The Gospel

The New Testament Plan of Salvation

Jesus answered and said to him, “Truly, truly, I say to you, unless one is born again he cannot see the kingdom of God.” – John 3:3

Note: If you’re new to God, Jesus, and the Gospel, you may want to start In the beginning.

The “New Covenant”1 (see Luk 22:20; 1Co 11:25; 2Co 3:6; Heb 8:8, 13; 9:15; 12:24; cf. Jer 31:31–34) is the Law of Grace2 (Joh 1:17; Rom 5:21; 6:14; Eph 2:8; cf. Act 20:24) and the “good news” (Luk 1:19; 2:10; Act 8:12; 13:32; Rom 10:15; Heb 4:2, 6; cf. Isa 41:27; 52:7; 61:1) of the Gospel—which is “the forgiveness of our trespasses [sins]” (Eph 1:7; cf. Act 2:38; 10:43; 13:38; 26:18; Mat 26:28; Luk 24:47; Col 1:13–14) and “the hope of eternal life” (Tit 1:2; 3:7) through the shed blood of Jesus on the cross, “according to the riches of His [God’s] grace” (Eph 1:7; cf. Col 1:14). It was revealed to us “at the right time” (Rom 5:6–8; cf. Gal 4:4; Tit 1:3; 1Ti 2:6; 1Pe 1:12, 20; see further 2Co 5:21; Eph 2:1–7; Php 2:5–8; Col 2:13–14; Heb 2:9), “when the kindness of God our Savior and His love for mankind appeared” (Tit 3:3–5; cf. Rom 5:8) through God’s “only begotten Son” (Joh 3:16–18), Jesus the Christ (Mat 16:16; 26:63–64; Act 5:42; 1Jn 5:1), and it completes the revelation of God’s plan for humanity (Rom 16:25–26; Eph 1:9–10; 3:3–11; Col 1:25–27; Heb 1:1–2; 1Pe 1:10–12; cf. 1Co 13:10).

While the OT Mosaic Law was given to the Jews (Israelites), the NT Law of Grace is given and open to “everyone” equally and “impartially,”3 no matter what your background is, what sins you have committed, or how long you have committed them. But it is only by accepting Jesus as your Lord and Savior through “belief” (“faith”) in Him along with active “obedience” to the Gospel and “perseverance”4 in faith until death that one can be saved to “eternal life” (Joh 3:16; Mat 25:46; Tit 1:2; 1Jn 5:13, 20; Jud 21).

ENTER THROUGH THE NARROW GATE

The gate to heaven is called “narrow”5 (see Mat 7:13–14; Luk 13:23–24) because there is only one “door” (Joh 10:7–9; Luk 13:24) through which you can enter, and that door is Christ. As it is written:

“All authority” was given to Him by God the Father (Mat 28:18; cf. Mat 11:27; 16:27; 25:31–33; Luk 10:22; Joh 3:35; 5:22–27; 13:3; 17:2; Act 10:42; 17:31; Rom 2:16; 14:9; 1Co 15:27; 2Co 5:10; Eph 1:20–22; Php 2:9–11; Col 1:16–19; 2Th 1:6–10; 2Ti 4:1, 8; Heb 1:2; 2:8; 10:30; 1Pe 4:5; Rev 20:11–12; see further Mat 9:6; Mar 2:10; Luk 5:24; Psa 9:7–8; 50:3–6; 96:13; 98:9),
“I am the way, and the truth, and the life; no one comes to the Father but through Me [Jesus]” (Joh 14:6; cf. Joh 10:1–10),
“There is salvation in no one else; for there is no other name under heaven that has been given among men by which we must be saved” (Act 4:10–12), and
“There is one God, and one mediator also between God and men, the man Christ Jesus” (1Ti 2:5; cf. Heb 7:25).6

Scripture emphatically declares there is no other way to heaven, despite the many “myths,” mysticism, superstitions, “traditions,” “decrees,” “commandments” of men, “philosophy and empty deception,” myriads upon myriads of “false teachings,” “false prophecies,” “fake gospels” (paraphrase), fanciful interpretations, opinions, beliefs, and “schemes” of man and the devil that abound in the world.7 The various man-made religions “of this world”8 offer no path to eternal life. Furthermore, know also that going to church, thinking oneself to be basically a “good person,” doing “good deeds,”9 saying a one-time little prayer for salvation, and performing religious rites, rules, rituals, sacraments, catechisms, creeds, and ceremonies will not save you to eternal life. Those who reject Christ and the Gospel have no other hope of eternal salvation (Joh 14:6; Act 4:12; cf. Mat 12:31–32; Mar 3:28–29).

