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A
BIBLICAL UNFOLDING OF
THE SINNER’S RESPONSE
TO GOD’S GREAT
PLAN OF SALVATION
by
Gordon H. Patten
One of the greatest and most important questions uttered by man was asked by a jailer one night after a great earthquake had shaken his prison. He asked a couple of singing evangelists for Christ, "Sirs, what must I do to be saved?" (Acts 16:30).
The New Testament answer to this question is elaborately given, yet many do not realize what God’s full answer is. Most divisions in Christendom could be dissolved if men would follow the New Testament like they say they do. This ignorance is man’s fault, not God’s. The mighty prophet said, "And a highway will be there, a roadway, and it will be called ‘the highway of holiness’. The unclean will not travel on it, but it will be for him who walks that way, and fools will not wander on it." (Isaiah 35:8).
Man need not err in his understanding of how to become a Christian. One who alertly reads the New Testament cannot believe in "faith only". Man is expected to respond through obedience to the love and grace of God.
In Christendom there is a veil over the eyes of literally millions who really do not know what God says about how to become a Christian. These are blinded to the New testament as the Jews were to the Old Testament. Paul said, "But to this day whenever Moses is read, a veil lies over their heart; but whenever a man turns to the Lord, the veil is taken away." (II Corinthians 3:15-16).
If you want to know what God’s will is in this matter, you can. If you don’t do these and teach them, you are not willing to receive what God has commanded and spoken. Jesus said it this way, "If any man is willing to do His will (God’s pleasure), he shall know (have the needed illumination to recognize and tell for himself) of the teaching (doctrine), whether it is of God, or whether I speak from Myself (man’s wisdom)." (John 7:17).
The following scriptures are universal statements but no one of them is all inclusive and none repudiates the others. Grace does not nullify obedience, and Faith does not nullify repentance, confession, baptism or faithfulness. All are in the Scriptures and are a part of God’s great plan of salvation. The Bible says it; we believe it; that settles it. We adhere to them all and so should everyone seeking salvation.
I am saved by faith, but not faith alone. I am saved by the grace and mercy of God, but without obedience, or the blood of Christ, or the gospel, there is no salvation. Belief, repentance, confession, baptism, faithfulness and the power of Jesus’ name are all important in salvation. A harmonious operation of them all through the power of God will result in our salvation.
God’s plan for salvation is God’s plan for unity. All men saved alike will be one; this is the doctrine we must all believe, practice and speak (I Corinthians 1:10) because it is of eternal importance to the salvation of the whole world. The Bible does not treat lightly the doctrine of redemption.
Our view of the "second coming of Christ" has to some extent been left in obscurity. On this and similar issues we may never agree, but God’s plan of salvation has been divinely guarded, it is plainly and consistently taught throughout the whole New Testament. All the major conversions include all the necessary elements so we can know just what went on.
It is of great risk and peril to the souls of men to get one thought in mind and follow it alone, when God has decreed a whole process to be followed. As Sovereign He has given commands: we must follow all, not just the ones we choose.
I. God’s plan of Salvation preached by:
1. PETER
A. Hear: Acts 10:33 "And so I sent to you immediately, and you have been kind enough to come. Now then, we are all here present before God to hear all that you have been commanded by the Lord." (spoken to Peter by Cornelius).
B. Believe: Acts 10:43 "Of Him all the prophets bear witness that through His name every one who believes in Him receives forgiveness of sins."
C. Repent: II Peter 3:9 "The Lord is not slow about His promise, as some count slowness, but is patient toward you, not wishing for any to perish but for all to come to repentance."
D. Confess: Matthew 16:16 "And Simon Peter answered and said, ‘Thou art the Christ, the Son of the Living God’."
E. Live Faithfully: I Peter 5:12 "...I have written to you briefly, exhorting, and testifying that this is the true grace of God. Stand firm in it."
2. PAUL
A. Hear: Romans 10:14 "How then shall they call upon Him in whom they have not believed? And how shall they believe in Him whom they have not heard? And how shall they hear without a preacher?"
