JESUS AND THE GOSPEL by steve finnell

Jesus speaking about the gospel after He was resurrected from the grave. What was the gospel plan of salvation?

Jesus said, after He was resurrected: 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.(NKJV)

Jesus said preach the gospel. What was the good news? The good news was and is "He who believes and is baptized will be saved."

Jesus said, after He was resurrected: Matthew 28:19 "Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit. (NKJV)

There were no unbaptized disciples. Jesus did not tell the eleven to teach that immersion in water was not essential in order to be saved.

Jesus said, after He was resurrected: Luke 24:47 "and that repentance and remission of sins should be preached in His name to all nations, beginning  at Jerusalem. (NKJV)

The apostles preached repentance and remission of sins at Jerusalem on the Day of Pentecost. They preached Jesus as Lord and Christ.(Acts 2:36-37) and they preached repentance and remission of sins. Acts 2:38 Then Peter said to them, "Repent, and 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. (NKJV)

What was not preached by Peter and the apostles? They never said that men could be saved like the thief on the cross. The apostles never preached that men could be saved without water baptism, because the thief on the cross was saved without being baptized, or because the thief was saved without believing God raised Jesus from the dead.

What was not preached by Peter and the rest of the apostles? They never preached you could be saved, simply by saying a "Sinner's Prayer."

What was not preached by Peter and the apostles? They never preached that all men were born guilty of Adam's sin. They never preached that unbelieving infants were guilty of original sin and needed to be baptized.

What was not preached by Peter and the apostles? They never said that men could be baptized for the dead. They did not teach baptism by proxy.

What was not preached by Peter and the apostles? They did not preach that men are saved by grace alone. They did not say God will impute faith to those He has selected for salvation, so they can believe and be baptized.

What was not preached on the Day of Pentecost? Peter did not preach that baptism was simply an act of obedience. Peter did not say after you believe, you should be baptized into the denominational church of your choice.

What Peter did not preach? He did not preach you could have your sins forgiven like the paralytic, who had his sins forgive because of the faith of his friends.