Christian Study - God & the Salvation Plan Offered To Man

Study the Bible

Have you ever wondered what kind of plan God might have for us? We must study the Bible in order to find out God's plan. The Bible should be studied with a mind as though you were a child learning something new. Study it with an open mind. If we believe that it is inspired by God, we should also believe that He is capable of delivering His Word without error or contradictions, despite the different languages, writers, translations, geographic locations, and time frame. If we find something that appears to be a contradiction, we should try to figure out how "we" are interpreting it incorrectly, and change "our" beliefs to match His word. Throughout these web pages you will be presented with scripture to support your study of the topics presented, for example here is some scripture to show us where God instructs us to study the Bible.

2 Tim 2:15

15 Be diligent to present yourself approved to God, a worker who does not need to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth. (NKJ)

Heb 4:12
12 For the word of God is living and powerful, and sharper than any two-edged sword, piercing even to the division of soul and spirit, and of joints and marrow, and is a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart.
(NKJ)

Col 3:16
16 Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly in all wisdom, teaching and admonishing one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing with grace in your hearts to the Lord.
(NKJ)

"The Law" What is is and which Law are we are under?

The Law of Moses was written for the Jews and was only to last until the time of Christ. In the Law of Moses, the blood of animals was required to atone for the sins of the people. These sacrifices were temporary. 

Now, we have the perfect sacrifice. God's only begotten son, being without sin, offered Himself as a sacrifice to forgive sins from the time of His death until His return. 

When Jesus died on the cross, the temporary Law of Moses was fulfilled and is no longer necessary. Now we are under the law of Christ (not the Ten Commandments), found in the New Testament. Christians were never under the Law of Moses.

Exod 34:27-28

27 Then the LORD said to Moses, "Write these words, for according to the tenor of these words I have made a covenant with you and with Israel."

28 So he was there with the LORD forty days and forty nights; he neither ate bread nor drank water. And He wrote on the tablets the words of the covenant, the Ten Commandments. (NKJ)

Gal 3:19 and Gal 3:16
19 What purpose then does the law serve? It was added because of transgressions, till the Seed should come to whom the promise was made; and it was appointed through angels by the hand of a mediator.
16 Now to Abraham and his Seed were the promises made. He does not say, "And to seeds," as of many, but as of one, "And to your Seed," who is Christ. (NKJ)

Eph 2:14-15
14 For He Himself is our peace, who has made both one, and has broken down the middle wall of separation,
15 having abolished in His flesh the enmity, that is, the law of commandments contained in ordinances, so as to create in Himself one new man from the two, thus making peace, (NKJ)

Heb 8:13
13 In that He says, "A new covenant," He has made the first obsolete. Now what is becoming obsolete and growing old is ready to vanish away. (NKJ)

Gal 3:24-25
24 Therefore the law was our tutor to bring us to Christ, that we might be justified by faith.
25 But after faith has come, we are no longer under a tutor. (NKJ)

Authority of Christ’s Word

Since all power is given to Jesus and we will be judged by the Word, we should learn His will for us by studying it diligently.

Matt 28:18
18 And Jesus came and spoke to them, saying, "All authority has been given to Me in heaven and on earth. (N KJ)

John 12:48
48 "He who rejects Me, and does not receive My words, has that which judges him-- the word that I have spoken will judge him in the last day. (NKJ)

Col 3:17
17 And whatever you do in word or deed, do all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through Him. (NKJ)

Understanding

The Bible makes it apparent that understanding it is essential to salvation. In fact, those "without understanding" are listed in the same category as murderers and homosexuals (Romans 1:24-32). Such people are counted as "worthy of death" (Romans 1:32).

Rom 1:31-32
31 undiscerning, untrustworthy, unloving, unforgiving, unmerciful;
32 who, knowing the righteous judgment of God, that those who practice such things are worthy of death, not only do the same but also approve of those who practice them. (NKJ)

Eph 5:17
17 Therefore do not be unwise, but understand what the will of the Lord is. (NKJ)

Matt 13:19
19 "When anyone hears the word of the kingdom, and does not understand it, then the wicked one comes and snatches away what was sown in his heart. This is he who received seed by the wayside. (NKJ)

2 Pet 3:16
16 as also in all his epistles, speaking in them of these things, in which are some things hard to understand, which untaught and unstable people twist to their own destruction, as they do also the rest of the Scriptures. (NKJ)

We can’t trust our feelings

Are feelings a safe guide to know whether or not we are saved? According to the Bible, they are not. Consider the apostle Paul. He claimed to have lived before God in all good conscience while he was persecuting Christians, but admits he did it ignorantly in unbelief.