B. Believe: Romans 1:16 "For I am not ashamed of the Gospel, for it is the power of God for salvation to every one who believes, to the Jew first and also the Greek"
C. Repent: Acts 17:30 "Therefore having overlooked the times of ignorance, God is now declaring to men that all everywhere should repent."
D. Confess: I Timothy 6:12 "Fight the good fight of faith; take hold of the eternal life to which you were called, and you made the good confession in the presence of many witnesses."
E. Be Baptized: Galatians 3:27 "For all of you who were baptized into Christ have clothed yourselves with Christ."
F. Live Faithfully: I Corinthians 15:58 "Therefore, my beloved brethren, be steadfast, immovable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, knowing that your toil is not in vain in the Lord."
3. PHILIP
A. Hear: Acts 8:35 "And Philip opened his mouth, and beginning from this Scripture he preached Jesus to him."
B. Believe: Acts 8:37a "And Philip said, ‘If you believe with all your heart, you may’."
C. Repent: (Implied)
D. Confess; Acts 8:37b "And he answered and said, ‘I believe that Jesus Christ is the Son of God’."
E. Be Baptized: Acts 8:38 "And he ordered the chariot to stop; and they both went down into the water, Philip as well as the eunuch; and he baptized him."
F. Live Faithfully: Acts 8:39 "And when they came up out of the water, the Spirit of the Lord snatched Philip away; and the eunuch saw him no more, but went on his way rejoicing."
4. JOHN
A. Hear: I John 1:3 "What we have seen and heard we proclaim to you also, that you also may have fellowship with us; and indeed our fellowship is with the Father, and with his Son Jesus Christ."
B. Believe: I John 5:5 "And who is the one who overcomes the world, but he who believes that Jesus is the Son of God?"
C. Repent: I John 3:3 "And everyone who has this hope fixed on Him purifies himself, just as He is pure."
D. Confess; I John 2:23 "Whosoever denies the Son does not have the Father; the one who confesses the Son has the Father also."
E. Be Baptized: I John 5:8 "For there are three that bear witness, the Spirit and the water and the blood; and the three are in agreement."
F. Live Faithfully: II John 9 "Any one who goes too far and does not abide in the teaching of Christ, does not have God; and the one who abides in the teaching, he has both the Father and the Son."
5. JESUS
A. Hear: Revelation 3:20 (Greatest Invitation) "Behold, I stand at the door and knock; if any one hears My voice and opens the door, I will come in to him, and will dine with him, and he with Me."
B. Believe: John 5:24 (Greatest Authority) "Truly, truly, I say to you, he who hears My word, and believes Him who sent Me, has eternal life, and does not come into judgment, but has passed out of death into life."
C. Repent: Luke 13:3 (Greatest Consequence) "I tell you, no, but unless you repent, you will all likewise perish."
D. Confess: Matthew 10:32 (Greatest Promise) "Every one therefore who shall confess Me before men, I will also confess him before My Father who is in heaven."
E. Be Baptized: Mark 16:16 (Greatest Urgency) "He who has believed and has been baptized shall be saved; but he who has disbelieved shall be condemned."
F. Life Faithfully: Revelation 2:10b (Greatest Result) "Be faithful until death, and I will give you the crown of life."
II. God’s Plan of Salvation, Recorded In:
1. MATTHEW
A. Hear: Matthew 17:5b "...a voice out of the cloud, saying, ‘This is My beloved Son, with whom I am well-pleased: hear Him!"
B. Believe: Matthew 21:32 "For John came to you in the way of righteousness and you did not believe him; but the tax-gatherers and harlots did believe him; and you, seeing this, did not even feel remorse afterward so as to believe him."
C. Repent: Matthew 3:2 "Repent, for the kingdom of Heaven is at hand."
D. Confess: Matthew 27:54 "Now the centurion, and those who were with him keeping guard over Jesus, when they saw the earthquake and the things that were happening, became very frightened and said, ‘Truly this was the Son of God!’."
