Salvation is a free gift from God.  God, through Christ, has accomplished the work on the cross.  We now need to accept this gift on God’s terms and in God’s way.

“For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith — and this is not from yourselves, it is the gift of God”  (Ephesians 2:8-10)

We are saved by grace through faith, not by any meritorious works, but we must obey God’s plan for salvation.  Whatever God tells us to do, we must do.

1:Hear:

“Consequently, faith comes from hearing the message, and the message is heard through the word of Christ.”  (Romans 10:17)

2: Believe:

“I told you that you would die in your sins; if you do not believe that I am he (the one I claim to be) you will indeed die in your sins.”  (John 8:24)

“Whoever believes and is baptized will be saved.”  (Mark 16:16)

3: Repent:

“I tell you no!  But unless you repent, you too will all perish.”  (Luke 13:5)

“Peter replied, “Repent and be baptized, every one of you, in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins.  And you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit.”  (Acts 2:38)

4: Confess Jesus as Lord:

“That if you confess with your mouth, “Jesus is Lord,” and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved.  For it is with your heart that you believe and are justified, and it is with your mouth that you confess and are saved.”  (Romans 10:9, 10)

5: Be baptized for the forgiveness of sins:

“Whoever believes and is baptized will be saved.”  (Mark 16:16)

“Peter replied, “Repent and be baptized, every one of you, in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins.  And you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit.”  (Acts 2:38)

Anything less than God’s complete plan is man’s abbreviated plan and not God’s.

For Further Reading:

Acts 2:41; Acts 8:12, 13, 36-38; Acts 9:18; Acts 10:47, 48; Acts 16:15, 33; Acts 18:8; Acts 19:5; Acts 22:16; Romans 6:2–5; Galatians 3:27; Ephesians 4:5; Colossians 2:12; 1 Peter 3:21