GOD S PLAN OF SALVATION. by DAVID RAY FANNING I

GOD S PLAN OF SALVATION by DAVID RAY FANNING I www.thegospelofchrist.com

2 GOD S PLAN OF SALVATION Table of Contents 1. Determining God s Standard of Authority 2. Sin 3. Jesus Christ, the Way 4. Jesus and His Church 5. What Must I Do to be Saved 6. What Must I Do to Stay Saved SUMMARY 2

3 LESSON 1 Determining God s Standard of Authority Because there is so much confusion in the religious world, people believe in and live by various, contradictory standards in order to attempt to determine the truth about life and godliness. The following are the standards on which people rely: (1) Thoughts and Feelings (Intuition, conscience, personal interpretation, better-feltthan-told experience, etc.); (2) Traditions of Men (what my parents, preacher, friend or church teaches; what I have always done; etc.); (3) God s Word (more specifically, The New Testament, containing Jesus words or doctrine, John 12:48; 2 John 1:9; John 17:17). Directions: Study the Scriptures given, fill in the blanks, and determine the true standard upon which the Lord wills that we all agree CHALLENGE 1. Paul speaks by the authority of Christ when he states in 1 Corinthians 1:10 that all Christians must speak the and that there must be (or, denominations) among us, but that we should be Would God command us to do something that was impossible for us to do? 2. Paul says in Colossians 3:17 that everything we say or do must be done (Note: When one says, Open up in the name of the law, he means The State has given me the authority/right to demand that you open your door. Whatever we do or say must have Christ s approval. Ask the question: Would Jesus do or say this? Christ has been given all authority in heaven and on earth and we will be judged by His words, that is, the New Testament, in the last day according to Matthew 28:18 and John 12:47-48.) 3. Paul states in 1 Thessalonians 5:21 that we are to, and after such testing, we are to practice only those things that are (that is, authorized by Jesus, James 1:17). 3

4 4. Peter commands in 1 Peter 3:15 that we set God apart in our hearts and always be ready to to all who ask a reason for the hope that is in us. 5. In 1 John 4:1, John tells us not to believe everyone we hear, instead we are to the spirits (whether human or angelic, Galatians 1:8-9) and see if their teachings are the very words of God (1 Peter 4:11). Summary: God hates division. He demands that we all be perfectly united, possessing the same mind and judgment (hence, all of us can know the truth alike, John 8:32). We must not assume that everything we hear is true. Instead, we must test all things and believe and practice only those things that are authorized by Jesus. We must always be ready to give an answer (a defense, Jude 1:3) to everyone who asks about what we teach and practice. But upon what standard are we to agree when we test others or give an answer for our beliefs or practices? Should it be THOUGHTS AND FEELINGS 1. According to Proverbs 14:12; Isaiah 55:8-9; Jeremiah 10:23 are our thoughts and feelings a safe guide in determining truth? Why or why not? Explain: 2. Paul said in Acts 26:9 that he he ought to do many things against Jesus (before he became a Christian). Paul is a good example of one who sincerely thought he was saved and in the right religion; and yet, he realized his thoughts, feelings and clear conscience were not a safe guide or a guarantee to eternal life (study: Acts 7:59-8:1-3; 9:1-9; 22:1-10; 23:1; 26:1-16). 3. Other examples: Simon thought the Holy Spirit could be bought with money (Acts 8:18-22). Those who stoned Paul thought he was dead (Acts 14:19). The Philippian jailor thought his prisoners escaped (Acts 16:27). On the judgment day many will think they were saved and find out they are not (Matthew 7:21-23). List 2 reasons why our thoughts and feelings are not reliable guides, especially in religious matters: 4

