{"id":249,"date":"2021-05-12T16:42:44","date_gmt":"2021-05-12T16:42:44","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/angelobiblestudy.com\/?page_id=249"},"modified":"2021-05-12T16:43:55","modified_gmt":"2021-05-12T16:43:55","slug":"in-defense-of-gods-plan-of-salvation","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/angelobiblestudy.com\/?page_id=249","title":{"rendered":"In Defense of God’s Plan of Salvation"},"content":{"rendered":"\t\t
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In Defense of God's Plan of Salvation<\/h2>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t
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by Bert Thompson, Ph.D<\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t

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\u201cAnd Jehovah God formed man of the dust of the ground, and breathed into his nostrils the breath of life; and man became a living soul\u201d (Genesis 2:7).<\/i><\/strong><\/span><\/h1>

Of all the living beings that dwell on planet Earth, one solitary creature was made \u201cin the image of God.\u201d On day six of His creative activity, God said: \u201cLet us make man in our image, after our likeness…. And God created man in his own image, in the image of God created he him; male and female created he them\u201d (Genesis 1:26,27).<\/p>

Mankind was not created in the physical image of God, of course, because God, as a Spirit Being, has no physical image (John 4:24; Luke 24:39; Matthew 16:17). Rather, mankind was fashioned in the spiritual, rational, emotional, and volitional image of God (Ephesians 4:24; John 5:39-40; 7:17; Joshua 24:15; Isaiah 7:15). Humans were superior to all other creatures. No other living being was given the faculties, the capacities, the capabilities, the potential, or the dignity that God instilled in each man and woman. Indeed, humankind is the peak, the pinnacle, and the apex, of God\u2019s creation.<\/p>

In its lofty position as the zenith of God\u2019s creative genius, mankind was endowed with certain responsibilities. Men and women were to be the stewards of the entire Earth (Genesis 1:28). They were to glorify God in their daily existence (Isaiah 43:7). And, they were to consider it their \u201cwhole duty\u201d to serve the Creator faithfully throughout their brief sojourn on the Earth (Ecclesiastes 12:13).<\/p>

MAN\u2019S PREDICAMENT: DISOBEDIENCE AND DEATH<\/h2>

Unfortunately, the first man and woman used their volitional powers\u2014and the free moral agency based on those powers\u2014to rebel against their Maker. Finite man made some horribly evil choices, and so entered the spiritual state biblically designated as \u201csin.\u201d The Old Testament not only presents in vivid fashion the entrance of sin into the world through Adam and Eve (Genesis 3), but also alludes to the ubiquity of sin within the human race when it says: \u201cthere is no man that sinneth not\u201d (1 Kings 8:46). Throughout its thirty-nine books, the Old Covenant discusses time and again sin\u2019s presence amidst humanity, and its destructive consequences. The great prophet Isaiah reminded God\u2019s people: \u201cBehold, Jehovah\u2019s hand is not shortened that it cannot save; neither his ear heavy that it cannot hear: but your iniquities have separated between you and your God, and your sins have hid his face from you, so that he will not hear\u201d (59:1-2).<\/p>

The New Testament is no less clear in its assessment. The apostle John wrote: \u201cEvery one that doeth sin doeth also lawlessness; and sin is lawlessness\u201d (1 John 3:4). Thus, sin is defined as the act of transgressing God\u2019s law. In fact, Paul observed that \u201cwhere there is no law, neither is there transgression\u201d (Romans 4:15). Had there been no law, there would have been no sin. But God\u00a0had<\/b>\u00a0instituted divine law. And mankind freely chose to transgress that law. Paul reaffirmed the Old Testament concept of the universality of sin (1 Kings 8:46) when he stated that \u201call have sinned, and fall short of the glory of God\u201d (Romans 3:23).<\/p>

As a result, mankind\u2019s predicament became serious indeed. Ezekiel lamented: \u201cThe soul that sinneth, it shall die\u201d (18:20a). Once again, the New Testament writers reaffirmed such a concept. Paul wrote: \u201cTherefore, as through one man sin entered into the world, and death through sin; and so death passed unto all men, for that all sinned\u201d (Romans 5:12). He then added that \u201cthe wages of sin is death\u201d (Romans 6:23). Years later, James would write: \u201cBut each man is tempted, when he is drawn away by his own lust, and enticed. Then the lust, when it hath conceived, beareth sin: and the sin, when it is full-grown, bringeth forth death\u201d (1:14-15).<\/p>

