God's Plan of Redemption

The Pocket Gospel

he word “gospel” occurs frequently in the New Testament: 111 times in the Jubilee Bible, 106 Evangelical Heritage Version, 104 King James Version, 102 New Matthew Bible, 101 Modern English Version, 97 New American Standard Version, and 92 New International Version. The manuscript word ευαγγελιον (euaggelion, Strong, G2098) translated as gospel means “good news” and Christ expects us to announce the good news of redeemtion through His blood atonement. When the Greek letter gamma appears twice in succession, the first one is phonetically inflected as our letter N. The English word evangelize stems from this word and the word gospel itself comes from the Middle English words “goode spel” or good story. This phrase Good News appears 108 times in the New Testament of the World English Bible. The gospel was the core activity of Jesus’ ministry and He instructed His disciples to deliver this message to the entire world. “And the gospel must first be published among all nations,” Mark 13:10. Other examples might be, “And Jesus went about all Galilee, teaching in their synagogues, and preaching the gospel of the kingdom,” Matthew 4:23; or “The Spirit of the Lord is upon me, because he hath anointed me to preach the gospel” Luke 4:18. Apostle Paul certified that he preached this same true gospel, “I certify you, brethren, that the gospel which was preached of me is not after man. For I neither received it of man, neither was I taught it, but by the revelation of Jesus Christ,” Galatians 1:11-12. Evangelism is a continuing process of telling people about this same Good News concerning Jesus that the Apostles were announcing in their day.

Paraphrase Bibles of the New Testament rarely include the word gospel: 28 Living Bible, 18 Disciples’ New Testament, 7 Darby Translation, 5 New Living Translation, 2 New Century Version, 1 The Message, 1 International Children’s Bible, 1 New International Reader’s Version, and 0 times in the Contemporary English Version, Tree of Life Version, New Life Version, and World Wide English.

ut what is this gospel or good news? If evangelism is the process, then what is the content? We could spend a lot of worthwhile time researching the teachings of Jesus as found in the first four books of the New Testament, or we could focus on what some have called “The Pocket Gospel.” In a nutshell, we find the principal elements of the gospel message. Paul articulates, explains, and compresses much of the gospel in such a way as to provide us with a brief, yet easy way of understanding how God regards the human condition. His reasoning is simple and his interpretations are not at variance with any part of the narration of Matthew, Mark, Luke, and John. Paul gives us a welcome opportunity to enjoy the complexities of the message in a simple and brief offering.

Verse 23 - All Have Sinned

”For ALL have sinned, and come short of the glory of God.” All means every human being. Every man and woman has sinned and consequently is guilty. We’re all in the same boat. There are no exceptions. The present middle indicative of the manuscript text suggests a continued action, that is, we are “still falling short.” The International Standard Version captures this essence: “... and continue to fall short of God’s glory.” Thus, we are helpless to rectify our sinful condition. We initially fail to meet God’s supreme expectations and we continue to come up short no matter how we might try. Everyone is guilty. Although people differ greatly in the extent and seriousness of their sins, God sees no difference between the best and the worst of us as far as our own righteousness is concerned. No one is righteous. We are not only guilty of transgression against God but we continually fail to achieve the necessary requirements that would permit us to escape this condition. It is a hopeless situation if left to the ingenuity and imagination of mankind.

Verse 24 - Redemption Is Available

“Being justified freely by his grace through the REDEMPTION that is in Christ Jesus.” There is a remedy for our hopeless condition. God knew that we would forever be helpless and hopeless, so He established a plan whereby we could be justified, or found not guilty. Freely is a very expressive word and suggests that God wanted to expiate us from this situation without any remaining grudges. This was possible only because of grace. God loves us so much that He made the first move, even though we did not deserve it. Apostle John explains this love. “For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life,” John 3:16. Through grace we have been declared guiltless. We have been redeemed from the bondage of sin. Redeem means to buy back or to reclaim something that was previously owned. Originally we belonged to God but lost that position when sin entered the world and separated us. Because we were helpless and because God loved us so much, a special way of escape was provided. Without merit on our part, God furnished a way for us to escape our sinful condition through His matchless and indescribable love. Grace is a word that attempts to describe this unfathomable love. God loves us even though we do not deserve it. “For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God: Not of works, lest any man should boast,” Ephesians 2:8-9. This way of escape is a gift. A gift of love.

Verse 25 - Through God’s Substitute

“Whom God hath set forth to be a PROPITIATION through faith in his blood, to declare his righteousness for the remission of sins that are past, through the forbearance of God.” Ok then, a way has been provided but what is that way? In this verse the word “Whom” is that way and refers to Jesus of the previous verse. Christ is the one who is our propitiation. This infrequently used word means to conciliate or appease. Christ became a substitute for us in order to appease the righteous standards of God. The righteousness that God expects is acquired by us through our “faith in his blood” (Christ). Forbearance is generally defined as “a refraining from the enforcement of something that is due.” Thus, during former periods of human iniquity, God was forgiving earnest pleas of repentance by patiently looking forward to Christ’s future redemptive work. Refraining from enforcement further exemplifies God’s true love and grace during Old Testament times, a period not usually identified with grace. This might suggest that there is more evidence of grace in the Old Testament than one might initially consider. Jesus died for everyone so that they may experience the fullness of God’s unmerited love. “But we see him who has been made a little lower than the angels, Jesus, because of the suffering of death crowned with glory and honor, that by the grace of God he should taste of death for everyone,” Hebrews 2:9. Now, instead of being guilty, we are free. We have been redeemed or purchased back by God. “Know ye not that your body is the temple of the Holy Ghost which is in you, which ye have of God, and ye are not your own? For ye are bought with a price: therefore glorify God in your body, and in your spirit, which are God’s,” 1 Corinthians 6:19-20. Our appropriate response to this grace is to exemplify our gratitude by telling others about the gospel or Good News.

t least three observations may reasonably be concluded from this passage of Scripture. (1) God has made a negative observation of the human condition, (2) God has therefore accomplished a means of redemption from that condition, and (3) we are informed that Jesus is the means whereby we are redeemed from that condition. He was and still is our propitiation for the appeasement of God, because of our faith in God’s redemptive work through Christ. This message of freedom from sin through faith is the “good news” that Jesus proclaimed during His earthly ministry, and further commanded believers to likewise announce to the rest of the world (Matthew 28:19-20). Jesus did not spend three years telling people that they were sinful (bad news which they knew), but rather telling them that God was preparing a means of escape from their sinful condition through faith (good news which they wanted to hear). Should not we also be likewise demonstrating our gratitude to God by spreading this Good News? “Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father who is in heaven,” Matthew 5:16.

Divinity of Jesus

Crown Widely accepted within evangelical Christianity is the belief that Jesus is equal with God the Father in every way. This emanates from various sources. Personal study of the Bible. Garnering biblical resources from the Internet. Observing teachings from Sunday School. Listening to sermons of a pastor. Analyzing the content of mission statements. Reading curriculum from Seminary or Bible College. In this section we address this concern with the following biblical and historical citations. Items in Red are the very words of Jesus as found in the Gospel of John Chapter 5, following the healing by Jesus of a man lying near the pool of Bethesda, on the Sabbath. Items in Blue represent the beliefs of New Testament writers, early church bishops, and historic Church Council decisions. Scriptures are taken from the New King James Version.