5 4. According to Acts 12:7-9 & Galatians 1:8-9 is having what we sincerely believe to be a religious experience a guarantee that God s truth has been spoken (for example, some feel that God spoke to them in a vision or through an angel)? Why or why not? Think about it: If an angel told you not to attend church or worship at all, how would you know for sure that he was not from God? Is it possible that you could be deceived to think you had a vision or that the angel you thought you saw was actually one of the devil s angels? (study further: 2 Thessalonians 2:9-12; Matthew 25:41). TRADITIONS OF MEN 1. According to Mark 7:6-7 when you teach the commandments or traditions of men, in what way are you worshipping God? 2. According to Mark 7:8-9,13 when you believe in or practice the traditions of men, what are you doing to God s Word? 3. According to Colossians 2:8 what can the traditions of men do to you? Any addition to or subtraction from God s Word is a tradition or commandment of man (Revelation 22:18-19). However, whatever is authorized by God s Word is a tradition or commandment of God (2 Thessalonians 2:15; 3:6). Paul was more enthusiastic about the traditions of his ancestors than he was about God s revelation concerning Jesus (Galatians 1:13-15). Men can make mistakes and mislead you, whether they intend to or not. You must not rely solely on your parents, religious leaders, church, etc. to determine God s truth. Instead, you are to examine yourself as to whether or not you are in the one faith of the New Testament (2 Corinthians 13:5; Ephesians 4:5). 4. Prior to becoming a Christian, what did Saul (Paul) have to do to his (Jewish) belief and his (Jewish) religion before he could be pleasing to God? 5. What must most religious people (and perhaps even you) have to do to your belief and religion if you realize, like Saul, that you are in the wrong religion or church? 5

6 GOD S WORD 1. According to 2 Corinthians 5:7 you do not walk by feelings or traditions of men but by what?. Hebrews 11:6 says that you cannot please God without what?. According to Romans 10:17 how do you receive God-pleasing faith?. 2. John 8:32 says that the truth is what sets you free (from the bondage of sin). John 17:17 says that truth is what?. According to 1 Peter 1:22-23 your sinful soul is purified when you obey and you are born again through. 3. According to Romans 1:16; 2 Timothy 2:15 & James 1:21 what makes you wise to salvation and is able to save your soul?. 4. According to John 6:63 how does the Holy Spirit give you life? 5. According to 2 Timothy 3:16-17; 2 Peter 1:3 can God s Word supply all your spiritual needs and make you a complete and acceptable person to God? Why or why not? Conclusion: God is not the author of confusion (1 Corinthians 14:33). He has given us His perfect Word that contains all the truths we need to know, believe and obey in order to be saved. He demands that we agree on these truths (instead of trusting in the subjective, imperfect thoughts of men with their contradictory interpretations and opinions). We must use His Word as the only standard in determining whether or not we are truly forgiven of our sins and are in the one true faith. We must always be ready to give a Thus says the Lord to anyone who asks a reason for our hope concerning what we believe, teach or practice. We must prove all things by His Word and cling only to those things that are authorized by Him. After all, it is Jesus words that will judge us in the Final Day. Therefore, we must do our best to know the Book and rightly divide it (2 Timothy 2:15). In order to possess a more noble character (higher, outstanding qualities), we need to be like the Bereans who searched the Scriptures daily and tested Paul s teaching to determine if what he said was so (Acts 17:10-11). If you could be shown the way of the Lord more accurately, would you be open to listen and change if the Word of God required it (Acts 18:24-26)? 6

7 LESSON 2 SIN WHAT IS SIN? Three different words used in the Bible for sin are: (1) INIQUITY (to detour left or right instead of going down God s straight and narrow path), (2) TRANSGRESSION or TRESPASS (to step over God s boundary) and (3) SIN (to miss God s target). Answer the following questions from God s Word about sin: 1. 1 John 3:4 says sin is. (a word that means you go against God s law and break it) 2. 1 John 5:17 says sin is. (a word that means you are not right in God s sight because you did wrong) 3. Answer Yes or No to these personal questions: a. Have you ever broken one of God s laws? b. Have you ever done something wrong? FROM WHERE DOES SIN COME? DO WE INHERIT SIN? 1. According to Ezekiel 18:20, does a child inherit sin from his parents? Why or why not? 2. Romans 5:12 tells us that through Adam sin and death entered into the world; however, Adam s sin did not spread to us because of his sin, but because sinned (including you). Therefore, we did not inherit sin; but we chose to sin. 3. According to Romans 9:10-12, Rebecca s children had not sinned because they had not any good or evil, yet. 4. According to the verses above, do we inherit sin from our parents? 7

