WHAT ABOUT SALVATION? Uncertainty and confusion abound. The wind carries many conflicting messages regarding salvation. God is not to blame. Instead, man has clouded the issue with his subjective notions. But, it is reasonable to expect the Creator of the Universe to provide mankind with an objective plan that is both clear and understandable. He has done that in His Word (the Bible). It is man's responsibility to take that plan seriously, and live in agreement with it. The Gospel of Christ According to the Bible, all people sin (i.e., rebel against God); the penalty for sin is death (i.e., eternal separation from God--- Romans 3:23; 6:23). There is good news, however, because a way has been provided for sinful man to be saved from this death. That way is offered through what the Bible calls the "Gospel" (Romans 10:15). Put simply, the Gospel is the message that Jesus Christ came from heaven, lived as a man, successfully resisted all temptations to sin, died on a cross to bear the punishment for our sins, and was raised from the dead by the power of God (Philippians 2:5-8; Hebrews 4:15; I Corinthians 15:1-4). By shedding His blood and being raised from the dead, Jesus made our salvation possible. Since God has placed within this Gospel message the power we need to be saved, (John 1:12; Romans 1:16), we must all accept and obey the Gospel (Romans 1:16; II Thessalonians 1:7- 9). But if, as the Bible says, the Gospel is the message of Jesus' death, burial, and resurrection, how can we "obey the Gospel"? This question is perhaps best answered by considering an example of a man who did just that. The book of Acts contains the following account. A Prison Keeper Obeys the Gospel "Suddenly there was a great earthquake, so that the foundations of the prison were shaken; and immediately all the doors were opened and everyone's chains were loosed. And the keeper of the prison, awaking from sleep and seeing the prison doors open, supposing the prisoners had fled, drew his sword and was about to kill himself. But Paul called with a loud voice, saying, `Do yourself no harm, for we are all here.' Then he called for a light, ran in, and fell down trembling before Paul and Silas. And he brought them out and said, `Sirs, what must I do to be saved?' So they said, `Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ, and you will be saved, you and your household.' Then they spoke the word of the Lord to him and to all who were in his house. And he took them the same hour of the night and washed their stripes. And immediately he and all his family were baptized. Now when he brought them into his house, he set food before them; and he rejoiced, having believed in God with all his household" (Acts 16:26-34, `New King James Version'). Consider What He Did Since God shows no partiality (Acts 10:34), its stands to reason that we can come to an understanding of how we should respond to the Gospel by considering what this man did. (1) The prison keeper heard the Word of God. Since a man cannot believe in a person of whom he has never heard (Romans 10:17), Paul preached to him concerning Jesus. (2) In response to the message preached, the prison keeper believed in Jesus. Belief is the first act required of a person who desires to be saved (John 3:16; Mark 16:15; Romans 10:10; Hebrews 11:6). The jailer's belief was exhibited in his obedience to the Gospel. (3) The prison keeper then repented, which means he changed his ways. Repentance is the necessary change of heart and action that is brought about by a genuine sorrow over one's sins (II Corinthians 7:10; Acts 2:38). The jailer's repentance was shown by his tender care for Paul and Silas' bruises. (4) Since the Bible teaches that all men must voice their belief in Jesus (Matthew 10:32; Romans 10:10), we infer that the prison keeper confessed his faith in Jesus Christ. (5) Finally, the account tells us that the prison keeper was baptized. The Bible teaches that baptism places one who has died to the practice of sin into a likeness of Jesus' death, burial, and resurrection (Romans 6:4,5). Just as a burial involves complete concealment in a tomb, so baptism requires an immersion in water. It was in this immersion that the jailer's sins were washed away (Acts 2:38; 22:16) by Christ's blood (Revelation 1:5). What About You? This same plan must be followed every time a person who is lost comes to God's Word desiring to be saved. This is what it means to become a Christian---accepting Christ's plan of salvation from sin. No one since Jesus' resurrection has been saved in any other way; this will be true until He returns. The Bible emphatically teaches that all who do not obey the Gospel will suffer eternal punishment for their sins (II Thessalonians 1:8). What about you? Jesus loved you enough to bear the agony of crucifixion to take away your sins. There is no better news in all the world. You have a choice; why not accept this good news and obey Jesus' plan to be saved? This file may be copied, but is distributed on the understanding that it will not be modified or edited, and will not be used for commercial purposes. Further, it may not be copied without due reference to the original publication source, author, year, and name and address of the publisher. Apologetics Press 230 Landmark Drive Mongomery, AL 36117-2752