THE PLAN OF SALVATION (VII)

"There is one body, and one Spirit, even as ye are called in one hope of your calling; One Lord, one faith, one baptism, One God and Father of all, who is above all, and through all, and in you all" (Eph. 4:4-6)? ONE! There are several baptisms mentioned in the New Testament:

1. John’s baptism (Matt. 3:1-17; Mark 1:4,5).

2. Baptism of fire (Matt. 3:11).

3. Baptism unto Moses (I Cor. 10:2).

4. Baptism of the Holy Spirit (Matt. 3:11; Mark 1:8; Luke 3:16; John 1:33; 14:26; Acts 1:5). This was limited to the apostles.

5. Great commission baptism (Matt. 28:18-20; Mark 16:15,16). This is the only baptism that is in affect today.

What about the alien sinner calling on the name of the Lord? Christ is calling with a Holy Calling (Heb. 3:1). Why does Christ call? Is it not to make saints (Rom. 1:7; I Cor. 1:1,2). How is one called (II Thess. 2:13,14; John 6:44)? Everyone is called by the gospel of Christ. This explains How and Why Jesus is calling. The Bible says one is to call on the name of the Lord and he will be saved (Acts 2:21; Rom. 10:13).

Why should one call? Is it not for salvation (Psa. 18:3; 99:6; 105:1; 116:13,17;145:18). When an alien sinner calls upon the Lord he will be saved. How is the alien sinner to call? How the alien sinner is not to call. He is not to call by prayer. One does not need to pray for God’s love (John 3:16; Rom. 5:8). One does not need to pray for God’s grace (Titus 2:11,12). The alien cannot call from his death bed "O Lord save me" (Matt. 7:21). The alien sinner must call while God is near (Prov. 1:25-33; Isa. 55:6; Psa. 50:15). The Bible says God will not hear sinners (Isa. 59:1,2; Psa. 66:18; Prov. 15:29; Eph. 2:12; I Peter 3:12). Look at a comparison of scriptures: Romans 10:9-13 – Paul starts with salvation and goes back a step at a time showing how calling is done. Mark 16:15,16; Acts 2:37,38; 22:16 – In these verses the action starts with the going and advances one step at a time to salvation. Study the comparison carefully: Preacher goes, preaches - men hear, believe, call by obeying and are saved (John 6:44,45; Heb. 5:8,9). For the alien sinner to call is nothing less than doing the Father’s will (Matt. 7:21).

What is the Father’s will concerning baptism (Luke 7:30; Mark 16:15,16; Matt. 28:18-20; John 8:28; 12:48,49). Peter described how the alien sinner is to call upon the name of the Lord (Acts 2:21-38). One must obey the Gospel of Christ to be saved (Rom. 10:13-17; Rom. 6:1-5,16-18; I Cor. 15:1-4).

What about the erring child of God? Once one obeys the Gospel of Christ he must continue to live a faithful life in Christ (Rom. 6:3,4; Rev. 2:10; I Peter 2:11,12). When one leaves Christ he is no longer a Christian.  "Brethren, if any of you do err from the truth, and one convert him;  Let him know, that he which converteth the sinner from the error of his way shall save a soul from death, and shall hide a multitude of sins" (James 5:19,20). God has a second law of pardon – this is His law for the erring child of God. For the erring child of God repentance, confession and prayer is required for forgiveness (James 5:16; I John 1:7-10; Acts 8:18-24). The only prayer that God will hear from the erring child is the prayer of repentance (Isa. 59:1,2; I Peter 3:12).

Being devout does not mean one is in a saved condition (Acts 10:1-11:15). Cornelius was a devout man. The word (eusebes’) [2152] which is translated devout means "one who reverences aright; pious toward God, parents or others (Acts 10:2,7; 22:12; II Peter 2:9)." Noun (euseb’eia) [2150] means "godliness, well-directed, piety or worship, used to be called ‘worship’ (Acts 3:12; I Tim.2:2; 3:16; 4:7,8; 6:3,5,6,11; II Tim. 3:5; Titus 1:1; II Peter 1:3,6,7; 3:11). Adverb (eusebos’) [2153] means "in a godly manner (II Tim. 3:12; Titus 2:12).. Cornelius was devout but he was in need of salvation (Rom. 3:10; 3:23; Isa. 55:8; 64:6; Acts 11:14). Cornelius feared God (Eccl. 12:13). He gave alms (Acts 20:35; Prov. 19:7). He had a good name (Prov. 22:1). He prayed always. His prayers and alms were a memorial before God (Acts 10:4). The word (mnemos’unon) [3422] which is translated memorial means "a memorial (that by which the memory of any person or thing is preserved), a remembrance." This word is found three times in the New Testament (Matt. 26:13; Mark 14:9; 10:4). His prayers were remembered by God, heard by God (Acts 10:4, 31). Was Cornelius praying for forgiveness? Nothing indicates this in the context. In what sense was Cornelius’ prayer heard? In the sense of God granting it? In the sense of God merely being conscious of it? We are not told. Cornelius was told by an angel to send for Peter. The angel did not tell Cornelius that his sins were forgiven. Peter was needed to tell him words (Acts 11:14; 10:6).

A good character will not save. Cornelius had a good character. He was a devout man, religious man, he feared God. The indication is that he had come under the influence of the law of Moses and Jewish worship, since he was so devout and since he honored the Jewish hour of prayer. In the book of Acts one notices "proselytes of the gate" uncircumcised Gentiles, those who feared God (Acts 13:16,26, 43-48; 14:1; 18:4). Also there were strangers (Lev. 17:8,9; I Kings 8:41-43;) who had the foundational knowledge about God and the prophecies of the Old Testament, but they were without the Jewish prejudice which seemed to result from having Hebrew blood running through their veins and from having been directly given God’s law, the Law of Moses.

Good works will not save (Titus 3:5; Eph. 2:8-10; Rom. 4:1-5; Gal. 2:16; 3:10; II Tim. 1:9; Titus 2:7; James 2:14-26).

Larry Powers