E. Be Baptized: Matthew 28:19 "Go therefore and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit."
F. Life Faithfully: Matthew 25:21 "His master said to him, ‘Well done, good and faithful slave; you were faithful with a few things, I will put you in charge of many things, enter into the joy of your master’."
2. MARK
A. Hear: Mark 16:15 "And He said to them, ‘Go into all the world and preach the Gospel to all creation’."
B. Believe: Mark 14:61-62 "...Are you the Christ, the Son of the Blessed One? And Jesus said, ‘I am; and you shall see the Son of Man sitting at the right hand of power, and coming with the clouds of Heaven’."
C. Repent: Mark 1:15 "And saying, ‘The time is fulfilled, and the kingdom of God is at hand; repent and believe in the Gospel’."
D. Confess: Mark 8:29 "And He continued by questioning them, ‘But who do you say that I am?’ Peter answered and said to Him, ‘Thou art the Christ’."
E. Be Baptized: Mark 16:16 "He who has believed and has been baptized shall be saved; but he who has disbelieved shall be condemned."
F. Live Faithfully: Mark 13:13 "And you will be hated by all on account of My name, but it is the one who has endured to the end who will be saved."
3. LUKE
A. Hear: Luke 11:28 "But He said, ‘On the contrary, blessed are those who hear the word of God, and observe it’."
B. Believe: Luke 8:12 "And those beside the road are those who have heard; then the devil comes and takes away the word from their heart, so that they may not believe and be saved."
C. Repent: Luke 13:5 "I tell you, no, but unless you repent, you will all likewise perish."
D. Confess: Luke 12:8 "And I say to you, everyone who confesses Me before men, the Son of Man shall confess him also before the angels of God."
E. Be Baptized: Acts 9:18 (written by Luke) "...and he arose and was baptized."
F. Live Faithfully: Luke 21:19 "By your perseverance you will win your souls."
4. JOHN
A. Hear: John 6:45 "Every one who has heard and learned from the Father, comes to Me."
B. Believe: John 20:31 "but these have been written that you may believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God; and that believing you may have life in His name."
C. Repent: Revelation 3:19 "Those whom I love, I reprove and discipline; be zealous therefore and repent."
D. Confess: I John 4:15 "Whoever confesses that Jesus is the Son of God, God abides in him, and he in God."
E. Be Baptized: John 3:5 "Jesus answered, ‘Truly, truly, I say to you, unless one is born of water and the Spirit, he can not enter into the kingdom of God."
F. Live Faithfully: John 8:11 "...And Jesus said, ‘Neither do I condemn you; go your way; from now on sin no more."
5. ACTS
A. Hear: Acts 2:40 "And with many other words he solemnly testified and kept on exhorting them, saying, ‘Be saved from this perverse generation!"
B. Believe: Acts 16:31 "And they said, ‘Believe in the Lord Jesus and you shall be saved, you and your household."
C. Repent: Acts 3:19 "Repent therefore and return, that your sins may be wiped away, in order that times of refreshing may come from the presence of the Lord."
D. Confess: Acts 19:18 "many also of those who had believed kept coming, confessing and disclosing their practices."
E. Be Baptized: Acts 22:16 "And now why do you delay? Arise, and be baptized, and wash away your sins, calling on His name."
F. Live Faithfully: Acts 14:22 "strengthening the souls of the disciples, encouraging them to continue in the faith, and saying, through many tribulations we must enter the kingdom of God."
6. ROMANS
A. Hear: Romans 10:17 "So faith comes from hearing, and hearing by the word of Christ."
B. Believe: Romans 3:22 "even the righteousness of God through faith in Jesus Christ for all those who believe; for there is no distinction;"
C. Repent: Romans 2:4 "Or do you think lightly of the riches of His kindness and forbearance and patience, not knowing that the kindness of God leads you to repentance?"
