Plan of Salvation w/Back Stories

Plan of Salvation w/Back Stories

Sight Words: Hear, Believe, Repent, Confess, Be Baptized

1. Hear

The Apostle Paul wrote the book of Romans around A.D. 57 while staying in Corinth. He wrote to Christians in Rome to explain the gospel clearly and to encourage both Jewish and Gentile believers.

Romans chapter 10 focuses on salvation through faith in Jesus Christ, not through keeping the Law of Moses. Paul was deeply saddened that many of his fellow Israelites had rejected Jesus as the promised Messiah, even though they were very religious (Romans 10:1–4). 

Leading up to verse 17, Paul explains a chain of events:

• People cannot call on Christ unless they believe in Him.
  
• They cannot believe unless they hear about Him.
• They cannot hear unless someone tells them.
• Someone must be sent to preach the gospel.

This progression is found in Romans 10:13–15:

"For whosoever shall call upon the name of the Lord shall be saved... How then shall they call on him in whom they have not believed?... and how shall they hear without a preacher?"

However, Paul also points out that not everyone who hears the gospel believes it. He quotes the prophet Isaiah, who asked:

"Lord, who hath believed our report?" (Romans 10:16)

Then Paul concludes with Romans 10:17:

"So then faith cometh by hearing, and hearing by the word of God."

What Paul Meant

Paul teaches that saving faith is produced when people hear God's message about Jesus Christ. Faith is not based on feelings, wishful thinking, or human wisdom. It begins when God's Word is proclaimed and received with an open heart. The Holy Spirit uses the message of Scripture to awaken faith in those who believe.

Important Lessons

• Faith has a source: God's Word.
• The gospel must be shared so others have the opportunity to believe.
• Reading, hearing, studying, and meditating on Scripture strengthens a believer's faith.
• Christians have a responsibility to proclaim the good news so others can hear and respond.

Simple Summary

Romans 10:17 teaches that faith begins and grows as people hear the message of God's Word, especially the gospel of Jesus Christ. In its context, Paul is explaining why preaching the gospel is essential: people cannot place their faith in Christ unless they first hear the truth about Him. 

2. Believe

John 3:16 is part of a private nighttime conversation between Jesus and Nicodemus, a respected Pharisee and member of the Jewish ruling council (the Sanhedrin). Nicodemus came to Jesus because he recognized that Jesus' miracles showed God was with Him, but he wanted to understand more about His teaching.

During their conversation, Jesus explained that no one can enter the kingdom of God unless they are

"born again"—a spiritual birth brought about by the Holy Spirit rather than physical birth (John 3:3–8). Nicodemus struggled to understand this, so Jesus continued to explain God's plan of salvation.

Just before verse 16, Jesus referred to an event from the Old Testament in which Moses lifted up a bronze serpent in the wilderness (Numbers 21:4–9). Everyone who looked at the serpent in faith was healed from deadly snake bites. Jesus said that, in a similar way, He would be "lifted up" on the cross, so that everyone who believes in Him would receive eternal life.

Then comes John 3:16, which summarizes the heart of the gospel: God's love for the world was demonstrated by sending His Son, Jesus Christ, so that everyone who believes in Him can receive eternal life instead of perishing.

Simple Summary

John 3:16 is part of Jesus' conversation with Nicodemus about the new birth and God's plan of salvation. It reveals that God's great love for humanity led Him to send His Son so that anyone who believes in Jesus can receive forgiveness, salvation, and everlasting life. It is one of the clearest and most beloved summaries of the Christian gospel.

3. Repent

This verse takes place during Paul's second missionary journey when he visited Athens, a city famous for its philosophers, temples, and many idols. As Paul walked through Athens, he was troubled by the city's widespread idol worship (Acts 17:16).

The philosophers, including members of the Epicureans and the Stoics, invited Paul to speak at the

Areopagus (also called Mars Hill). There, Paul noticed an altar inscribed "TO THE UNKNOWN GOD." He used that altar as a starting point to tell them about the one true God—the Creator of heaven and earth—whom they did not yet know.

As Paul concluded his message, he explained that although God had previously overlooked people's ignorance in the sense that He had not yet brought the full revelation of Christ to all nations, the coming of Jesus changed everything. Now that the gospel had been revealed, God calls everyone, everywhere to repent—turn away from sin and turn to Him.

Meaning of Acts 17:30

The phrase "God winked at" does not mean God approved of sin. Rather, it means He was patient and forbearing toward people during times when they lacked the full knowledge of the gospel. But with the death and resurrection of Jesus Christ now proclaimed, God commands all people to repent and believe.

Simple Summary

Acts 17:30 is part of Paul's sermon in Athens. Speaking to people who worshiped many false gods, he declared that the one true God had revealed Himself through Jesus Christ. Because of this revelation, God now calls every person, regardless of nationality or background, to repent and prepare for the coming judgment through Christ.

4. Confess

These verses are part of a letter written by Paul to the Christians in Rome. In Romans chapter 10, Paul is explaining that salvation comes through faith in Jesus Christ, not by trying to earn righteousness

through keeping the Law of Moses.

Paul expresses his deep desire for his fellow Israelites to be saved. Although they were zealous for God,
many rejected Jesus as the promised Messiah because they sought righteousness through works rather than through faith (Romans 10:1–4).

Paul then explains that the message of salvation is available to everyone. A person is saved by believing in the heart that Jesus is the risen Lord and openly confessing Him. This confession is the outward expression of genuine inward faith—not merely saying words but sincerely trusting in Christ.

Immediately after these verses, Paul emphasizes that this promise is for everyone, saying:

"For whosoever shall call upon the name of the Lord shall be saved." (Romans 10:13)

Simple Summary

Romans 10:9–10 teaches that salvation is received by God's grace through faith in Jesus Christ. Paul wrote these verses to show that no one is saved by religious works or human effort. Instead, those who truly believe that Jesus died and rose again and openly confess Him as Lord receive the gift of salvation. These verses emphasize both heartfelt faith and public identification with Christ as the natural response to the gospel.

5. Be Baptized

Acts 2 takes place on the Day of Pentecost, about 50 days after Jesus' resurrection and 10 days after His ascension into heaven. The followers of Jesus were gathered together in Jerusalem when the Holy Spirit came upon them with the sound of a mighty rushing wind and tongues like fire (Acts 2:1–4). Filled with

the Holy Spirit, they began speaking in languages they had not learned, allowing visitors from many nations to hear God's works in their own languages.

A large crowd gathered, amazed and confused. Some believed a miracle had occurred, while others mocked the disciples and accused them of being drunk.

At that point, Peter stood up and preached the first gospel sermon after Jesus' resurrection. He explained that what they were witnessing fulfilled the prophecy of Joel and proclaimed that Jesus, whom many in the crowd had rejected and crucified, had been raised from the dead and made both Lord and Christ.

Peter's message deeply convicted the listeners. They asked:

"Men and brethren, what shall we do?" (Acts 2:37)

Acts 2:38 is Peter's answer to that question. He called them to repent, be baptized in the name of Jesus Christ, and receive the gift of the Holy Spirit.

Simple Summary

Acts 2:38 is Peter's response to people who were convicted after hearing the gospel on the Day of Pentecost. Having realized that Jesus is the promised Messiah, they asked how they should respond. Peter instructed them to repent, be baptized in Jesus' name, and receive the gift of the Holy Spirit, marking the beginning of the church's public proclamation of the gospel after Christ's resurrection.