Mockery Made Of Steps To Salvation So many are convinced that man can do absolutely nothing to save himself. These people do not study the Bible for themselves or they would quickly see that what they believe does not agree with the Holy Scriptures. The apostle Peter instructed his audience of Pentecost, saying, “Save yourselves from this crooked generation”(Acts 2:40). Even belief is a “work of God”that has been commanded (John 6:29). I grow weary of those who mock the Biblical “steps” found in the gospel plan of salvation. Many people are so infatuated with spontaneity that they cannot conceive of a God who does things in a logical, rational way and “decently and in order” (1 Cor. 14:40). Why is it that there is an ever-growing aversion to stressing the “steps” that the Bible gives concerning obedience to the gospel? I expect one reason is that so many who claim to be gospel preachers are proclaiming folks are saved by “grace only” and members having “itching ears” (2 Tim. 4:3) are soothed by what their “hireling” (John 10:12-13) teaches. The American Heritage Dictionary gives one definition of “steps” as follows: “One of a series of actions, processes, or measures taken to achieve a goal.” If one has ever assembled a child’s swing set or bicycle he realizes the need for steps to be included in the instructions. When step number one is completed, one advances to step number two. This process continues until all steps have been completed. To skip a step or begin in the middle and go both ways will result in an assembly that the designer did not envision. The Bible clearly states the steps one must follow to obey the gospel plan of salvation. First, a person must read or hear the Word of God. The apostle Paul states it best in saying, “So belief cometh of hearing, and hearing by the word of Christ”(Rom. 10:17). Second, one will believe God’s inspired Word. If a person does not believe the Scriptures, he will not be inclined to submit to the commands of the Lord. Instead, he will obey only the commands he feels are important while he rejects the commands he does not believe to be important. Jesus said, “If ye love me, ye will keep my commandments” (John 14:15). Without belief or faith it is impossible to please God (Heb. 11:6). Third, one who believes in God’s Word will repent of his sins. He does so because he believes that God has commanded all men everywhere to repent (Acts 17:30). The Bible teaches that people will either repent or perish (Luke 13:3). Fourth, a person who believes in God will gladly confess the deity of Christ. Jesus was indeed a good man, but He was also the only begotten Son of God (John 1:1-3, 14; 3:16). Fifth, a true believer will be immersed for the remission of his sins. Scriptural baptism is truly the consummating act that put one into Christ. Paul told the Galatians, “For as many of you as were baptized into Christ did put on Christ”(Gal. 3:27). Since salvation is located in Christ (2 Tim. 2:4), one must get into Christ to be saved! The act of baptism puts one into Christ and into contact with the Savior’s blood that cleanses of all sin (Eph. 1:7; 1 John 1:7). This is in keeping with the message of Ananias to a penitent and praying Saul of Tarsus. Ananias said, “And now why tarriest thou? arise, and be baptized, and wash away thy sins, calling on his name”(Acts 22:16). To the true believer and seeker of the truth it is clear that God has given steps that lead to salvation. These God-given steps must be obeyed in orderly fashion. A person is not baptized and then repents of his sins. Neither is one baptized and then decides to believe in God. Any act that one might do concerning his salvation is in vain if it is not done out of belief. A Christian will never be ashamed to teach the steps that lead to one’s gospel obedience. A sinner who comes into contact with the Word of God must believe it. If he is a believer he will desire to turn from or repent of his sins. Sin is the great separator (Isa. 59:1-2), and one cannot live in sin and be reconciled to Christ. With his mouth the sinner unashamedly affirms that he believes that Jesus Christ is the Son of the Living God (Rom. 10:10). It is at this point that this person can be submerged in the waters of baptism and raised to walk in newness of life (Rom. 6:4). If these five things we have mentioned are not steps that lead to gospel obedience, then what are they? It is only natural that folks who believe in the false doctrine of “faith only” would reject the Biblical steps that lead to salvation of the soul. “Faith only” advocates believe in “one step” salvation! Even more troubling are those who claim that they are not Calvinists nor part of the “new hermeneutic” movement and yet they are opposed to proclaiming there are Bible steps that lead to salvation. Why? It is a question that deserves an answer. Let the “no steppers” and the “apologetic steppers” answer if they can! Marvin Weir Rowlett, TX
Posted on: Fri, 18 Oct 2013 20:51:09 +0000
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