D. Confess: Romans 10:9-10 "That if you confess with your mouth Jesus as Lord, and believe in your heart that God raised Him from the dead, you shall be saved; for with the heart man believes, resulting in righteousness, and with the mouth he confesses, resulting in salvation."
E. Be Baptized: Romans 6:3-4 "Or do you not know that all of us who have been baptized into Christ Jesus have been baptized into His death? therefore we have been buried with Him through baptism into death;"
F. Live Faithfully: Romans 12:1-2 "I urge you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, to present your bodies a living and holy sacrifice, acceptable to God, which is your spiritual service of worship. And do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, that you may prove what the will of God is, that which is good and acceptable and perfect."
7. I AND II CORINTHIANS
A. Hear: I Corinthians 14:21 "In the Law it is written, ‘By men of strange tongues and by the lips of strangers I will speak to this people, and even so they will not listen to Me, says the Lord."
B. Believe: I Corinthians 1:21 "For since in the wisdom of god the world through its wisdom did not come to know God, God was well-pleased through the foolishness of the message preached to save those who believe."
C. Repent: II Corinthians 7:10 "For the sorrow that is according to the will of God produces a repentance without regret, leading to salvation; but the sorrow of the world produces death."
D. Confess: II Corinthians 9:13 "Because of the proof given by this ministry they will glorify God for your obedience to your confession of the Gospel of Christ, and for the liberality of your contribution to them and to all."
E. Be Baptized; I Corinthians 1:16 "Now I did baptize also the household of Stephanas;"
F. Live Faithfully: I Corinthians 4:2 "In this case, moreover, it is required of stewards that one be found trustworthy."
8. EPISTLES
A. Hear: Ephesians 1:13 "In Him, you also, after listening to the message of truth, the Gospel of your salvation..."
B. Believe: Galatians 3:22 "But the Scripture has shut up all men under sin, that the promise by faith in Jesus Christ might be given to those who believe."
C. Repent: II Timothy 2:25 "with gentleness correcting those who are in opposition, if perhaps God may grant them repentance leading to the knowledge of the truth."
D. Confess: Hebrews 3:1 "Therefore, holy brethren, partakers of a heavenly calling, consider Jesus, the Apostle and High Priest of our confession."
E. Be Baptized: Colossians 2:12 "Having been buried with Him in baptism, in which you were also raised up with Him through faith in the working of God, who raised Him from the dead."
F. Live Faithfully: Colossians 2:6-7 "As you therefore have received Christ Jesus the Lord, so walk in Him, having been firmly rooted and now being built up in Him and established in your faith, just as you were instructed, and overflowing with gratitude."
9. REVELATION
A. Hear: Revelation 2:7a "He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches."
B. Believe: Revelation 21:8 "But for the cowardly and unbelieving and abominable and murders and immoral persons and sorcerers and idolaters and all liars, their part will be in the lake that burns with fire and brimstone, which is the second death."
C. Repent: Revelation 2:21-22 "And I gave
her time to repent; and she does not want to repent of
her immorality. Behold, I will cast her upon a bed of
sickness, and those who commit adultery with her into
great tribulation, unless they repent of her deeds."
D. Confess: Revelation 2:13 "I know where you dwell, where Satan’s throne is; and you hold fast My name, and did not deny My faith, even in the days of Antipas, My witness, My faithful one, who was killed among you, where Satan dwells."
E. Be Baptized: Revelation 7:14 "...And he said to me, these are the ones who come out of the great tribulation, and they have washed their robes and made them white in the blood of the Lamb."
F. Live Faithfully: Revelation 2:7b "...To him who overcomes, I will grant to eat of the tree of life, which is in the Paradise of God."
III. God’s Plan of Salvation Experienced by:
1. CHRISTIANS IN ACTS
A. Heard: Acts 2:14 "But Peter, taking his stand with the eleven, raised his voice and declared to them: ‘Men of Judea, and all you who live in Jerusalem, let this be known to you, and give heed to my words."
