A Message from Rick Mosher
Minister
[I’ve shared this previously, but it bears repeating every so often. This is vitally important information.]
Unambiguous Plan of Salvation
A friend of mine recently commented about visiting the web site of a prominent congregation in our brotherhood and finding their position on
baptism in the plan of salvation to be ambiguous. I hope such is never the case with ours. We have a “Path to Salvation” page on this web site that
goes into detail on the steps to salvation and gives Bible reference for each step. I don’t always go into detail on the steps in these messages, out of
concern for length, but always refer seekers to that page if they are needing to give their lives to Christ.
Just to leave no doubt, this month I am simply going to list here the steps one must take upon hearing the Gospel and desiring salvation:
BELIEVE JESUS IS THE CHRIST, THE SON OF THE LIVING GOD.
John 3:16: “For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life.”
Ephesians 2.8: “For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith – and this is not from yourselves, it is the gift of God.”
REPENT (turn) FROM SIN AND MAKE JESUS YOUR LORD.
Mark 1.15: “…Repent and believe the good news.”
Acts 2.38: Peter replied, “Repent and be baptized, every one of you, in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins. And you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit.”
CONFESS (acknowledge to others) YOUR FAITH IN JESUS CHRIST.
Matthew 10.32: (Jesus is speaking.) “Whoever acknowledges me before men, I will also acknowledge him before my Father in heaven.”
Romans 10.9-10: 9 “That if you confess with your mouth, ‘Jesus is Lord,’ and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved. 10 For it is with your heart that you believe and are justified, and it is with your mouth that you confess and are saved.”
BE BAPTIZED (Immersed in water) INTO CHRIST FOR THE FORGIVENESS OF YOUR SINS AND TO RECEIVE THE GIFT OF THE HOLY SPIRIT.
Acts 2.38: (See earlier under “repent”.)
Romans 6.4: “We were therefore buried with him through baptism into death in order that, just as Christ was raised from the dead through the glory of the Father, we too may live a new life.”
Mark 16.16: “Whoever believes and is baptized will be saved, but whoever does not believe will be condemned.”
I Peter 3.21: “and this water symbolizes baptism that now saves you also – not the removal of dirt from the body but the pledge of a good conscience toward God. It saves you by the resurrection of Jesus Christ.”
These are the steps of faith that bring us into salvation in Jesus Christ, salvation that is God’s gift of grace through the death, burial, and resurrection of Jesus Christ. We go on from our baptism to live the faithful Christian life, as referenced in I Corinthians 15.58: “Therefore, my dear brothers, stand firm. Let nothing move you. Always give yourselves to the work of the Lord, because you know that your labor in the Lord is not in vain.”
As alluded to previously, you can find scripture references that give more information about making Jesus your Lord and Savior, by clicking on our Path to Salvation page on this web site. If we can assist you in obeying the Gospel, or in your walk with Christ, contact us.
Unless otherwise noted, all Scripture references are from THE HOLY BIBLE, NEW INTERNATIONAL VERSION. Copyright 1973, 1978, 1984 by International Bible Society. Used by permission of Zondervan. All rights reserved.