John Chapter 5: Verse 17 “But Jesus answered them, My Father has been working until now, and I have been working.” Jesus was defending His healing activities on the Sabbath by saying that God maintains the universe on every Sabbath, and since He is equal with God (the Father), then He may also work on the Sabbath. These Jewish authorities had just witnessed Jesus healing a lame man on the Sabbath. They understood precisely what Jesus meant because of their response in the very next verse.
Verse 18 “Therefore the Jews sought all the more to kill Him, because He not only broke the Sabbath, but also said that God was His Father, making Himself equal with God.”
Verse 19 “Then Jesus answered and said to them, Most assuredly, I say to you, the Son can do nothing of Himself, but what He sees the Father do; for whatever He does, the Son also does in like manner.” Jesus meant that since He was equal with God, together they would naturally do everything in the same way.
Verse 20 “For the Father loves the Son, and shows Him all things that He Himself does; and He will show Him greater works than these, that you may marvel.” Jesus continues to escalate the discussion now by declaring that He knows everything that God knows. They share the same Nature, they share the same Process, and now they share the same Knowledge. Whatever the Father knows, the Son knows. This may have been the most profound and challenging statement of the moment.
Verse 21 “For as the Father raises the dead and gives life to them, even so the Son gives life to whom He will.” Jesus declares to have the same Authority over Life and Death as the Father. Jesus does not pretend to serve as only a representative for God. Jesus acts as though He is God. He does not first seek Gods permission to raise the dead. He just does it and however He is predisposed to accomplish it. (Matthew 9:25, Luke 7:15)
Verse 22 “For the Father judges no one, but has committed all judgment to the Son.” After this length of time, what thoughts might have been in the minds of these earthly Jewish authorities clothed in their glamorous attire? Standing before them is another Jewish man in sandals and ordinary clothing, having been an ordinary craftsman from Galilee, not educated to their acceptability, who is claiming to be equal with God and further claiming to possess the authority to judge all mankind. His decisions will be final. There will be no appeal.
Verse 23 “That all should honor the Son just as they honor the Father. He who does not honor the Son does not honor the Father who sent Him.” Verse by verse and point by point, Jesus continues to escalate the argument by now declaring that both the Father and the Son should be honored in the same manner and to the same degree. And since they are co-equals, the reverse is also true. To dishonor the Son is to dishonor the Father as well.
Verse 24 “Most assuredly, I say to you, he who hears My word and believes in Him who sent Me has everlasting life, and shall not come into judgment, but has passed from death into life.” To hear the voice of Jesus is to hear the voice of God the Father. To believe in Jesus is to believe in God. Subsequent to all the former verse by verse escalations, this verse requires a level of acceptance which is almost beyond their comprehension. Hearing and believing the words of Jesus determines the difference between eternal life and eternal damnation, which is diametrically opposed to everything they have been taught. “We be Abraham's seed,” John 8:33. For these authorities, eternal acceptance by God is simply being Jewish and living faithfully to the Laws of Moses, and their own interpretations of those Laws. To even suggest eternal damnation as a real possibility for them is more than objectionable, it would have been repugnant and blasphemous.
See the full article of John 5:17-24, The Deity of Jesus Christ.
Compare the text of Mark 4:39, “He awoke, and rebuked the wind, and said to the sea, ‘Peace! Be still!’ The wind ceased, and there was a great calm,” -WITH- Psalm 89:9, “You (God) rule the raging of the sea, when the waves arise, You still them,” -AND- Psalm 107:25, “For He commands and raises the stormy wind, which lifts up the sea waves.” This Galilean incident is more than previous miracles of healing the blind, the lame, and the withered. Jesus was revealing His true identity to the twelve disciples, for only God may control the dynamic powers of nature. Thus, God and Jesus are equivalent in power and identity.

APOSTLE JOHN states in 20:28 “And Thomas answered and said unto him, My Lord and my God!” Being the most skeptical of the Twelve, his witness demands greater authentication when he states that Jesus is God. Here is the man who insisted on seeing the very marks of crucifixion before he would believe in the resurrection of Jesus. Thomas was an obvious skeptic who then believed that Jesus was God after seeing the evidence.
APOSTLE PAUL in speaking to the Elders from the Church at Ephesus states in Acts 20:28: “Take heed therefore unto yourselves, and to all the flock, over the which the Holy Ghost hath made you overseers, to feed the Church of God, which he hath purchased with his own blood.” Of particular notice is the phrase “Church of God” (Greek, εκκλησιαν του Θεου, assembly of God). This is a unique substitution of words, for Jesus specifically stated in Matthew 16:18 that it was His Church: “Upon this rock, I will build My church,” i.e. the Church of Jesus Christ. Paul’s inclusion of the word God is paramount because he esteems the words Jesus and God to be interchangeable. This is reinforced with the words, “purchased with His own blood” – referring to Jesus. It was not purchased with the blood of God, unless God and Jesus are equal.
POLYCARP (69-155 AD), bishop of Smyrna, employs this very same phrase in his letter to the Philippians, “Polycarp and the presbyters with him, to the Church of God, the one residing in Philippi. Mercy to you and peace from God the all-powerful and Jesus Christ our Savior be multiplied.” Polycarp believed that the words Jesus and God were equally interchangeable. If the word Jesus would have appeared in his text instead of God, then there would be no correlation.
JUSTIN MARTYR (100-166 AD) was beheaded for defending the Christian faith against paganism. He writes in First Apology, Chapter 10: “ For the restraint which human laws could not effect, the Word (Jesus), inasmuch as He is divine, would have effected ....” He viewed Jesus and God as being co-equal.
IRENAEUS (125-203 AD) and pupil of Polycarp, known as “The Gnostic Fighter” states in Against Heresies, Book 1 Chapter 10: “Christ Jesus, the Son of God, who became incarnate for our salvation ... in order that to Christ Jesus, our Lord and God, and Savior, and King, according to the will of the invisible Father.”
TERTULLIAN (155-240 AD), a prolific writer and ardent defender of the faith states in Against Praxeas, Chapter 15: “For although the Word was God, yet was He with God, because He is God of God.”
CLEMENT OF ALEXANDRIA (150-215 AD) states in Exhortation to the Greeks 1:7:1 (about 190 AD) “The Word, then, the Christ, is the cause both of our ancient beginning ... for he was in God … and of our well-being. And now this same Word has appeared as man. He alone is both God and man, and the source of all our good things.” Origen (185-254 AD) scholar and theologian of Alexandria states in The Fundamental Doctrines 1:0:4 (about 225 AD) “He in the last times, divesting Himself (of His glory), became a man, and was incarnate although God, and while made a man remained the God which He was.”
COUNCIL OF NICEA (325 AD) “And in one Lord Jesus Christ, the Son of God, the only-begotten of the Father, that is of the SUBSTANCE (homoousios, Greek, ομοουςιος) of the Father; God of God, Light of light, true God of true God; begotten not made, Consubstantial with the Father.”
ST. PATRICK of Ireland (387?-461?) states in Confession of St. Patrick 4 (about 452 AD) “Every tongue should confess that Jesus Christ is Lord and God, in whom we believe.”
CATECHISM OF THE CATHOLIC CHURCH: CCC 430, “Jesus means in Hebrew: ‘God saves.’ At the annunciation, the angel Gabriel gave him the name Jesus as his proper name, which expresses both His identity and his mission. Since God alone can forgive sins, it is God who, in Jesus his eternal Son made man, ‘will save his people from their sins’ in Jesus, God recapitulates all of his history of salvation on behalf of men.”

