Niagara Falls Church of Christ

2011 Tennessee Ave.,  Niagara Falls, NY  14305

(716)285-6534 (716)285-6534 (for phone and fax)

James Lawrence, Herschel Walker - Elders

Eddie J. Cornelius, Minister Emeritus

"For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God:" (Eph. 2:8). We have discussed, briefly, how grace brings the Christian under the authority of the greatest High Priest of all times when he comes into the kingdom of God. We know that this happens when one submits to God's eternal purpose or plan as given in the New Testament. Now, let us consider the make up of that plan.

God's plan for saving man begins with his word. More directly, it begins with man's hearing His word. It is by hearing God's word that man learns how to please God (Heb. 11:6). It is by hearing God's word that the truth brought by Jesus Christ is learned. It is by hearing God's word that one is ". . .called . . . unto his kingdom and glory" (1 Thess. 2:12). It is by hearing the word of God that one is confronted with the basic choice of life.

"So then faith cometh by hearing and hearing by the word of God" (Rom. 10:17). Men today have much to say about faith, but usually, by faith they mean simply what they have chosen to believe, whether true or not, whether it accords with scripture or not. But, true faith, saving faith comes only from hearing the word of God. When one hears the word, he must decide whether or not he believes that word, and whether he will obey the commandments of the word. Those who believe will follow those commandments.

"I tell you, Nay: but, except ye repent, ye shall all likewise perish" (Luke 13:3,5). Having heard and believed God's word, one will be led to change his life. He will cease trying to please himself and begin to do that which is pleasing to God. The one who really believes God's word will recognize that it is the goodness of God that has led him to repentance (Rom. 2:4; 2 Cor. 7:9-10). As one changes the focus of his life he will come to recognize the value of Jesus Christ.

"Whosoever therefore shall confess me before men, him will I confess also before my Father which is in heaven. 33 But whosoever shall deny me before men, him will I also deny before my Father which is in heaven." These words spoken by Jesus lets us know the importance of publicly confessing Him. Rom. 10:9-10 teaches us that this oral confession leads to righteousness, that is, right doing, and ultimately to salvation. Once this public confession is made, there remains only one step.

Jesus commands baptism as the final step on the road to salvation (Matt. 28:19; Mark 16:16). This is confirmed unto us by Acts 2:38 which says: "Repent, and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins, and ye shall receive the gift of the Holy Ghost." And, again by Peter in 1 Pete. 3:21 which says ". . . baptism doth also now save us . . ."

This, and only this, plan will result in the salvation of the souls of men. Obey God!!!