THE OBEDIENCE OF FAITH

While salvation is “the free gift of God” (Rom 6:23; cf. Eph 2:8–9; Rom 3:24; 5:15–17; Joh 4:10; Act 8:20), He has specified rules (the “obedience of faith,” Rom 16:25–27; cf. Act 6:7; Rom 1:5; 15:18) as to how we must claim that gift. I do not want you to be uninformed about what He requires from those who desire to “call on the name of the Lord” (see Act 2:21; Rom 10:13; cf. Act 22:16; 1Co 1:2; Gen 4:26; Isa 12:4; Psa 91:14–15; 105:1; 116:4, 13, 17) “in spirit and truth” (Joh 4:23–24; cf. Jud 3; Col 1:23; Luk 18:8; Psa 145:18), so you do not “die in the wilderness” (Num 26:65; cf. Num 13:1–14:38; Heb 3:7–19; 10:38; 1Co 10:5; Rom 1:17) and so you are not “destroyed [lost] for lack of knowledge” (Hos 4:6; cf. Rom 1:21; 10:1–2; 2Co 4:3–6; Mat 15:14; 23:16–26; Joh 1:5; Act 17:30; 1Co 1:18–25; 2:14; Eph 4:18; Job 36:12; Psa 111:10; Pro 1:7, 22, 29–32; 9:10; Isa 5:13; Jer 4:22; 5:4, 21; 8:7–9; Hos 8:14; see further Mar 4:9; Joh 4:23–24; Act 8:30–31; Rom 16:18; 1Co 3:19; 14:20; 2Co 2:11; 11:3; Eph 5:15–17; Col 2:8; Rev 2:7; 3:6; Job 4:21; Psa 49:20; 119:139; Pro 4:5–13; 5:12–13; 14:15, 18; 16:16; 19:2; 23:23; Isa 1:3; 3:12; 27:11; 45:20; Jer 5:3).

We must approach God on His terms as instructed to in Scripture, not however men, committees, conferences, councils, synods, and institutions think or feel it should be done (Joh 4:23–24; cf. Jud 3; Rom 10:1–2; Col 1:23; Hos 4:6; Psa 145:18).10 Scripture tells us eternal (final) salvation involves all the following (Psa 119:160; cf. 2Ti 3:16–17):

You must …

1. Be born again:

1.1 Hear the Gospel,
1.2 Believe in Jesus (faith),
1.3 Repent of your sins,
1.4 Confess Christ, and
1.5 Be baptized (by immersion, as a believing adult);11, 12

Followed by a life of:

2. Obedience to the commandments of Christ (and the instructions of His apostles),
3. Bearing fruit for the Lord (the role of works in justification), and
4. Persevering in faith.

The Scriptural basis for the above is as follows:

Be “born again” (Joh 3:1–8; 1Pe 1:3–5, 20–23; cf. 1Co 15:45–49; 2Co 5:17; Joh 1:12–13; Tit 3:5; 1Jn 3:9; 5:1, 18; Eph 4:24; Col 3:10; Gal 2:20; Rom 6:3–11; Jas 1:18; Rev 20:6; Psa 23:3) by:13