B. Believed: Acts 18:8 "And Crispus, the leader of the synagogue, believed in the Lord with all his household, and many of the Corinthians when they heard were believing and being baptized."
C. Repented: Acts 2:38a "And Peter said to them, ‘Repent..."
D. Confessed: Acts 2:37b "...and said to Peter and the rest of the apostles, ‘brethren, what shall we do?"
E. Were Baptized: Acts 2:38b "...let each of you be baptized in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins; and you shall receive the gift of the Holy spirit."
F. Lived Faithfully: Acts 2:42 "And they were continually devoting themselves to the apostles’ teaching and to fellowship, to the breaking of bread and to prayer."
2. THE PEOPLE OF SAMARIA
A. Heard: Acts 8:5 "And Philip went down to the city of Samaria and began proclaiming Christ to them."
B. Believed: Acts 8:12a "But when they believed Philip preaching the good news about the kingdom of God and the name of Jesus Christ..."
C. Repented: (Implied)
D. Confessed: (Implied)
E. Were Baptized: Acts 8:12b "...they were being baptized, men and women alike..."
F. Lived Faithfully: Acts 15:3 (a long time later) "Therefore, being sent on their way by the church, they were passing through both Phoenicia and Samaria, describing in detail the conversion of the Gentiles, and were bringing great joy to all the brethren."
3. SIMON, THE SORCERER
A. Heard: Acts 8:13c "...and as he observed signs and great miracles taking place, he was constantly amazed."
B. Believed: Acts 8:13a "And even Simon himself believed."
C. Repented: Acts 8:24 "But Simon answered and said, ‘Pray to the Lord for me yourselves, so that nothing of what you have said may come upon me.'" (We have every reason to believe he repented before.)
D. Confessed: (Implied)
E. Was Baptized: Acts 8:13b "...and after being baptized, he continued on with Philip."
F. Lived Faithfully: Acts 8:22 "Therefore repent of this wickedness of yours, and pray the Lord that if possible, the intention of your heart may be forgiven you" (a severe warning if one does not follow Christ).
4. ETHIOPIAN EUNUCH
A. Heard: Acts 8:30,31,35 "And when Philip had run up, he heard him reading Isaiah the prophet, and said, ‘Do you understand what you are reading?’ And he said, ‘Well, how could I, unless someone guides me?’ And he invited Philip to come up and sit with him. ...And Philip opened his mouth and beginning from this Scripture he preached Jesus to him."
B. Believed: Acts 8:37a "And Philip said, ‘If you believe with all your heart, you may."
C. Repented: (Implied)
D. Confessed: Acts 8:37b "And he answered and said, I believe that Jesus Christ is the Son of God."
E. Was Baptized: Acts 8:38 "And he ordered the chariot to stop; and they both went down into the water, Philip as well as the eunuch; and he baptized him."
F. Lived Faithfully: Acts 8:39 "And when they came up out of the water, the Spirit of the Lord snatched Philip away: and the eunuch saw him no more, but went on his way rejoicing."
5. PAUL
A. Heard: Acts 9:6 "but rise, and enter the city, and it shall be told you what you must do."
B. Believed: Acts 26:19 "Consequently, King Agrippa, I did not prove disobedient to the heavenly vision."
C. Repented: Acts 26:20 "but kept declaring both to those of Damascus first, and also at Jerusalem and then throughout all the region of Judea, and even to the Gentiles, that they should repent and turn to God, performing deeds appropriate to repentance." If he preached it for others, he did it himself.
D. Confessed: Acts 22:10 "And I said, ‘What shall I do, Lord?’ And the Lord said to me, ‘Arise and go on into Damascus; and there you will be told of all that has been appointed for you to do."
E. Was Baptized: Acts 22:16 "And now why do you delay? Arise and be baptized, and wash away your sins, calling on His name."
F. Lived Faithfully: II Timothy 4:7,8 "I have fought the good fight, I have finished the course, I have kept the faith; in the future there is laid up for me the crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous judge, will award to me on that day; and not only to me, but also to all who love His appearing."
