GOD'S PLAN OF SALVATION

Man's Need, Rom. 3:9,10,23

• Sin is disobedience to God, 1 Jn. 3:4
• Sin is not something you're born with, it is something you do. Eph. 2:1-4 shows that the Ephesian Christians were formerly separated from God because of the sinful things they did. They were "children of wrath" because their nature (something that is developed by habit) was sinful [the word here for 'children' is not speaking of little ones, but of mankind as the offspring of God].
• Sin is not passed on--though the temporal effects might be, Ezek. 18:20
• Sin separates us from God, Is. 59:1,2

God's Grace

• God's grace appeared in the form of Jesus Christ, Titus 2:11: "the grace of God appeared bringing salvation to all men..."
• God's grace is offered to all, Heb. 2:9; Tit. 2:11. God is not a respector of persons so that He only offers salvation to a select, elect few. He truly "desires all men be saved and come to the knowledge of the truth."
• God's grace came when man was helpless, Rom. 5:6-11; 1 Jn. 4:10
• God's grace is received by those who have an obedient faith, Eph. 2:9,10; Rom. 1:5; 10:16; 16:26; Mt. 7:21-23

Man's Response, Titus 2:12; Mt.16:24

• Hear and Listen to the Gospel, Rom. 10:17; Acts 18:8
• Believe It, John 3:16,36; Heb. 3:18,19 (note: mental acceptance isn't enough, saving belief is obedient)
• Repent and Turn to God, Acts 3:19; Lk. 13:3
• Confess Jesus is God's Son, Mt. 10:32,33
• Be Baptized for the Remission of Sins, Acts 22:16; 2:38,40,41; Rom. 6:3-5; Col. 2:12; 1 Peter 3:21

Once you have been cleansed of your sin, God places His Holy Spirit within you, Acts 2:38; Rom. 8:9-11; Eph. 1:13,14; and He adds you to Jesus' body, which is the church, Eph. 1:21,22; Acts 2:48.