Behold, I stand at the door and knock. If anyone hears My voice and opens the door, I will come in to him and dine with him and he with Me. -Jesus Christ; Revelation 3:20
Some say this verse should never be used to lead someone to the Lord because it was written to a church, not to lost people. Some go so far as to ridicule the ignorance of anyone who would use it in evangelism.
In contrast, many, many Baptist and Christian preachers of the Gospel have preached this verse to not only the saved, but also to the lost. Many a lost soul has been won to the Lord through this passage of Scripture.
It is granted that the verse is primarily written to the church at Laodicea. It is also granted that this verse alone does not present the gospel or the plan of salvation in its totality. (You could even argue that about John 3:16; after all it says nothing about the Resurrection of Jesus Christ.)
The plan of salvation includes our sin and separation from God, God’s holiness, His love, Jesus’ death on the cross for our sins, His blood being shed for us, and his literal resurrection from the dead. We are to ask forgiveness for our sins. We are to believe and accept Jesus as our Lord (Boss, Master) and Savior. (1 Corinthians 15:1-4; Romans 3:23; 6:23; 5:8; 10:9-10, 13; John 1:12; 3:16; 5:24)
But when the full plan of salvation is presented, Revelation 3:20 is valid to use in explaining the biblical concept of accepting Jesus Christ as Lord and Savior.
I and many before me believe Revelation 3:20 is valid to use in evangelism because:
1. We can go too far in saying this verse is not for you. All of the Bible is written as God’s love letter to mankind.
I know you can also go too far the other way; but here I do not think that is the case. For example, Romans is addressed to the saints (Romans 1:7-8). Does anyone argue that because of this the Roman Road verses cannot be used for evangelism? If they so argue, they are wrong.
2. Jesus’ words in Revelation 3:20 are valid for a saved person. They are also valid for a lost person.
3. Jesus’ words in Revelation 3:20 illustrate Jesus’ attitude toward a lost person and what the person must do to be saved. This can be shown from many Bible passages.
Does a lost person have to do something to be saved? Yes. Jesus wholly accomplished the work of salvation. But a man must respond, must believe, must call on the name of the Lord, must reach out and receive the gift of God. (John 1:12; Romans 10:9-10, 13; John 3:16; Acts 16:30-31; etc.) In other words, a man must open the door of his heart and invite Jesus in.
A number of verses reveal that when we are saved Jesus comes to live in our hearts. Other verses refer to the Holy Spirit living within us.
Ephesians 3:17; Colossians 1:27; 2 Corinthians 1:22; Galatians 4:6; 2 Peter 1:19; John 7:38; etc. (also, our body is the temple of the Holy Spirit).
4. Revelation 3:20 is given to whoever will take it. Notice Jesus’ use of the word, “anyone.” That includes the saved and the lost, all the world.
5. Just as today, the church at Laodicea would have included unsaved visitors and unsaved members (Jesus even had an unsaved disciple!)*; especially a lukewarm church like Laodicea. Jesus would certainly have known this and included them in His invitation. Just as pastors today include the saved and the lost in the public invitation they give in their church.
If Revelation 3:20 cannot be used for the lost because it was given to a church, then it would be invalid for pastors today to give a salvation invitation in church. After all, if they are in church, they surely must all be saved!
6. It could even be argued that Jesus knocking at the door and us inviting Him in is more valid for a lost person that for a saved person.
A person is welcome to disagree and use their own verses in evangelism. But those who use this verse in evangelism are not doing so out of ignorance.
-David R. Brumbelow, Gulf Coast Pastor, October 4, AD 2011.
* Of course, every member of a Baptist church should be a believer. The requirements to be a member of a Baptist church are usually two: You have personally received Christ as your Savior, and you have subsequently been Scripturally baptized (Beleiver's Baptism by Immersion). But we all know there are those who have made an outward profession of faith without meaning it in their hearts.
Saved By The Sinner's Prayer
The Roman Road of Salvation
Unlimited Atonement, Jesus Died For All
Many more articles in lower right margin under Gulf Coast Pastor Articles (Labels).
Showing posts with label Roman Road. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Roman Road. Show all posts
Tuesday, October 4, 2011
Thursday, April 29, 2010
The Roman Road of Salvation
The Gospel (Good News) is that “Christ died for our sins according to the Scriptures, and that He was buried, and that He rose again the third day according to the Scriptures.” -1 Corinthians 15:3-4
Below is another handout I’ve used for church and student groups. It is simple, and hopefully plain. It briefly presents the story, the plan of salvation. How a person can be forgiven of their sins, be made right with God, and have eternal life here and throughout eternity in Heaven. It is called the Roman Road Plan of Salvation because all the Bible verses are in the book of Romans.
There are several reasons to present the Roman Road here.
First, we need to know it and be reminded of it.
Second, preachers and church workers need to know how to present the plan of salvation to someone.
Third, some may want to copy and use this handout with both those who need to know Jesus as their Savior, and with believers so they can be more grounded in their faith.
Fourth, the Roman Road is one way of presenting the Gospel, the Good News of Jesus. But it can be shortened, lengthened, and adapted to present the Gospel in a specific situation, to a particular person.
Fifth, someone may be reading this that does not know what the Bible teaches about God’s love, our sin, and God’s salvation. The greatest thing you can ever do is to ask Jesus to forgive you of your sins, believe in Him, and trust Him as your Lord and Savior.
