1. The “Plan” of Salvation?
Is the concept Biblical?
Or an invention of man?
Reviving the Ancient Faith – The Story of Churches of Christ in America, Richard T. Hughes, Eerdmans Publishing Company, Grand Rapids, Michigan, 1996, pp
Claims that Walter Scott (a contemporary of Alexander Campbell) is the originator of the concept of the Plan of Salvation, consisting of 5 steps: H,B,R,C,B
Started off as 6 points in 1827: 3 requirements of man (belief, repentance, baptism); and 3 responses by God (forgiveness, the gift of H.S., eternal life)
He reduced it to 5 points (using fingers as a mnemonic device), by combing the Gift of the H.S. and eternal life into one.

2. Scott’s “Five-finger exercise”
“Scott’s “five-finger exercise” brand of preaching produced a significant result from the legalistic tendencies inherent in the primitivism and rationalism of both Scott and Alexander Campbell and in due time came to dominate Churches of Christ. When this happened, Scott’s heirs transformed the five-point plan from one that emphasized both the work of humankind and the gracious response of God to one that featured only the work of humankind.” (Hughes)
Our question, is Richard Hughes claim correct?
Is the concept he describes of a “plan of salvation“ the legalistic invention of man made philosophy?
Or, is it a defensible concept that has its origin in scripture?

3. We are saved by the GRACE OF GOD!
This must be, and is the central and preeminent truth of the Gospel!
John 3:16; Ephesians 2:8-9
This is, I think the most egregious misrepresentation of Hughes, and those like him…
Our emphasis in not only not exclusively on man’s work, it isn’t predominantly on man’s work.
We emphasize at every opportunity our dependence upon God’s unmerited favor for our salvation!
(John 3:16), “For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life.”
(Ephesians 2:8-9), “For by grace you have been saved through faith, and that not of yourselves; it is the gift of God, 9 not of works, lest anyone should boast.”

4. Our Question: IS EVERYONE SAVED?
If not, one of two possibilities
Jesus did not shed his blood for all
God requires something of man
No, everyone is not saved (going to heaven)
(Matthew 25:41) [Jesus, speaking of the day of Judgment], “Then He will also say to those on the left hand, ‘Depart from Me, you cursed, into the everlasting fire prepared for the devil and his angels.’”
(2 Thessalonians 1:9) [Paul wrote of some who…], “…shall be punished with everlasting destruction from the presence of the Lord and from the glory of His power.”
Jesus did shed his blood for all!
(1 Timothy 2:5-7), “For there is one God and one Mediator between God and men, the Man Christ Jesus, 6 who gave Himself a ransom for all, to be testified in due time, 7 for which I was appointed a preacher and an apostle—I am speaking the truth in Christ and not lying—a teacher of the Gentiles in faith and truth.”
Let’s examine the other possibility, that God requires something of man!

5. Can a man please God without FAITH?
“But without faith it is impossible to please Him, for he who comes to God must believe that He is, and that He is a rewarder of those who diligently seek Him.” (Hebrews 11:6)
Answer is NO!
So, Faith is required of man by God! (already ascertained from John 3:16 and Ephesians 2:8-9)
Is it legalistic to contend that a man must believe in order to be rewarded by God?
But, how is faith obtained?
(Romans 10:17), “So then faith comes by hearing, and hearing by the word of God.”
(Acts 2:36-37), [Peter’s Pentecost Sermon], “"Therefore let all the house of Israel know assuredly that God has made this Jesus, whom you crucified, both Lord and Christ."37 Now when they heard this, they were cut to the heart, and said to Peter and the rest of the apostles, "Men and brethren, what shall we do?“
If acknowledged, we have two parts of that so-called “legalistic” plan. 1) To be saved a man must hear the gospel of our Lord, this is logically necessary, because it is through such hearing that a man obtains 2) Belief in Christ!

6. Can a man receive forgiveness without REPENTANCE?
“Repent therefore and be converted, that your sins may be blotted out”
(Acts 3:19)
Answer is NO!
So, Repentance is required of man by God
(Acts 3:19-20), [Another sermon by Peter], “Repent therefore and be converted, that your sins may be blotted out, so that times of refreshing may come from the presence of the Lord, 20 and that He may send Jesus Christ, who was preached to you before…”
(Acts 2:38), “Then Peter said to them, "Repent, and let every one of you be baptized in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins…”
If acknowledged, we have the third part of that so-called “legalistic” plan. 1) To have your sins blotted out, or forgiven, you must repent (make a change).

7. Can a man be acknowledged by God without CONFESSING HIM?
“…whoever denies Me before men, him I will also deny before My Father who is in heaven.” (Matthew 10:33)
Answer is NO!
So, Confession is required of man by God
(Matthew 10:32-33), “Therefore whoever confesses Me before men, him I will also confess before My Father who is in heaven. 33 But whoever denies Me before men, him I will also deny before My Father who is in heaven.”
(Romans 10:8-10), “But what does it [the righteousness of faith] say? ‘The word is near you, in your mouth and in your heart’ (that is, the word of faith which we preach): 9 that if you confess with your mouth the Lord Jesus and believe in your heart that God has raised Him from the dead, you will be saved. 10 For with the heart one believes unto righteousness, and with the mouth confession is made unto salvation.”
If acknowledged, we have the fourth part of that so-called “legalistic” plan. 1) Unless we confess the name of Jesus Christ, we cannot be saved!

8. Can a man have his sins remitted without BAPTISM?
“Repent, and let every one of you be baptized in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins...” (Acts 2:38)
Answer is NO!
So, Baptism is required of man by God
(Acts 2:38), “Then Peter said to them, "Repent, and let every one of you be baptized in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins; and you shall receive the gift of the Holy Spirit.”
Note: “for” (eis), both with repentance and baptism (in order to obtain)
(cf. Matthew 26:20), “For this is My blood of the new covenant, which is shed for many for the remission of sins.”
(Mark 16:15-16), “And He said to them, ‘Go into all the world and preach the gospel to every creature. 16 He who believes and is baptized will be saved; but he who does not believe will be condemned.’”
If acknowledged, we have the fifth part of that so-called “legalistic” plan. 1) Unless we are baptized in the name of Jesus Christ, we cannot have our sins taken away!

9. Does God Require ANYTHING ELSE of man?
“…even so we also should walk in newness of life.” (Romans 6:4)
Answer is YES!
Many other things required for one who has had his sins washed away in the waters of baptism
Things like: moral living, worship of God, work in His vineyard, sharing the gospel, loving mankind, etc., etc., etc.
(Philippians 2:12-13), “Therefore, my beloved, as you have always obeyed, not as in my presence only, but now much more in my absence, work out your own salvation with fear and trembling; 13 for it is God who works in you both to will and to do for His good pleasure.”
However, it is at the point of baptism that a man becomes a new creature in Christ!
(Romans 6:3-4), “Or do you not know that as many of us as were baptized into Christ Jesus were baptized into His death? 4 Therefore we were buried with Him through baptism into death, that just as Christ was raised from the dead by the glory of the Father, even so we also should walk in newness of life.”
This is born out in all the examples of conversion found in the book of Acts!
(Acts 8:39), “Now when they came up out of the water, the Spirit of the Lord caught Philip away, so that the eunuch saw him no more; and he went on his way rejoicing.”

10. It is not legalism… It is obedience!
The “Plan” God has devised for man’s salvation contains conditions that we must meet!
It is not legalism… It is obedience!

11. God did His part. Will you do yours?
Hear (The Gospel)
Believe (The Gospel)
Repent (of your Sins)
Confess (Christ as the Son of God)
Be Baptized (in water, to wash away yours sins)