As a result of mankind\u2019s sin, God placed the curse of death on the human race. While all men and women must die physically as a result of Adam and Eve\u2019s sin, each person dies spiritually for his or her own sins. Each person is responsible for himself, spiritually speaking. The theological position which states that we inherit the guilt of Adam\u2019s sin is false. We do not inherit the\u00a0guilt<\/b>; we inherit the\u00a0consequences<\/b>. And there is a great difference between the two. Consider, as an illustration of this point, the family in which a drunken father arrives home late one evening, and in an alcoholic stupor severely beats his wife and children. His spouse and offspring suffer the consequences of his drunkenness, to be sure. But it would be absurd to suggest that they are guilty of it! The same concept applies in the spiritual realm. People die\u00a0physically<\/b>\u00a0because of Adam\u2019s sin, but they die\u00a0spiritually<\/b>\u00a0because of their own personal transgression of God\u2019s law. In Ezekiel 18:20, quoted earlier, the prophet went on to say: \u201cthe son shall not bear the iniquity of the father, neither shall the father bear the iniquity of the son: the righteousness of the righteous shall be upon him, and the wickedness of the wicked shall be upon him.\u201d<\/p>

THE REALITY OF SIN<\/h2>

The reality of sin is all around us, is it not? Consider the ways in which mankind has been affected by sin.<\/p>

Physically<\/b>\u2014Disease and death were introduced into this world as a direct consequence of man\u2019s sin (Genesis 2:17; Romans 5:12).<\/p>

Geophysically<\/b>\u2014Many features of the Earth\u2019s surface that allow for such tragedies as earthquakes, tornadoes, hurricanes, violent thunderstorms, etc. can be traced directly to the Great Flood of Noah\u2019s day (which came as the result of man\u2019s sin, Genesis 6:5ff.).<\/p>

Culturally<\/b>\u2014The numerous communication problems that man experiences, due to the multiplicity of human languages, are traceable to ambitious rebellion on the part of our ancestors (Genesis 11:1-9).<\/p>

Psychologically<\/b>\u2014Man generally is without the peace of mind for which his heart longs (look at the number of psychiatrists in the Yellow Pages of any telephone book!). Isaiah opined: \u201cThey have made them crooked paths; whosoever goeth therein doth not know peace\u201d (59:8; cf. 57:21).<\/p>

Spiritually<\/b>\u2014By sinning, man created a chasm between himself and God (Isaiah 59:2). Unless remedied, this condition will result in man\u2019s being unable to escape the \u201cjudgment of hell\u201d (Matthew 23:33), and in his being separated from God throughout all eternity (Revelation 21:8; 22:18-19).<\/p>

The key phrase in the discussion above is that man\u2019s sin will result in an eternal separation from God\u00a0unless remedied<\/b>. The question then becomes: Has God provided such a remedy? Thankfully, the answer is: Yes, He has.<\/p>

GOD\u2019S REMEDY FOR SIN<\/h2>

Regardless of how desperate, or how pitiful, man\u2019s condition has become, one thing is for certain: God had no\u00a0obligation<\/b>\u00a0to provide a means of salvation for the ungrateful creature who so haughtily turned away from Him, His law, and His beneficence. The Scriptures make this apparent when they discuss the fact that angels sinned (2 Peter 2:4; Jude 6), and yet \u201cnot to angels doth he give help, but he giveth help to the seed of Abraham\u201d (Hebrews 2:16). The rebellious creatures that once inhabited the heavenly portals were not provided a redemptive plan. But man was! Little wonder the psalmist inquired: \u201cWhat is\u00a0man<\/b>, that thou art mindful of\u00a0him<\/b>?\u201d (Psalm 8:4, emp. added).<\/p>

