Step 5 - The Whole
Plan
In this series, we have taken individual
looks at
Faith,
Repentance,
Confession, and
Baptism. As we have stressed, each individual "step" in the salvation process is
vitally important. Yet, one is no more important than any of the others. Sadly, in their teaching, many religious teachers pit one against the
others, saying this one or that one is all that is needed to be saved. The Lord would not have it to be this way. We must take a look at
all of them together (cp. Psa. 119:160). We must
harmonize them the way the New Testament does. That will be our goal in
this article.
The book of Acts presents many conversions of people
to Jesus Christ. Let's look at a few to see if they match what we
presented in this series:
Acts
2 The Jews on the day of Pentecost were told by one of the Lord's apostles
they were guilty of murdering Jesus Christ, the Son of God
(vv. 23, 36).
The fact they asked Peter, "What shall we do?" in v. 37 shows they
now had faith. After being convicted in their conscience, Peter
instructs them to repent and be baptized for the forgiveness
of sins. Doing so, they obtained salvation (v. 47).
Acts
8 The gospel makes it way to Samaria. The Samaritans heard the evangelist
Philip preaching things concerning the kingdom of God and the name of
Jesus Christ (v. 12). Even a sorcerer named Simon was impressed enough by the
gospel message to be influenced by it. They all now had faith
based on the gospel (vv. 12-13). After believing what they
heard, both men and women were baptized (vv. 12-13).
Acts
8 A eunuch from Ethiopia was returning home from Jerusalem where he had been
to worship (v. 27). While traveling, he was reading from the prophecy of
Isaiah. Philip was instructed by the Holy Spirit to teach him the
gospel (v. 26). Upon coming to him, Philip asked if he understood
what he was reading. After the eunuch asked for help, Philip began at
that Scripture and preached Jesus to him (v. 35). Judging from
the eunuch's question in v. 36, Philip obviously must have taught
him about the necessity of water baptism. After confessing Jesus
as Lord (v. 37), Philip baptized him (v. 38).
Acts 16 As Paul and Silas were imprisoned in Philippi, an earthquake shook the
prison. The jailer feared the prisoners had all escaped and sought to
take his own life (v. 27). After Paul reassured him none had escaped, the jailer
came in and fell before Paul, asking what he must do to be saved (v.
30). In answering his question in v. 31, Paul told him to
believe (faith). After further speaking the word of the Lord to
him and his household (v. 32), the jailer and his house were
baptized (v. 33).
There are more than just these four. But
as we can see from these examples, the New Testament portrays these as
"steps" in becoming a Christian. With the fact that each conversion
mentions different ones, that tells us they all have equal importance in
the conversion process. Yet, also notice that in each one
baptism
is listed as the final step. That does mean nor imply that baptism is the
most important "step." What it does mean is that one is not saved until
he/she has been baptized into Christ for the remission of sins.
When one is converted to Jesus Christ and becomes a
Christian, he/she has "obeyed the gospel" (2 Thess. 1:8; 1 Pet. 4:17). The gospel is to be obeyed. This always involves
teaching the Lord's word (1 Pet. 1:22-23). Succinctly put,
obedience to the gospel is hearing the Lord's word, believing it,
repenting of sin, confessing the name of Christ before others as the Son
of God, and putting Him on in baptism to bury the man of sin. Afterwards,
it involves living a life of faithful service to God as His child.
Dear friend, if you are not a New Testament disciple of
Jesus Christ, we would be happy to help you obey the gospel today and
become a Christian. The eternal destiny of your soul depends on it.
- Jeff Smith
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