Editorials

By divine redemption, we mean the redemptive plan that is divine in origin. In other words, "How did God in the New Testament state that he is willing to save people from their sins?" It is unreasonable to believe that God will accept one or more man-made redemptive plans instead of his plan for the salvation of lost souls.

God the Father through his mercy (Titus 3:5) and grace (Ephesians 2:8) designed a redemptive plan. Essentially, by God's mercy he withholds punishment from us that we deserve.  By God's grace, we receive good things from him that we do not deserve.

Through mercy and grace, God sent Jesus Christ to be our Savior (John 3:16). Jesus brought the divine redemptive plan with him (John 1:17). Jesus Christ died on the cross for our salvation (Hebrews 9:28).

Through mercy and grace, God caused the Holy Spirit to reveal the redemptive plan through the New Testament (2 Peter 1:20-21). The Holy Spirit, along with the Father and the Son, participates in the redemption of souls: "For by one Spirit are we all baptized into one body, whether we be Jews or Gentiles, whether we be bond or free; and have been all made to drink into one Spirit (1 Corinthians 12:13).

Finally, God's redemptive plan requires the participation by those who would be saved. Jesus is said to be the author of salvation to them who obey him (Hebrews 5:8-9). "Though he were a Son, yet learned he obedience by the things which he suffered; And being made perfect, he became the author of eternal salvation unto all them that obey him."

This obedience includes hearing the Word of God only (Romans 10:17); "So then faith cometh by hearing, and hearing by the word of God." The Word of God leads to Bible faith (John 8:24); "I said therefore unto you, that ye shall die in your sins: for if ye believe not that I am he, ye shall die in your sins."

Faith leads to repentance (Luke 13:5); "I tell you, Nay: but, except ye repent, ye shall all likewise perish." Repentance is followed by professing Christ (Romans 10:9-10); "That if thou shalt confess with thy mouth the Lord Jesus, and shalt believe in thine heart that God hath raised him from the dead, thou shalt be saved. For with the heart man believeth unto righteousness; and with the mouth confession is made unto salvation."

Then comes immersion (Romans 6:3-5); "Know ye not, that so many of us as were baptized into Jesus Christ were baptized into his death? Therefore, we are buried with him by baptism into death: that like as Christ was raised up from the dead by the glory of the Father, even so we also should walk in newness of life. For if we have been planted together in the likeness of his death, we shall be also in the likeness of his resurrection."

Then, Christians must practice faithfulness (Revelation 2:10); "Fear none of those things which thou shalt suffer: behold, the devil shall cast some of you into prison, that ye may be tried; and ye shall have tribulation ten days: be thou faithful unto death, and I will give thee a crown of life."