6. CORNELIUS
A. Heard: Acts 11,13,14 "...Send to Joppa, and have Simon, who is also called Peter, brought here; and he shall speak words to you by which you will be saved, you and all your household."
B. Believed: Acts 10:33 "...and you have been kind enough to come. Now then, we are all here present before God to hear all that you have been commanded by the Lord." He was ready to hear and believe God.
C. Repented: Acts 11:18 "And when they heard this, they quieted down, and glorified god, saying, ‘Well then, God has granted to the Gentiles also the repentance that leads to life."
D. Confessed: (Implied)
E. Was Baptized: Acts 10:47 "Surely no one can refuse the water for these to be baptized who have received the Holy Spirit just as we did, can he?"
F. Lived Faithfully: Acts 10:48b "...Then they asked him to stay on for a few days." They were eager to hear and learn more.
7. LYDIA
A. Heard: Acts 16:13 "And on the Sabbath day we went outside the gate to a riverside, where we were supposing that there would be a place of prayer; and we sat down and began speaking to the women who had assembled."
B. Believed: Acts 16:14 "And a certain woman named Lydia, from the city of Thyatira, a seller of purple fabrics, a worshiper of God, was listening; and the Lord opened her heart to respond to the things spoken by Paul."
C. Repented: (Implied)
D. Confessed: (Implied)
E. Was Baptized: Acts 16:15a "And when she and her household had been baptized..."
F. Lived Faithfully: Acts 16:15b "...she urged us, saying, ‘If you have judged me to be faithful to the Lord, come into my house and stay.’ And she prevailed upon us."
8. THE PHILIPPIAN JAILER
A. Heard: Acts 16:32 "And they spoke the word of the Lord to him together with all who were in his house."
B. Believed: Acts 16:34b "...having believed in God with his whole household."
C. Repented: Acts 16:29 "And he called for lights and rushed in and, trembling with fear, he fell down before Paul and Silas..."
D. Confessed: Acts 16:30 "and after he brought them out, he said, ‘Sirs, what must I do to be saved?"
E. Was Baptized: Acts 16:33 "And he took them that very hour of the night and washed their wounds, and immediately he was baptized, he and all his household."
F. Lived Faithfully: Acts 16:34 "And he brought them into his house and set food before them, and rejoiced greatly, having believed in God with his whole household."
9. CRISPUS AND THE CORINTHIANS
A. Heard: Acts 18:7 "And he departed from there and went to the house of a certain man named Titius Justus, a worshiper of God, whose house was next to the synagogue."
B. Believed: Acts 18:8a "And Crispus, the leader of the synagogue, believed in the Lord with all his household."
C. Repented: (Implied)
D. Confessed: (Implied)
E. Were Baptized: Acts 18:8b "...and many of the Corinthians when they heard were believing and being baptized."
F. Lived Faithfully: Acts 18:11 "And he settled there a year and six months, teaching the word of God among them."
IV. Other Biblical Utterances exhorting men to respond to the love, grace, gift and mercy of God in this way.
1.
A. Hear: Luke 9:44a "Let these words sink into your ears."
B. Believe: John 3:16 "For God so loved the world, that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish, but have eternal life."
C. Repent: Luke 24:47 "and that repentance for forgiveness of sins should be proclaimed in His name to all the nations, beginning from Jerusalem."
D. Confess: Hebrews 4:14 "Since then we have a great high priest who has passed through the Heavens, Jesus the Son of God, let us hold fast our confession."
E. Be Baptized: I Peter 3:21 "And corresponding to that, baptism now saves you..not the removal of dirt from the flesh, but an appeal to God for a good conscience..through the resurrection of Jesus Christ."
F. Live Faithfully: Titus 3:8 "this is a trustworthy statement; concerning these things I want you to speak confidently, so that those who have believed God may be careful to engage in good deeds. These things are good and profitable for men."