8 DOES ANYONE MAKE US SIN? 1. 1 John 3:8 says that the one who sins is of. 2. Acts 5:3 says that Ananias allowed to influence him to lie. 3. Check which statement is correct: Satan influences us to sin Satan makes us sin DO WE CHOOSE TO SIN? 1. In Romans 7:9 Paul says he was once apart from the law. But when he reached a certain point in his childhood where he understood right from wrong (age of accountability), he sinned and, therefore, died spiritually (this means a baby is innocent and sinless and does not inherit his parents sin. A baby is not a sinner, but is innocent, humble and pure. We are to be like a little child: Matthew 18:1-5; Mark 10:13-16; John 9:1-3) 2. According to James 1:13-15 we are not tempted by but we are tempted, when we are drawn away by. Therefore, who is to blame for your sins? From where does sin come? WHO SINS? 1. According to Romans 3:10 how many people are righteous? (means you do everything perfectly right) 2. According to Romans 3:12 how many people are (perfectly) good? 3. According to Romans 3:23 how many people sin? Does this include you? WHAT HAPPENS TO ME WHEN I SIN? 1. According to Genesis 3:3 God said if Adam or Eve partook of the forbidden fruit (their first sin), they would surely what? (this refers to physical and spiritual: when you die physically, you are separated from your body; when you die spiritually, you are separated from God and are destined to an eternal hell, Romans 6:23; James 2:26) 8

9 2. According to Isaiah 59:2, a person s iniquities him from God. (A person who sins no longer is pleasing to God) 3. Romans 5:6-10; 6:17,23 say that anyone who sins is WITHOUT STRENGTH (unable to pull ourselves out of the quicksand of sin), UNGODLY (not like God), a SINNER (a target misser ), an OBJECT OF GOD S WRATH (God is intensely angry when we sin), an ENEMY OF GOD (we become God s enemy when we sin), the DEVIL S SLAVE, and DEAD (separated from God) Once you sin for the first time, do these words describe you even though you may not feel like you are all these things? 4. According to 2 Peter 2:4 and Revelation 21:8 my sins can send me to 5. Answer Yes or No to these personal questions with the assumption that you have sinned at least one time and you have not become a Christian, yet: a. According to the Bible have you ever been separated from God? b. According to the Bible have you ever been the devil s slave and God s enemy (even though you may have never felt like it)? c. If you have ever sinned and, therefore, are without God, do you feel helpless and without hope right now? Explain below: CAN I SAVE MYSELF WITHOUT HELP? Since all of us have sinned, can we ever be good enough to erase our sins? Can we accumulate enough good deeds to make up for the wrong we have committed against God? In other words, can we save ourselves without any help from anyone else? Study the following Scriptures and give your answers: 1. Ephesians 2:8-9 says that you are saved from your sins by (a free gift that you do not deserve) through (your trust in God). It, also, says that this salvation is not of because it is a gift from God; salvation is not of because if it were, you could brag about how much better you were than others. 9

10 2. Titus 3:4-5 says that God did not save us by which we have done, but according to His. 3. Answer Yes or No to these personal questions: a. Can you erase all your sins without any help from someone? b. Can you ever be good enough by yourself to go to heaven? c. Do you want to get close to God? d. Do you want God to give you His free gift of salvation? e. Do you want to know how God can erase all your sins, so that you can get closer to Him? WHAT YOU HAVE LEARNED Answer the following questions in your own words: 1. Answer Yes or No to these personal questions: a. Do you inherit sin from your parents? b. Were you born a sinner? c. Has anyone ever influenced you to sin? d. Does anyone make you sin? e. Does your sin come from your own desire or choice? 2. What is sin? 3. From where does sin come? 4. Who sins? 10

11 5. What happens to me when I sin? 6. Can I save myself without any help from anyone? 7. If you want to know how God can erase your sins, please say so below and explain why you need to know: 11

