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Accuracy In Biblical Education

The Gospel Plan Of Salvation

What Does The Bible Teach About Being Saved

Being saved implies that we have entered into a covenant relationship with God. This relationship is defined by being cleansed from sin by the blood of Christ and living faithfuly following the pattern of belief and living in the New Testament. A covenant means that we have entered into an agreement with someone, in this case God, and have met certain requirements mandated by the agreement. Let's take a look at the scriptures and see what they have to say. We can then compare our own ideas with what the Bible actually teaches.

Christ Defines The Process Of Being Saved

Christ provides this in commands to His disciples (the apostles) & a conversation with a Pharisee:

  1. Matthew 28.19-20 - Go ye therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost: teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I have commanded you: and lo I am with you always, even unto the end of the world. Amen.
  2. Mark 16.15-16 - And he said unto them, Go ye into all the world and preach the gospel to every creature. He that believeth and is baptized shall be saved; but he that believeth not shall be damned.
  3. John 3.5 - Jesus answered, Verily, verily, I say unto thee, Except a man be born of water and of the Spirit, he cannot enter into the kingdom of God.

Let's examine what the verses say a little closer so we can better understand them clearly:

  1. In Matthew's account, Christ commands his disciples to teach.
    1. 1. They are to teach the things commanded by Christ
    2. 2. They are told to baptize those who believe
    3. 3. If we summarize this we find that the Gospel
      1. a. Would be presented to hearers.
      2. b. Hearers would desire to act on what they had heard constituting belief.
      3. c. Belief in turn would lead to baptism as a result in accordance with Christ's command
  2. In Mark's account we find similar statements:
    1. 1. The apostles were to go and teach every creature - no one was excluded
    2. 2. Those who believed what was taught were to be baptized
  3. Perhaps John's account is more indirect but let's compare that to what the other scriptures teach:
    1. 1. Nicodemus, who had come to Jesus by night asked Christ how one could enter the kingdom of Heaven.
    2. 2. Christ indicated that one must be born again - Nicodemus, confused, asked how that could be done
    3. 3. Christ revealed that one is born of the water and the Spirit. What does that mean?

  4. What does "born of the water and the spirit mean?

    1. 1. The Spirit revealed the word to the apostles first, then teachers & inspired writers of the New Testament
    2. 2. The inspired word records Christ's command that believers should be baptized
    3. 3. Believers are saved by the inspired word (spirit) & baptism (water) - this is further demonstrated in Acts

On the day of Pentecost Peter preached the first Gospel sermon and baptism for the remission of sins in the name of Christ was taught for the first time. If we take a look at the rest of the scriptures we can see how Christ's commands were carried out and translated into action on the part of those who believed.

Behavior Of The Obedient

As shall be demonstrated in a moment, there are certain elements that can be obsesrved in examples of conversion in the New Testament. These observations will mirror specific commands in the Bible as well. In every case of conversion (the process of changing one's life in response to the Gospel) certain elements are present. First, there are the facts that form the basis of what we believe. We have to learn these in some manner and whether we read the scriptures for ourselves or are taught by someone, we have to hear the word of God. Once we have been introduced to the facts we have to make a decision about what we have heard. Do we believe that Christ is the son of God and that by believing in him we can be saved? If we have come to a point that we believe what we have heard, we will realize the need to make a change in our lives. Believing is a turning point and we must be willing to alter our lives to conform to God's word. The determination to do this is called repentance. Acknowledgement of our belief in Christ is confirmed with a verbal affirmation, or confession. The final behavior that can be observed in every single example of conversion is that of being immersed in water for the remission of sins. Let's take a look at a passage that puts this all together very nicely.

