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Plan of Salvation
In the salvation of man's soul there
are two necessary parts: God's part and man's part. God's
part is the big part, "For by grace you have been saved
through faith, and that not of yourselves, it is the gift of
God; not of works, that no man should glory" (Ephesians
2:8-9). The love which God felt for man led him to send
Christ into the world to redeem man. The life and teaching
of Jesus, the sacrifice on the cross, and the proclaiming of
the gospel to men constitute God's part in salvation.
Though God's part is the big part,
man's part is also necessary if man is to reach heaven. Man
must comply with the conditions of pardon which the Lord has
announced. Man's part is clearly set forth in the following
steps:
Hear the
Gospel. "How shall they call on him whom they
have not believed? and how shall they believe him whom they
have not heard? and how shall they hear without a preacher?"
(Romans 10:14).
Believe.
"And without faith it is impossible to be well pleasing unto
him; for he that cometh to God must believe that he is, and
that he is a rewarder of them that seek after him" (Hebrews
11:6)
Repent of past
sins. "The times of ignorance therefore God
overlooked; but now he commandeth men that they should all
everywhere repent." (Acts 17:30).
Confess Jesus
as Lord. "Behold here is water; What doth hinder
me to be baptized? And Philip said, if thou believeth with
all thy heart thou mayest. And he answered and said, I
believe that Jesus Christ is the Son of God" (Acts 8:36-37).
Be baptized
for the remission of sins. "And Peter said unto
them, Repent ye, and be baptized everyone of you in the name
of Jesus Christ unto the remission of your sins and ye shall
receive the gift of the Holy Spirit." (Acts 2:38).
After baptism you are to live a
Christian life. "Ye are an elect race, a royal priesthood, a
holy nation, a people for God's own possession, that ye may
show forth the excellencies of him who called you out of
darkness into his marvelous light" (1 Peter 2:9).
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