Sullivan church of Christ – Sullivan, MO
Date: September 20, 2009
QUOTE FROM DAVID LIPSCOMB IN ERROR
“When a church is not engaged in active conflict with error within itself, it is floating down a broad stream to an
open hell. Those who introduce error are responsible when it presents itself a traitor to God, to Christ, who died
to root out error and establish truth — and who sent his servants into the world to prove all things and hold fast
that which is good — and are charged to contend earnestly for the faith once delivered to the saints. Brethren
complaining indiscriminately at all when engaged in controversies, those who oppose as well as those who
introduce error, throw their influence for the error. It says, ‘let error be introduced without opposition’ — error
with quietness is preferable to truth with controversy.”
— Gospel Advocate, Vol. XXVII, No. 45, Pg. 711, Nov., 11, 1885
THE LOGICAL ORDER OF THE PLAN OF SALVATION
Ben Justice
At the end of every sermon, I give God’s plan of salvation. This consists of:
1.) Hearing God’s Word
2.) Believing God’s Word
3.) Repenting of Sins
4.) Confessing Jesus to be God’s Son
5.) Be Baptized
Despite what many say and teach, this is the logical order of God’s plan to save man. In fact, many now deny
that a plan even exists. This has been characteristic of much of the religious world for years and years, but now,
it is true with regard to some in churches of Christ. For example, Rubel Shelly has said in time past,
It is a scandalous and outrageous lie to teach that salvation arises from human activity. We do not contribute
one whit to our salvation.
He further has stated,
Are we really looking for a pattern? We have taken Acts and tried to make it a rigid pattern. Acts was not meant
to be a pattern. I reject pattern theology. The Scriptures is not a book of case law to be cited like a bunch of
proof texts. The way to teach people about the Bible is not to quote a series of steps to salvation. I am not
looking for a pattern. I am looking for a person.
Such statements (and many others could be given) make God’s plan of salvation null and void. There would be
no need for a plan of salvation, according to some.
What about the issue at hand? Does it really matter what order the steps to salvation come in? Indeed it does.
In fact, one can’t possibly follow the other, unless the preceding one is indeed present. Paul sets for a very clear
and logical order to salvation in Rom. 10:13-15,
For whosoever shall call upon the name of the Lord shall be saved. (14) How then shall they call on him in whom
they have not believed? and how shall they believe in him of whom they have not heard? and how shall they hear
without a preacher? (15) And how shall they preach, except they be sent? . . .
Note that Paul goes in descending order. The order is given:
1.) Call upon the Lord
2.) Believe in Him
3.) Hear
4.) Preacher
Paul clearly states that one cannot “call” unless he believes. Thus, the calling comes after the believing. One
cannot “believe” unless he hears. And, one cannot “hear” without a preacher — that is being taught (cf. John 6:
45).
One issue that must be addressed is the issue of belief and repentance. Many in the denominational world
teach that repentance precedes belief and faith. For example, Billy Graham has consistently preached over the
years that one must (1) Repent, and (2) Believe. He is certainly correct concerning repentance and believing.
However, the order is all wrong. He places “repentance” before “belief” (see tract “Baptism: The Bible & Billy
Graham,” by Garland Elkins & James McGill). However, in every case of conversion, belief or faith precedes
repentance. And indeed, it must! This is the logical order. How can a person possibly repent of sins without
having faith? Faith or belief is that which motivates one to obey further acts of obedience.
In Acts 2:37, the inspired record tells us, “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?” The word “pricked” clearly
indicates their faith. How did Peter respond to their question? He said in v. 38, “Repent, and be baptized . . .”
Please note that repentance comes after faith. They already had faith. By the fact that Peter told them to repent
clearly implies they had not repented.
What about Acts 20:21, which states, “Testifying both to the Jews, and also to the Greeks, repentance toward
God, and faith toward our Lord Jesus Christ.” Is this a Biblical precedent for having repentance before faith? It
is not! To teach that repentance precedes faith is preposterous! Well then, how do we explain the fact that Paul
put repentance before faith? Note:
1.) To interpret a passage of scripture that would cause it to contradict or conflict with other scriptures on the
same subject is a wrong interpretation. In other words, to teach that one can repent before he has faith is to
contradict a whole host of other clear and forthright passages that teach faith must precede repentance (cf. Acts
2:37-38). “Godly sorrow works repentance” (2 Cor. 7:10). Godly sorrow obviously comes about because of one’s
faith, which in turn, prompts him to repent.
2.) In Acts 20:21, Paul was simply stating a fact in what he had preached. He was not setting forth any kind of
order — only the fact of what he had preached. And so, different points of emphasis are in view. It’s like me
saying that I preach baptism and repentance and confession. In stating such, I’m not setting forth any order,
just stating the fact that I preach these things. Not only that, but this passage does not represent the sum total
of what it takes to become a Christian. Immersion in water is also included (cf. Mark 16:16; Acts 2:38; 22:16;
Rom. 6:3-4; 1 Pet. 3:21).