12 LESSON 3 JESUS CHRIST: THE WAY WHO IS JESUS CHRIST? We have all sinned and, therefore, have been separated from God. Because of our sin, we cannot pull ourselves out of the quicksand of sin. We are helpless. Is there any way out? 2 Peter 3:9 says that God does not want anyone to perish (that is, die spiritually in the quicksand of sin). Because of God s mercy, love and grace (a free gift that we do not deserve), He has provided the way for us to be saved from the danger and destruction of sin. He knew we needed a Savior, and that is why He sent His one and only Son Jesus Christ (read Luke 19:10). THE only WAY to be pulled out of the quicksand of sin (that is, have our sins fully erased) and be brought back into fellowship with God is through JESUS CHRIST (read John 14:6). Please answer the following questions: WHO IS JESUS CHRIST? Matthew 1:23 says that Jesus is with us. Matthew 8:29 the demons called Jesus (this phrase means Jesus has all the characteristics of God in that He is divine) Matthew 19:28 Jesus calls Himself (this phrase means Jesus has all the characteristics of Man in that He is human) WHY DID JESUS COME INTO THE WORLD? 1 Timothy 1:15 says Jesus came to. 12

13 WHAT DID JESUS DO FOR ME? Read the following verses in Matthew and write in the blanks what Jesus did for you: 1) 26:48 Jesus was BETRAYED by a close friend. 2) 26:50 Jesus was ARRESTED. 3) 26:67 The men S. Others S. 4) 26:70 Jesus was D 3 times by a close friend. 5) 27:26 Jesus was S (beaten with a whip). 6) 27:28-29 They S Jesus and placed a crown of T on His head. 7) 27:29 Jesus was M. 2) 27:35 Jesus was C (hands & feet nailed to the cross) 3) 27:46 Jesus was F by God (His own Father) for the first and only time in eternity. 4) 27:50 And Jesus D (another word for gave up His Spirit ) Look at the answers you gave (above) and think about how much Jesus loves YOU! WHY DID JESUS DIE? 1) Romans 5:9 says that Jesus shed blood saves us from God s. (this word means intense anger ) 2) Romans 5:10 says that Jesus death us to God. (that is, made us God s friend, again) 3) 2 Corinthians 5:15 says that Jesus died for everyone, so that we would no longer live for but for. 13

14 4) 1 Peter 2:24 says that Christ bore our sins in His body on the cross, so that we might die to and start living unto. (that is, doing things that are right) 5) 1 Peter 3:18 says that Christ died for everyone, so that He might bring us back to. Look at the answers you gave (above) and think about why Christ died for YOU! HOW CAN JESUS BLOOD ERASE MY SINS AND BRING ME BACK TO GOD? The perfect sacrifice of Jesus is the payment that is required to erase all our sins and free us from the penalty and imprisonment of sin. In Jesus we are delivered from our sins. Fill in the blank below and find out the Bible s word meaning payment for debt : Ephesians 1:7 says that in Christ we have. WHAT YOU HAVE LEARNED Answer the following questions in your own words below: 1) Who is Jesus Christ? 2) Why did Jesus come into the world? 3) What did Jesus do for you? 4) Why did Jesus die? 5) How can Jesus blood erase your sins and bring you back to God? 14

15 6) Explain why you do or do not need Jesus in the space below: 7) Answer Yes or No to these personal questions: a. Do you believe Jesus is God (divine)? b. Do you believe Jesus is the Son of God (divine)? c. Do you believe Jesus suffered and died for you? d. Do you believe everyone s sins, including yours, caused Jesus to be placed on the cross? e. Do you believe Jesus is the only way your sins can be forgiven f. Do you want to know how you can receive Jesus cleansing blood so that all your sins can be erased? Why or why not? NOTE: If you have already been saved (that is, if you are already a Christian), describe (in the blanks below) everything you did to be saved. In other words, how did you become a Christian? Describe below: I, (your name), was saved and became a Christian when I 15

