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God's Plan of Salvation

The Lord is not slow in keeping his promise, as some understand slowness. He is patient with you, not wanting anyone to perish, but come to repentance (2 Peter 3:9).

The will of God from creation has always been for all men to be saved and live with him forever. This is emphasized in many verses of the scripture such as 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.

Salvation is a free gift of God’s grace offered to all. For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith and this not from yourselves, it is the gift of God not by works, so that no-one can boast (Ephesians 2:8-9). God offers salvation to all men through the sacrifice of His one and only Son on the cross of Calvary. In order to be saved a person must accept this free gift of salvation. To accept the gift of salvation, one must go through the following steps taught in the New Testament:

Hear the Gospel

First, one must hear the Gospel of Christ as recorded in Romans 10:17 - Consequently, faith comes by hearing the message, and the message is heard through the word of Christ. Hearing the Gospel of Christ is part of the plan of salvation to all men.

Believe that Jesus is the Christ

Second, one must believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of the living God. Jesus said in John 8:24 - I told you that you would die in your sins; if you do not believe that I am the one I claim to be, you will indeed die in your sins. Also in Mark 16:16 we read - He who believes and is baptized will be saved; but he who does not believe will be condemned. Believing that Jesus is the Christ and the Son of God is part of the salvation plan.

Repentance

Third, one must repent of his sins to obtain salvation as recorded in Acts 17:30-31 - The times of ignorance God overlooked, but now he commands all people everywhere to repent,because he has fixed a day on which he will judge the world in righteousness by a man whom he has appointed; and of this he has given assurance to all by raising him from the dead. Repentance is part of God’s plan of salvation. God wants everybody to turn from their evil ways to him in order to obtain salvation.

Confess Jesus is the Christ

Fourth, one must confess that Jesus is Christ, the Son of the Living God. In Matthew 10:32 we read - Therefore whoever confesses Me before men, him I will also confess before My Father who is in heaven. Also in Romans 10:9 we read - If you confess with your mouth the Lord Jesus and believe in your heart that God has raised Him from the dead, you will be saved. Confession of Jesus, the Christ and the Son of God is in God’s plan of salvation for all men.

Be Baptized

Fifth, one must be baptized in order to be saved. In Acts 2:23 we read - Repent, and let every one of you be baptized in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins; and you shall receive the gift of the Holy Spirit. Baptism is very important in the plan of salvation that God gives freely to everybody.