I occasionally hear someone say, “A prayer will not save you.” I strongly disagree. If a person believes what is presented below, prays the prayer of salvation or one similar to it, and means it in their heart, they will be saved. We have God’s Word on it.
If they mean that just reciting a prayer, without understanding or meaning it, will not save you, then I can agree. But if you sincerely pray, your sins will be forgiven and you will be made a child of God.
By the way, one result of the Conservative Resurgence in the SBC is that conservative trustees led LifeWay into including the plan of salvation in most all of their literature. It is usually found on the inside front or back cover of their periodicals. That was a great, important decision.
The Roman Road of Salvation
1. We have a problem, we’re all sinners and God is a holy God.
Romans 3:23 “For all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God.”
2. The Bible teaches that payment for sin is death, separation from God. But God has a gift He wants to give you. For a gift to be yours, however, you have to accept it.
Romans 6:23 “For the wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord.”
3. God loves us in spite of our sin. He wants us to be made right with Him. God the Son, Jesus, died for our sins, shed His blood on the cross, so we could be forgiven. Eternal life is a free gift to us, but cost Jesus his life.
Romans 5:8 “But God demonstrates His own love toward us, in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us.”
4. What do you need to do? Admit your sins, trust in Jesus, ask Him to forgive your sins and come into your heart and be your Savior.
Romans 10:9-10 “If you confess with your mouth the Lord* Jesus and believe in your heart that God has raised Him from the dead, you will be saved. For with the heart one believes unto righteousness, and with the mouth confession is made unto salvation.” (* The word “Lord” means about the same as “Boss.”)
Romans 10:13 “For whoever calls on the name of the Lord shall be saved.” (New King James Version of the Bible)
5. Prayer: Lord Jesus, I know that I am a sinner and that You died to save me. I believe that You rose from the dead and are living today. Please forgive me of all my sins. Come into my heart and be my Lord and Savior. I ask this in Jesus’ name Amen.
After you trust Jesus: Find a good Bible believing church and go every Sunday morning, Sunday night, Wednesday night; get baptized; read a chapter in the Bible every day, start in John or Luke; pray each day; tell others about Jesus.
-David R. Brumbelow, Gulf Coast Pastor, April 29, AD 2010.
Related Article:
Saved by the Sinner's Prayer
Below is another handout I’ve used for church and student groups. It is simple, and hopefully plain. It briefly presents the story, the plan of salvation. How a person can be forgiven of their sins, be made right with God, and have eternal life here and throughout eternity in Heaven. It is called the Roman Road Plan of Salvation because all the Bible verses are in the book of Romans.
There are several reasons to present the Roman Road here.
First, we need to know it and be reminded of it.
Second, preachers and church workers need to know how to present the plan of salvation to someone.
Third, some may want to copy and use this handout with both those who need to know Jesus as their Savior, and with believers so they can be more grounded in their faith.
Fourth, the Roman Road is one way of presenting the Gospel, the Good News of Jesus. But it can be shortened, lengthened, and adapted to present the Gospel in a specific situation, to a particular person.
Fifth, someone may be reading this that does not know what the Bible teaches about God’s love, our sin, and God’s salvation. The greatest thing you can ever do is to ask Jesus to forgive you of your sins, believe in Him, and trust Him as your Lord and Savior.
I occasionally hear someone say, “A prayer will not save you.” I strongly disagree. If a person believes what is presented below, prays the prayer of salvation or one similar to it, and means it in their heart, they will be saved. We have God’s Word on it.
If they mean that just reciting a prayer, without understanding or meaning it, will not save you, then I can agree. But if you sincerely pray, your sins will be forgiven and you will be made a child of God.
By the way, one result of the Conservative Resurgence in the SBC is that conservative trustees led LifeWay into including the plan of salvation in most all of their literature. It is usually found on the inside front or back cover of their periodicals. That was a great, important decision.
The Roman Road of Salvation
1. We have a problem, we’re all sinners and God is a holy God.
Romans 3:23 “For all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God.”
2. The Bible teaches that payment for sin is death, separation from God. But God has a gift He wants to give you. For a gift to be yours, however, you have to accept it.
Romans 6:23 “For the wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord.”
3. God loves us in spite of our sin. He wants us to be made right with Him. God the Son, Jesus, died for our sins, shed His blood on the cross, so we could be forgiven. Eternal life is a free gift to us, but cost Jesus his life.
Romans 5:8 “But God demonstrates His own love toward us, in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us.”
4. What do you need to do? Admit your sins, trust in Jesus, ask Him to forgive your sins and come into your heart and be your Savior.
Romans 10:9-10 “If you confess with your mouth the Lord* Jesus and believe in your heart that God has raised Him from the dead, you will be saved. For with the heart one believes unto righteousness, and with the mouth confession is made unto salvation.” (* The word “Lord” means about the same as “Boss.”)
Romans 10:13 “For whoever calls on the name of the Lord shall be saved.” (New King James Version of the Bible)
5. Prayer: Lord Jesus, I know that I am a sinner and that You died to save me. I believe that You rose from the dead and are living today. Please forgive me of all my sins. Come into my heart and be my Lord and Savior. I ask this in Jesus’ name Amen.
After you trust Jesus: Find a good Bible believing church and go every Sunday morning, Sunday night, Wednesday night; get baptized; read a chapter in the Bible every day, start in John or Luke; pray each day; tell others about Jesus.
-David R. Brumbelow, Gulf Coast Pastor, April 29, AD 2010.
Related Article:
Saved by the Sinner's Prayer
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