Free Will vs Free Choice

If God is sovereign and already knows who is going to heaven and to hell, do we really have a choice? You most probably have heard the term “Free Will.” What does this theological term actually mean? These two questions have caused a lot of heated arguments and unfortunate divisions among Christians. A thoughtful examination of these biblical concepts should hopefully answer these questions and mitigate opposing points of view. Let’s first address the subject of Free Will. Sovereignty is a word that means supreme authority with unlimited power to generate anything into existence. Only God has the freedom to will anything into existence and maintain it as He desires.

Psalm 115:3 “Our God is in the heavens, and he does as he wishes.”
Psalm 103:19 “The Lord has established His throne in the heavens, and His kingdom rules over all.”
Isaiah 46:10 “My counsel shall stand, and I will do all My good pleasure.”
Jeremiah 32:19 “Ah Lord God! Truly, You have made the heavens and the earth by Your great power and outstretched arm, and there is nothing too hard for You.”

This means that God has the right to do whatever He chooses. God does not ask for permission to accomplish His intentions. Thus, only God has the “freedom” to “will” any desired outcome. We do not have unlimited “free will.” We do not have the free will to exist in ten different locations at the same time. We do not have the free will to lift a ton of bricks above our heads with only our two bare hands. We lack the means to do whatever we want, whenever we want, and however we want. Only God possesses this exclusionary freedom.

This is where “Free Choice” joins the discussion. We possess the freedom of choice to visit ten different locations at ten different times. We possess the freedom to lift a ton of bricks above our heads with our bare hands if we employ the mechanical advantage of more than one pulley. We have free choice but not free will. It is the good pleasure of God to not interfere with our free choice of faith, or the objectives of the Church would soon become ineffective. Happily it is God’s free-will pleasure to grant us the freedom of choice because He loves us. We are redeemed by the atonement of Jesus’ death and resurrection to be justified through faith to receive eternal life. Therefore, God’s free will and our free choice work together in complete harmony. Understanding the difference between these two freedoms is hopefully reassuring. We are justified then adopted then sanctified and finally glorified with the return of Jesus for His Church.

GOD OFFERS UNRESTRICTED FREE CHOICE.

Deuteronomy 30:19 “I call heaven and earth to witnesses against you this day, that I have set before you life and death, blessing and curse. Therefore choose life, that both you and your descendants may live.” (God speaking through Moses)
2 Samuel 24:12 “Thus says the Lord: Three options I am laying before you. Choose for yourself one of them, and I will do this to you.”
Malachi 3:10 “Bring all the tithes into the storehouse, that there may be food in My house, and TEST ME NOW IN THIS, says the Lord of Hosts, if I will not open for you the windows of heaven and pour out for you a blessing, that there will not be room enough to receive it.”
Matthew 10:32-33 “Whoever will confess Me before men, him will I confess also before My Father who is in heaven. But whoever will deny Me before men, him will I also deny before My Father who is in heaven.”
Matthew 16:19 “I will give you the keys of the kingdom of heaven, and whatever you bind on earth shall be bound in heaven, and whatever you loose on earth shall be loosed in heaven.”
John 12:25 “He who loves his life will lose it. And he who hates his life in this world will keep it for eternal life.”
Galatians 6:7 “Be not deceived. God is not mocked. For whatever a man sows, that will he also reap.”

DIVINE ATTRIUTES OF GOD NEVER CHANGE.

Malachi 3:6 “For I am the Lord, I do not change.”
Numbers 23:19 “God is not a human being, that he should lie, or a mortal, that he should change his mind.”

DECISIONS OF GOD MAY ADJUST ACCORDING TO THE DECISIONS OF PEOPLE.

Luke 13:34 “O Jerusalem, Jerusalem, which kills the prophets and stones those who are sent to you! How often would I have gathered your children together, as a hen gathers her chicks under her wings, but you were not willing!”
2 Chronicles 24:20 “And the Spirit of God came upon Zechariah the son of Jehoiada the priest, which stood above the people, and said unto them, Thus saith God, Why do you transgress the commandments of the Lord, that you cannot prosper? Because you have forsaken the Lord, thus he has also forsaken you.”
Ezekiel 18:32 “For I have no pleasure in the death of anyone who dies, says the Lord God. Therefore, repent and live.”
James 4:2 “You have not, because you ask not.”

Too often, well intending Christians enter into discussions which unfortunately confuse these two concepts of the will. God has the freedom to will. Christians have the freedom to choose. John 3:16-17 is probably the most memorized of all Bible verses because God extends His invitation of grace to a world of people because He loves them. It has that personal appeal.

“For God so loved the world that he gave his only begotten Son, that whoever believes in him should not perish, but have eternal life. for God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but that the world through him might be saved.” (The World in this context refers to people, not the earth).

BELIEF, BELIEVE, BELIEVING IS KEY TO SALVATION.

William Edwy Vine defines these New Testament words in his monumetal 1940, “Complete Expository Dictionary of Old & New Testament Words” in the verb form as PISTEUO (πιστευω, G4100), “to believe” and “to be persuaded of” and “to place confidence in” and also “to trust” which signifies, in this sense of the word, reliance upon, not mere credence. It is most frequent in the writings of the apostle John, especially the Gospel. He does not use the noun form. For the Lord’s first use of the verb, see Matthew 8:13. Of the writers of the Gospels, Matthew uses the verb ten times, Mark ten, Luke nine, John ninety-nine. In Acts 5:14 the present participle of the verb is translated “believers.”.

In the noun form: PISTIS (πιστισ, G4102, “faith”), is translated “belief” in Rom. 10:17; 2 Thess. 2:13. Believing is the main component of a conviction respecting God and His Word and the believer’s own relationship to God.

Am I Saved

How may anyone know for certain that personal salvation through the rich grace of God has been granted and received? The ubiquitous word Election is delightful to some and frightful to others and simply confusing to many. Compare the text of Matthew 13:13 “Therefore I speak to them in parables: Because they look, but do not see. And they listen, but they do not hear, neither do they understand,” with the seemingly opposite interpretation from Apostle Paul in 1 Timothy 2:4 “God desires all men to be saved and to come to the knowledge of the truth.” Why does Jesus speak in parables and Paul does not?

