International Gospel Hour invites you to a reverent reflection on the divine system of salvation, as preached by the esteemed Brother Gus Nichols. This episode offers a unique perspective, retracing a sermon from decades past, shedding light on the diverse components that make up God’s intricate salvation plan. This enlightening discussion examines the salvation process, highlighting the divine roles of God, Christ, and the Holy Spirit, alongside our responses as believers. Gain a deeper understanding of the scriptures that form the foundation of faith, the importance of the preached Word, and the necessity of our obedient response to God’s
00:00:00 Introduction to the Divine System of Salvation
Today from the International Gospel Hour, it’s time to turn back the clock with a lesson about the divine system of salvation. A Turn Back the Clock broadcast is just ahead today from the International Gospel Hour. Stay with us.
SPEAKER 01 :
Hi, this is Jay Webb for International Gospel Hour. For 90 years, churches of Christ have proclaimed God’s Word through International Gospel Hour. You are about to listen to another Bible-based lesson with Jeff Archie of International Gospel Hour, starting now.
SPEAKER 02 :
Well, thank you to our J-Web, and greetings to everyone. Great having you with us today, and we are privileged and honored to reach back almost 60 years and bring forth a wonderful sermon of the past, what we call our Turn Back the Clock broadcast. We’re going to consider a lesson from the wonderful late Brother Gus Nichols. Now, I realize with our broadcast going worldwide that a lot of you may not be familiar with Gus Nichols. He hailed from Walker County, Alabama. He passed in 1975 at the age of 83. Preaching the gospel for 59 years, he conducted training classes, preached on the radio, penned many articles. And it is a blessing that through the power of the printed page, we have lessons from men like Brother Nichols. We’re going to talk about the divine system of salvation today. But before we do that, we want to pause for a few words from our J-Web.
SPEAKER 01 :
Please check out our fellow laborers at HouseToHouse.com, an outstanding website for topic research, an excellent media section, and some free materials. While there, please request a free copy of House to House, Heart to Heart. Check it out today at HouseToHouse.com.
SPEAKER 02 :
Let’s talk about the divine system of salvation. From Matthew 4 and verse 4, the Bible says that we live by every word and not by some one thing only. In Acts 3 verses 22 and 23, it was Moses who said we need to hear Christ in all things. In Matthew 28 and verse 20, the few words prior to Jesus leaving the earth some 40 days later, he taught to observe all things that is commanded, not just a few things only. You know, as a watch is a system for timekeeping and is made up of many parts, well, we are saved by a divine system. And as we do not physically live by breathing only, food only, water only, etc., we do not live spiritually by one item alone in the divine plan. Let’s consider this step by step. First, the divine system of salvation includes, obviously, the divine side of the plan. In 2 Timothy 1, verses 8 and 9, Therefore do not be ashamed of the testimony of our Lord, nor of me his prisoner, but share with me in the sufferings for the gospel according to the power of God, who has saved us and called us with a holy calling, not according to our works, but according to his own purpose and grace, which was given to us in Christ Jesus before time began. The whole system of redemption originated in the wisdom and the purpose of God. Therefore, God saves us. We are saved by grace, the love and the favor of God, Ephesians 2, verses 4, 5 and 8, and Romans 3, 24. We are saved by the mercy of God, Titus 3, 4 and 5, Romans 12, 1 and 2, and Hebrews 10, verses 12 through 17. Now, second, we are saved by Christ, the Son of God. In Matthew 1 and verse 21, He was to come to save His people from their sins. In Luke 19, 10, He declared how the Son of Man came to seek and save that which was lost. In John 12 and verse 47, we learn that we are saved by Christ, by His words and what He teaches. In Hebrews 5, verses 8 and 9, He is now the author of salvation to those who obey Him. We are saved by the life of Christ. Romans 5 and verse 10 and John 6 and verse 51. But we are also saved by the death of Christ for our sins by His blood. Through the gospel message, the death, burial and resurrection of Christ. 1 Corinthians 15, 1 and 4. That we are saved by Christ in other passages. Hebrews chapter 2 and verse 9. 1 Timothy 2, verses 5 and 6. 2 Corinthians 5, verses 14 and 15, and 1 John 2, verse 2. His blood and death were for all men, for all alike were lost. We learn how one can be washed from their sins and washed in the blood, Revelation 1, verse 5, and Revelation 7, verse 14. In Acts 20, verse 28, of how he purchased the church with his own blood. Ephesians 1 and verse 7, in whom we have redemption through his blood, even the forgiveness of sins according to the riches of his grace, and similar wording from Colossians 1 and verse 14, and without his shedding of blood there is no remission, Hebrews 9 and 22. And he was saved, or rather raised for our justification, Romans 4, 24 and 25, and 1 Peter 3, 21 and 22. The divine system of salvation includes the divine side of the plan, through God, through Jesus. How about a third one? We are saved by the Holy Spirit, who revealed the word and uses it in converting and saving the world. 