16 LESSON 4 JESUS AND HIS CHURCH Is one church just as good as another? Does it matter what church or religious body I attend (if any) as long as I believe in Jesus? Most people will tell you that it does not matter, but what does the Bible say? JESUS ONLY BUILT ONE CHURCH 1) Whose church did Jesus say He was going to build (Matthew 16:18)? 2) According to Ephesians 1:22-23 what is the church? 3) How many bodies are there (Ephesians 4:4)? 4) If there is only one body and the body is the church, then how many churches does Jesus want there to be? THE KINGDOM IS THE CHURCH 1) What other word did Jesus use in referring to His church in Matthew 16:18-19? 2) While Jesus was on earth, how soon did He say it would be before His kingdom would be established (Matthew 3:2; 4:17; 10:7; Mark 1:14-15; Luke 10:9)? 3) Jesus said that there were some of His disciples standing with Him who would not die until they saw the kingdom come (Mark 9:1). Is this true or false? 4) With what was the kingdom to come (Mark 9:1)? 5) From where was the power to come (Luke 24:46-49)? 16

17 6) Who was going to bring the power (Acts 1:8)? 7) When and where did the Holy Spirit bring this power (Acts 2:1-4, 17, 33)? 8) Therefore, when was the kingdom established? 9) Is Jesus ruling right now (Ephesians 1:20-23; Hebrews 1:1-4)? 10) Can someone rule without having a kingdom over which to rule? 11) According to Acts 2:22-35, when did Jesus begin His reign? 12) Must I be a part of Jesus kingdom to be saved (1 Corinthians 15:24)? I MUST BE IN JESUS CHURCH/KINGDOM TO BE SAVED 1) According to Acts 2:47, where are the Lord s saved people? 2) According to Colossians 1:13, when a non-christian becomes a Christian, into what does God put him? 3) According to 1 Corinthians 12:12-13, through God s Spirit, how and when does one get INTO the one body of Christ? 4) According to Acts 20:28 and Ephesians 5:25, what did Jesus purchase with His own blood? (this emphasizes how important the church is to Jesus and where He places salvation) 5) According to Ephesians 5:25-27, where does Jesus continue to sanctify, cleanse and wash away the sins of His saved? 6) According to 1 Corinthians 15:24, what will Jesus deliver up to His Father (containing the saved) when the end comes? 7) Can I be outside of Christ and His church/kingdom and still be saved? 17

18 WHAT YOU HAVE LEARNED 1. How many churches did Jesus come to build? 2. How many kingdoms did Jesus come to establish? 3. How many bodies does Jesus have? 4. Whose church is it? 5. Fill in the blanks: a. The church is the same thing as the K of God s dear Son b. The church is the same thing as the B of Christ 6. How does a non-christian get into the church or the body of Christ? 7. Can a Christian be saved outside of the body of Christ? 8. Only the saved are located in the B of Christ. 9. Only the saved are located in the K of God s dear Son. 10. Only the K will be delivered up to the Father in the Final Day. 11. Can Jesus rule as King without having a kingdom? 12. On what day did Jesus begin to reign as King of kings over His kingdom? 13. How important was the church to Jesus? 18

19 LESSON 5 WHAT MUST I DO TO BE SAVED? Realizing that God has offered me His free gift of salvation through Jesus, I know I have a responsibility to accept that free gift. I must work out my own salvation with fear and trembling (Philippians 2:12). Like the Philippian jailor, I ask, What must I do to be saved? (Acts 16:30; also, Acts 2:37; 9:6; 10:6). Fill in the blanks below: I MUST BELIEVE AND CONFESS 1) According to John 3:16 what must you do to be saved? 2) According to Hebrews 11:6 what 2 things must you believe in order to be pleasing to God? a. b. 3) According to Matthew 7:21-23 is it possible for a person to believe that Jesus is Lord (Master) and do many good deeds, and yet, not go to heaven? Why or why not? 4) James 2:14-26 says that the kind of faith that pleases God not only involves believing that God exists, but also that He is a what? 5) According to Philippians 2:11 what must you do to be saved? 6) Romans 10:9-10 says you must confess and believe in your heart so that you can be saved. 19