1.1	“Hearing” the Gospel message (see Rom 10:12–17; Gal 3:2, 5; Act 15:7; cf. Act 8:30–35; 13:7, 44; 17:22–23; Eph 1:13; Mat 11:4–5; 28:19–20; Mar 1:14–15; 4:13–20; 16:15; Luk 8:21; 11:28; Joh 6:44–45; 1Co 1:18–24; 15:1; see further Mat 4:4; Luk 16:29–31; 2Ti 3:16–17; Heb 4:2, 12; Psa 119:105; Amo 8:11–12; Isa 2:3; Mic 4:2). Gospel means “good news” (Luk 1:19; 2:10; Act 8:12; 13:32; Rom 10:15; Heb 4:2, 6; cf. Isa 41:27; 52:7; 61:1);
1.2	“Believing” in Jesus, putting your faith and trust in Him—“believe” (see Joh 1:12; 2:11, 23; 3:14–18, 36; 5:24; 6:29, 47; 8:30; 9:35; 11:25; 12:44; 14:1; 17:20; 20:29; 1Ti 1:16; Mar 1:15; 16:16; Act 4:4; 8:37; 9:42; 10:43; 13:39, 48; 19:4; Rom 1:16; 4:5; 9:33; 10:8–11; 1Pe 2:6; Eph 1:13; cf. Act 2:44; 4:32; 2Co 4:13–14), have “faith” (Eph 2:8; Rom 1:17; 3:28; 4:16; 5:1; 2Co 5:7; Gal 2:16, 20; 3:8, 22, 24; 5:5; Act 15:9; 20:21; 26:18; cf. Mat 9:22, 29; Luk 7:50; 8:25; 18:42; Heb 11:1–40), and “trust” (2Co 1:9; Pro 3:5; 22:19; Psa 37:5; 62:8; 125:1; cf. 1Pe 4:19; Psa 56:3, 11; see further Luk 23:46; Rom 4:18–22; Php 1:14; 1Pe 2:23; 1Ti 1:15; 2Ti 2:11; Psa 31:5; 115:9–11; 146:3–5);
1.3	“Repenting” of your sins (see Mat 4:17; Mar 1:15; Luk 5:32; 13:3; 15:7; Act 2:38; 3:19; 11:18; 17:30–31; 20:21; 26:20; Rom 2:4–5; 2Co 7:9–11; 2Pe 3:9; cf. Mat 3:2, 8; 12:41; Act 8:22; 2Ti 2:25; see further Rev 2:5, 16; 3:19; 22:11; contrast with Mat 11:20–21; 2Co 12:21; Rev 2:21–22; 9:20–21; 16:9, 11);14
1.4	“Confessing” Christ before men (see Mat 10:32–33; Luk 12:8–9; Rom 10:8–10; 1Jn 2:23; cf. Mat 16:13–16; Joh 1:29, 34–36; 11:27; 20:28; Act 8:37; 2Co 9:13; see further Rom 1:16; Php 2:9–11; 1Ti 6:12; Heb 4:14; 1Jn 4:2–3, 15; contrast with Mat 26:69–75; Joh 7:13; 9:22; 12:42–43);15, 16 and
1.5	Being “baptized” by immersion as a believing adult,17 “for the forgiveness of your sins” (see Mat 28:19; Mar 16:16; Act 2:38; 8:12, 36–39; 10:47–48; 16:15, 33; 18:8; 19:4–6; 22:16; cf. Joh 3:3–5; Rom 6:3–10; Gal 3:27; Eph 5:26–27; Col 2:12; 1Co 6:11; 12:13; Tit 3:5–7; 1Pe 3:21–22; 1Jn 5:6; see further Isa 1:18; Jer 31:34; Psa 103:12).18

Followed by a life of:

“Obedience”19 (“obey”; see Act 5:29, 32; 6:7; Rom 1:5; 6:16–17; 15:18; 16:26; Heb 5:9; 1Pe 1:2, 22; cf. Mat 7:21–27; 12:50; 19:17; 28:20; Mar 3:35; Luk 6:46–49; 11:28; Joh 8:31, 51; 14:15, 23–24; 15:10; Rom 2:13; 16:19; 2Co 9:13; 10:5–6; Heb 11:8; Jas 1:22; 1Pe 1:14; 1Jn 2:17; see further Mat 26:42; Rom 5:19; Php 2:8; Pro 7:1–2; Jos 24:15; contrast with Act 7:39; Joh 3:36; Rom 2:6–8; Eph 2:2; 5:6; Col 3:6; 2Th 1:8; Heb 2:2; 4:6, 11; 1Pe 2:8; 4:17)—to the NT “commandments” of Christ and the instructions of His apostles (see Joh 14:15, 21; 13:34–35; 15:9–10, 12, 14; Mat 5:19; 19:17; 22:36–40; 28:20; Mar 10:19; 12:28–31; Luk 18:20; 1Co 7:19; 1Th 4:2; 1Jn 2:3–6; 3:22–24; 4:21; 5:2–3; 2Jn 4–6; Rev 12:17; 14:12; cf. Luk 1:6; Pro 7:1–2; Ecc 12:13). A Christian’s motive for obedience is “love,” not coercion (see Joh 14:15, 21–24; 15:9–14; 1Jn 2:3–6; 4:19; 5:2–3; 2Jn 6; cf. Joh 21:15–17; Gal 5:6; Eph 3:14–19; 6:24; 1Pe 1:6–8). But also note the following (a) we recognize God’s authority, (b) you were bought and paid for by Jesus (“rescued” and “redeemed”), and (c) He owns you (gladly). You are, therefore, willingly becoming a “bond-servant”20 of Christ (Rom 1:1; Gal 1:10; Col 1:7; 4:7; 2Ti 2:24; Tit 1:1; Jas 1:1; 2Pe 1:1; Jud 1; Rev 15:3; cf. Act 4:29; 16:17; 2Co 4:5; Php 1:1; Rev 1:1; 2:20; 7:3; 11:18; 19:2, 5; 22:3, 6);

“Bearing fruit” for the Lord21 (see Mat 3:8; 13:23; Mar 4:20; Luk 3:8; 8:15; Joh 15:2–8, 16; Rom 7:4; Col 1:10; cf. Mat 7:16–20; 12:33; 21:43; Gal 5:22–23; Eph 5:9; Php 1:11; 2Pe 1:5–8; contrast with Mat 3:10; 7:19; 13:22; 7:15–23; Mar 4:19; Luk 13:6–9; Rom 7:5; Jud 12)—for “faith without works is dead” (Jas 2:14–26). This fruit results from being a “doer of the word” (see Jas 1:22–25; cf. Mat 7:21; 12:50; Mar 3:35; 1Jn 2:17; Joh 8:31, 51; Rom 2:13), that is, doing “good works” (“deeds”) that result from faith in, and obedience to, Christ (Mat 5:16; Rom 15:18; 2Co 5:10; Eph 2:10; Col 1:10; 1Ti 6:18; Tit 3:8, 14; 1Jn 3:18; cf. Jas 2:14–26; 1Co 15:58; 2Co 9:8; Gal 6:9; see further Col 3:17; Tit 3:1; Rev 3:2, 15–16; Jon 3:10); and

“Persevering” in faith (remain faithful)22—continue in “perseverance” (Rev 1:9; 2:2–3, 19; 3:10; 13:10; 14:12; Rom 2:7; 5:3–5; 8:25; 15:4; 2Th 1:4; Luk 8:15; cf. 2Ti 4:7–8; 1Co 9:24–27; Heb 4:1; Jas 1:12; Php 2:12–13; 3:12–14; 2Pe 1:10; contrast with Mat 24:10; 26:31–33; Mar 4:17; Luk 8:13; 1Ti 4:1–3; 2Ti 4:10; Rev 2:4; 3:15–16), “endure to the end” (“endurance”; see Mat 10:22; 24:13; Mar 13:13; cf. 1Co 9:12; 10:13; 13:7; 2Co 6:4; Heb 10:32, 36; 12:1–2, 7; Jas 1:2–4; 5:11; Luk 21:19; Rev 2:3; 2Th 1:4; 2Ti 2:10–12; 3:11; 4:5; 1Pe 2:20), and “be faithful until death” (Rev 2:10; cf. Rev 12:11), resulting in final eternal salvation when you receive your “crown of life” (Jas 1:12; Rev 2:10; cf. 1Co 9:25; 2Ti 2:5; 4:8; 1Pe 5:4; 1Th 2:19; Rev 3:11), which Jesus awards to you on “the day of judgment.”23, 24

Items 2, 3, and 4 are covered in more detail in the next section of this book.

1 A covenant is a binding agreement (a contract) between God and man.

2 Also the “law of liberty” (Jas 1:25; 2:12), the “law of the Spirit of life in Christ Jesus” (Rom 8:2), and the “law of Christ” (1Co 9:21; Gal 6:2).