Prov 28:26
26 He who trusts in his own heart is a fool, but whoever walks wisely will be delivered.  (NKJ)

Prov 14:12
12 There is a way that seems right to a man, but its end is the way of death. (NKJ)

Acts 23:1
1 Then Paul, looking earnestly at the council, said, "Men and brethren, I have lived in all good conscience before God until this day." (NKJ)

1 Tim 1:12-14
12 And I thank Christ Jesus our Lord who has enabled me, because He counted me faithful, putting me into the ministry,
13 although I was formerly a blasphemer, a persecutor, and an insolent man; but I obtained mercy because I did it ignorantly in unbelief.
14 And the grace of our Lord was exceedingly abundant, with faith and love which are in Christ Jesus. (NKJ)

James 2:24
24 You see then that a man is justified by works, and not by faith only. (NKJ)

We must hear

God now speaks to us through His Word, rather than through the apostles and prophets, as He did before His will was completely revealed. Today, we have the complete written Word so we can know His will. Since He now speaks to us through His Word, we should hear Him by studying His Word and listening to what He has to say.

Mark 4:20
20 "But these are the ones sown on good ground, those who hear the word, accept it, and bear fruit: some thirtyfold, some sixty, and some a hundred." (NKJ)

Mark 9:7
7 And a cloud came and overshadowed them; and a voice came out of the cloud, saying, "This is My beloved Son. Hear Him!" (NKJ)

John 8:47
47 "He who is of God hears God's words; therefore you do not hear, because you are not of God." (NKJ)

We Must Believe

Faith and belief are interchangeable terms. In the Bible, the words mean not just an acknowledgement of God but rather trust and obedience. In fact, many modern translations substitute the words. Even God Himself substituted the word obey with believe (Numbers 20:12). Without faith we cannot please God.

Num 20:7-12
7 Then the LORD spoke to Moses, saying,
8 "Take the rod; you and your brother Aaron gather the congregation together. Speak to the rock before their eyes, and it will yield its water; thus you shall bring water for them out of the rock, and give drink to the congregation and their animals."
9 So Moses took the rod from before the LORD as He commanded him.
10 And Moses and Aaron gathered the congregation together before the rock; and he said to them, "Hear now, you rebels! Must we bring water for you out of this rock?"
11 Then Moses lifted his hand and struck the rock twice with his rod; and water came out abundantly, and the congregation and their animals drank.
12 Then the LORD spoke to Moses and Aaron, "Because you did not believe Me, to hallow Me in the eyes of the children of Israel, therefore you shall not bring this assembly into the land which I have given them." (NKJ)

John 3:36
36 "He who believes in the Son has everlasting life; and he who does not believe the Son shall not see life, but the wrath of God abides on him." (NKJ)

Heb 11:6
6 But without faith it is impossible to please Him, for he who comes to God must believe that He is, and that He is a rewarder of those who diligently seek Him. (NKJ)

We Must Repent of Sins

Repentance is probably the hardest step toward salvation. Repentance not only requires that we change our attitude about sin but also that we change our actions and walk in the light as Jesus is in the light.

Luke 13:3
3 "I tell you, no; but unless you repent you will all likewise perish. (NKJ)

Acts 17:30-31
30 "Truly, these times of ignorance God overlooked, but now commands all men everywhere to repent,
31 "because He has appointed a day on which He will judge the world in righteousness by the Man whom He has ordained. He has given assurance of this to all by raising Him from the dead." (NKJ)

2 Cor 7:10
10 For godly sorrow produces repentance leading to salvation, not to be regretted; but the sorrow of the world produces death.  (NKJ)

Rom 2:4
4 Or do you despise the riches of His goodness, forbearance, and longsuffering, not knowing that the goodness of God leads you to repentance?  (NKJ)

Acts 26:20
20 "but declared first to those in Damascus and in Jerusalem, and throughout all the region of Judea, and then to the Gentiles, that they should repent, turn to God, and do works befitting repentance.  (NKJ)

We Must Confess

According to the Bible, we must confess that Jesus is the Son of God. Although the Bible states that confession is made unto salvation, that does not mean that confession is the only thing necessary to be saved. Consider the context of Romans 10:1-10. Paul was writing about Israelites [Jews] who were zealous for God, but would not confess Jesus as Lord. If they were to put Jesus as Lord over their lives, because of their zeal for God, they would have also obeyed His other commands necessary for salvation.