20 I MUST REPENT 1) Matthew 16:24 says if you want to be a follower of Jesus, you must yourself, take up your cross and follow Him. (this means you change your selfish wants into what Jesus wants you to say or do) 2) According to Acts 3:19 what must you do to be saved? (this means your heart and mind have changed because you are truly sorry for your sins and you want to stop sinning and start living for Jesus) 3) Acts 17:30 says God commands all men everywhere to. I MUST BE BAPTIZED 1) Romans 6:4 and Colossians 2:12 describe baptism as a, not a sprinkling or pouring. 2) According 1 Peter 3:21 what must you do to be saved? 3) According Mark 16:16; John 3:5; Acts 2:38 and Titus 3:5 is it necessary for you to be buried in water in order for your sins to be forgiven? Why or why not? 4) Romans 6:3 says that those who are baptized are baptized. (this means if you have not been baptized into Christ, you do not have Him as Savior) 5) Romans 6:6 says that in baptism our is crucified with Christ, so that the body of might be destroyed. (this means if you have not been baptized, the old man of sin is still with you) 6) Galatians 3:27 says all who have been baptized into Christ have Christ. (this means if you have not been baptized, you do not have Christ) 20

21 7) In Acts 19:1-5 certain disciples were re-baptized because they were baptized into baptism and not into baptism. (this means that if you do not have proper knowledge or understanding at your baptism, you must be re-baptized properly) 8) 1 Peter 3:21 says that your thoughts at baptism should not be that you are merely washing the dirt off your skin, but, instead, it is 9) Answer Yes or No to these personal questions below: a. According to the Bible, is sprinkling or pouring a proper and right way to be baptized? b. According to the Bible, must you be buried in water and raised out of the water in order to have your sins erased by the blood of Jesus? c. According to the Bible, can a person s sins be erased before he is baptized? d. According to the Bible, must a person be re-baptized if he did not have a correct knowledge of what he was doing at his baptism? e. Should your thoughts at baptism be that you are only being baptized because everyone else is doing it or because your parents or friends want you to do it? f. Should your thoughts at baptism be that you have decided to stop sinning and start living for Christ? WHAT WE HAVE LEARNED 1) Below list 4 things you must do to be saved (in order to get in contact with Christ s cleansing blood, that is, to become a Christian)? a. b. c. d. 21

22 2) What does the word repent mean? 3) What type of change occurs in your life as a result of repenting? 4) What must you believe in order to be saved? 5) What must you confess to be saved? 6) Explain how you must be baptized 7) Explain why you must be baptized 8) Explain what you must understand at your baptism 9) Answer Yes or No to these personal questions below: a. Do you believe that God exists? b. Do you believe that God raised Jesus from the dead c. Are you willing to confess that Jesus is the Son of God and the new Master (Lord) of your life? (you cannot have Jesus as Savior without also having Him as Lord, Matthew 7:21) d. Do you truly want to turn away from all your past and present sins and turn toward God? e. Do you want to be baptized into Christ, so that all your sins will be washed away by the blood of Christ 10) What does Acts 22:16 encourage you to do now? 22

23 LESSON 6 WHAT MUST I DO TO STAY SAVED? Once I become a Christian, I must remain faithful to Jesus unto death in order to receive eternal life (Revelation 2:10). If I do not remain faithful, I will forfeit/lose my salvation (unless I am restored back to Christ, Galatians 6:1-2). What must I do to stay saved? Fill in the blanks to find out some of the ways you remain faithful: I MUST PRAY TO GOD 1. In 1 Thessalonians, what does God command you to do? 2. According to 1 Timothy 2:5-6, through whom should you pray? 3. According to Romans 12:12, how often should you pray? 4. Read the verses and list 3 things about which you should pray: a. Matthew 6:11 b. Acts 8:22 c. James 5:16 5. How can praying to God help you remain faithful to Him? I MUST STUDY GOD S WORD 1. In 2 Timothy 2:15, what does God command you to do? 23