1 Corinthians 6.11 teaches that we are justified by the Spirit. For the Spirit revealed the word which produces faith unto justification. Romans 5 and verse 1 and Romans 10, 17. We’re taught that we are quickened or made alive by the Spirit. The words that I speak unto you, Jesus said, are spirit and life. John 6, verse 63. This is when we are quickened or made alive by His word, not by a direct operation of the Holy Spirit. Romans 1, 16. It’s the gospel. We are saved by the word of the Spirit, by the gospel that is revealed by the Spirit of God. We learn that from 1 Corinthians 15 and verse 2, Acts 1 and verse 16, 1 Peter 1, 12, 2 Peter 1 and verse 21, and Ephesians 3, verses 2 through 5. Friends, we are not saved by a direct operation of the Spirit apart from the word of God. James 1 in verse 21 says, Therefore lay aside all filthiness and overflow of wickedness, and receive with meekness the implanted word which is able to save your souls, that word that came from the Father through the Son through the Spirit. In James 1 in verse 18, Of his own will he brought us forth by the word of truth, that we might be a kind of firstfruits of his creatures. By the word of truth that came from the Father through the Son through the Spirit. In 1 Peter 1, 22 and 23, seeing you have purified your souls and obeying the truth through the Spirit in sincere love of the brethren, love one another fervently with a pure heart, having been born again, not of corruptible seed, but incorruptible, through the Word of God, which lives and abides forever. So yes, friends, through the Word we learn how we are justified by the Spirit, made alive by the Spirit, saved by the Word of the Spirit, but not by a direct operation of the Spirit apart from the Word of God. Consider with me a fourth matter in the divine system of salvation. From God, through the Son, through the Spirit. Now, here are a number of items on the sinner’s part. God has done everything He can to save us. He sent His Son. The Son sent the Spirit to guide those apostles into all truth. And we have His Word. So friends, what do we do with the divine plan or the divine system of salvation? Well, the sinner must hear the gospel, for God put preaching into his plan. Mark 16, 15 and 16. 1 Corinthians 1 and verse 21 and 1 Corinthians 3 and verse 5. And when the sinner hears the gospel, he must believe it. That’s Romans 10, 13 through 17, Acts 15 and verse 7, and Mark 16, 15 and 16. Now friends, the scripture teaches that we are not saved by faith alone. You know, James 2 and verse 24, the only passage that has the word faith alone or the phrase side by side, speaks, you see then how by works a man is justified, and not by faith only. Now, in that chapter of James 2, he is discussing works that a man that is already saved does, that the works express his faith. In Hebrews 5, 8, and 9, Jesus is the author of eternal salvation unto all that obey him. In 1 Peter 1 and verse 22, as we had noted earlier, since you have purified your souls in obeying the truth, we believe the gospel, and the belief moves us to repent. Yes, the sinner must repent. He must turn from sin to God and to live a godly life. That’s Matthew 9 and verse 13. In Acts 2, verse 38, repent and be baptized, every one of you. In Acts 3 and verse 19, repent therefore and be converted, so your sins may be blotted out when the times of refreshing shall come from the presence of the Lord. In Acts 17 and verse 30, there was a time of ignorance God winked at, but now commands men everywhere to repent. The sinner must repent and must be baptized into Christ. Buried in baptism for the remission of sins, so as to be saved. That’s Acts 22, verse 16. Acts 2, verse 38. Mark 16, 16. And Romans 6, 3 and 4. Then we’re saved by each of all of the items we just mentioned. In this way, one obeys the whole truth and accepts all the Bible teaches. Friends, let’s be aware and be on alert. The world will accept one or two items alone and will array scripture against scripture like an infidel or an unbeliever. And this we cannot do. Friends, let’s think on the divine system of salvation and let’s help you with this free Bible course by mail. Here is our J-Web.
SPEAKER 01 :
Our well-received Bible study course by mail is available to everyone absolutely free. Would you like to try it? All you do is call us toll-free at 855-444-6988 and leave your name, address, and just say, Home Study. That’s it. That’s all you have to do. You may also go to our website at internationalgospelhour.com. Click on the Contact tab and leave us the same information, name, address, and type Home Study in the message box. At your own pace, you can study the Bible in your own home. Again, it’s free. Give it a try. And it’s from your friends here at International Gospel Hour.
SPEAKER 02 :
And with that, friends, our time is gone. Thank you for joining me today on the International Gospel Hour. I’m Jeff Archie, and as always, keep listening.
SPEAKER 01 :
Thank you for listening today. May this study prompt your search of God’s Word for His will in your life. To assist you in your study or to listen to our other programs, please visit our website at internationalgospelhour.com. To God be the glory.