Parables will not be found in the Gospel of Matthew until chapter 13. Not found in the Sermon on the Mount or immediately following. Jesus gave the pure truths of God to everyone without limitation. That changed profoundly in Chapter 12 when He was accused of working in partnership with the devil. Jesus then began sharing genuine truths of God to everyone, but only to be understood through faith, which His detractors did not possess. In this case, a discreet lesson is illustrated by placing an easily understood story in parallel to the intended understanding. Parable comes from Parallel. By the application of faith, a spiritually inclined individual will understand these biblical truths. Jesus may also have been mercifully dismissing further judgement on the Pharisees because of their continuing lack of understanding through faith. “Jesus said to them, If you were blind, you would have no sin; but now you say, ‘We see’ Therefore your sin remains,” John 9:41.

So, am I saved? Elected or damned? Any individual damned before the foundation of the world (Ephesians 1:4) would not think of asking those questions. It’s not even on their radar. They desire living for the sinful pleasures of the world. They are “children of disobedience” as Paul writes in Ephesians 2:2. The mere fact that these questions are being sought after is genuine evidence of salvation, because only a saved individual would be concerned about his or her eternal state with God. The TNT of the Bible is Romans TEN NINE TEN, “If you confess with your mouth Jesus is Lord, 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.” Relax. If you’re asking these very questions and reading this document, it is because the Holy Spirit has prompted your desire to be reassured of your eternal state.

God truly wants all people to be saved (1 Timothy 2:4, Romans 5:18, 1 John 2:2, 2 Peter 3:9). However, only through faith will that happen. A good test of salvation will also be found in 1 John 5:1 “Whoever believes that Jesus is the Christ is born of God.” One might venture to say that all of 1 John was written to saved individuals, especially 1 John 5:13 “ I have written these things to you who believe in the name of the Son of God, that you may know that you have eternal life.” Grace is a gift from God to be received in faith by each of us. If your curiosity has sufficed to this point, it may be confidently assumed that you have been saved.

Redemption For All

God extends His grace and mercy to everyone through the atonement of His Son, Jesus Christ. He wishes for everyone to be saved and inherit eternal life. John 1:29 “The next day John saw Jesus coming toward him and said, Look, the Lamb of God, who takes away the sin of the world.” and 1 John 2:2 “He is the atoning sacrifice for our sins, and not for ours only, but also for the sins of the whole world.” World in this verse applies to people, for the atoning work of Jesus could not apply to the material substance of the earth itself.

ATONING SACRIFICE Greek Manuscript (ιλασμος, ilasmos, James Strong Greek Dictionary G2434) Atone, Appease, Expiate.
SIN Greek ({h}αμαρτια, amartia, Strong G266) Wrongdoing, Transgression
WHOLE Greek ({h}óλος, olos, Strong G3650) All, Everything, Sum Total
WORLD Greek (κοσμος, kosmos, Strong G2889) People, Earth, Heavens, Universe (by implied context) Matthew 12:32 Heaven or Eternity; Mark 16:15 Inhabited Earth; Luke 2:1 Roman Empire; John 12:19 People; Ephesians 3:9 Universe

Remember this very simple axiom: Manuscripts Rule & Grammar Explains. Follow the grammar of Apostle Paul recorded in Romans 9:22-23 as he describes WHO is active and WHO is passive, and which verb is PLURAL (to vessels) and which is SINGULAR (to God). Individuals have the choice to believe or not to believe. Everyone (Greek πας, pas, Strong G3956) is not curtailed by the following:

Romans 10:9 “If you confess with your mouth Jesus is Lord, and believe in your heart that God has raised Him from the dead, you will be saved.”
Romans 10:13 “Everyone who calls on the name of the Lord shall be saved.”
Titus 2:11 “For the grace of God has appeared, bringing salvation for all people.”
1 John 5:1 “Everyone who believes that Jesus is the Christ has been born of God, and everyone who loves the Father loves whoever has been born of him.”
2 Peter 3:9 “The Lord is not slow concerning His promise, as some count slowness. But He is patient with us, because He does not want any to perish, but all to come to repentance.”

Foundation of Redemption

The biblical author who best addresses the initiation and scope of God’s Plan of Redemption or Salvation is Apostle Paul. He states in Galatians 1:11-12: “But I certify you, brethren, that the gospel which was preached of me is not after man. For I neither received it of man, neither was I taught it, but by the revelation of Jesus Christ.” Paul did not receive his understanding of God and the earthly ministry of Christ from a seminary, a college, literary works, or another gifted individual. What he knows about Jesus has been an ongoing revelation communicated to him directly by Jesus over a span of many years. This relation started on the road to Damascus where he was first introduced to Jesus, “And he fell to the earth, and heard a voice saying unto him, Saul, Saul, why persecutest thou me? And he said, Who art thou, Lord? And the Lord said, I am Jesus whom thou persecutest,” Acts 9:5-6. Over the years Jesus continued to reveal many things to Paul as well as frequent bodily appearances such as at Corinth, Acts 18:9-10: “Then spake the Lord to Paul in the night by a vision, Be not afraid, but speak, and hold not thy peace: For I am with thee, and no man shall set on thee to hurt thee: for I have much people in this city,”. See also Acts 16:16, 20:35, 22:18-21, 23:11, Acts 27:24, and Romans 14:11.

In the first chapter of his letter to the church at Ephesus, Paul carefully explains many details of this redemptive plan of God for humanity through the atonement and resurrection of Jesus. He outlines the broad scope of God’s intervention into the human race. Many details exhibit a higher understanding of God’s plan not previously revealed in the four Gospel accounts. For example, God chose people to be recipients of grace before there were nations, cultures, or races. God intended his love to be available, unbounded by lines of nationality or colors of the skin. It was a decision of personal grace untarnished by environment, heritage, privilege, social class, breeding, intellect, appearance, clan tartan, wealth, or talent. God made a decision before the foundation of the world. Before there was humankind.

EPHESIANS 1:4: “According as he hath chosen us in him before the foundation of the world, that we should be holy and without blame before him in love.”

Scholars have interpreted the words “foundation of the world” in various ways. Does this mean before the Genesis record and before the earth actually took shape? After Genesis at some foundational moment of history? Sometime during the Genesis account? This moment in time may not be as important to our current study as the more obvious fact that God was revealing a redemptive plan for humanity and that this decision took place at some point in time. Chosen indicates a decisive action. God decided to do something. It was proactive, not reactive. God does not operate through trial and error, caprice, or afterthought. The Divine does not play quarterback on Monday morning for all the details of Sunday’s game were known the previous Friday. God’s actions are the result of omniscient wisdom and prudence. Biblical commentator Albert Barnes emphasizes that “us” means God had individuals in mind, not a specific community or nation: “It includes Paul himself as one of the chosen or elected and those whom he addressed, i.e., the mingled Gentile and Jewish converts in Ephesus.” Love and providential grace was the motivation. God wanted people to live in holiness, without blame or reproach. This plan began a very long time before the prophet Isaiah wrote the first Messianic prediction.

EPHESIANS 1:5: “Having predestinated us unto the adoption of children by Jesus Christ to himself...”

