The Plan Salvation

GOSPEL BASICS
Copyright Protected 2003

Dr.Joe D. Gibbs, Sr.

The Plan of Salvation
Joe D. Gibbs, Sr.

The Bible speaks often and loud about salvation; However, it is imperative that people understand God's plan of salvation for people who live in the Christian Age. In this course every teacher has the God-given responsibility to teach this plan, The plan of salvation is as follows:

I. HEAR THE GOSPEL OF CHRIST
(Romans 10:17; Acts 15:7-9)

Paul in the letter to the saints at Rome italicizes the importance of hearing the Gospel of Christ. He said in Romans 10:14, "How shall they believe on Him in whom they have not HEARD." Therefore, we cannot believe the gospel unless we HEAR it. Along this line it must be clearly understood that God has placed the responsibility of preaching or the gospel upon the shoulders of earthen vessels, that is human beings (II Corinthians 4:7).
In the New Testament we do not find an example nor an implication that God employed angels to preach the gospel, so it is our God-given responsibility to preach/teach the gospel so that people can hear it!

A. Example of people who heard the gospel and believed it.
1. Jews on Pentecost. In Acts 2:22, Peter said "Ye men of Israel HEAR these words." Question-- What words? The words about Jesus!
a. His Death: "Ye have crucified and slain..."(Acts 2:23)
b. His Burial: Even though Peter didn't mention the Lord's burial the average understood that when someone died they were usually buried, and we have biblical proof that the Lord was buried.(Matt.27:58-60)
c. His Resurrection: Acts 2;24"Whom God hath raised up..."

Summation

So, on the day of the first Pentecost after the resurrection of our Lord, as it is recorded by Luke, the Jews HEARD the Gospel of Christ. Every Bible student should be aware of the fact that Peter discussed several things, but the crux of the message was the death, burial and resurrection of Christ and that He was their Lord and The Christ. We know they HEARD it because Peter said in verse 37, "Now when they HEARD this." What did they hear? The Gospel! How Jesus died and was resurrected by God! They HEARD the Gospel, and they also BELIEVED the Gospel!! How do we know? The bible says in Acts 2:37 "Now when they heard this they were pricked in their hearts..."

When they heard they had crucified The Christ they were "pricked in their heart" which is an indication that they believe the Gospel; furthermore, the Bible says in Acts 2:41, "Then they that gladly Received his ward were baptized" Don't tell me they didn't;t believe! You can tell that to a fence post that doesn't know any better!

2. The Samaritans (Acts 8:5-13)

In this passage we find Phillip preaching Christ (Acts 8:5). Verse 6 of the passage says the Samaritans "GAVE HEED to the things which Phillip Spake." This is, undoubtedly, an indication that the Samaritans believed the Gospel of Christ. In Acts 8:12 we find further proof that the Samaritans believed the Gospel. The Bible says "But when they BELIEVED Philip preaching things concerning the kingdom of God and THE NAME OF JESUS CHRIST, they were baptized, both men and women".

The Samaritans HEARD and BELIEVED the Gospel; consequently , they OBEYED the Gospel by being baptized, Acts 8:12.

3. The Eunuch (Acts 8:26-37)
4. Corinthians (Acts 18:8)
5. Phillippian Jailor (Acts 16)

The Bible teaches in verse 30 that the Eunuch was reading a passage of scripture in the prophet Isaiah, but he didn't know about whom the prophet was speaking, So Philip explained it (Acts 8:35). What did Phillip preach? JESUS! Did the Eunuch believe? Yes, because he said in verse 37, "I believe that Jesus Christ is the Son of God."

These are just a few examples of people who heard the Gospel and believed it; thus leading the way to obedience to the Gospel.

B. Examples of people who heard the Gospel and rejected it.
1. Some of the Jews on Pentecost in Acts 2 did not obey the Gospel even though they heard it. How do we know? We know because Luke says in Acts 2:41, "Then they that gladly received his word were baptized." I thin it would be erroneous to conclude that there were not those present who did not receive His word.
2. The Rulers of the Jews(Acts 4:1-19). In this text we have the Jewish rulers who were angry that the apostles (Peter and John) were preaching the name of Jesus Christ, Even though they heard the name of Jesus (The Gospel) they commanded Peter and John not to preach Jesus. This is proof that they heard the Gospel but rejected it!

We find a follow-up of the above story in Acts 5:12-42.

3. The Jews in Acts 6:14, 7:51-59. In this numbing story we find Stephen preaching Jesus(6:14). These Jews did not accept the spirit-guided preaching of Stephen, which indicated changes Jesus was to make, so they rejected the Gospel and stoned him.