After one is saved, there is a continuing need for confessing one's sins.

I Jn 4:15
15 Whoever confesses that Jesus is the Son of God, God abides in him, and he in God.  (NKJ)

Matt 10:32-33
32 "Therefore whoever confesses Me before men, him I will also confess before My Father who is in heaven.
33 "But whoever denies Me before men, him I will also deny before My Father who is in heaven.  (NKJ)

Rom 10:1-2
1 Brethren, my heart's desire and prayer to God for Israel is that they may be saved.
2 For I bear them witness that they have a zeal for God, but not according to knowledge. (NKJ)

Rom 10:9-10
9 that if you confess with your mouth the Lord Jesus and believe in your heart that God has raised Him from the dead, you will be saved.
10 For with the heart one believes unto righteousness, and with the mouth confession is made unto salvation.  

I Jn 1:9-10
9 If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.
10 If we say that we have not sinned, we make Him a liar, and His word is not in us.  (NKJ)

We must obey the Gospel

The Bible says that the gospel is the power to save, and those who don't obey it will suffer eternal punishment.

Rom 1:16
16 For I am not ashamed of the gospel of Christ, for it is the power of God to salvation for everyone who believes, for the Jew first and also for the Greek.  (NKJ)

II Th 1:7-9
7 and to give you who are troubled rest with us when the Lord Jesus is revealed from heaven with His mighty angels,
8 in flaming fire taking vengeance on those who do not know God, and on those who do not obey the gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ.
9 These shall be punished with everlasting destruction from the presence of the Lord and from the glory of His power, (NKJ)

1 Pet 4:17
17 For the time has come for judgment to begin at the house of God; and if it begins with us first, what will be the end of those who do not obey the gospel of God?  (NKJ)

What is Obeying the Gospel?

The Scriptures say the gospel includes the death, burial and resurrection of Jesus Christ (1Cor.15:1-4). Just as Jesus died, was buried, and resurrected, we too should die to sin (repent), be buried (baptism), and be resurrected (raised to walk a new life as a Christian) by obeying the gospel.

1 Cor 15:1-4
1 Moreover, brethren, I declare to you the gospel which I preached to you, which also you received and in which you stand,
2 by which also you are saved, if you hold fast that word which I preached to you-- unless you believed in vain.
3 For I delivered to you first of all that which I also received: that Christ died for our sins according to the Scriptures,
4 and that He was buried, and that He rose again the third day according to the Scriptures,  (NKJ)

Rom 6:3-4
3 Or do you not know that as many of us as were baptized into Christ Jesus were baptized into His death?
4 Therefore we were buried with Him through baptism into death, that just as Christ was raised from the dead by the glory of the Father, even so we also should walk in newness of life.  (NKJ)

Col 2:12
12 buried with Him in baptism, in which you also were raised with Him through faith in the working of God, who raised Him from the dead.  (NKJ)

Biblical Baptism

The Bible mentions several baptisms. Ephesians 4:4-6 says there is One baptism. Since the Bible is without error or contradiction, we must conclude that the One baptism is the baptism commanded by the Lord and the apostles and is in effect today. This One baptism is complete immersion (burial) in water.

Matt 28:18-19
18 And Jesus came and spoke to them, saying, "All authority has been given to Me in heaven and on earth.
19 "Go therefore and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit,   (NKJ)

Eph 4:4-6
4 There is one body and one Spirit, just as you were called in one hope of your calling;
5 one Lord, one faith, one baptism;
6 one God and Father of all, who is above all, and through all, and in you all.   (NKJ)

Acts 10:47
47 "Can anyone forbid water, that these should not be baptized who have received the Holy Spirit just as we have?"  

