So many are convinced that man can do absolutely nothing to save
himself. These people do not study the Bible for themselves or they would
quickly see that what they believe does not agree with the Holy Scriptures.
The apostle Peter instructed his audience of Pentecost, saying, “Save yourselves
from this crooked generation”(Acts 2:40). Even belief is a “work
of God”that has been commanded (John 6:29). I grow weary of those who mock
the Biblical “steps” found in the gospel plan of salvation. Many people
are so infatuated with spontaneity that they cannot conceive of a God who
does things in a logical, rational way and “decently and in order” (1 Cor.
14:40). Why is it that there is an ever-growing aversion to stressing the
“steps” that the Bible gives concerning obedience to the gospel? I expect
one reason is that so many who claim to be gospel preachers are proclaiming
folks are saved by “grace only” and members having “itching ears” (2 Tim.
4:3) are soothed by what their “hireling” (John 10:12-13) teaches.
The American Heritage Dictionary gives one definition of “steps”
as follows: “One of a series of actions, processes, or measures taken to
achieve a goal.” If one has ever assembled a child’s swing set or bicycle
he realizes the need for steps to be included in the instructions. When
step number one is completed, one advances to step number two. This process
continues until all steps have been completed. To skip a step or begin
in the middle and go both ways will result in an assembly that the designer
did not envision. The Bible clearly states the steps one must follow to
obey the gospel plan of salvation. First, a person must read or hear the
Word of God. The apostle Paul states it best in saying, “So belief cometh
of hearing, and hearing by the word of Christ”(Rom. 10:17). Second, one
will believe God’s inspired Word. If a person does not believe the Scriptures,
he will not be inclined to submit to the commands of the Lord. Instead,
he will obey only the commands he feels are important while he rejects
the commands he does not believe to be important. Jesus said, “If ye love
me, ye will keep my commandments” (John 14:15). Without belief or faith
it is impossible to please God (Heb. 11:6). Third, one who believes in
God’s Word will repent of his sins. He does so because he
believes that God has commanded all men everywhere to repent (Acts
17:30). The Bible teaches that people will either repent or perish (Luke
13:3). Fourth, a person who believes in God will gladly confess the deity
of Christ. Jesus was indeed a good man, but He was also the only begotten
Son of God (John 1:1-3, 14; 3:16). Fifth, a true believer will be immersed
for the remission of his sins. Scriptural baptism is truly the consummating
act that put one into Christ. Paul told the Galatians, “For as many of
you as were baptized into Christ did put on Christ”(Gal. 3:27). Since salvation
is located in Christ (2 Tim. 2:4), one must get into Christ to be saved!
The act of baptism puts one into Christ and into contact with the Savior’s
blood that cleanses of all sin (Eph. 1:7; 1 John 1:7). This is in keeping
with the message of Ananias to a penitent and praying Saul of Tarsus. Ananias
said, “And now why tarriest thou? arise, and be baptized, and wash away
thy sins, calling on his name”(Acts 22:16).
To the true believer and seeker of the truth it is clear that God
has given steps that lead to salvation. These God-given steps must be obeyed
in orderly fashion. A person is not baptized and then repents of his sins.
Neither is one baptized and then decides to believe in God. Any act that
one might do concerning his salvation is in vain if it is not done out
of belief. A Christian will never be ashamed to teach the steps that lead
to one’s gospel obedience. A sinner who comes into contact with the Word
of God must believe it. If he is a believer he will desire to turn from
or repent of his sins. Sin is the great separator (Isa. 59:1-2), and one
cannot live in sin
and be reconciled to Christ. With his mouth the sinner unashamedly
affirms that he believes that Jesus Christ is the Son of the Living God
(Rom. 10:10). It is at this point that this person can be submerged in
the waters of baptism and raised to walk in newness of life (Rom. 6:4).
If these five things we have mentioned are not steps that lead to gospel
obedience, then what are they? It is only natural that folks who believe
in the false doctrine of “faith only” would reject the Biblical steps that
lead to salvation of the soul. “Faith only” advocates believe in “one step”
salvation! Even more troubling are those who claim that they are not Calvinists
nor part of the “new hermeneutic” movement and yet they are opposed to
proclaiming there are Bible steps that lead to salvation.
Why? It is a question that deserves an answer. Let the “no steppers”
and the “apologetic steppers” answer if they can!
Marvin Weir
Rowlett, TX