KNOWING THE LORD AND HIS WILL

Bible Course

Lesson 4

By Paul O. Nichols

 

God's Plan Of Salvation Includes Obedience

Jesus Christ became the author of eternal salvation unto all them that obey Him  (Hebrews 5:9). The apostle Paul wrote to the Romans,  But God be thanked that ye were the servants of sin, but ye have obeyed from the heart that form of doctrine which was delivered you. Being then made free from sin, ye became the servants of righteousness  (Romans 6:17-18).

Peter posed the question ...What shall the end be of them that obey not the gospel of God?   (I Peter 4:17). The apostle Paul answers, ...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   (2 Thessalonians 1:7-8).

One Ceases To Be A Servant Of Sin

Paul wrote the Romans, ...Being then made free from sin, ye became the servants of righteousness   (Romans 6:18).

...We also should walk in newness of life   (Romans 6:4).

 ...The Lord knoweth them that are His. And, Let every one that nameth the name of Christ depart from iniquity   (2 Timothy 2:19). For the grace of God that bringeth salvation hath appeared to all men, Teaching us that, denying ungodliness and worldly lusts, we should live soberly, righteously, and godly, in this present world; Looking for that blessed hope, and the glorious appearing of the great God and our Saviour Jesus Christ; Who gave Himself for us, that He might redeem us from all iniquity, and purify unto Himself a peculiar (or special, His own possession) people, zealous of good works.   (Titus 2:11-14).

Steps Of Obedience

One must hear the gospel

 So then faith cometh by hearing, and hearing by the word of God   (Romans 10:17).

How then shall they believe in Him of whom they have not heard?   (Romans 10:14).

 It is written in the prophets, AND THEY SHALL BE ALL TAUGHT OF GOD. Every man therefore that hath heard, and hath learned of the Father, cometh unto Me   (John 6:45). Who hath ears to hear, let him hear   (Matthew 13:9). It pleased God by the foolishness of preaching to save them that believe   (I Corinthians 1:21).

One must believe the gospel

He that believeth on the Son hath everlasting life: and he that believeth not the Son shall not see life; but the wrath of God abideth on him  (John 3:36).

 ...Without faith it is impossible to please Him: for he that cometh to God must believe that He is, and that He is a rewarder of them that diligently seek Him  (Hebrews 11:6).

He that believeth and is baptized shall be saved; but he that believeth not shall be damned   (Mark 16:16).

 ...He that believeth not is condemned already...   (John 3:18).

One must repent of his sins

 I tell you, Nay: but except ye repent, ye shall all likewise perish   (Luke 13:3).

Godly sorrow worketh repentance to salvation...  (2 Corinthians 7:10).

Repent ye therefore, and be converted, that your sins may be blotted out...   (Acts 3:19).

Repent , and be baptized everyone of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins, and ye shall receive the gift of the Holy Ghost   (Acts 2:38).

Repentance is a change of mind toward sin which results in a change of conduct. [NOTE: Holy Ghost in the King James Version is translated Holy Spirit in most other versions or translations].

One must confess faith in Christ

Whosoever therefore shall confess Me before men, him will I confess also before My Father which is in heaven   (Matthew 10:32).

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   (Romans 10:9-10).

I believe that Jesus Christ is the Son of God   is the Bible confession (Acts 8:37).

One must be baptized

Jesus said, Go ye therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost   (Matthew 28:19).

Repent, and be baptized everyone of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins...   (Acts 2:38).

...And he commanded them to be baptized in the name of the Lord  (Acts 10:48).

They that gladly received his word were baptized...   (Acts 2:41).

Know ye not, that so many of us as were baptized into Jesus Christ were baptized into His death? Therefore we are buried with Him by baptism into death: that like as Christ was raised up from the dead by the glory of the Father, even so we also should walk in newness of life  (Romans 6:3-4).

And now why tarriest thou? Arise, and be baptized, and wash away thy sins, calling on the name of the Lord   (Acts 22:16).

Baptism Puts One Into Christ

For ye are all the children of God by faith in Christ Jesus. For as many of you as have been baptized into Christ have put on Christ   (Galatians 3:26-27).

Know ye not, that so many of us as were baptized into Jesus Christ, were baptized into His death   (Romans 6:3).

While belief is UNTO righteousness, and confession with the mouth is made UNTO salvation (Romans 10:10), yet baptism puts one INTO Christ.

In whom we have redemption through His blood, even the forgiveness of sins   (Colossians 1:14).

And this is the record, that God hath given to us eternal life, and this life is in His Son   (I John 5:11).

The like figure whereunto even baptism doth also now save us (not the putting away of the filth of the flesh, but the answer of a good conscience toward God,) by the resurrection of Jesus Christ: Who is gone into heaven, and is on the right hand of God; angels and authorities and powers being made subject unto Him   (I Peter 3:21-22).

Summary

Jesus Christ, the Son of God, came into the world and bled and died on the cross for our sins. Therefore, Salvation is offered through Him. Every person must hear the word of God, repent of his sins, confess with his mouth the Lord Jesus, and then be buried by baptism into Christ for the remission of sins. Then the Christian begins to walk in newness of life, departing from iniquity, thus becoming a servant of righteousness. Therefore, in Christ is the promise of eternal life.

Please notice that after those Romans had been

baptized into Jesus Christ, ...baptized into His death, ...buried with Him by baptism, and like as Christ was raised from the dead...even so we also should walk in newness of life   (Romans 6:3-4), they were then told in verse 17 that they had obeyed from the heart that form of doctrine which was delivered them.   What form of doctrine   had they obeyed? For the answer read: I Corinthians 15:1 thru 4.

FILL IN THE BLANK SPACES

1. Jesus Christ is the author of salvation to all who _________________ Him.

2. Forgiveness of sin comes through _____________________to the gospel.

3. God chose the foolishness of ___________________ to save those who believe.

4. ______________________ comes from hearing the word of God.

5. Without _____________ it is impossible to please God.

6. Repentance is a change of _________________ which results in a change of ___________.

7. _______________________ is the result of godly sorrow.

8. Confession of Christ is made with the _______________.

9. Baptism is for the ____________________ of sins.

10. One gets  into Christ   through ___________________.

QUESTIONS

1. Is Christ the author of eternal salvation? Yes ____ No ____.

2. Is obedience to the gospel required for one to be saved? Yes ____ No ____.

3. Can a person be saved by faith only (Please read James 2:14-26)? Yes ____ No ____.

4. Is Jesus going to take vengeance on those who refuse to obey Him? Yes ____ No ____.

5. Can one be saved without hearing the gospel? Yes ____ No ____.

6. Is preaching the gospel important to the saving of souls? Yes ____ No ____.

7. Is faith necessary for salvation? Yes ____ No ____.

8. For one to be saved does God require that he repent of sin? Yes ____ No ____.

9. Can a person who wants to be saved make any confession he chooses? Yes ____ No ____.

10. Is baptism for the remission of sins? Yes ____ No ____.