We were elected by God to be adopted as His children through Jesus. The Greek manuscript word for predestinated literally means to “set bounds before” or “pre-determine.” Calvinism understands election as an irresistible choice to grace while Arminianism perceives election as a willful decision to receive grace. Regardless of which theology is ultimately correct the significance for this study remains that a Plan had been initiated and God is describing through Paul how it is being deployed. We are to be adopted by God through Jesus, thus Jesus Christ is at the heart of this Plan. Adopted means that we are being accepted into a new family, that our heavenly Father wants to give us a better home than the father of our sinful earthly condition.

EPHESIANS 1:6: “To the praise of the glory of his grace, wherein he hath made us accepted in the beloved.”

The Plan is being instituted because of grace, or God’s unmerited love. To further understand this Plan we must better understand the quality of God’s love, for it is the centrality of the Plan. God’s special love is the reason that the Plan was initiated in the first place. Without grace there would be no Plan. “The Beloved” refers to Jesus. The ancient Syriac and Ethiopic versions read, “his own beloved Son.” Some translations capitalize the word Beloved. Paul meant Jesus and translators clearly understand this point. The Contemporary English Version (CEV) actually reads, “because of the Son”. We are therefore acceptable to God because of Jesus. The Plan is a result of God’s undeserved grace through the special ministry of Jesus and is worthy of our praise or gratitude.

EPHESIANS 1:7 “In whom we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of sins, according to the riches of his grace.”

“In whom” (Jesus) we have redemption. We are purchased of God because of the death of Jesus, “Through His Blood.” Commentator Adam Clark states: “Christ’s blood was the redemption price paid down for our salvation: and this was according to the riches of his grace; as his grace is rich or abundant in benevolence“. Thus far we know that God initiated a Plan with Jesus as its principle agent and that it all takes place because of the special grace or unmerited love of God.

EPHESIANS 1:8 “Wherein he hath abounded toward us in all wisdom and prudence.”

Paul exuberantly declares that God’s love is unconfined, beyond measure. This Plan is the result of God’s unlimited wisdom and excellent judgment. There is intelligent design behind it. We do not behold the final result as that of a scheme or accident, but rather a skillfully crafted and marvelously instituted process. We see here not a reticent God of desperation but a loving Divine richness that is boldly and precisely defined.

EPHESIANS 1:10 “That in the dispensation of the fulness of times he might gather together in one all things in Christ.”

When God decided that the time was right, all things would be finally reconciled to God because of the special redemptive ministry of Jesus Christ.

EPHESIANS 1:20 “Which he wrought in Christ, when he raised him from the dead, and set him at his own right hand in the heavenly places.”

That special time came to pass when God raised Jesus from the dead and placed Him in heaven at “his own right hand,” in other words, the most favored place of honor. In ancient times, the right hand of the kings’s throne was the most privileged and enviable of any place in the kingdom.

EPHESIANS 1:21 “Far above all principality, and power, and might, and dominion, and every name that is named, not only in this world, but also in that which is to come.”

The short explanation is that God has placed Jesus in a more favored and powerful place of honor than anything else in existence. Jesus is above (more important) than anyone or anything else, now and at any time in the future. This might simply be expressed in the street language of our day as: “Jesus is it!”

Characteristics of God from Scripture

God is love

For God so loved the world , that He gave His only Son, that whosoever believeth in Him should not perish, but have everlasting life. John 3:16
Let us love one another; for love is of God ; and every one that loveth is born of God, and knoweth God. He that loveth not knoweth not God; for God is love . 1 John 4:7,8
But God commendeth his love toward us , in that, while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us. Much more then, being now justified by his blood, we shall be saved from wrath through him. Romans 5:8,9
Nor height, nor depth, nor any other creature, shall be able to separate us from the love of God , which is in Christ Jesus our Lord. Romans 8:39
But whoso keepeth his word, in him verily is the love of God perfected: hereby know we that we are in him. 1 John 2:5
Keep yourselves in the love of God , looking for the mercy of our Lord Jesus Christ unto eternal life. Jude 21

God is sovereign

The king’s heart is in the hand of the LORD, as the rivers of water: He turneth it whithersoever He will . Proverbs 21:1
I am the Lord thy God, which have brought thee out of the land of Egypt, out of the house of bondage. Thou shalt have no other gods before me . Exodus 20:2-3
Ye shall make you no idols nor graven image, neither rear you up a standing image, neither shall ye set up any image of stone in your land, to bow down unto it: for I am the Lord your God . Leviticus 26:1
Ye are my witnesses, saith the Lord, and my servant whom I have chosen: that ye may know and believe me, and understand that I am he: before me there was no God formed, neither shall there be after me. I, even I, am the Lord; and beside me there is no saviour . Isaiah 43:10,11
Thou hast praised the gods of silver, and gold, of brass, iron, wood, and stone, which see not, nor hear, nor know : and the God in whose hand thy breath is, and whose are all thy ways, hast thou not glorified. Daniel 5:23
Thus saith the Lord the King of Israel, and his redeemer the Lord of hosts; I am the first, and I am the last; and beside me there is no God . Isaiah 44:6
I am Alpha and Omega, the beginning and the ending , saith the Lord, which is, and which was, and which is to come, the Almighty. Revelation 1:8
Yet I am the Lord thy God from the land of Egypt, and thou shalt know no god but me: for there is no saviour beside me . Hosea 13:4
Is there a God beside me? yea, there is no God ; I know not any. Isaiah 44:8
Forasmuch then as we are the offspring of God , we ought not to think that the Godhead is like unto gold, or silver, or stone, graven by art and man’s device. Act 17:29

Sin separates people from God

For the wages of sin is death ; but the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord. Romans 6:23
There is none righteous, no, not one , there is not that understandeth, there is none that seeketh after God they are all gone out of the way, they are together become unprofitable; there is none that doeth good, no, not one. For all have sinned and come short of the glory of God. Romans 3:10,11,12,23
Then when lust hath conceived, it bringeth forth sin: and sin, when it is finished, bringeth forth death . James 1:15
Know ye not, that to whom ye yield yourselves servants to obey, his servants ye are to whom ye obey; whether of sin unto death , or of obedience unto righteousness? Romans 6:16
Choosing rather to suffer affliction (Moses) with the people of God, than to enjoy the pleasures of sin for a season . Hebrews 11:25
He that committeth sin is of the devil ; for the devil sinneth from the beginning. For this purpose the Son of God was manifested, that he might destroy the works of the devil. 1 John 3:8