3 → [Come, All Who Are Thirsty]

4 Verse references for these are given later in this chapter.

5 Small; “strait” (KJV); difficult.

5 → [Our Hope]

6 Jesus is the only mediator between man and God—not Mother Earth, Mary, the Pope, spirits of the dead, the apostles, angels, idols, other men, or man-made religions. Additionally, we are not to pray to Mary, and such rituals as performing “Hail Marys” are contrary to Scripture. → [Beware the Wolves, Wolves in Sheep’s Clothing, Some Popular False Teachings, Understanding Prayer]

7 → [Beware the Wolves]

8 → [The Day of Judgment] for “of this world” verse references.

9 Meritorious works or works of the Mosaic Law. → [The Role of Works], [The Commandments of Christ]

10 As you go through this outline, please realize that every item has one (or more) attendant false teachings/fake gospels of man attached to it in an attempt to “trick” and “deceive” you out of following the true and correct Gospel that was given in Scripture (Jud 3). Amazing! Astounding! Shocking! Beware! I’ve pointed out some of them in the footnotes as we go along. → [Beware the Wolves, Wolves in Sheep’s Clothing, Some Popular False Teachings, An Example of False Teachings]

11 The verb baptize is an anglicized version (English transliteration) of the Greek baptizō, which means to make fully wet [STRONG], to immerse, or submerge [THAYER], and it is derived from the Greek bapto, which means to cover wholly with a fluid [STRONG] or to be overwhelmed with water. The popular notion that one is baptized by “sprinkling” is contrary to Scripture. Furthermore, we see it written “buried with Him [Jesus]” (Rom 6:4; Col 2:12), not “sprinkled with Him”! Every example in NT Scripture shows the new believer being immersed in water—for example, “They both went down into the water … when they came up out of the water” (Act 8:38–39), and even with Jesus, “Jesus came up immediately from the water” (Mat 3:16 NKJV). Moreover, infant baptism is also contrary to Scripture. Children have no sin, so how can they “repent, and … be baptized in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins” (Act 2:38)? You get baptized because you want to do so after “hearing” the Gospel preached and believing “that Jesus Christ is the Son of God” (Rom 10:17; Act 8:37), not because of family expectations, peer pressure, as an infant/baby, and so on. In effect, if you think you were baptized by “sprinkling” or as an infant, you have not really been baptized at all! → [What Happens at Baptism]

13 Contrary to popular opinion, you are neither born again nor saved to eternal life by simply saying a one-time “Sinner’s Prayer” that “invites Jesus into your heart”—a practice and prayer nowhere to be found in the entire Bible! → [Beware the Wolves, Wolves in Sheep’s Clothing, Some Popular False Teachings, An Example of False Teachings]

14 Note that this repentance (“godly sorrow,” 2Co 7:10 NKJV) is not just a one-time event. It is also different than being sorry (or giving lip service) due to the fact that you got caught doing something wrong. It is related to being genuinely “mournful” for your sins (and the sins of the world in general; see Mat 5:4). Furthermore, besides being sorry for your actions (and maybe also apologizing and making atonement; Mat 5:22–24), true repentance includes a sincere desire to change your ways (Mat 3:8; Rom 6:1–2), your thoughts and motives (1Co 9:23), and it leads to a changed life that turns away from all forms of sin and toward Christ. → [Press On to Maturity, Changing Your Worldly Habits], [Part 5: God’s Moral Law, The Commandments of Christ]

15 Note that confessing Christ is not just a one-time event. It is something you do throughout the remainder of your life as a follower of Jesus, if you remain faithful.

16 You are making a statement to the effect that you believe all of the following to be true:

Jesus of Nazareth is the Christ, the Messiah, the anointed one of God, the Savior;
He is the Son of God, the Son of Man (God’s only-begotten Son);
He is God in the flesh (fully man but also fully God);
He died for your sins on the cross as your Savior—Jesus’ death on the cross was a complete, final, and total atonement (sacrifice, payment, ransom, redemption, propitiation) for your sins;
Your sins are forgiven only by Jesus’ shed blood on the cross (and not by any works or deeds you do);
He rose again (literally and bodily) from death to life after three days;
He is your Lord and King, to whom you are committing your allegiance and obedience;
You are willing to repent of your sins, to turn your life over to Him in all areas, and to trust in Him for all things at all times; you desire for His will to be done, not yours;
He is coming again (literally, physically, visibly, in person) to judge all mankind for their deeds (sins) and to get you (literally and physically) to take you where He is—which is in heaven and where He has made a place for you; and
He will raise you up to eternal life on Judgment Day.

