All of the Bible is inspired! But some translations have indicated the words of Christ in red letters. These are the sacred words of Jesus while he was here on earth.
Do you know that you can find the plan of salvation in the words of Jesus. While we typically use many of the passages in Acts or the epistles to discuss what we must do to be saved, the plan can also be found in Jesus’ own words. After all, this is where the Apostles got their message!
I pray you will give serious consideration to your soul and the plan of Salvation that Christ revealed to earth while he was coming to pay for our sins on calvary.
Hear the Gospel of Jesus
Jesus encouraged people throughout his ministry to open their ears and hear the message of salvation. As he says in Matthew 11:15, “He who has ears to hear, let him hear” [Other verses: John 8:47; Mark 16:15-16; Mat. 28:19-20]
Believe in Jesus Christ
Jesus said much about faith in him throughout his ministry. His purpose involved getting people to believe in Him as the Messiah and Savior of the world. John’s gospel records much of Jesus’ teachings to the Pharisees trying to get them to believe in himself. Two key passages in John share the need to believe in Jesus. You may of heard of them before! John 3:16 says, “For God so loved the world, that he gave his only Son, that whoever believes in him should not perish but have eternal life.” and John 8:24 says, “I told you that you would die in your sins, for unless you believe that I am he you will die in your sins.”
Repent from Your Sins
Jesus called sinners to change during his ministry, as He still does today. Sinners coming to Jesus must be willing to repent, or turn from their sins. Jesus said twice in Luke 13, “unless you repent, you will all likewise perish.” when asked about two recent tragedies of his day. Jesus came to seek and save the lost and a huge part of that mission was calling them to repentance as the story of Zaccheus illustrates (Luke 19:1-10).
Confess Your Faith in Christ before Men
Christians are called to publicly acknowledge their faith in Christ. To be willing to make the “good confession” of faith before men. Jesus put this clearly in Matthew 10:32-33, “So everyone who acknowledges me before men, I also will acknowledge before my Father who is in heaven,but whoever denies me before men, I also will deny before my Father who is in heaven.”
Be Baptized (immersed) Into Christ and His Church
Baptism, often the most resisted element of the plan of salvation today, was practiced and taught by Jesus. He himself was even baptized (Matt. 3:13-17). Jesus taught the necessity of adult believer baptism in several passages. One of the most significant comes in his discussion with Nicodemus in John 3. Jesus told him, ““Truly, truly, I say to you, unless one is born of water and the Spirit, he cannot enter the kingdom of God.” Later after his resurrection he would give the Apostles clear instructions on what to preach in their evangelistic work of making disciples. He says in Mark 16:16, ““Whoever believes and is baptized will be saved, but whoever does not believe will be condemned.” In Matthew’s account he says, “Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit” (Mat. 28:19).
So the plan of salvation was given and taught by Christ. His apostles faithfully taught and practiced it throughout their ministries. It should be our aim to practice and preach the same plan of salvation.
Did you follow this plan? Have you confessed Christ, repented of your sins, and been buried in water to have your sins washed away? We are saved at the point of baptism, not simply confession of faith. We must not dismiss any part of the plan of salvation.
Seriously consider the words of Jesus! He brought grace and truth for all humanity (John 1:17).