The penalty for sin is separation in hell

For the wages of sin is death ; but the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord. Romans 6:23
And fear not them which kill the body, but are not able to kill the soul: but rather fear him which is able to destroy both soul and body in hell . Matthew 10:28
And these shall go away into everlasting punishment ; but the righteous into life eternal. Matthew 25:46
Then shall he say also unto them on the left hand, Depart from me, ye cursed, into everlasting fire , prepared for the devil and his angels. Matthew 25:41
Or do you not know that the unrighteous shall not inherit the kingdom of God ? Do not be deceived; neither fornicators, nor idolaters, nor adulterers, nor effeminate, nor homosexuals, nor thieves, nor the covetous, nor drunkards, nor revilers, nor swindlers, shall inherit the kingdom of God. 1 Corinthians 6:9,10 (NASV)
And I saw the dead, small and great, stand before God; and the books were opened; and another book was opened, which is the book of life and the dead were judged out of those things which were written in the books, according to their works. And whosoever was not found written in the book of life was cast into the lake of fire . Revelation 20:12,15
The hour is coming, in which all that are in the graves shall hear his voice, and shall come forth;they that have done good, unto the resurrection of life; and they that have done evil, unto the resurrection of damnation . John 5:28-29 (See also Revelation 20:5-6)
And in hell he lift up his eyes, being in torments , and seeth Abraham afar off, and Lazarus in his bosom. And he cried and said, Father Abraham, have mercy on me. Luke 16:23,24
Every tree that bringeth not forth good fruit is hewn down, and cast into the fire . Matthew 7:19
So the servants of the householder came and said unto him, Sir, didst not thou sow good seed in thy field? from whence then hath it tares? He said unto them, An enemy hath done this. The servants said unto him, Wilt thou then that we go and gather them up? But he said, Nay; lest while ye gather up the tares, ye root up also the wheat with them. Let both grow together until the harvest: and in the time of harvest I will say to the reapers, Gather ye together first the tares, and bind them in bundles to burn them : but gather the wheat into my barn. Matthew 13:27-30
As therefore the tares are gathered and burned in the fire; so shall it be in the end of this world. The Son of man shall send forth his angels, and they shall gather out of his kingdom all things that offend, and them which do iniquity; And shall cast them into a furnace of fire: there shall be wailing and gnashing of teeth . Matthew 13:41-42

Jesus is the Redeemer and Author of Salvation

Looking unto Jesus the author and finisher of our faith ; who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is set down at the right hand of the throne of God . Hebrews 12:2
The Lord thy God will raise up unto thee a Prophet from the midst of thee, of thy brethren, like unto me; unto him ye shall hearken. Deuteronomy 18:15
For unto us a child is born, unto us a son is given: and the government shall be upon his shoulder: and his name shall be called Wonderful, Counsellor, The mighty God, The everlasting Father, The Prince of Peace. Isaiah 9:6
And she shall bring forth a son, and thou shalt call His name Jesus: for he shall save his people from their sins . Matthew 1:21
And, behold, there was a man in Jerusalem, whose name was Simeon; and the same man was just and devout, waiting for the consolation of Israel: and the Holy Ghost was upon him. And it was revealed unto him by the Holy Ghost, that he should not see death, before he had seen the Lord’s Christ . And he came by the Spirit into the temple: and when the parents brought in the child Jesus, to do for him after the custom of the law, Then took he him up in his arms, and blessed God, and said, Lord, now lettest thou thy servant depart in peace, according to thy word: For mine eyes have seen thy salvation , Which thou hast prepared before the face of all people; A light to lighten the Gentiles, and the glory of thy people Israel. Luke 2:25-32
The woman saith unto him, I know that Messiah cometh, which is called Christ: when he is come, he will tell us all things. Jesus saith unto her, I that speak unto thee am he . John 4:25,26
And devils also came out of many, crying out, and saying, Thou art Christ the Son of God . And he rebuking them suffered them not to speak: for they knew that he was Christ . Luke 4:41
I and my Father are one . Then the Jews took up stones again to stone him. Jesus answered them, Many good works have I showed you from my Father; for which of those works do ye stone me? The Jews answered him, saying, For a good work we stone thee not; but for blasphemy; and because that thou, being a man, makest thyself God. John 10:30-33
He saith unto them, But whom say ye that I am? And Simon Peter answered and said, Thou art the Christ, the Son of the living God . And Jesus answered and said unto him, Blessed art thou, Simon Barjona: for flesh and blood hath not revealed it unto thee, but my Father which is in heaven. Matthew 16:15-17
Again the high priest asked him, and said unto him, Art thou the Christ, the Son of the Blessed? And Jesus said, I am: and ye shall see the Son of man sitting on the right hand of power, and coming in the clouds of heaven . Mark 14:61,62
Then he said unto them, O fools, and slow of heart to believe all that the prophets have spoken : Ought not Christ to have suffered these things, and to enter into his glory? And beginning at Moses and all the prophets, he expounded unto them in all the scriptures the things concerning himself . Luke 24:25-27
Now we believe, not because of thy saying: for we have heard Him ourselves, and know that this is indeed the Christ, the Saviour of the world . John 4:42
For this is my blood of the new testament, which is shed for many for the remission of sins . Matthew 26:28
Of this man’s seed hath God according to His Promise raised unto Israel a Saviour, Jesus . Acts 13:23
John seeth Jesus coming unto him, and saith, Behold the Lamb of God, which taketh away the sin of the world . John 1:29
And he is the propitiation for our sins : and not for ours only, but also for the sins of the whole world . 1 John 2:2
And ye know that he was manifested to take away our sins . 1 John 3:5a
For there is one God, and one mediator between God and men , the man Christ Jesus . 1 Timothy 2:5
But when the fulness of the time was come, God sent forth his Son, made of a woman, made under the law, To redeem them that were under the law , that we might receive the adoption of sons. Galatians 4:4-5
Neither is there salvation in any other : for there is none other name under heaven given among men, whereby we must be saved. Acts 4:12

Jesus suffered the penalty for everyone

And he is the propitiation for our sins: and not for ours only, but also for the sins of the whole world . 1 John 2:2
Who will have all men to be saved , and to come unto the knowledge of the truth. 1 Timothy 2:4
Who gave himself a ransom for all , to be testified in due time. 1 Timothy 2:6
The next day John seeth Jesus coming unto him, and saith, Behold the Lamb of God, which taketh away the sin of the world . John 1:29
But he was wounded for our transgressions , he was bruised for our iniquities : the chastisement of our peace was upon him ; and with his stripes we are healed . Isaiah 53:5, 1 Peter 2:24
He was oppressed, and he was afflicted, yet he opened not his mouth: he is brought as a lamb to the slaughter , and as a sheep before her shearers is dumb, so he openeth not his mouth. Isaiah 53:7
To this end was I born, and for this cause came I into the world, that I should bear witness unto the truth. Every one that is of the truth heareth my voice . John 18:37
For he hath made Him to be sin for us, who knew no sin; that we might be made the righteousness of God in Him (Jesus) . II Corinthians 5:21
And when they were come to the place, which is called Calvary, there they crucified Him . Then said Jesus, Father, forgive them; For they know not what they do. Luke 23:33-34