Why would God go to such great lengths for mankind, when His mercy was not even extended to the angels that once surrounded His throne? Whatever answers may be proffered, there can be little doubt that the Creator\u2019s efforts on behalf of sinful man are the direct result of pure love. As a loving God (1 John 4:8), He acted out of a genuine concern, not for His own desires, but instead for those of His creation. And let us be forthright in acknowledging that Jehovah\u2019s love for mankind was completely\u00a0undeserved<\/b>. The Scriptures make it clear that God decided to offer salvation\u2014our \u201cway home\u201d\u2014even though we were ungodly, sinners, and enemies (note the specific use of those terms in Romans 5:6-10). The apostle John rejoiced in the fact that: \u201cHerein is love, not that we loved God, but that He loved us\u201d (1 John 4:10).<\/p>

God\u2019s love is universal, and thus not discriminatory in any fashion (John 3:16). He would have all men to be saved (1 Timothy 2:4)\u2014if they would be<\/b>\u00a0(John 5:40)\u2014for He is not willing that\u00a0any<\/b>\u00a0should perish (2 Peter 3:9). And, Deity\u2019s love is unquenchable. Read Romans 8:35-39 and be thrilled! Only man\u2019s wanton rejection of God\u2019s love can put him beyond the practical appropriation of heaven\u2019s offer of mercy and grace.<\/p>

God\u2019s Plan In Preparation<\/h3>

Did God understand that man would rebel, and stand in eventual need of salvation from the perilous state of his own sinful condition? The Scriptures make it clear that He did. Inspiration speaks of a divine plan set in place even \u201cbefore the foundation of the world\u201d (Ephesians 1:4; 1 Peter 1:20). After the initial fall of man, humankind dredged itself deeper and deeper into wickedness. When approximately a century of preaching by the righteous Noah failed to bring mankind back to God, Jehovah sent a worldwide flood to purge the Earth (Genesis 6-8). From the faithful Noah, several generations later, the renowned Abraham was descended, and, through him, eventually the Hebrew nation would be established. From that nation, the Messiah\u2014God-incarnate\u2014would come.<\/p>

Some four centuries following Abraham, the Lord, through His servant Moses, gave to the Hebrews the written revelation that came to be known as the Law of Moses. Basically, this law-system had three purposes. First, its intent was to define sin and sharpen Israel\u2019s awareness of it. To use Paul\u2019s expression in the New Testament, the Law made \u201csin exceeding sinful\u201d (Romans 7:7,13). Second, the law was designed to show man that he could not, by his own merit or efforts, save himself. For example, the Law demanded perfect obedience, and since no mere man could keep it perfectly, all stood condemned (Galatians 3:10-11). Thus, the Law underscored the need for a\u00a0Savior<\/b>\u2014Someone Who could do for us what we were unable to do for ourselves. Third, in harmony with that need, the Old Testament pointed the way toward the coming of the Messiah. He was to be Immanuel\u2014\u201cGod with us\u201d (Matthew 1:23).<\/p>

Mankind was prepared for the coming of the Messiah in several ways.\u00a0Theophanies<\/b>\u00a0were temporary appearances of God in various forms (see Genesis 16:7ff.; 18:1ff.; 22:11ff., etc.). A careful examination of the facts leads to the conclusion that many of these manifestations were of the preincarnate Christ. In addition, the Old Testament contains\u00a0types<\/b>\u00a0(pictorial previews) of the coming Messiah. For example, every bloody sacrifice was a symbol of the \u201cLamb of God that taketh away the sin of the world\u201d (John 1:29). Finally, there are more than 300\u00a0prophecies<\/b>\u00a0containing countless minute details that speak of the coming Prince of Peace. These prophecies name the city in which He was to be born, the purpose of His earthly sojourn, and even the exact manner of His death. The simple fact is, Jehovah left no stone unturned in preparing the world for the coming of the One Who was to save mankind.<\/p>

God\u2019s Plan In Action<\/h3>

One of God\u2019s attributes, as expressed within Scripture, is that He is an absolutely\u00a0holy<\/b>\u00a0Being (see Revelation 4:8; Isaiah 6:3). As such, He simply cannot ignore the fact of sin. The prophet Habakkuk wrote: \u201cYour eyes are too pure to look on evil; you cannot tolerate wrong\u201d (1:13). Yet another of God\u2019s attributes is that He is absolutely\u00a0just<\/b>. Righteousness and justice are the very foundation of His throne (Psalm 89:14). The irresistible truth arising from the fact that God is both holy and just is\u00a0that sin must be punished!<\/b><\/p>