17 This means someone old enough to have heard the Gospel message, understood it, and believed.

18 You are not born again before baptism, nor is baptism a “good work of man,” nor is baptism optional; it is required “for the forgiveness of your sins,” to be born again, and for eternal salvation. → [What Happens at Baptism, Beware the Wolves, Wolves in Sheep’s Clothing, Some Popular False Teachings]

19 Notes regarding obedience:

It is only by “abiding in Him [Jesus] and He in you” (see 1Jn 4:13, 15–16; cf. Joh 15:1–10; 1Jn 3:24) that we can be obedient children of God, “always abounding in the work of the Lord” (1Co 15:58; cf. Gal 6:9); that is also how we “stand firm in the faith” (1Co 16:13; cf. Eph 6:10–17; 1Th 3:8). He abides in you by the “Holy Spirit” (Mat 3:11; 28:19; Mar 1:8; Tit 3:5; 2Ti 1:14; etc.), also “the Spirit of God” (Rom 8:9, 14; 1Co 2:11, 14; 3:16; Php 3:3; 1Jn 4:2), “the Spirit of Christ” (Rom 8:9; 1Pe 1:11), “the Spirit of Jesus” (Act 16:7), and “the Spirit of Jesus Christ” (Php 1:19). → [Living in the Spirit]
Obedience also includes abstaining from sinful actions and behaviors. → [Changing Your Worldly Habits], [Part 5: God’s Moral Law, The Commandments of Christ]
Obedience (doing the will of God) and good works (i.e., bearing fruit) are closely linked (see #3).
I have cited some verses related to Jesus’ obedience to the Father; if Jesus was obedient, how much more so should we be!

20 Also, “slave” (Mat 25:21; 1Co 7:22).

21 Contrary to popular opinion again, you are not saved by “faith alone.” Scripture is clear that works of faith done in obedience to the commandments of Christ (and the instructions of His apostles) contribute to and can affect your justification before God. → [The Role of Works, Beware the Wolves, Wolves in Sheep’s Clothing, Some Popular False Teachings], [The Commandments of Christ]

22 Contrary to popular opinion yet again, the notion that a Christian cannot lose their salvation (i.e., “once saved, always saved” [OSAS], “perseverance of the saints,” etc.) is a false teaching of man and not in agreement with Scripture. While Jesus “will never leave or forsake you” (paraphrase; see Heb 13:5; cf. Deu 31:6–8; Jos 1:5; Isa 41:10; Psa 37:28; Mat 28:20; 2Ti 2:13), you can still decide to quit the faith and leave Him or disqualify yourself from heaven by continued sinful behavior. → [Press On to Maturity, The Nature of Salvation, Persevere in Faith]

23 → [The Day of Judgment]

24 Note that these crowns are symbolic—they are not literal crowns. Technically, the Greek stephanos (not diadema) is referring to a victor’s wreath of plaited leaves (i.e., a garland; cf. 1Co 9:25), which was awarded to the winners of the Roman public games (akin to today’s Olympics). It symbolizes your victory over this world, sin, Satan, and death—through Christ—as you persevered with Him to the end (i.e., “eternal life”). It is awarded to you by Jesus on Judgment Day (2Ti 4:7–8). Note also that there is only one crown, which is referred to by several different names: “crown of righteousness,” “crown of life,” and “crown of glory” (2Ti 4:8; Jas 1:12; 1Pe 5:4; Rev 2:10).

R. John Anderson

Author and photographer R. John Anderson has journeyed the world over to capture the natural beauty of God’s creation. Having traveled to many countries and continents in a span of over thirty years, he has seen the amazing artistry that can be found in all types of locations, from the glacial fjords of polar Greenland to the wild Serengeti plains in Tanzania to the rich rain forests of Costa Rica. Nature’s greatest natural beauty often lies in the harshest deserts, remotest wilderness, and sub-zero ice-covered regions.