Is Acts.2:38 The One Plan Of Salvation ?

[Pendragon]

Yes, Acts 2:38 is a summation of the plan of salvation.

Supporting scriptures (all NIV):

You must be born of water and the Spirit:

John 3:5 "5 Jesus answered, “Very truly I tell you, no one can enter the kingdom of God unless they are born of water and the Spirit. "

The Spirit:

John 7:37-39 37 On the last and greatest day of the festival, Jesus stood and said in a loud voice, “Let anyone who is thirsty come to me and drink. 38 Whoever believes in me, as Scripture has said, rivers of living water will flow from within them.” 39 By this he meant the Spirit, whom those who believed in him were later to receive. Up to that time the Spirit had not been given, since Jesus had not yet been glorified.

Sign of the infilling of the Holy Spirit: Tongues

Acts 2:4 4 All of them were filled with the Holy Spirit and began to speak in other tongues as the Spirit enabled them.

Acts 8:15-19 15 When they arrived, they prayed for the new believers there that they might receive the Holy Spirit, 16 because the Holy Spirit had not yet come on any of them; they had simply been baptized in the name of the Lord Jesus. 17 Then Peter and John placed their hands on them, and they received the Holy Spirit.

18 When Simon saw that the Spirit was given at the laying on of the apostles’ hands, he offered them money 19 and said, “Give me also this ability so that everyone on whom I lay my hands may receive the Holy Spirit.”

As you can tell by the above verse, the Holy Spirit has a visible manifestation. An unbelieving sorcerer became a 'believer' in a supernatural power that he then craved, after he witnessed Believers receive the Holy Spirit. What sign follows the receipt of the Holy Spirit? Well, scripture tell us in Mark 16:17-18 17 And these signs will accompany those who believe: In my name they will drive out demons; they will speak in new tongues; 18 they will pick up snakes with their hands; and when they drink deadly poison, it will not hurt them at all; they will place their hands on sick people, and they will get well. We also know from Acts 2 that the people in the upper room spoke in tongues. Furthermore, how would Peter and John know that the believers had not received the Holy Spirit, if it was an internal work without external signs?

Acts 10:44-47 44 While Peter was still speaking these words, the Holy Spirit came on all who heard the message. 45 The circumcised believers who had come with Peter were astonished that the gift of the Holy Spirit had been poured out even on Gentiles. 46 For they heard them speaking in tongues and praising God. Then Peter said, 47 “Surely no one can stand in the way of their being baptized with water. They have received the Holy Spirit just as we have.”

You must be baptized (born of water):

Acts 2:41 41 Those who accepted his message were baptized, and about three thousand were added to their number that day.

Mark 16:16 16 Whoever believes and is baptized will be saved, but whoever does not believe will be condemned.

You must be baptized in the name of Jesus:

Acts 4:10-12 "It is by the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth, whom you crucified but whom God raised from the dead, that this man stands before you healed. 11 Jesus is

“‘the stone you builders rejected,
which has become the cornerstone.’

12 Salvation is found in no one else, for there is no other name under heaven given to mankind by which we must be saved.”

Acts 8:16 again: they had simply been baptized in the name of the Lord Jesus.

Acts 19:1-6: ...There he found some disciples 2 and asked them, “Did you receive the Holy Spirit when you believed?”

They answered, “No, we have not even heard that there is a Holy Spirit.”

3 So Paul asked, “Then what baptism did you receive?”

“John’s baptism,” they replied.

4 Paul said, “John’s baptism was a baptism of repentance. He told the people to believe in the one coming after him, that is, in Jesus.” 5 On hearing this, they were baptized in the name of the Lord Jesus. 6 When Paul placed his hands on them, the Holy Spirit came on them, and they spoke in tongues and prophesied.

Why is baptism important?

Romans 6:3-7 3 Or don’t you know that all of us who were baptized into Christ Jesus were baptized into his death? 4 We were therefore buried with him through baptism into death in order that, just as Christ was raised from the dead through the glory of the Father, we too may live a new life. 5 For if we have been united with him in a death like his, we will certainly also be united with him in a resurrection like his. 6 For we know that our old self was crucified with him so that the body ruled by sin might be done away with, that we should no longer be slaves to sin— 7 because anyone who has died has been set free from sin.

[Amanah]

Originally Posted by Aquila

The plan of salvation is "God's plan" in redeeming man. That is the death, burial, and resurrection of Jesus. Acts 2:38 is how Christ's death, burial, and resurrection are applied to our lives. In repentance we die, in baptism we are buried, and in being filled with the Holy Ghost we are resurrected into new life. Acts 2:38 mirrors God's plan of salvation....it isn't God's plan of salvation. God's plan of salvation is summed up in one word...Jesus.

