Romans 1:16 (KJV)

For I am not ashamed of the gospel of Christ: for it is the power of God unto salvation to everyone that believeth; to the Jew first, and also to the Greek.

We need to go back to the Bible pattern for the purpose of salvation, the place of salvation, and the plan of salvation. The hearer should be able to understand why salvation is necessary, where salvation is located, and how to obtain salvation.

In Romans 1:16, Paul is speaking of the gospel – the message that Jesus saves. The gospel is God’s power; this power is unto salvation to everyone that believeth and keeps believing.

The Purpose of Salvation (To redeem man to God)

Man has sinned.

  • Sin entered the world. (Genesis 2:16-17)
  • Sin separates man from God (Isaiah 59:1-2)
  • All have sinned. (Romans 3:23; 1 John 1:8-10)
  • All are deserving of death. (Romans 6:23; James 1:15)

Man needs redemption.

  • We cannot find redemption through riches. (Psalm 49:6,7)
  • We cannot find redemption through the blood of animal sacrifices. (Hebrews10:4)
  • We cannot find redemption through our own works. (Ephesians 2:9)
  • We cannot find redemption of our own devising and invention. (Jeremiah 10:23)

Christ came to redeem man with his blood sacrifice.

  • The Place of the Redeemed (Romans 3:24)
  • The People Redeemed (Titus 2:14)
  • The Propitiation for the Redeemed (Hebrews 9:12)
  • The Price of the Redeemed (1 Peter 1:18)

The Place of Salvation

Salvation is only in the name of Christ – by the authority of Christ. (Acts 4:12, Matthew 28:18, John 14:6) When one is saved, one is “in Christ.” No condemnation for those in Christ (Romans 8:1) Redemption is in Christ. (Romans 3:24) The love of God is in Christ. (Romans 8:39) Sanctification and sainthood are in Christ. (1 Corinthians 1:2) We always triumph in Christ. (2 Corinthians 2:14) We are new creatures in Christ. (2 Corinthians 5:17) Reconciliation with God is in Christ. (2 Corinthians 5:19-20) Christian liberty is in Christ. (Galatians 2:4) God’s power is in Christ. (Ephesians 1:19-20) God’s eternal purpose is made known in Christ. (Ephesians 3:11) Rejoicing is in Christ. (Philippians 3:3) Salvation is in Christ. (2 Timothy 2:10) All spiritual blessings are in Christ. (Ephesians 1:3)

The Plan of Salvation (Salvation is in Christ!)

How does one get into Christ?

  1. Hear
    Does merely hearing get us into Christ? One must hear to believe. (Romans 10:17) Hearing must be with a view toward obedience. (Matthew 7:24-27) Merely hearing does not get us into Christ because we must hear with a view toward obedience.
  2. Believe
    Does merely believing get us into Christ? Believing is terribly important; it is the foundation upon which salvation is laid. (John 3:16,17) Belief in the Christ is mandatory if we want to be saved. (Hebrews 11:6) But belief does not put one into Christ. (Romans 10:10, Romans 1:16) Some believe, yet are lost. (James 2:19) There were some pharisees who believed, but would not repent and confess. (John 12:42-43) Believing alone is not enough. We must change our ways and repent as well.
  3. Repent
    Does repentance get us into Christ? Repentance is mandatory for salvation. (Luke 13:3) God commands all men everywhere to repent. (acts 17:30) Repentance is necessary to avoid eternal perishing. (2 Peter 2:9) But repentance does not bring one into Christ. (Acts 11:18) Repentance, like faith, is toward or unto God. (Acts 20:21)
  4. Confess
    Does confession get us into Christ? CONFESSION IS NECESSARY TO BE SAVED. (Matthew 10:32,33) Confession is unto salvation. (Romans 10:10)
  5. Be baptized
    Does Baptism get us into Christ? We are baptized into the one body. (1 Corinthians 12:12-13) When we are baptized into Christ, we are baptized into his death. (Romans 6:3,4)