continued from last week 11/21/04

WHY IS SALVATION NEEDED?

Salvation is needed because everyone has sinned (Rom. 3:23; 6:23). Salvation is needed because at one time everyone is separated from God by sin (Isa. 59:1,2; Eph. 2:1-3,12; Rom. 5:8,9). Salvation is needed because one day everyone will stand before the judgment seat (II Cor. 5:10; Matt. 25:31-46; II Thess. 1:7-9).

HOW IS SALVATION OBTAINED?

One is saved by grace (Titus 2:11-4; Eph. 2:8,9; Matt. 11:28-30), by faith (Rom. 10:17; 5:1,2), by blood (Rom. 5:9,10), by hope (Rom. 8:24), by the gospel (I Cor. 15:1-4; Rom. 1:16,17), by mercy (Titus 3:5), by works (James 2:17,25) and by water (I Peter 3:21; Acts 2:38; 22:16). One is not saved by any one of these alone. One is not saved by grace alone. One is not saved by faith alone. One is not saved by works alone. One is not saved by water alone.

Salvation is obtained by being obedient to the Gospel of Christ (Rom. 6:16-18).

Hearing is the first step in the plan of Salvation. What does it mean to hear? Webster defines hearing as "the process, function, or power of perceiving sound: the special sense by which noises and tones are received as stimuli." Webster defines the word hear as "to perceive or apprehend by the ear, to gain knowledge of by hearing, to listen to with attention, to gain information." One word (akou’o) [191] which is translated hear is found 437 times in the New Testament and means to hear in general (Matt. 2:3,18; 11:5; 12:19; Mark 14:64). To hear, hearken, or listen to (Mark 12:37; Luke 5:1; 10:39; 11:31; Acts 15:12). To understand, hear with the ear of the mind (Matt. 11:15; John 8:43,47; I Cor. 14:2). To hear effectually or so as to perform or grant what is spoken (Matt. 18:16; John 9:31; 11:41; I John 5:14,15). To obey (Luke 10:16; 16:29,31; John 8:47; I John 4:6). This word is translated "hear" 418 times, "hearken" 6 times, "give audience" 3 times, "hearer" 2 times, "of hearing" (Matt. 13:15), "to come to (one’s) ears (Matt. 28:14), "be noised" (Mark 2:1), "in the audience of" (Luke 20:45), "tidings come" (Acts 11:22), "of hearing" (Acts 28:27), "be reported" (I Cor. 5:1), and "understand" (I Cor. 14:2). Another word (eisakou’o) [1522] which is translated hear means "to hearken unto, to give ear to...to give heed to, comply with...obey...to listen to, assent to...to be heard." This word is translated "hear" 5 times (Matt. 6:7; Luke 1:3; Acts 10:31; I Cor. 14:21; Heb. 5:7). Another word (epakou’o) [1873] which is translated hear only one time (II Cor. 6:2) and means "to give ear to, listen to; to perceive by the ear...to list to i.e. hear with favor, grant one’s prayer...to hearken to one." Another word (epakros’omai) [1874] which is translated hear only one time (Acts 16:25) and means "to listen to." Another word (diakou’omai) [1251] which is translated hear only one time (Acts 23:35) and means "to hear one through, hear to the end, hear with care, hear fully." One word (akoe’) [189] which is translated hearing means "the act of hearing (Rom. 10:17; Matt. 13:4; Acts 28:26; Gal. 3:2,5). The sense of hearing (I Cor. 12:17; Heb. 5:11). The organ or instrument of hearing, the ear (Mark 7L35; Acts 17:20; II Tim. 4:4). Something which is or may be heard, a rumor, report (Matt. 4:24; 14:1; John 12:38; Rom. 10:16)." This word is translated "hearing" 10 times (Matt. 13:14; Acts 28:26; Rom. 10:17,17; I Cor. 12:17,17; Gal. 3:2,5; Heb. 5:11; II Peter 2:8), "ears" 4 times (Mark 7:35; Acts 17:20; II Tim. 3,4), "fame" 3 times (Matt. 4:24; 14:1; Mark 1:28), "rumor" 2 times (Matt. 24:6; Mark 13:7), "report" 2 times (John 12:38; Rom. 10:16), "audience" (Luke 7:1), "which ye heard" (I Thess. 2:13), "preached" (Heb. 4:2). Another word (diag’nosis) [1233] which is translated hearing one time (Acts 25:21) means "a distinguishing...examination, opinion, decision." The men with Paul o the road to Damascus heard a voice (Acts 9:7) but according to Paul "and they that were with me saw indeed the light, and were afraid; but they heard not the voice of him that spake to me" (Acts 22:9). Do these two verses contradict one another? NO! Hearing in this sense means to understand what is being said. When Paul says, "Faith comes by hearing" he does not mean just by receiving the sound of the words but understanding them (Matt. 13:13-16). Hearing means much more than just receiving sounds, therefore, what is one to hear (Matt. 28:18-20; Mark 16:15,16; Acts 4:12; Rom. 1:16; Acts 8:12; 9:20; 16:32; Gal. 2:8,9; II Tim. 4:1-5; 2:15; Jude 3)?

Who should hear the Word of God? Everyone should hear the Gospel of Christ (Matt. 28:18-20; Mark 16:15,16; Acts 1:8; 2:5-12; 10:1-48; Eph. 2:8-22; II Tim. 4:17). The gospel went forth from Jerusalem into all the world (Acts 8:4; Rom. 1:8; Col. 1:6,23). Today there are over 6 billion people in the world and less than 50% have heard the name of Jesus.

When should one hear the gospel of Christ? Since no one can be saved without first hearing, one should be willing to hear at his first opportunity. When did Cornelius hear the gospel (Acts 10)? The Jews should have been prepared to hear the word of God but they refused to hear.

How is one to hear? One must be prepared to hear (Matt. 3:1,2; 4:17; 13:9-16; James 1:19). Hearing may come from preaching that word (I Peter 4:11; Acts 2-28; II Cor. 4:7). Today one may hear by reading the Bible, the inspired word of God (Eph. 3:3-5; Rev. 1:3). Today one may hear by listening to men as they proclaim the word of God (II Tim. 4:1-5; 3:16,17; Titus 2:15). How is one to react to hearing the word of God (James 1:19-23)? Hearing is merely the first step in the plan of Salvation.

Larry Powers

continued next week 12/5/04