If God were a cold, vengeful Creator (as some infidels wrongly assert), He simply could have banished mankind from His divine presence forever, and that would have been the end of the matter. But the truth is, He is not that kind of God! Our Creator is loving (1 John 4:8), and \u201crich in mercy\u201d (Ephesians 2:4). Thus, the problem became: How could a loving, merciful God pardon rebellious humanity?<\/p>

Paul addressed this very matter in Romans 3. How could God be just, and yet a justifier of sinful man? The answer: He would find someone to stand in for us\u2014 someone to receive His retribution, and to bear our punishment. That \u201csomeone\u201d would be Jesus Christ, the Son of God. He would become a substitutionary sacrifice, and personally would pay the price for human salvation. In one of the most moving tributes ever written to the Son of God, Isaiah summarized the situation like this:<\/p>

But he was wounded for our transgressions, he was bruised for our iniquities; the chastisement of our peace was upon him; and with his stripes we are healed. All we like sheep have gone astray; we have turned every one to his own way; and Jehovah hath laid on Him the iniquity of us all (53:5-6).<\/p><\/blockquote>

Jehovah\u2019s intent was to extend grace and mercy freely\u2014through the redemptive life and death of His Son (Romans 3:24ff.). As a member of the Godhead, Christ took upon Himself the form of a man. He came to Earth as a human being (John 1:1-4,14; Philippians 2:5-11; 1 Timothy 3:16), and thus shared our full nature and life-experiences. He even was tempted in all points, just we are, yet He never yielded to that temptation (Hebrews 4:15).<\/p>

But what has this to do with us? Since Christ was tried (Isaiah 28:16), and yet found perfect (2 Corinthians 5:21; 1 Peter 2:22), He alone could satisfy heaven\u2019s requirement for justice. He alone could serve as the \u201cpropitiation\u201d (atoning sacrifice) for our sins. Just as the lamb without blemish that was used in Old Testament sacrifices could be the (temporary) propitiation for the Israelites\u2019 sins, so the \u201cLamb of God\u201d (John 1:29) could be the (permanent) propitiation for mankind\u2019s sins. In the gift of Christ, Heaven\u2019s mercy was extended; in the death of the Lamb of God, divine justice was satisfied; and, in the resurrection of Christ, God\u2019s plan was documented and sealed historically forever!<\/p>

MANKIND\u2019S APPROPRIATION OF
GOD\u2019S GIFT OF SALVATION<\/h2>

As wonderful as God\u2019s gift of salvation is, there is one thing it is not. It is not\u00a0unconditional<\/b>. Mankind has a part to play in this process. While the gift of salvation itself is free (in the sense that the price levied already has been paid by Christ), God will not\u00a0force<\/b>\u00a0salvation on anyone. Rather, man must\u2014by the exercise of his personal volition and free moral agency\u2014do something to accept the pardon that heaven offers. What is that \u201csomething\u201d?<\/p>

In His manifold dealings with mankind, Jehovah has stressed repeatedly the principle that man, if he would be justified, must live \u201cby faith\u201d (see Habakkuk 2:4; Romans 1:17; Galatians 3:11; Hebrews 10:38). Salvation has been available across the centuries, conditioned upon God\u2019s foreknowledge of the atoning death of Christ upon the Cross at Calvary (see Galatians 4:4-5; Hebrews 9:15-17; 10:1ff.). Yet \u201cliving by faith\u201d never denoted a mere \u201cmental ascent\u201d of certain facts. Instead, \u201cliving by faith\u201d denoted\u00a0active obedience<\/b>.<\/p>

Faith consists of three elements: (1) an acknowledgment of historical facts; (2) a willingness to trust the Lord; and (3) a wholehearted submission (obedience) to the divine will. Further, it should be remembered that faith has not always\u2014for all men, in all circumstances\u2014required the same things. It always has required obedience, but obedience itself has not always demanded the same response.<\/p>