2.
A. Hear: Ephesians 4:21 "if indeed you have heard Him and have been taught in Him, just as truth is in Jesus,"
B. Believe: John 7:38 "He who believes in Me, as the Scripture said, from his innermost being shall flow rivers of living water."
C. Repent: Acts 20:20,21 "how I did not shrink from declaring to you anything that was profitable, and teaching you publicly and from house to house, solemnly testifying to both Jews and Greeks of repentance toward God and faith in our Lord Jesus Christ."
D. Confess: Hebrews 10:23 "Let us hold fast the confession of our hope without wavering, for He who promised is faithful."
E. Be Baptized: Acts 19:5 "And when they heard this, they were baptized in the name of the Lord Jesus."
F. Live Faithfully: Revelation 2:7 "He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches. To him who overcomes, I will grant to eat of the tree of life, which is in the Paradise of God."
3.
A. Hear: Luke 19:47,48 "And He was teaching daily in the temple; but the chief priests and the scribes and the leading men among the people were trying to destroy Him, and they could not find anything that they might do, for all the people were hanging upon His words."
B. Believe: I Corinthians 1:21 "For since in the wisdom of God the world through its wisdom did not come to know God, God was well-pleased through the foolishness of the message preached to save those who believe."
C. Repent: Acts 5:31 "He is the one whom God exalted to His right hand as the Prince and a Savior, to grant repentance to Israel, and forgiveness of sins."
D. Confess: I John 2:23 "Whoever denies the Son does not have the Father; the one who confesses the Son has the Father also."
E. Be Baptized: I Corinthians 12:13 "For by one Spirit we were all baptized into one body, whether Jews or Greeks, whether slaves or free, and we were all made to drink of one Spirit."
F. Live Faithfully: I Peter 2:21 "For you have been called for this purpose, since Christ also suffered for you, leaving you an example for you to follow in His steps."
4.
A. Hear: Acts 7:37 "This is the Moses who said to the sons of Israel, God shall raise up for you a prophet like me from your brethren."
B. Believe: I John 5:1 "Whoever believes that Jesus is the Christ is born of God; and whoever loves the Father loves the child born of Him."
C. Repent: Revelation 2:16 "Repent therefore; or else I am coming to you quickly, and I will make war against them with the sword of My mouth."
D. Confess: I John 4:2,3 "By this you know the Spirit of God: Every spirit that confesses that Jesus Christ has come in the flesh is from God; and every spirit that does not confess Jesus is not from God..."
E. Be Baptized: Ephesians 4:5,6 "One Lord, one faith, one baptism, one God and Father of all who is over all and through all and in all."
F. Live Faithfully: James 1:12 "Blessed is a man who perseveres under trial; for once he has been approved, he will receive the crown of life, which the Lord has promised to those who love Him."
5.
A. Hear: Luke 5:1 "Now it came about that while the multitude were pressing around Him and listening to the word of God..."
B. Believe: I John 3:23 "And this is His commandment, that we believe in the name of His Son Jesus Christ..."
C. Repent: Mark 6:12 "And they went out and preached that men should repent."
D. Confess: I John 4:14 "And we have beheld and bear witness that the Father has sent the Son to be the Savior of the world."
E. Be Baptized: I Corinthians 1:15a "Now I did baptize also the household of Stephanas;"
F. Live Faithfully: I Peter 1:6,7 "In this you greatly rejoice, even though now for a little while, if necessary, you have been distressed by various trials, that the proof of your faith, being more precious than gold which is perishable, even though tested by fire, may be found to result in praise and glory and honor at the revelation of Jesus Christ."
"He who has my commandments and keeps them, he it is who loves Me shall be loved by My Father, and I will love him, and will disclose Myself to him." John 14:21
If you need help in making a
decision for Christ, or if you want someone to assist you
in Christian baptism, please contact:
Joe R. Garman, President
American Rehabilitation Ministries
P.O. Box 1490, Joplin, MO 64802
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