The Gospel Plan Of Salvation
(Editor's Note: This article is taken from a tract of brother Arceneaux' bearing the same title. The tract is excellent for distribution among those who have never obeyed the gospel.)
"The gospel of Christ is the power of God unto salvation to everyone that believeth." (Rom. 1:16)
I. The gospel has facts to be believed. They are:
a. Christ died for our sins.
b. He was buried.
c. He rose again for our justification.
Belief of these facts is a condition of salvation:
I Cor. 15:1-5 — "Moreover, brethren, I declare unto you the gospel which I preached unto you, which also ye have received, and wherein ye stand; by which also ye are saved, if ye keep in memory what I preached unto you, unless ye have believed in vain. For I delivered unto you first of all that which I have received, how that Christ died for our sins according to the scriptures; and that he was buried, and that he rose again the third day according to the scriptures."
Rom. 4:24-25 — "But for us also, to whom it shall be imputed, if we believe on him that raised up Jesus our Lord from the dead; who was delivered for our offenses, and was raised again for our justification."
Rom. 10:9, 10 — "But what sayeth it? The word is nigh thee, even in thy mouth, and in thy heart: that is, the word of faith, which we preach; that if thou shalt confess with thy mouth the Lord Jesus, and shalt believe in thine heart that God hath raised him from the dead, thou shalt be saved. For with the heart man believeth unto righteousness; and with the mouth confession is made unto salvation."
I Peter 1:21 — "Who by him do believe in God, that raised him up from the dead, and gave him glory; that your faith and hope might be in God."
II. The gospel has commands to be obeyed. They are:
a. That we repent.
Acts 17:30, 31 — "And the times of this ignorance God winked at; but now commandeth all men everywhere to repent; because he bath appointed a day, in the which he will judge the world in righteousness by that man whom he hath ordained; whereof he hath given assurance unto all men, in that he hath raised him from the dead."
Luke 24:47 — "And that repentance and remission of sins should be preached in his name among all nations, beginning at Jerusalem."
b. That we confess Christ.
Rom. 10:9, 10 — "That if thou shalt confess with thy mouth the Lord Jesus, and shalt believe in thine heart that God hath raised him from the dead, thou shalt be saved. For with the heart man believeth unto righteousness; and with the mouth confession is made unto salvation."
I Tim. 6:12-14 — "Fight the good fight of faith, lay hold on eternal life, whereunto thou art also called, and hast professed a good profession before many witnesses.
I give thee charge in the sight of God who quickeneth all things, and before Christ Jesus, who before Pontius Pilate witnessed a good confession; that thou keep this commandment without spot, unbreakable, until the appearing of our Lord Jesus Christ."
c. That we be baptized.
Acts 10:48 — "And he commanded them to be baptized in the name of the Lord. Then Prayed they him to tarry certain days." (The "he" who gave this command was Peter, who was guided by the Holy Spirit—I Peter 1:12.)
Heb. 5:9 — "And being made perfect, he became the author of eternal salvation unto all them that obey him."
III. The gospel has promises to be enjoyed, and which present motives to obey. They are:
a. Forgiveness of sins.
Mark 16:16 — "He that believeth and is baptized shall be saved; but he that believeth not shall be damned."
Acts 2:38 — "Then Peter said unto them, Repent, and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins, and ye shall receive the gift of the Holy Ghost."
Acts 3:19 — "Repent ye therefore, and be converted, that your sins may be blotted out, when the times of refreshing shall come from the presence of the Lord."
b. Eternal salvation.
Heb. 5:9 — "And being made perfect, he became the author of eternal salvation unto all them that obey him."
IV. The gospel has a threat to be avoided, and to present another motive to obey. It is:
a. Eternal banishment from the presence of God and the glory of his power.
Mark 16:16 — "He that believeth and is baptized shall be saved; but he that believeth not shall be damned."
II Thess. 1:7-9 — "And to you who are troubled rest with us, when the Lord Jesus shall be revealed from heaven with his mighty angels, in flaming fire taking vengeance on them that know not God, and that obey not the gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ; who shall be punished with everlasting destruction from the presence of the Lord and from the glory of his power."
This gospel is to be preached to you that you may believe. (Acts 15:7) Belief of its glorious facts should influence you to love Christ. Love will lead to obedience. (John 14:15) And Christ promises to save those who are obedient.