Jesus was resurrected from the grave

He is not here: for he is risen , as he said. Come, see the place where the Lord lay. Matthew 28:6
Now when Jesus was risen early the first day of the week, he appeared first to Mary Magdalene. Mark 16:9
And they rose up the same hour, and returned to Jerusalem, and found the eleven gathered together, and them that were with them, Saying, The Lord is risen indeed . Luke 24:33,34
This is now the third time that Jesus showed himself to his disciples, after that he was risen from the dead . John 21:14
Opening and alleging, that Christ must needs have suffered, and risen again from the dead ; and that this Jesus, whom I preach unto you, is Christ. Acts 17:3
It is Christ that died, yea rather, that is risen again , who is even at the right hand of God, who also maketh intercession for us. Romans 8:34
And if Christ be not risen , then is our preaching vain, and your faith is also vain. 1 Corinthians 15:14
But now is Christ risen from the dead , and become the firstfruits of them that slept. 1 Corinthians 15:20
If ye then be risen with Christ , seek those things which are above, where Christ sitteth on the right hand of God. Colossians 3:1

Jesus promised the righteous a place in heaven

In my Father’s house are many mansions : if it were not so, I would have told you. I go to prepare a place for you . And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again, and receive you unto myself; that where I am, there ye may be also. John 14:2,3
Behold, I give unto you power to tread on serpents and scorpions, and over all the power of the enemy: and nothing shall by any means hurt you. Notwithstanding in this rejoice not, that the spirits are subject unto you; but rather rejoice, because your names are written in heaven . Luke 10:19,20
And God shall wipe away all tears from their eyes ; and there shall be no more death, neither sorrow, nor crying, neither shall there be any more pain: for the former things are passed away . Revelation 21:4
Jesus said unto her, I am the resurrection , and the life: he that believeth in me, though he were dead, yet shall he live: And whosoever liveth and believeth in me shall never die. Believest thou this? John 11:25,26
And with great power gave the apostles witness of the resurrection of the Lord Jesus : and great grace was upon them all. Acts 4:33
Now this I say, brethren, that flesh and blood cannot inherit the kingdom of God; neither doth corruption inherit incorruption . Behold, I show you a mystery; We shall not all sleep, but we shall all be changed, In a moment, in the twinkling of an eye, at the last trump: for the trumpet shall sound, and the dead shall be raised incorruptible, and we shall be changed . For this corruptible must put on incorruption, and this mortal must put on immortality. So when this corruptible shall have put on incorruption, and this mortal shall have put on immortality, then shall be brought to pass the saying that is written, Death is swallowed up in victory. O death, where is thy sting? O grave, where is thy victory? 1 Corinthians 15:50-55
For the Lord himself shall descend from heaven with a shout, with the voice of the archangel, and with the trump of God: and the dead in Christ shall rise first : Then we which are alive and remain shall be caught up together with them in the clouds, to meet the Lord in the air: and so shall we ever be with the Lord . 1 Thessalonians 4:16-17
And he saith unto me, Write, Blessed are they which are called unto the marriage supper of the Lamb . And he saith unto me, These are the true sayings of God. Revelation 19:9
And there came unto me one of the seven angels which had the seven vials full of the seven last plagues, and talked with me, saying, Come hither, I will show thee the bride, the Lamb’s wife . And he carried me away in the spirit to a great and high mountain, and showed me that great city, the holy Jerusalem, descending out of heaven from God . Revelation 21:9-10
And there shall be no night there; and they need no candle, neither light of the sun; for the Lord God giveth them light: and they shall reign for ever and ever . Revelation 22:5

Characteristics of a Christian from Scripture

Confess that sin in your life is separating you from God

Or those eighteen, upon whom the tower in Siloam fell, and slew them, think ye that they were sinners above all men that dwelt in Jerusalem? I tell you, Nay: but, except ye repent, ye shall all likewise perish . Luke 13:4,5
Then Peter said unto them, 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. Acts 2:38
If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just to forgive us our sins , and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness. If we say that we have not sinned, we make Him a liar, and His word is not in us . 1 John 1:9,10
I acknowledged my sin unto thee, and mine iniquity have I not hid. I said, I will confess my transgressions unto the Lord; and thou forgavest the iniquity of my sin . Psalm 32:5

Be baptized with water as Christ

Then cometh Jesus from Galilee to Jordan to John, to be baptized of him. But John forbad him, saying, I have need to be baptized of thee, and comest thou to me? And Jesus answering said unto him, Suffer it to be so now: for thus it becometh us to fulfil all righteousness . Matthew 3:13-15
But when they believed Philip preaching the things concerning the kingdom of God, and the name of Jesus Christ, they were baptized, both men and women . Then Simon himself believed also: and when he was baptized, he continued with Philip, and wondered, beholding the miracles and signs which were done. Acts 8:12,13
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. Acts 2:38
Then Philip opened his mouth, and began at the same scripture, and preached unto him Jesus. And as they went on their way, they came unto a certain water: and the eunuch said, See, here is water; what doth hinder me to be baptized ? Acts 8:35,36
Go ye therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost. Matthew 28:19

Change from your sinful behavior and attitudes

The goal of this instruction is love that flows from a pure heart, from a clear conscience, and from a sincere faith. Some people have left these qualities behind and have turned to fruitless discussion. They want to be teachers of the law, yet they do not understand either what they are talking about or the things about which they speak so confidently. We know that the Law is good, if it is used in the right way. We also understand that it wasn’t given to control people who please God, but to control lawbreakers, criminals, godless people, and sinners . It is for wicked and evil people, and for murderers, who would even kill their own parents. The Law was written for people who are sexual perverts or who live as homosexuals or are kidnappers or liars or won’t tell the truth in court. It is for anything else that opposes the correct teaching of the good news that the glorious and wonderful God has given me. 1 Timothy 1:5-11 (CEV)
Mortify (kill) therefore your members (human traits) which are upon the earth: fornication, uncleanness, inordinate affection, evil concupiscence, and covetousness, which is idolatry. Colossians 3:5
Be not conformed to this world; but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind , that ye may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God. Romans 12:2
Therefore if any man be in Christ, he is a new creature: old things are passed away; behold, all things are become new . 2 Corinthians 5:17
For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus unto good works, which God hath before ordained that we should walk in them . Ephesians 2:10
Jesus said unto her, Neither do I condemn thee: go, and sin no more . John 8:11

Observe the commandments of Jesus Christ

Thou knowest the commandments , Do not commit adultery, Do not kill, Do not steal, Do not bear false witness, Defraud not Honour thy father and mother. Mark 10:19
Teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I have commanded you . Matthew 28:20
If ye love me, keep my commandments. John 14:15
But he said, Yea rather, blessed are they that hear the word of God, and keep it. Luke 11:28
If a man love me, he will keep my words : and my Father will love him, and we will come unto him, and make our abode with him. John 14:23
If ye keep my commandments, ye shall abide in my love; even as I have kept my Father’s commandments, and abide in his love. John 15:10
Verily, verily, I say unto you, If a man keep my saying, he shall never see death. John 8:51

Pray to God frequently

But thou, when thou prayest, enter into thy closet, and when thou hast shut thy door, pray to thy Father which is in secret ; and thy Father which seeth in secret shall reward thee openly. Matthew 6:6
Watch ye therefore, and pray always , that ye may be accounted worthy to escape all these things that shall come to pass, and to stand before the Son of man. Luke 21:36
Pray without ceasing . 1 Thessalonians 5:17
And it came to pass in those days, that he went out into a mountain to pray, and continued all night in prayer to God . Luke 6:12
Be careful for nothing; but in every thing by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known unto God. And the peace of God, which passeth all understanding, shall keep your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus. Phillipians 4:6,7
And he cometh unto the disciples, and findeth them asleep, and saith unto Peter, What, could ye not watch with me one hour ? Matthew 26:40

