The New Testament Plan of Salvation

In Acts chapter 2 three thousand souls were saved by obeying gospel as they followed God’s plan of salvation. They were “pricked in their hearts” by the message of the gospel (Acts 2:37), and asked “What shall we do?” Peter’s answer was “repent and be baptize everyone of you in the name of Jesus Christ for remission of your sins, and ye shall receive the gift of the Holy Ghost” (Acts 2:38).

In the beginning of the church those who repented and were baptize in obedience to the gospel were saved. Those who were saved were added to the Lord’s church (Acts2:47). According to the scriptures it is the Lord that does the adding to the church.

In the New Testament certain steps must be taken in order to be added to the church which Christ “purchased with His own blood” (Acts 20:28). The Church of Christ does not develop a formula by which members determine acceptance into the church. It follows God’s plan of salvation and His plan only as given in the New Testament.

The conditions of salvation which are taught in the New Testament and pertained to the “doctrine of Christ”     (II John 9), are as follows:

1. One must hear the gospel, for “faith cometh by hearing, and hearing by the word of God (Rom.10:17).
    

2. One must believe, “for without faith it is impossible to please God” (Heb.11:6)
    

3. One must repent of past sins and turn their life to Jesus Christ, for God “commands all men everywhere to repent” (Acts 17:30).
    

4. One must confess Jesus as Lord, for the Lord has said, “Whosoever confess me before men , him will I confess also before my Father which is in heaven (Matthew 10:32).

5. And one must be baptize for remission of sins, Peter stated in the Acts chapter 2, “Repent and be baptize for remission of your sins...”(Acts 2:38).

 A response in faith, is a complete response to God’s plan of salvation. When all of these steps are obeyed according to God’s pattern established in the New Testament, the Lord will add the obedient believer to His church.