Rom 6:3-4
3 Or do you not know that as many of us as were baptized into Christ Jesus were baptized into His death?
4 Therefore we were buried with Him through baptism into death, that just as Christ was raised from the dead by the glory of the Father, even so we also should walk in newness of life.   (NKJ)

John 3:23
23 Now John also was baptizing in Aenon near Salim, because there was much water there. And they came and were baptized.   (NKJ)

Baptism Saves

Contrary to popular belief, baptism is required for salvation. Baptism is the first point where a repenting person receives forgiveness of sins. "For the wages of sin is death; but the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord" (Romans 6:23). To receive this gift of God, we must obey his commands.

Acts 2:38
38 Then Peter said to them, "Repent, and let every one of you be baptized in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins; and you shall receive the gift of the Holy Spirit.   (NKJ)

Mark 16:16
16 "He who believes and is baptized will be saved; but he who does not believe will be condemned.   (NKJ)

Acts 22:16
16 'And now why are you waiting? Arise and be baptized, and wash away your sins, calling on the name of the Lord.'

1 Pet 3:21
21 There is also an antitype which now saves us-- baptism (not the removal of the filth of the flesh, but the answer of a good conscience toward God), through the resurrection of Jesus Christ,   (NKJ)

Baptism shouldn’t wait

The book of Acts is a historical account of the New Testament church while the apostles were still alive. If we follow the examples of the conversions in this book, we will see that baptism is necessary and shouldn't wait. Acts 16 is one of the many examples showing that baptism should not wait. It tells of the conversion of the Philippian jailer. "...they seized Paul and Silas and ... threw them into prison.... But at midnight ... there was a great earthquake ... and immediately all the doors were opened and everyone's chains were loosed. And the keeper of the prison ... brought them [Paul and Silas] out and said, "Sirs, what must I do to be saved?" So they said, "Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ, and you will be saved, you and your household." Then they spoke the word of the Lord to him and to all who were in his house. ... And immediately he and all his family were baptized. ...and he rejoiced, having believed in God with all his household." (Acts 16:19-34 -- NKJV)

Acts 16:30-34
30 And he brought them out and said, "Sirs, what must I do to be saved?"
31 So they said, "Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ, and you will be saved, you and your household."
32 Then they spoke the word of the Lord to him and to all who were in his house.
33 And he took them the same hour of the night and washed their stripes. And immediately he and all his family were baptized.
34 Now when he had brought them into his house, he set food before them; and he rejoiced, having believed in God with all his household.   (NKJ)

Acts 8:35-39
35 Then Philip opened his mouth, and beginning at this Scripture, preached Jesus to him.
36 Now as they went down the road, they came to some water. And the eunuch said, "See, here is water. What hinders me from being baptized?"
37 Then Philip said, "If you believe with all your heart, you may." And he answered and said, "I believe that Jesus Christ is the Son of God."
38 So he commanded the chariot to stand still. And both Philip and the eunuch went down into the water, and he baptized him.
39 Now when they came up out of the water, the Spirit of the Lord caught Philip away, so that the eunuch saw him no more; and he went on his way rejoicing.   (NKJ)

Acts 22:16
16 'And now why are you waiting? Arise and be baptized, and wash away your sins, calling on the name of the Lord.'

Acts 2:38
38 Then Peter said to them, "Repent, and let every one of you be baptized in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins; and you shall receive the gift of the Holy Spirit.   (NKJ)

Acts 2:41
41 Then those who gladly received his word were baptized; and that day about three thousand souls were added to them.   (NKJ)

Do I need to be Baptized again?

In the book of Acts, we have an example where some disciples had already been baptized, but were not baptized in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of sins. Even though they were properly immersed in water (John's Baptism), they were instructed to be baptized again when they learned of the baptism in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins. What could it hurt to be baptized again if you did not understand the purpose of baptism when you were baptized? You only have your salvation to lose if you don't.

Acts 19:3-5
3 And he said to them, "Into what then were you baptized?" So they said, "Into John's baptism."
4 Then Paul said, "John indeed baptized with a baptism of repentance, saying to the people that they should believe on Him who would come after him, that is, on Christ Jesus."
5 When they heard this, they were baptized in the name of the Lord Jesus.   (NKJ)

We hope this lesson helps answer questions you may have about God's Plan for man.  If you questions about anything you have read in this lesson please feel free to ask us by telephone or email.  Thank you!  The Home Button is at the top of this page in the left most corner of the page.

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