For example, in God\u2019s earliest dealings with men, obedient faith required that those men offer animal sacrifices at the family altar (Genesis 4:4). Later, God dealt with the nation of Israel, giving them the Law at Mount Sinai (Exodus 20). Under that Law, animal sacrifices continued, along with the observance of certain feast days and festivals. Acceptable faith, under whatever law that was then in force, demanded obedience to the will of God.<\/p>

The Scriptures are clear that the \u201cobedience of faith\u201d (Romans 1:5; 16:26) is based on the Word of God (Romans 10:13), and that both the faith and the obedience are demonstrated by\u00a0action<\/b>. Hebrews 11, in fact, devotes itself to an examination of that very concept. \u201cBy faith\u201d Abel\u00a0offered<\/b>. \u201cBy faith\u201d Noah\u00a0prepared<\/b>. \u201cBy faith\u201d Abraham\u00a0obeyed<\/b>. \u201cBy faith,\u201d Moses\u00a0refused<\/b>. And so on. Even the casual reader cannot help but be impressed with the heroes of faith listed in Hebrews 11:32-40, and the\u00a0action<\/b>\u00a0they took because of their faith. Writing by inspiration, James observed that faith, divorced from obedience, is dead (James 2:26). What, then, is involved in this \u201cobedience of faith\u201d in regard to salvation? What must a person\u00a0do<\/b>\u00a0to be saved?<\/p>

Several critically important questions need to be asked here. First, where is salvation found? Paul told Timothy: \u201cTherefore I endure all things for the elect\u2019s sake, that they also may obtain\u00a0the salvation which is in Christ Jesus<\/b>\u00a0with eternal glory\u201d (2 Timothy 2:10, emp. added).<\/p>

Second, where are all spiritual blessings found? Spiritual blessings are found only \u201cin Christ.\u201d Paul wrote in Ephesians 1:3: \u201cBlessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who hath blessed us with every spiritual blessing in the heavenly places\u00a0in Christ<\/b>\u201d (emp. added).<\/p>

Third, and most important, how, then, does one get \u201cinto Christ\u201d? In other words, how does the alien sinner rid himself of his soul-damning sin? What \u201cobedience of faith\u201d is required to appropriate the free gift of salvation that places him \u201cin Christ\u201d?<\/p>

THE ROAD HOME: SALVATION THROUGH
THE \u201cOBEDIENCE OF FAITH\u201d<\/h2>

The only way to find the \u201croad home\u201d to heaven is to follow God\u2019s directions\u00a0exactly<\/b>. There are numerous things God has commanded that a person\u00a0do<\/b>\u00a0in order to enjoin the \u201cobedience of faith\u201d and thereby receive the free gift of salvation. According to God\u2019s Word, in order to be saved a person must do the following.<\/p>

First, the sinner must\u00a0hear<\/b>\u00a0God\u2019s Word (Romans 10:17). Obviously, one cannot follow God\u2019s commands if he has not heard them, so God commanded that people hear what He has said regarding salvation.<\/p>

Second, one who is lost cannot be saved if he does not\u00a0believe<\/b>\u00a0what he hears. So, God commanded that belief ensue (John 3:16; Acts 16:31).<\/p>

Third, one who is lost cannot obtain salvation if he is unwilling to\u00a0repent<\/b>\u00a0of his sins and seek forgiveness (Luke 13:3). Without repentance he will continue in sin; thus, God commanded repentance.<\/p>

Fourth, since Christ is the basis of our salvation, God commanded the penitent sinner to\u00a0confess<\/b>\u00a0Him before men as the Son of God (Romans 10:9-10).<\/p>

However, this is not all that God commanded. Hearing, believing, repentance, and confession will not rid one of his sin. The overriding question is: How does one get rid of sin? Numerous times within the pages of the New Testament, that question is asked and answered. The Jews who had murdered Christ, and to whom Peter spoke on the Day of Pentecost when he ushered in the Christian age, asked that question. Peter\u2019s sermon had convicted them. They were convinced that they were sinners, and desperately in need of salvation at the hand of an almighty God. Their question then became: \u201c…brethren, what shall we do?\u201d (Acts 2:37). Peter\u2019s response could not have been any clearer. He told them: \u201crepent ye, and\u00a0be baptized<\/b>\u00a0every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ\u00a0unto the remission of your sins<\/b>\u201d (Acts 2:38). Saul, who later would become Paul, the famous apostle to the Gentiles, needed an answer to that same question. While on a trip to Damascus for the explicit purpose of persecuting Christians, Saul was blinded (see Acts 22). Realizing his plight, he asked: \u201cWhat shall I do, Lord?\u201d (Acts 22:10). When God\u2019s servant, Ananias, appeared to Saul in the city, he answered Saul\u2019s question by commanding: \u201cAnd now why tarriest thou? Arise, and\u00a0be baptized, and wash away thy sins<\/b>\u201d (Acts 22:16).<\/p>