We cannot loose focus. We remove Jesus from the centrality of our faith and replace it with our own version of "Sacraments" such as repentance (like penance), water baptism (sacrament of baptism), and infilling of the Spirit (impartation of new life). It's like we're ditching Jesus and becoming Catholic.

bumping this thread to read

[mfblume]

Yes it is the plan of salvation. The gospel is the death, burial and resurrection. The plan of salvation is how that is applied to us and how it saves us. In other words, hear the gospel of the work of the cross, and apply it to yourself to be saved by the plan of salvation. Gospel is not plan of salvation. Plan of salvation is application of the gospel. And repentance, baptism and spirit infilling are not sacraments when understood properly. They're application of the work of the cross.

Works for salvation are efforts of self without God's empowerment. Acts 2:38 cannot fall under that category, or else Peter preached salvation by works. Lol.

So we need to know the difference between gospel and plan of salvation.

[Aquila]

Originally Posted by mfblume

Yes it is the plan of salvation. The gospel is the death, burial and resurrection. The plan of salvation is how that is applied to us and how it saves us. In other words, hear the gospel of the work of the cross, and apply it to yourself to be saved by the plan of salvation. Gospel is not plan of salvation. Plan of salvation is application of the gospel. And repentance, baptism and spirit infilling are not sacraments when understood properly. They're application of the work of the cross.

Works for salvation are efforts of self without God's empowerment. Acts 2:38 cannot fall under that category, or else Peter preached salvation by works. Lol.

So we need to know the difference between gospel and plan of salvation.

My understanding of salvation has grown since expanding my studies.

I believe God chose the elect in Christ back in eternity, predicated upon the shed blood of Jesus. We can't apply the gospel. Can we reach into Heaven and pull down salvation? Can we build a ladder to Heaven, even if God gave us all the wood on the planet? The "plan of salvation" was that Christ, the Son of God, would die for sinful men, chosen of God in Himself. We can't remove Jesus from being the plan and replace it with repentance, baptism, and infilling. When God's effectually calling is heard in the heart of one of the elect, it brings regeneration and faith...prior to this the elect was spiritually DEAD. Being regenerated and now spiritually alive, the chosen feels sorrow and remorse for sin (the unregenerated do not). The goodness of God convicts the elect sinner of sin and they are drawn to repentance, baptism (obedience), and infilling (empowerment). The unregenerated would rather go bowling and drink beer. lol

So, while we speak of "applying the Gospel", one cannot actually "apply the Gospel". The Gospel must be "believed". And only God can draw a person and open their eyes to it's regenerating truth. Repentance, baptism, and infilling are the results of the Gospel as God sovereignly applies it to the human soul.

Salvation is a work of God from start to finish. We can do nothing to be saved, nor take credit for anything. One cannot "apply the Gospel", because that implies that one can pick up salvation at will. One can attempt to repent of sin, be baptized, and seek infilling... but if the Father isn't drawing them and doesn't regenerate them... they are merely getting religious tradition and culture.

Let's get our hands off the glory and simply give God all praise and glory for our salvation. Because we were helplessly lost when He called us into the light Christ.

[mfblume]

Applying the gospel is believing it.

Romans 1 speaks against predestination of the individual. It teaches that God reveals His glory to man. God watches the reaction. If tha man holds the truth in unrighteousness, or in other words, chooses to refuse to glorify God as God while knowing full well that tru, then wrath of God is revealed to such a person. On the other hand, if the person chooses to glorify God as God after knowing the truth, then God saves that person. Otherwise, God would not wait to see how the person reacts to knowing the truth to see if the person glorifies Him as God or not. But this clearly shows we choose to respond rightly or wrongly. And God reacts to the response. That would not be the case if the individual was predestined to salvation. So, yes, we do apply the gospel to our lives.

Romans 1:16-24

16 For I am not ashamed of the gospel of Christ: for it is the power of God unto salvation to every one that believeth; to the Jew first, and also to the Greek. 17 For therein is the righteousness of God revealed from faith to faith: as it is written, The just shall live by faith.
18 For the wrath of God is revealed from heaven against all ungodliness and unrighteousness of men, who hold the truth in unrighteousness; 19 Because that which may be known of God is manifest in them; for God hath shewed it unto them. 20 For the invisible things of him from the creation of the world are clearly seen, being understood by the things that are made, even his eternal power and Godhead; so that they are without excuse: 21 Because that, when they knew God, they glorified him not as God, neither were thankful; but became vain in their imaginations, and their foolish heart was darkened. 22 Professing themselves to be wise, they became fools, 23 And changed the glory of the uncorruptible God into an image made like to corruptible man, and to birds, and fourfooted beasts, and creeping things.
24 Wherefore God also gave them up to uncleanness through the lusts of their own hearts, to dishonour their own bodies between themselves:

[Aquila]

Originally Posted by mfblume

Applying the gospel is believing it.

