God has provided or offered salvation from sin for every soul. The Father prepared a perfect plan for saving the lost, "according to the eternal purpose which he purposed in Christ Jesus our Lord" (Eph. 3:11). The Son of God died on the cross as a perfect sacrifice for our sins. "This is my blood of the new testament, which is shed for many for the remission of sins" (Matt. 26:28). The Holy Spirit made a perfect revelation of the gospel in its fulness and finality, all of which was recorded in the Bible (Jn. 16:13; 2 Tim. 3:16-17). Salvation is thus provided by the love, mercy, grace, and compassion of God, yet he will not force anyone to be saved.

Man must accept God's offer of salvation. What must we do to accept salvation by grace? Faith in Christ is necessary. "He that believeth and is baptized shall be saved" (Mk. 16:16). We must repent of our sins. "Repent, and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins" (Acts 2:38). We must confess the deity of Jesus Christ. "The eunuch said, See, here is water; what doth hinder me to be baptized? And Philip said, If thou believest with all thine heart, thou mayest. And he answered and said, I believe that Jesus Christ is the Son of God" (Acts 8:36-37).

We must be immersed in water. Baptism is essential to salvation because baptism is essential to true faith, repentance, and confession (see passages already quoted). When we are baptized, we are "then made free from sin" (Rom. 6:3-4, 1718). Have you been made free from sin by obeying the gospel?

We are ready to help you in studying the gospel and in obeying it so that you can receive God's grace. For eternity's sake, we plead with you to face the question: are you saved?

Guardian of Truth XXXV: 15, p. 463
August 1, 1991