What, then, is the correct biblical answer regarding how one rids himself of soul-damning sin? The biblical solution is that the person who has heard the gospel, who has believed its message, who has repented of past sins, and who has confessed Christ as Lord must then\u2014in order to receive remission (forgiveness) of sins\u2014be baptized. [The English word \u201cbaptize\u201d is a transliteration of the Greek word\u00a0baptizo<\/i>, meaning to immerse, dip, plunge beneath, or submerge (Thayer, 1958, p. 94).]<\/p>

Further, it is baptism that puts a person \u201cin Christ.\u201d Paul told the first-century Christians in Rome:<\/p>

Or are ye ignorant that all we who were baptized into Christ Jesus were baptized into his death? We were buried therefore with him through baptism into death: that like as Christ was raised from the dead through the glory of the Father, so we also might walk in newness of life (Romans 6:3-4).<\/p><\/blockquote>

Paul told the Galatians: \u201cFor as many of you as were\u00a0baptized into Christ<\/b>\u00a0did put on Christ\u201d (3:27, emp. added). Little wonder, then, that Peter spoke of baptism as that which saves (1 Peter 3:21).<\/p>

Numerous New Testament writers made the point that it is only when we come into contact with Christ\u2019s blood that our sins can be washed away (Ephesians 1:7-8; Revelation 5:9; Romans 5:8-9; Hebrews 9:12-14). The question arises:\u00a0When<\/b>\u00a0did Jesus shed His blood? The answer, of course, is that He shed His blood on the Cross at His death (John 19:31-34). Where, and how, does one come into contact with Christ\u2019s blood to obtain the forgiveness of sin that such contact ensures? Paul answered that question when he wrote to the Christians in Rome. It is only in baptism that contact with the blood, and the death, of Christ is made (Romans 6:3-11). Further, the ultimate hope of our resurrection (to live with Him in heaven) is linked to baptism. Paul wrote of \u201chaving been buried with him in baptism, wherein ye were raised with him through faith in the working of God, who raised him from the dead\u201d (Colossians 2:12). If we are not baptized, we remain in our sins. If we are not baptized, we have no hope of the resurrection that leads to heaven.<\/p>

Baptism, of course, is no less, or more, important than any other of God\u2019s commands regarding what to do to be saved (see Jackson, 1997). But it is\u00a0necessary<\/b>. And one cannot be saved without it. Is baptism a command of God? Yes, it is (Acts 10:48). Is baptism where the remission of sins occurs? Yes, it is (Acts 2:38; Acts 22:16; 1 Peter 3:21).<\/p>

Some, who no doubt mean well, teach that a person is saved by \u201cfaith only.\u201d In other words, people are taught simply to \u201cpray and ask Jesus to come into their hearts,\u201d so that they might be saved from their sins. This teaching, though widespread, is completely at odds with the Bible\u2019s specific instructions regarding what one must do to be saved.<\/p>

First, the Scriptures teach clearly that God does not hear (i.e., hear to respond with forgiveness) the prayer of an alien sinner (Psalm 34:15-16; Proverbs 15:29; Proverbs 28:9). Thus, the sinner can pray as long and as hard as he wants, but God has stated plainly how a person is to be saved. This makes perfect sense, since in John 14:6 Christ taught: \u201cI am the way, and the truth, and the life; no one cometh to the Father but by me.\u201d The alien sinner cannot approach God on his own, and, as an alien sinner, has no advocate to do so on his behalf. That is one of the spiritual blessings reserved for Christians (Ephesians 1:3). Thus, it is fruitless for an alien sinner to pray to God to \u201csend Jesus into his heart.\u201d God does not hear (i.e., hear to respond to) such a request.<\/p>

