything else. Such reasoning flies into the face of all of these Scriptures and a hundred more just like them. We are saved by grace; we are not saved by grace only.
C. Grace is conditional.
I have already mentioned this, that grace is conditional. In Joshua 1:2 God promises to give the promised land to Israel. This is a gift of grace (not deserved). Yet in the book of Joshua we read how the people took city after city. Now the question is, did God give it or did they take it? The answer is both. The gift was conditional on going in and taking it. They could not have done it without God’s help. But he still required certain actions before He would give them the land – an example of conditional grace.
This story shows one might obey God and receive a gift because of it. That does not mean it is no longer a gift. As servants of God, we do His will. This in no way puts Him into our debt. Salvation is still a gift. However, it is a gift which God offers conditionally.
Consider Luke 17:7-10
“But which of you, having a servant plowing or feeding cattle, will say unto him by and by, when he is come from the field, Go and sit down to meat? And will not rather say unto him, Make ready wherewith I may sup, and gird thyself, and serve me, till I have eaten and drunken; and afterward thou shalt eat and drink? Doth he thank that servant because he did the things that were commanded him? I trow not. So likewise ye, when ye shall have done all those things which are commanded you, say, We are unprofitable servants: we have done that which was our duty to do.”
This text clearly shows that our obedience doesn’t merit our forgiveness. But it is clear from these various texts we have viewed that it is required in order to receive our forgiveness. We are not saved ~ by works, but we are not saved without works either.
D. Ephesians 2:8.
Most people turn to Ephesians 2:8 to teach we are saved by grace. They then add the word “only” to the text. We agree with the text but we have a problem when “only” is added to it. Let’s read this verse together. But let’s read it in its context.
“But God, who is rich in mercy, for his great love wherewith he loved us, Even when we were dead in sins, hath quickened us together with Christ, (by grace ye are saved;) And hath raised us up together, and made us sit together in heavenly places in Christ Jesus: That in the ages to come he might shew the exceeding riches of his grace, in his kindness toward us, through Christ Jesus. For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God: Not of works lest any man should boast. For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus unto good works, which God hath before ordained that we should walk in them.”
Ephesians 2:4-10
We learn we are saved by grace through faith. We learn we are God’s workmanship and that by becoming Christians we become obligated to walk in good works. Neither obeying God’s plan of salvation (hear, believe, repent, confess, be baptized, be faithful) nor walking in good works afterwards, earns our salvation. But both are required in order to please God and receive the grace which brings eternal life.