Five Points In Salvation

Catholics and Protestants developed their own ideas about salvation.

Catholics - salvation by grace alone initially (infant baptism)

Protestants - salvation by faith alone.

To counter both teachings those of the restoration movement presented a five point outline with clearly taught verses from the Gospels.

Instead of one thing saving us or even two, they used an outline of five.

• • Hear the Gospel by God's grace.  John 6:44-45 , Romans 10:17 Hebrws 3:7-15

  • Believe the Gospel Romans 1:16-18

  • Repent to the Gospel Mark 2:17, Acts 11:18

  • Confess belief in Christ and the Gospel. Matthew 10:32, Romans 10:9-10

  • Be Baptized Acts 2:38-39, Acts 22:16, Romans 6:3-4

All of these are clearly identifiable in the New Testament. We could even add a 6th which is to be faithful unto death. Rev 2:10 Being faithful is the same Greek word translated belief in some verses.

This is not everything God has given, but it is an outline that goes beyond faith alone and it highlights the need for faith before baptism. The five point outline was never meant to be the teaching of the entire Gospel, it simply offset faith only and grace only.

We shouldn't stop at these six, because God wants us to teach his entire counsel. Many heckle the Church when we seem to only know a five point outline, it makes us seem immature, but the reality is we only want denominations to see it takes more than, belief, faith only. or grace only. Certainly to fulfill grace we would fulfill all five points.

These six do show that Catholicism and Protestantism are insufficient in their teaching.

The backdrop of this outline was simply to open people's eyes that there is more to salvation than faith alone. It provides a good introduction to the topic of salvation with necessary personal will and understanding.

Keep in mind that hearing is a choice. A person has to choose to listen.

Act 7:37 This is that Moses, which said unto the children of Israel, A prophet shall the Lord your God raise up unto you of your brethren, like unto me; him shall ye hear.

Listening is a choice and is a good introduction into freewill.

Act 3:23 And it shall come to pass, that every soul, which will not hear that prophet, shall be destroyed from among the people.

1Co 14:21 In the law it is written, With men of other tongues and other lips will I speak unto this people; and yet for all that will they not hear me, saith the Lord.

Listening or hardening your heart are choices made by man. The word hear also implies the development of understanding.