Care for the helpless and the needful

Then shall the righteous answer him, saying, Lord, when saw we thee an hungered, and fed thee? or thirsty, and gave thee drink? When saw we thee a stranger, and took thee in? or naked, and clothed thee? Or when saw we thee sick, or in prison, and came unto thee? And the King shall answer and say unto them, Verily I say unto you, Inasmuch as ye have done it unto one of the least of these my brethren, ye have done it unto me . Matthew 25:37-40
Pure religion and undefiled before God and the Father is this, To visit the fatherless and widows in their affliction , and to keep himself unspotted from the world. James 1:27
Neither was there any among them that lacked : for as many as were possessors of lands or houses sold them, and brought the prices of the things that were sold, And laid them down at the apostles’ feet: and distribution was made unto every man according as he had need. Acts 4:34,35
And as ye go, preach, saying, The kingdom of heaven is at hand. Heal the sick, cleanse the lepers, raise the dead, cast out devils: freely ye have received, freely give . Matthew 10:7,8

Watch for the second coming of Jesus Christ

Watch therefore : for ye know not what hour your Lord doth come. Matthew 24:42
And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again , and receive you unto myself; that where I am, there ye may be also. John 14:3
For the Lord himself shall descend from heaven with a shout, with the voice of the archangel, and with the trump of God: and the dead in Christ shall rise first: Then we which are alive and remain shall be caught up together with them in the clouds, to meet the Lord in the air: and so shall we ever be with the Lord . 1 Thessalonians 4:16,17
Blessed are those servants, whom the lord when he cometh shall find watching : verily I say unto you, that he shall gird himself, and make them to sit down to meat, and will come forth and serve them. Luke 12:37
Therefore let us not sleep, as do others; but let us watch and be sober . For they that sleep, sleep in the night; and they that be drunken are drunken in the night. But let us, who are of the day, be sober, putting on the breastplate of faith and love; and for an helmet, the hope of salvation. For God hath not appointed us to wrath, but to obtain salvation by our Lord Jesus Christ. 1 Thessalonians 5:6-9
But watch thou in all things , endure afflictions, do the work of an evangelist, make full proof of thy ministry. 2 Timothy 4:5

Save lost souls until Jesus Christ returns for believers

For the Son of man is come to save that which was lost . Matthew 18:11
These twelve Jesus sent forth, and commanded them, saying, Go not into the way of the Gentiles, and into any city of the Samaritans enter ye not: But go rather to the lost sheep of the house of Israel . And as ye go, preach, saying, The kingdom of heaven is at hand. Matthew 10:5-7
For whosoever will save his life shall lose it: and whosoever will lose his life for my sake shall find it . For what is a man profited, if he shall gain the whole world, and lose his own soul? or what shall a man give in exchange for his soul? Matthew 16:25-26
But if our gospel be hid, it is hid to them that are lost : In whom the god of this world hath blinded the minds of them which believe not, lest the light of the glorious gospel of Christ, who is the image of God, should shine unto them. 2 Corinthians 4:3-4
And he said unto them, Let us go into the next towns, that I may preach there also : for therefore came I forth. Matthew 1:38
Therefore watch, and remember, that by the space of three years I ceased not to warn every one night and day with tears . Acts 20:31
For we preach not ourselves, but Christ Jesus the Lord ; and ourselves your servants for Jesus’ sake. For God, who commanded the light to shine out of darkness, hath shined in our hearts, to give the light of the knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Jesus Christ. 2 Corinthians 4:5,6
Be ready always to give an answer to every man that asketh you a reason of the hope that is in you with meekness and fear. 1 Peter 3:15
Then he called for a light, and sprang in, and came trembling, and fell down before Paul and Silas, And brought them out, and said, Sirs, what must I do to be saved ? And they said, Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ, and thou shalt be saved, and thy house. Acts 16:29-31
Then the Spirit said unto Philip, Go near, and join thyself to this chariot ... And the eunuch answered Philip, and said, I pray thee, of whom speaketh the prophet this? of himself, or of some other man? Then Philip opened his mouth, and began at the same scripture, and preached unto him Jesus . Acts 8:29,34,35
To whom God would make known what is the riches of the glory of this mystery among the Gentiles; which is Christ in you, the hope of glory: Whom we preach, warning every man , and teaching every man in all wisdom; that we may present every man perfect in Christ Jesus. Colossians 1:27,28
Preach the word ; be instant in season, out of season; reprove, rebuke, exhort with all longsuffering and doctrine. 2 Timothy 4:2
Then Agrippa said unto Paul, Thou art permitted to speak for thyself. Then Paul stretched forth the hand, and answered for himself: I think myself happy, king Agrippa, because I shall answer for myself this day before thee touching all the things whereof I am accused of the Jews: Especially because I know thee to be expert in all customs and questions which are among the Jews: wherefore I beseech thee to hear me patiently. My manner of life from my youth, which was at the first among mine own nation at Jerusalem, know all the Jews; Which knew me from the beginning, if they would testify, that after the most straitest sect of our religion I lived a Pharisee. And now I stand and am judged for the hope of the promise made of God unto our fathers: Unto which promise our twelve tribes, instantly serving God day and night, hope to come. For which hope’s sake, king Agrippa, I am accused of the Jews. Why should it be thought a thing incredible with you, that God should raise the dead? I verily thought with myself, that I ought to do many things contrary to the name of Jesus of Nazareth. Which thing I also did in Jerusalem: and many of the saints did I shut up in prison, having received authority from the chief priests; and when they were put to death, I gave my voice against them. And I punished them oft in every synagogue, and compelled them to blaspheme; and being exceedingly mad against them, I persecuted them even unto strange cities. Whereupon as I went to Damascus with authority and commission from the chief priests, At midday, O king, I saw in the way a light from heaven, above the brightness of the sun, shining round about me and them which journeyed with me. And when we were all fallen to the earth, I heard a voice speaking unto me, and saying in the Hebrew tongue, Saul, Saul, why persecutest thou me? it is hard for thee to kick against the pricks. And I said, Who art thou, Lord? And he said, I am Jesus whom thou persecutest. But rise, and stand upon thy feet: for I have appeared unto thee for this purpose, to make thee a minister and a witness both of these things which thou hast seen, and of those things in the which I will appear unto thee; Delivering thee from the people, and from the Gentiles, unto whom now I send thee, To open their eyes, and to turn them from darkness to light, and from the power of Satan unto God, that they may receive forgiveness of sins, and inheritance among them which are sanctified by faith that is in me. Whereupon, O king Agrippa, I was not disobedient unto the heavenly vision: But showed first unto them of Damascus, and at Jerusalem, and throughout all the coasts of Judaea, and then to the Gentiles, that they should repent and turn to God, and do works meet for repentance . Acts 26:1-20