Second, the Scriptures plainly teach that man\u00a0cannot be saved by<\/b>\u00a0faith alone<\/b>. James, in his epistle, remarked that indeed, a man may be justified (i.e., saved), but \u201cnot only by faith\u201d (James 2:24). This, too, makes perfect sense. As James had observed just a few verses earlier: \u201cThou believest that God is one; thou doest well; the demons also believe, and shudder\u201d (James 2:19). It is not enough merely to believe. Even the demons in hell believe, but they hardly are saved (see 2 Peter 2:4). It is obvious, therefore, that mere faith\u00a0alone<\/b>\u00a0is insufficient to save.<\/p>

Also, where, exactly, in the Scriptures does it teach that, in order to be saved, one is to \u201cpray to ask Jesus to come into his heart\u201d? Through the years, I have asked many within various religious groups this question, but have yet to find anyone who could provide a single biblical reference to substantiate such a claim. Salvation is not conditioned on prayer; it is conditioned on the \u201cobedience of faith.\u201d Saul, as Christ\u2019s enemy-turned-penitent, prayed earnestly. But the fact remains that his sins were removed (\u201cwashed away\u201d) only when he obeyed God\u2019s command, as verbalized by Ananias, to be baptized. Prayer could not wash away Saul\u2019s sins; the Lord\u2019s blood could\u2014at the point of baptism (Hebrews 9:22; Ephesians 5:26).<\/p>

CONCLUSION<\/h2>

The biblical message\u2014from Genesis 1 to Revelation 22\u2014is that mankind is in a woefully sinful condition, and desperately in need of help in order to find his way \u201cback home.\u201d A corollary to that message is that God takes no pleasure in the death of the wicked (Ezekiel 18:23; 33:11), and genuinely desires that all should be saved (John 3:16). But in order to be saved, one must do\u00a0exactly<\/b>\u00a0what God commanded, in\u00a0exactly<\/b>\u00a0the way God commanded it. When a person hears, believes, repents, confesses, and is baptized for the forgiveness of his sins, that person becomes a Christian\u2014nothing more, and nothing less. God Himself then adds that Christian to His Son\u2019s one true body\u2014the church. The child of God who remains faithful unto death (Revelation 2:10) is promised a crown of life and eternity in heaven as a result of his faith, his obedience, God\u2019s mercy, and God\u2019s grace (John 14:15; Ephesians 2:8-9; Romans 1:5). What a joyous thought\u2014to live the \u201cabundant life\u201d (John 10:10b) with a \u201cpeace that passeth understanding\u201d (Philippians 4:7) here and now, and then to be rewarded with a home in heaven in the hereafter (John 14:2-3). What a joyous thought indeed!<\/p>

REFERENCES<\/h2>

Jackson, Wayne (1997), \u201cThe Role of \u2018Works\u2019 in the Plan of Salvation,\u201d\u00a0Christian Courier<\/i>, 32:47, April.<\/p>

Thayer, J.H. (1958 reprint),\u00a0A Greek-English Lexicon of the New Testament<\/i>\u00a0(Edinburgh: T. & T. Clark).<\/p>

AUTHOR\u2019S NOTE:\u00a0I would like to thank my friend and colleague, Wayne Jackson, for permission to employ in this article material on God\u2019s plan of salvation from the\u00a0Study Course in Christian Evidences<\/i>\u00a0that he and I co-authored (Apologetics Press, 1992).<\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/section>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

In Defense of God’s Plan of Salvation by Bert Thompson, Ph.D \u201cAnd Jehovah God formed man of the dust of the ground, and breathed into his nostrils the breath of life; and man became a living soul\u201d (Genesis 2:7). Of all the living beings that dwell on planet Earth, one solitary creature was made \u201cin […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":0,"parent":0,"menu_order":0,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","template":"","meta":{"om_disable_all_campaigns":false,"_monsterinsights_skip_tracking":false,"footnotes":""},"class_list":["post-249","page","type-page","status-publish","hentry","wpbf-post"],"aioseo_notices":[],"aioseo_head":"\n\t\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t