Three Things That Prove The Plan Of Salvation
In Post 30, we asked the question, Can we Apostolics be wrong about Acts 2:38 being the Christian plan of salvation?
The Bible is all about doctrine. The Bible speaks to us and it comes in the form of doctrine. Doctrine means the teaching that is derived from Scripture. The Scriptures literally form a superstructure of doctrine that is so formidable that it is forever settled in heaven (Psalms 119:89). This is especially the case regarding salvation doctrine. The biblical complex of salvation doctrine is designed by God to both prove itself and deny every wrong idea (Proverbs 21:30). This is so that every sincere person can know with certainty, on unshakeable biblical grounds, that his soul is secure. Today, we would like to give biblical proof that Acts 2:38, and only Acts 2:38, is the plan of salvation for the Christian Church era. We will present three easy-to-understand and irrefutable components of the superstructure of Christian salvation doctrine. Each one by itself proves the plan of salvation and together they form a threefold cord that cannot be broken. We have touched upon these in Post 31 but here we want to emphasize their importance as proof of Christian salvation doctrine.
1/ The Great Commission
The Great Commission by itself proves the plan of salvation because it governs what preachers can preach in the Christian era. No one is commissioned to offer any means of salvation outside of its ranges. The Apostle Paul recognized this outstanding feature of the Gospel commission (Galatians 1:8-9). If you regard what Jesus said in His commission to those He addressed and to us now who are responsible to the same charge, there is no allowable veering from its tenets. By combining the occasions of Christ giving the Great Commission and the accounts of it provided in the Gospels, we can conclude that Christ charged His disciples to preach three things for Christian salvation, namely, repentance, baptism in Jesus’ name, and the infilling of the Holy Ghost. (We have included a lesson delving into the Great Commission on the Various Bible Lessons page of this website. It is lesson #10.)
☆ The Gospel references of the giving of the Great Commission are as follows:
First occasion in Jerusalem on the day of the resurrection— John 20:21-23
Second occasion in Galilee— Mark 16:15-18; Matthew 28:18-20
Third occasion back in Jerusalem on the day of the ascension— Luke 24:45-49
2/ The Day of Pentecost
The Day of Pentecost is the first fulfillment of the Great Commission. Naturally, then, it should contain all the tenets of salvation prescribed by Christ in His Great Commission. And, it does. When Peter’s preaching brought conviction to his hearers, they asked what they should do? Peter responded with the Christ-authored plan of salvation. Notice Acts 2:38. Then Peter said unto them, Repent, and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins, and ye shall receive the gift of the Holy Ghost.
As stated in Post 31, the Day of Pentecost proves the plan of salvation. It is the first day of Christian evangelism and salvation. Whatever the plan of salvation is for the Christian era, it had to be apparent there. And we see it prominently displayed by Peter. There is no better presentation of the Gospel to be found anywhere in the New Testament. And, as we pointed out, it agrees perfectly with Christ’s Great Commission.
3/ The examples of Christian salvation
Christian salvation is attested to by examples of conversion, beginning on the very Day of Pentecost but also throughout the decades-long history of the Christian Church in the book of Acts. There are numerous occasions of evangelism and conversion, involving thousands of people. You can see these in Acts 2,8,9,10,19. They always involved the tenets prescribed in the Great Commission.
Examples of salvation are a powerful proof of doctrine. Any notion of salvation that does not align with these examples provided in Acts cannot be authentic. And, whatever a person claims for salvation, he must be able to back it up with examples in Acts. Salvation for one is salvation for all. God does not offer multiple means of salvation. There is only one way to be saved. Jesus introduced that theme (John 3:5) and it was carried on by Paul and others (Ephesians 4:5; Jude 3).
Conclusion
The three components of the New Testament superstructure presented here, each and together, prove Christian salvation doctrine. I cannot imagine anyone seriously discounting even one of them. They comprise the gist of biblical Christianity as relates to preaching and being saved. Serious students of the Word and those who are serious about their souls and the souls of others will pay them heed.
These are the three most important things to know about Christian salvation doctrine. We should be thankful God has made it so clear and foolproof.