24 2. Read the following verses and list 3 things to which God s Word is compared: a. Psalm 119:105 b. Hebrew 4:12 c. Hebrews 5:13-14 3. Read the following verses and list 3 ways we are to approach God s Word: a. Psalm 1:2 b. Psalm 119:161-162 c. Acts 17:11 4. According to 2 Timothy 3:15-17, what can God s Word do for you? 5. How can studying God s Word help you remain faithful to Him? I MUST WORSHIP GOD 1. What does God command you to do in John 4:23-24? 2. Read Acts 2:42,45 and list 5 things Christians are to do in their worship together: a. b. c. d. e. 3. According to Ephesians 5:19, what else are Christians to do together in worship? 4. According to 1 Corinthians 11:18 and Hebrews 10:25, are you commanded to attend 24

25 worship regularly with fellow Christians? 5. According to Acts 20:7 and 1 Corinthians 16:2, what day of the week are Christians to come together to worship? (which is Sunday) 6. How can worshipping God help you remain faithful to Him? I MUST WORK FOR JESUS 1. According to Titus 3:8, 14, what does God command you to do? 2. According to Mark 16:15 and Acts 8:4, what must you do? 3. According to 2 Thessalonians 1:8, James 5:20 and 2 Peter 3:9, why should you tell others about Jesus and His church? 4. According to Galatians 6:10, what else must you do? 5. How can working for Jesus help you remain faithful to Him? I MUST KEEP MY EYES ON JESUS 1. What does Hebrews 12:2-3 command you to do? 2. According to Galatians 2:20, who should your life be like? 3. According to Philippians 4:13, who can strengthen you and enable you to do all things? 25

26 4. According to 1 John 1:7, 9, who continues to erase your sins as you confess your sins and strive to live a faithful Christian life? 5. How can keeping your eyes on Jesus help you remain faithful to Him? 1. What is prayer? ANSWER IN YOUR OWN WORDS 2. What is the difference between reading and studying God s Word? 3. What is worship? 4. Why is getting involved in the work of the church better than just attending the worship services and then leaving? 5. Why is keeping your eyes on Jesus better than keeping your eyes on hypocrites, a church leader or your selfish desires? 26

27 SUMMARY OF GOD S PLAN OF SALVATION David Ray Fanning I Just as Adam and Eve were free from sin when God created them; so also, you were free from sin when you were born (Genesis 2:16-17; Romans 7:9). Just as Adam and Eve were separated from God when they committed their first sin (partaking of the forbidden fruit); so also, you were separated from God when you committed your first sin (Genesis 3:1-6; Isaiah 59:1-2; Romans 3:23). Their eternal destiny, as well as yours, was hell (2 Thessalonians 1:8-9). But God be thanked that He loved the world so much and did not want anyone to perish that He sent His only Son to the earth to die for you, so that through God you may have Jesus, The Only Way back to the Father (John 3:16; 14:6; 2 Peter 3:9). However, Christ only becomes the author of your salvation when you obey Him and stay a faithful member of His one true church (Hebrews 5:8-9; Hebrews 10:24-31). Acts 16:30: What must I do to be saved? Instead of waiting for some supposed nudging from God s Spirit or a better-felt-than-told experience, you must realize that you can only obtain the faith that pleases God from His Word (Hebrews 11:6). God s standard of authority is Jesus Word, the New Testament, which will judge you in the Last Day (Colossians 3:17; John 12:48). Hearing God s Word will lead you who are seeking the truth to believe that Jesus is the Son of God (Matthew 7:7; Acts 16:31; Romans 1:16; 10:17; Ephesians 1:13). After you realize your sinful condition and appreciate what Jesus has done to make His salvation available to you, you must be pricked to the heart with godly sorrow (Acts 2:37). Your godly sorrow will lead you to repent of your sins (2 Corinthians 7:9-10). Such a change of heart will move you to confess that Jesus is the Son of God (Acts 8:37; Romans 10:9-10). You must then be buried immediately in water through baptism so that your sins will be washed away through the blood of Jesus (Acts 22:16; Romans 6:4; Revelation 1:5). Once you put on Christ through your immersion, you must remain faithful to Him unto death so that you can obtain the trophy of everlasting life with Him (Galatians 3:27; Revelation 2:10). By being a faithful Christian, you can now do all things through Christ who strengthens you, as you walk daily in the light as He is in the light and as you confess your sins on a continual basis (Philippians 4:13; 1 John 1:7, 9). 27