God's plan of salvation | North East church of Christ

Unfortunately none of us have a “first-class ticket” to heaven.

Three crosses on a hill, representing the crucifixion of Jesus with the two criminals crucified by His side. — Now I declare to you, brothers, the Good News which I preached to you, which also you received, in which you also stand, by which also you are saved, if you hold firmly the word which I preached to you - unless you believed in vain. For I delivered to you first of all that which I also received: that Christ died for our sins according to the Scriptures, that he was buried, that he was raised on the third day according to the Scriptures ... (1 Corinthians 15:1-4).

Why not? Because the Creator is holy, and we are all sinners. This actually places a dilemma on God - who loves us. And, thanks be to Him, He has provided a way for us TO get to heaven!

The following is a summary of what the Bible teaches on this.

God: the Creator of all things (Genesis 1:1)

In the beginning God created the heavens and the earth.

Man has fallen short of God's standard (Romans 3:23)
God cannot tolerate sin. Psalm chapter 5, verses 4-6 -

For you are not a God who has pleasure in wickedness. Evil cannot live with you. The arrogant shall not stand in your sight. You hate all workers of iniquity. You will destroy those who speak lies. The LORD abhors the bloodthirsty and deceitful man.

Yet, God also is love (1 John 4:8; 2 Peter 3:9)

Jesus: the Son of God (Mark 1:1)

The beginning of the Good News of Jesus Christ, the Son of God.

Sent by the Father (John 3:16)
Died for our sins, was buried, raised the third day (1 Corinthians 15:3-4)
We need to believe this (1 John 5:9-11) - and confess it (state it publicly) (1 John 4:15)
We need to obey Him (Hebrews 5:8-9)

Jesus: the Head of the church (Matthew 16:18)

... on this rock I will build my church, and the gates of Hades will not prevail against it.

He is its builder and its head (Ephesians 1:22-23)
Jesus said, in John chapter 14, verse 15 -
“If you love me, keep my commandments.”
- and this must be without man's alterations (Matthew 15:8-9)
The way of entry includes repentance and baptism (Acts 2:37-38; Acts 2:41)
Organization is by local, autonomous churches. Each overseen by plurality of elders. The only head is Christ. (Acts 14:23)

The christian life (Romans 6:2-4)

... We who died to sin, how could we live in it any longer? Or do you not know that all we who were baptized into Christ Jesus were baptized into his death? We were buried therefore with him through baptism into death, that just as Christ was raised from the dead through the glory of the Father, so we also might walk in newness of life.

We must die to our old self, and live anew to Him (Romans 6:11-13)
We are now part of His body (Hebrews 10:24-25)
There is still much more to learn! (Matthew 28:19-20)

The "big picture" (2 Timothy 3:16-17)

All Scripture is inspired by God [literally, ‘God-breathed’] and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, and for instruction in righteousness, that the man of God may be complete, thoroughly equipped for every good work.