"For whosoever shall call upon the name of the Lord shall be saved. How then shall they call on him in whom they have not believed? and how shall they believe in him of whom they have not heard? and how shall they hear without a preacher? And how shall they preach except they be sent..." (Romans 10.13-15)

Paul Provides A Blueprint For Obedience

Paul's statements in the above passage presents a series of questions that form a logical series of events:

  1. How then shall they call on him in whom they have not believed
  2. How shall they believe in him of whom they have not heard
  3. How shall they hear without a preacher
  4. How shall they preach except they be sent

If we reverse these we can see a logical progression emerge:

How Shall They Preach Except They Be Sent

Christ commanded the apostles to go and teach

  1. Matthew 28.18-20 - Go ye therefore and teach all nations ...
  2. Acts 2.1-47 - The first time the Gospel was preached - the beginning
  3. 2 Tim 2.2, Heb 5.12-14 Christ's desire is for all Christians to teach
  4. Acts 8.4 - Those who were scattered went everywhere teaching the word
  5. 1 Peter 3.15 - We are to be ready always to give an answer for the hope that lies within us

How Shall They Hear Without A Preacher

Caution to teach only what the scriptures teach

  1. James 3.1 - Be not many masters (teachers) knowing we shall receive the greater condemnation
  2. 1 Peter 4.11 We are to speak as the oracles of God (the scriptures)
  3. Jude 3 - By teaching the word accurately we are contending for the faith that was once delivered
  4. 1 Corinthians 4.2 - Stewards must be found faithful - we teach only what the scriptures teach
  5. Acts 20.26-27 - Paul declared the "whole counsel of God"
  6. Hebrews 5.12-14 - We must learn and grow so that we are able to teach
  7. 1 Peter 2.2 - Growth depends on our desire for the sincere milk of the word and to teach it

How Shall They Believe In Him Of Whom They Have Not Heard

Once we have heard the word accurately taught we must believe what we have heard

  1. John 14.6 - Christ stated "I am the way, the truth, and the life, and no man cometh unto the Father but by me."
  2. John 8.24 - Christ also stated, "...for if ye believe not that I am he, ye shall die in your sins."
  3. James 2.19 - More than just an acknowledgment. "... the devils also believe, and tremble."
  4. Matthew 7.21 - "Not every one that saith unto me Lord Lord ... but he that doeth the will of my father."

How Then Shall They Call On Him

What does it mean to call on the name of the Lord?

  1. From Acts 22.12-16 - Paul's account of his own converion
    1. - A faithful preacher (Ananias) came to him
    2. - Ananias presented the complete message
    3. - Paul was told to be baptized, calling on the name of the Lord
  2. Calling on the name of the Lord involved
    1. - Hearing the complete message
    2. - Believing the truth of the message and salvation through Christ's blood
    3. - Confessing the name of Christ
    4. - Baptized for the remission of his sins

Examples Of Conversion In The Book Of Acts

Read the passages given here and note the common elements in each case

  1. Acts 2.37-38 - On the day of Pentecost the people were told to repent and be baptized for the remission of their sins
  2. Acts 8.12 - The Samaritans who believed were baptized
  3. Acts 8.37-38 - Ethopian Eunuch baptized after confessing his belief in Christ
  4. Acts 10.47-48 - Cornelius and his household baptized
  5. Acts 16.14-15 - Lydia baptized after hearing the Gospel
  6. Acts 16.31-33 - Philippian jailor believed and was baptized
  7. Acts 22.16 - Paul told to be baptized calling on the name of the Lord

Baptism As A Demonstration Of One's Faith And Submission To God

Notice the significance and role of baptism in Salvation - which some deny

  1. Romans 6.3-4 - We are baptized into the death of Christ to walk in newness of life
  2. Galatians 3.27 - We put on Christ by being baptized into Him
  3. 1 Peter 3.20-21 - Baptism - the likefigure that also now saves us - the answer of a good conscience before God
  4. Colossians 2.12 - Buried with him in baptism ... risen with him through the faith of the operation of God
  5. Acts 2.47 - Those who were saved were added to the church by God