4. Jews in Antioch in Pisidia (Acts 13:14-45)

In this story we have Paul and Barnabas on a Gospel mission which is usually considered as Paul's first missionary journey. When Paul and Barnabas were invited to speak (v. 15). Paul began to preach the Gospel of Christ in verses 17-41, but, as it usually follows, some didn't believe the gospel. According to verse 42 the Gentiles wanted to hear more about Jesus, but according to verse 45, the Jews began to contradict the things spoken by Paul. This shows that most of the Jews in Antioch in Pisidia heard the gospel but rejected it. Why do we say most of the Jews rejected the Gospel? We do so because the Bible says in Acts 13:43, "many of the Jews and religious proselytes followed Paul and Barnabas."

5. Jews in Thessalonica (Acts 17:1-9)

In this text we have Paul and Silas on another Gospel mission preaching Jesus. The Bible says in verse 4 that "some believed," but in verse 5 we see some UNBELIEVING Jews conspiring against these men of God. Again, we have people who heard the gospel but rejected it.

6. Philosophers on Mars' Hill (Acts 17:32)

The text sets Paul in the midst of a city filled with idolatry. This stirs Paul's soul to the point where he stood boldly to repeat their religious practices. He id so by enlightening them about God, and in the process he (Paul) mentions Jesus Christ) as the one designated by God to the judge the world(Acts 17:30-31). The part that disturbed some of the audience was the ;last part of the verse 31, which says that "he (God) raised him (Jesus) from the dead." The Bible says in verse 32, "And when they heard of the resurrection of the dead, some mocked..." here again, we have people who rejected the Gospel of Jesus Christ in unbelief.

7. Acts 28:23-24

"...and some believed and some believed not."

This study of people who heard the gospel and believed it; and the people who heard the Gospel and rejected it prepares us to not be discouraged when people turn us away, but to have the faith that somebody, somewhere, will hear the Gospel and believe it. This is the faith that every Gospel preacher/teacher must have.

II. Believe the Gospel of Christ: (That Jesus Christ is the Son of God.)
Mark 16:15-16; Acts 15:7-9(PLEASE DISCUSS SEVERAL OF THE Miracles OF JESUS. This helps to produce faith, John 20:30-31 and stress the fact that it takes more than faith to be saved.
     a.) James 2:19-20. If we can be saved by faith alone, then devils could be saved! Even a fence knows that's not right!
III. Repent of Sin: Acts:37-38; Acts 17:30-31
     a.) Repentance basically means to turn away from that which is wrong. Each teacher is asked to spend time talking about things people need to repent of. Things such as lying, cursing, etc.
IV. Confess: (That Jesus Christ is The Son of God.)
       Romans 10:9-10; Acts 8:36-38
      a.) Please spend a good amount of time talking about explaining the miracles of Jesus. This helps to produce faith in the hearts of the students that Jesus is the Son of God. The Gospel was written for this purpose (John 20:30-31.)
V. Baptized. (For the remission of sins) Acts 2:38; Acts 22:16
      Please emphasize the fact that baptism is no optional, but commanded.

It is imperative that people who are interested in going to heaven understand that God;s will must be done (Matt. 7:21-23). That is the case when it comes to baptism. Jesus said in Mark 16:15, 16: (He that believeth and is baptized shall be saved." Baptism is the culminating act in conversion, In conversion there are at least three changes that must take place.

     1.  Change of Heart(Mind).  This occurs when one hears the Gospel. He/She is no longer an unbeliever in the Gospel of Christ, but a believer in the Gospel of Christ, Acts 2:37.
     2. Change of Live (Action). This occurs when one repents of his/her sins. He/She turns from which displeases God, and in "many cases" turns to that which pleases God, I Thessalonians 1:9.
     3. Change of Relationship (State). This occurs when one is baptized into Christ. He/She is no longer an alien(Non-citizen), but is a member of the body of Christ, I Cor. 12, 13; II Corinthians 5:17.

Examples of People who ere Baptized.

1. The Jews (acts 2:41)
2. The Samaritans. (Acts 8;12)
3. The Eunuch. (Acts 8:38)
4. Saul of Tarsus. (Paul) (Acts 9:18)
5. Cornelius and His Household. (Acts 10:48)
6. Lydia and Her Household. (Acts 16:15)
7. The Phillippian Jailer and His Household. (Acts 16:33)
8. Crispus and His Household. (Acts 18:8)