[scotty]

So if we seek salvation, we must believe on God with love and obedience to His Word. So then what does His Word tell us to do in order to be saved ?

Acts 2
36 Therefore let all the house of Israel know assuredly, that God hath made that same Jesus, whom ye have crucified, both Lord and Christ.
37 ¶ Now when they heard this, they were pricked in their heart, and said unto Peter and to the rest of the apostles, Men and brethren, what shall we do?
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.
39 For the promise is unto you, and to your children, and to all that are afar off, even as many as the Lord our God shall call.


Looks like more that just believing is required here. Water and Spirit baptism are a must.


John 3
5 Jesus answered, Verily, verily, I say unto thee, Except a man be born of water and of the Spirit, he cannot enter into the kingdom of God.


Mark 16
16 He that believeth and is baptized shall be saved; but he that believeth not shall be damned.

Also notice how whenever "believers" had not fulfilled all that was commanded for salvation the Apostles were quick to correct them and fulfill the will of God.

Acts 8
14 ¶ Now when the apostles which were at Jerusalem heard that Samaria had received the word of God, they sent unto them Peter and John:
15 Who, when they were come down, prayed for them, that they might receive the Holy Ghost:
16 (For as yet he was fallen upon none of them: only they were baptized in the name of the Lord Jesus.)
17 Then laid they their hands on them, and they received the Holy Ghost.


These were not only believers, but believers who had been baptized. If they were saved at this point, then why the rush to pray for the Holy Ghost ? If one recieves the Spirit of God upon belief as some say then would not these believers already have it ?


Acts 19
1 And it came to pass, that, while Apollos was at Corinth, Paul having passed through the upper coasts came to Ephesus: and finding certain disciples,
2 He said unto them, Have ye received the Holy Ghost since ye believed? And they said unto him, We have not so much as heard whether there be any Holy Ghost.
3 And he said unto them, Unto what then were ye baptized? And they said, Unto John’s baptism.
4 Then said Paul, John verily baptized with the baptism of repentance, saying unto the people, that they should believe on him which should come after him, that is, on Christ Jesus.
5 When they heard this, they were baptized in the name of the Lord Jesus.
6 And when Paul had laid his hands upon them, the Holy Ghost came on them; and they spake with tongues, and prophesied.


These were believers. If belief is all it takes then why bother with baptism in Jesus Name ? And once again , believing does not mean you have recieved the Holy Ghost.

How can so many plans of salvation be wrong ? I say they are not wrong as they stand on scripture, yet I do say they are incomplete. Do we take a job at entry level and become content to stay there ? Of course not. We strive, work, study and push with all we have to move up, better ourselves and become all we can in our line of work. Why should our salvation be any different ? Why would we not do all we can to fully experience and become all that God expects us to. Is it enough to just believe ? The Bible says you must be more than just rooted in Christ.


Luke 3
8 Bring forth therefore fruits worthy of repentance, and begin not to say within yourselves, We have Abraham to our father: for I say unto you, That God is able of these stones to raise up children unto Abraham. 9 And now also the axe is laid unto the root of the trees: every tree therefore which bringeth not forth good fruit is hewn down, and cast into the fire.

From here Jesus proceeded to tell them that other works relating to loving others and working for the body of Christ are expected. He says it is not enough to say "I know the Father". That only gives you root in the Truth. If you do not obey and thus grow and produce fruit, then you will be cut away.