© 2013 Copyright 2013. Greater Ideal Missionary Baptist Church. All Rights Reserved.
Greater Ideal Missionary Baptist Church ~ Pastor Jermaine L. Simms ~ 3610 Bonnie View Road; Dallas, Texas 75216-4746 ~ 214.376.6293
PLAN OF SALVATION
Salvation is the transformation of a person’s individual nature and relationship with God as a result of repentance and faith in the atoning death of Jesus Christ on the cross. All humanity stands in need of salvation which is only possible through faith in Christ Jesus. Believers are saved by grace through faith for good works (Ephesians 2:8-10).
Because of Adam’s “Fall,“ (Genesis 2:15-17, 3:1-11) all humans required a plan of salvation. God’s word assures all that accept Christ as Lord and Savior that salvation belongs to them (I John 5:10-13) and that they are saved (John 6:37).
Scriptures regarding salvation:
Deuteronomy 30:19-20
Matthew 1:21
Matthew 11:28-30
Matthew 18:14
Mark 16: 15-16
Humans are unable to save themselves. God provided a means of salvation for the world and all credit belongs to God (Ephesians 2:8-9).
God provides the following through Salvation:
Access to God. (Romans 5:1-2, Ephesians 2:13) Before Jesus suffered and died in our place for our sins individuals only had access to God through the high priest. But because Christ is salvation for believers all believers have access to God through Christ Jesus. There is no need to go through another human being to have access to God.
Adoption into God’s family. (John 1:12, Romans 8:22-24, Galatians 4:4-7) Through salvation God has adopted and accepted believers as His children. Because of salvation believers are able to see God as their Father.
Forgiveness of sin. (Psalm 32:1-2, Matthew 26:28, Acts 5:30-31) All human beings commit sin. An offering to God must be rendered by the sinner to receive forgiveness. Jesus Christ is The Offering to God for all believers. Salvation blots out the sinful deeds of believers and saves us from sin which, if not forgiven leads to eternal damnation.
Peace with God. (Ephesians 2:13-17, Isaiah 53:3, John 16: 33) Salvation removes the hostility that exists between humans and God and replaces hostility with peace. Without salvation there will always be turmoil between humans and God.
A New Life. (II Corinthians 5:17, Romans 6:4, Galatians 6:14) Without salvation humans remain in the adamic state, the nature of Adam. That state or nature causes humans to satisfy their flesh while neglecting their souls. Salvation begins with a spiritual rebirth that causes believers to live spiritually as opposed to carnally.
Deliverance from the power of sin. (Romans 6:14, 7:21-25, 8:2-4, Galatians 1:3-5)
Sin does not have a hold on believers because God has granted believers salvation. Without salvation humans are slaves to sin. Once salvation is received, the believer is no longer a prisoner to sin.
The Conversion Experience
In order to be saved or receive salvation, a conversion, or turn must take place. In order for that conversion take place a person must trust in God as a child has trust in his or her parents (Matthew 18:3). Humans must turn to God from sin (Acts 14:15, I Thessalonians 1:8-9). There are three steps in this process. While they are listed here in sequence they may also occur simultaneously.
Conviction is the state humans find themselves in when they acknowledge their sinful condition. It is a remorseful condition (Acts 2:36-37). Once this condition is acknowledged the person must then confess of their sins (Acts 19:18).
Repentance is the second step in the conversion process (Mark 1:15, Luke 5:32). Repentance is an essential element in the salvation experience. At this point a person not only acknowledges his or her sinful state, but also realizes that turning to God is the only way out of this sinful state. When a person repents it causes Heaven to rejoice (Luke 15:7). Jesus instructed His disciples to preach repentance
(Luke 24:47).
Faith is the final step in the conversion experience. Faith is simply trust in God for, and in all things (Hebrews 11:1). A person must trust that Jesus can save him or her (John 3:16). A person must trust that God can and will supply his or her needs (Philippians 4:19). The only means of pleasing God is by trusting Him
(Hebrews 11:6).
All Believers Must Be Born Again
Jesus tells us that the only way an individual will see the Kingdom of God is to be born again (John 3:3). This rebirth is spiritual and must take place in order to be reborn. Following is a list of scriptures regarding rebirth and why it is needed. The wages of sin is death; but the gift of God is eternal life through Christ Jesus our Lord. (Romans 6:23 KJV)
If a person is not born again, sin will lead to his or her death. Death is separation from God forever. “That if thou shalt confess with thy mouth the Lord Jesus, and shalt believe in thine heart that God hath sent Him from the dead, thou shalt be saved. (Romans 10:9 KJV)
Rebirth involves publicly confessing Jesus Christ as Lord and belief in God and His ability to save in the heart. But that the kindness and love of God our Savior toward man appeared, Not by works of righteousness which we have done, but according to His mercy He saved us, by the washing of regeneration, and renewing of the Holy Ghost. (Titus 3:4-5 KJV)
A humans works cannot save them, Only God has that power. For whosoever shall call upon the name of the Lord, shall be saved. (Romans 10:13 KJV)
God promised that he would save all that called upon Him. If you have not allowed Jesus Christ to be your personal Savior pray earnestly and honestly the following prayer:
Dear God. I know that I have sinned by breaking your laws and I ask forgiveness. I believe that Jesus died for my sins. I want to be born again and receive new life in Him. I will follow Jesus as my Lord and obey Him in all that I do. In the name of Jesus I pray. Amen.