Romans 1 speaks against predestination of the individual. It teaches that God reveals His glory to man. God watches the reaction. If tha man holds the truth in unrighteousness, or in other words, chooses to refuse to glorify God as God while knowing full well that tru, then wrath of God is revealed to such a person. On the other hand, if the person chooses to glorify God as God after knowing the truth, then God saves that person. Otherwise, God would not wait to see how the person reacts to knowing the truth to see if the person glorifies Him as God or not. But this clearly shows we choose to respond rightly or wrongly. And God reacts to the response. That would not be the case if the individual was predestined to salvation. So, yes, we do apply the gospel to our lives.

Romans 1:16-24

16 For I am not ashamed of the gospel of Christ: for it is the power of God unto salvation to every one that believeth; to the Jew first, and also to the Greek. 17 For therein is the righteousness of God revealed from faith to faith: as it is written, The just shall live by faith.
18 For the wrath of God is revealed from heaven against all ungodliness and unrighteousness of men, who hold the truth in unrighteousness; 19 Because that which may be known of God is manifest in them; for God hath shewed it unto them. 20 For the invisible things of him from the creation of the world are clearly seen, being understood by the things that are made, even his eternal power and Godhead; so that they are without excuse: 21 Because that, when they knew God, they glorified him not as God, neither were thankful; but became vain in their imaginations, and their foolish heart was darkened. 22 Professing themselves to be wise, they became fools, 23 And changed the glory of the uncorruptible God into an image made like to corruptible man, and to birds, and fourfooted beasts, and creeping things.
24 Wherefore God also gave them up to uncleanness through the lusts of their own hearts, to dishonour their own bodies between themselves:

You picture God as a reactionary deity in the Heavens making His choices predicated upon what we do.

I see God as a sovereignly eternal deity who knows all things and has chosen His elect in Christ in eternity... knowing that if He didn't, the entire human race would perish, for no fallen man would choose Him. My God chooses individuals predicated not upon their future adherence to a plan, system, acceptance, or deeds. But rather because He foreknew them personally, and for no other reason than love (and to bring glory to His name), He chose to save them in Christ Jesus. My God isn't "reactionary", reacting to man's choices and behaviors. My God is "revelatory". Meaning that He is waiting on man's choices and actions to reveal that man's true nature, thus justifying His eternal judgment... while also demonstrating His eternal grace and mercy. No man chooses God. No man comes to Christ... unless the Father has drawn Him. Just as natural birth isn't a matter of our will or choice, so also our spiritual birth is not by any choice of our own, but by God's sovereign will and design. Thus regeneration through effectual calling is the invisible work of the Holy Spirit upon the soul of the elect. The desire for repentance, obedience, and empowerment are a result of God's regenerative work... not a man's will. It is, "fruit of the Spirit".

My God isn't an observer sitting on the edge of His seat hoping men will choose Him, or hoping that a man become saved. My God is the very author of every individual elect soul's salvation, personally, and intimately.

Think of Scripture. Where would we be if Paul chose not to obey the effectual call of Christ? We wouldn't have the Epistles. Certainly, according to your model, there were some "would be Apostles" who apostacized and never wrote epistles God intended them to write. And if the Bible is entirely complete (as I believe it is), according to your model... God got REAL lucky in the first century. lol

No sir... they were elected and chosen in Christ before the foundation of the world. They were effectually drawn to Christ by the Father through the Spirit. They were regenerated and converted. Justified, adopted, and sanctified. Entirely by the hands of God Himself. Nothing being lost.

[Digging4Truth]

Originally Posted by Neubill

...and Jesus revealed that plan when He said "Repent, for the Kingdom of Heaven is at hand."

Repent: stop sinning.
Sin: transgression of God's commandments
God's commandments: Torah

Jesus preached a simple message: stop sinning and obey Torah.

By the way, Acts 2:38 is a very Jewish thing to do. One who does this is choosing to identify him or herself as one of Yeshua's disciples.

A disciple imitates his master, and our master obeyed Torah.

And then the apostles totally disregarded Jesus' preaching and said that there were only a few items they would require of the gentiles?

[Falla39]

[QUOTE=Aquila;1098666]My understanding of salvation has grown since expanding my studies. Quote in part!

Bro. Aquila, I mean no disrespect, but is that how you have ended up in
in a Baptist church?

[houston]

[QUOTE=Falla39;1098727]

Originally Posted by Aquila

My understanding of salvation has grown since expanding my studies. Quote in part!

Bro. Aquila, I mean no disrespect, but is that how you have ended up in
in a Baptist church?

yes.

[Aquila]

Great video:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?NR=1&v=7Bai00kJ66w