Life After Baptism

  1. Acts 2.42 - Disciples continued stedfastly in the apostles doctrine
  2. James 1.22-25 - Not to be forgetful hearer - continue in the things we have been taught
  3. 1 Peter 2.2 - Desire the sincere milk of the word that you might grow thereby
  4. Hebrews 10.39 - Once we have started don't draw back - be persistent and faithful
  5. Hebrews 10.25 - Don't neglect to assemble with the saints (saved believers)

What The Scriptures Do Not Teach

Here are a few things that folks have been taught that cannot be found in the Bible:

  1. Belief Only: There are some who teach and believe that the only thing necessary for salvation is belief. Christ died for everyone and therefore there is nothing else for us to do. If that was the case we would not have the statements Christ made or examples of conversion in the books of Acts. Also, even the demons believe (James 2.19)
  2. The Sinners Prayer: You cannot find the sinners prayer in the Bible. You will not be able to find an example of anyone being saved by praying to God for it. You will not find a command to that effect, nor will you find an example of this happening.
  3. Belief and service to God come in many forms and systems of belief that are all equal: Christ stated that He is the way to the father; the only way (John 14.6 ). Although we may not understand this, and the view may appear to be narrow, the scriptures teach that there are few who find the way that leads to life everlasting (Matthew 7.13-14). There are entire cultures who have rejected the Gospel in favor of their own traditions and religious beliefs but God's word is available in the world for those who desire to know the truth.
  4. A Direct Operation Of The Holy Spirit: - Although this is a widely held belief there are no examples of the Holy Spirit saving anyone in the New Testament. Folks who teach this may state that we cannot change on our own and therefore need divine intervention to be able to accept the Gospel. This concept cannot be found in the scriptures. What we can find are commands to believe in the word of God and to change ourselves in accordance with what we find in the Bible. In the age of personal empowerment it is interesting that we think spiritual change and development are beyond our capabilities.

These are only a few of the beliefs that are taught and practiced. When we take a look at the scriptures we need to allow God to speak through His word and set our own ideas aside when there is a difference. Faith in God depends on trust in the word that has been delivered and God's ability to preserve it in a written form so we can know how to draw closer to Him.

Why Do Members Of The Lord's Church Talk About Baptism So Much?

It just seems like baptism is all those folks want to talk about

Baptism is no more or less important than any of the other elements involved in becoming a Christian. So why do members of the Lord's church focus on that so much? The answer to that is due to the fact that it is consistently ignored or altered and that is a problem. While baptism is only one step in the process of conversion, it becomes the most significant when consistently mistaught or left out.

Why is that?

Let's look at it like this for one moment and consider that baptism is absolutley essential for salvation. Now, let's pretend that I am Satan, and have the ability to influence you. What would be the best way to snare you while allowing you to think that you were ready for Heaven? As the devil I would not tell you to disregard Christ. By all means I would want you to not only believe in Jesus as the son of God but I would want you to be sincere and as devout as you could be. I would want you to repent of your sins and change your life so that others would see the good that you have done. I would encourage you to openly confess the name of Christ in a number of ways so that you could influence others as well. But I would keep you from the one thing that completes your salvation. I would separate you from the blood of Christ that one comes into contact with in baptism. Without the cleansing of the blood you could live a life of service and conviction never realizing that you are outside of God's saving grace. I would reinforce your belief when one of those Christians came around teaching baptism. I would encourage you to continually recite John 3.16 and ignore what Christ told Nicodemus just a few verses before John 3.5 . I would encourage you to believe that baptism in the book of Acts was a tradition, or the form of baptism did not matter, or better yet, is completely optional. I would want you to believe that in spite of what the Bible teaches God won't reject anyone who has a good heart and intentions. But I am not the devil and I will not tell you those things. I will teach the word accurately and tell you that if you stop short and do not include the final step of your salvation, you are outside the body of Christ and wll be lost eternally. Read Matthew chapter 7 and also Matthew chapter 25 carefully and see how pervasive and persuasive error can be. Don't take my word for it. Read it for yourselves.

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