“The Plan of Salvation” 5th Sunday Study July 31, 2016

Acts 16:30 The Philippian Jailer asked a very simple yet profound question of Paul and Silas: “Sirs, what must I do to be saved?” Let us be sure that we can all answer this question - with Scriptural evidence – by the end of this lesson!

What The word “what” implies that there is SOMETHING that needs to be done This is a matter of debate in the religious world today: Predestination – (Nothing can be done) Believe Only – (Minimal Effort) Faith vs. Works – (Varying Degrees)

Isn’t Belief Enough? Many will tell you that just believing in God is enough . Is this what the Scriptures say? James 2:19 You believe that there is one God. You do well. Even the demons believe—and tremble!

What Must These are not suggestions that are left up to the individual. John 3:5 Jesus answered, “Most assuredly, I say to you, unless one is born of water and the Spirit, he cannot enter the kingdom of God.

Hebrews 11:6 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. Notice the use of extreme words!

What Must I Salvation is an individual decision. My faith cannot save someone else The faith of someone else cannot save me As comforting as it might sound, the Catholic doctrine of “Prayers for the Departed” is simply not Scriptural.

Matthew 16:24 Then Jesus said to His disciples, “If anyone desires to come after Me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross, and [he] follow Me. Following Christ is an individual decision!

What Must I Do As we noted earlier, there must be something for us to do, so what are we called upon to do?

Matthew 7:21 “Not everyone who says to Me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ shall enter the kingdom of heaven, but he who does the will of My Father in heaven. So what has the Father required of us for salvation?

HEAR THE WORD OF GOD Romans 10:17 So then faith comes by hearing, and hearing by the word of God. A person cannot be saved unless they are willing to submit to the Word of God. Let us read Romans 10:14-15

HEARING PRODUCES BELIEF Mark 16:16 He who believes and is baptized will be saved; but he who does not believe will be condemned. Let us not stop with belief! The Scriptures demand more!

FAITH PRODUCES REPENTANCE Luke 13:3 I tell you, no; but unless you repent you will all likewise perish. Repentance means turning away from sin and deciding to live for Christ.

CONFESSION BEFORE MEN Confession should be continual! Matthew 10:32-33 “Therefore whoever confesses Me before men, him I will also confess before My Father who is in heaven. Romans 10:10 For with the heart one believes unto righteousness, and with the mouth confession is made unto salvation. Confession should be continual!

BAPTISM IN WATER Acts 22:16 And now why are you waiting? Arise and be baptized, and wash away your sins, calling on the name of the Lord.’ A person must be baptized in the likeness of Christ’s death, burial and resurrection.

1 Peter 3:21-22 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, 22 who has gone into heaven and is at the right hand of God, angels and authorities and powers having been made subject to Him.

BELIEF AND BAPTISM ARE INSEPARABLE Mark 16:16 He who believes and is baptized will be saved; but he who does not believe will be condemned.

What Must I Do To be Saved As Shakespeare said, “To be or not to be”. The fact that there is a process “to be saved” implies that it is possible “not to be saved” Matthew 22:14 “For many are called, but few are chosen.”

What Must I Do To be Saved Furthermore, we cannot fool God! All of these steps are meaningless if we are insincere. Acts 2:47 And the Lord added to the church daily those who were being saved.

FAITHFUL LIFE As Christians, we are then expected to live a certain way and uphold the Word of God as best we can every day of our lives. Revelation 2:10 Be faithful until death, and I will give you the crown of life.

Examples of Conversions in Acts Certain universal principles of conversion can be understood from each of these examples.

THE ETHIOPIAN EUNUCH Read: Acts 8:26-39 Listen for evidence of: HEAR BELIEVE REPENT CONFESS BAPTISM

CONCLUSION This is the Plan of Salvation that God has given to save man from his sins and to give him the hope of eternal life. 2 Corinthians 6:2 “Behold, now is the accepted time; behold, now is the day of salvation”