The Plan of Salvation
Jesus told his disciples in Luke 24:46-8, "Thus it is written, and thus it behooved Christ to suffer, and to rise from the dead the third day: And that repentance and remission of sins should be preached in his name among all nations, beginning at Jerusalem."
After being betrayed, mocked, judged of men, beaten, and shamed; Jesus was crucified. Even so, those that would be saved must repent. "Knowing this, that our old man is crucified with him, that the body of sin might be destroyed, that henceforth we should not serve sin. For he that is dead is freed from sin." (Romans 6:6-7) In repenting, a person asks for forgiveness for all his/her sins and departs from them.
After that Christ died, he was buried in a new tomb. "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." (Romans 6:4) This tomb had never been used by any other; therefore, the only name on it was Jesus. Likewise, one seeking to be saved must be baptized in Jesus' Name only. No other way will be accepted by God. Being baptized in the name of the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit will not cleanse one from his/her sins, for this baptism has no name over it. No name, no power. Father is not a name, Son is not a name, and Holy Spirit is not a name. Jesus is all three, "for in him dwelleth all the fullness of the Godhead bodily." (Colossians 2:9) Therefore, baptism in the name of Jesus Christ is necessary for the remission of sins.
After being dead for three days and three nights, Jesus rose by his own power. In like manner also, those that would be saved must receive the gift of the Holy Ghost just as they did in the Book of Acts, speaking in tongues as the Spirit gives them utterance. "For if we have been planted together in the likeness of his death, we shall be also in the likeness of his resurrection." (Romans 6:5) "And when the day of Pentecost was fully come, they were all with one accord in one place. And suddenly there came a sound from heaven as of a rushing mighty wind, and it filled all the house where they were sitting. And there appeared unto them cloven tongues like as of fire, and it sat upon each of them. And they were all filled with the Holy Ghost, and began to speak with other tongues, as the Spirit gave them utterance." (Acts 2:1-4) If you did not receive it in like manner, you did not receive it.
Some say that this is the point at which everyone received the Holy Ghost. Such a notion cannot be so, because there were those that received it in the very same manner after this throughout the Book of Acts.
Others say that the Holy Ghost was given only to those who lived during the time of the Apostles and that it is not for us today. This idea is completely ridiculous, for it is written: "And it shall come to pass in the last days, saith God, I will pour out of my Spirit upon all flesh . . . " (Acts 2:17) Days is plural, i.e., more than one. Remember that Peter said "one day is with the Lord a thousand years, and a thousand years as one day." (II Peter 3:8), and that God "calleth those things which be not as though they were." (Romans 4:17) Also, consider these scriptures: "For the law having a shadow of good things to come, and not the very image of things . . . " (Hebrews 10:1) and again, "Let no man, therefore, judge you in meat, or in drink, or in respect of a holy day, or of the new moon, or of the sabbath days: Which are a shadow of things to come . . . " (Colossians 2:16-17) God gave man six days to work (The Lord said to his Church, Let us make man in our image, after our likeness . . . " (Genesis 1:26) We are still doing such.) and after that is the Sabbath day (i.e., the thousand-year reign with Christ spoken of in Revelation 20:4). Jesus came after four thousand years (four days); two thousand years (two days) are left for us to work. Thus, in the last two days, the Holy Ghost is poured out.
Still, there are others who say that you receive the Holy Ghost when you believe in the only begotten Son of God. If this were so, Paul would not have said since in the following scripture. "Have ye received the Holy Ghost since ye believed?" (Acts 19:2) Also, when Philip went down to the city of Samaria and preached Christ unto them, the people believed. For it is written, "But when they believed Philip preaching the things concerning the kingdom of God, and the name of Jesus Christ, they were baptized, both men and women. Then Simon himself believed also: and when he was baptized, he continued with Philip, and wondered, beholding the miracles and signs which were done." (Acts 8:12-13) Yet, they did not receive the Holy Ghost when they believed. "Now when the apostles which were at Jerusalem heard that Samaria had received the word of God, they sent unto them Peter and John: Who, when they have come down, prayed for them, that they might receive the Holy Ghost: (For as yet he was fallen upon none of them: only they were baptized in the name of the Lord Jesus.) Then laid they their hands on them, and they received the Holy Ghost." (Acts 8:14-17)
"Then Peter said unto them, Repent, and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins, and ye shall receive the gift of the Holy Ghost. For the promise is unto you, and to your children, and to all that are afar off, even as many as the Lord our God shall call." (Acts 2:38-39) How much farther from 1st century Judaea can you get than 21st century America?
Have you obeyed this scripture?
If so, these scriptures apply to you:
"And you hath he quickened (gave you the Holy Ghost), who were dead in trespasses and sins (before you received the Holy Ghost); Wherein in time past ye walked according to the course of this world, according to the prince of the power of the air, the spirit that now worketh in the children of disobedience: Among whom also we all had our conversation in times past in the lusts of our flesh, fulfilling the desires of the flesh and of the mind; and were by nature the children of wrath, even as others. (If the way we walked in time past describes you, you need the Holy Ghost.) But God, who is rich in mercy, for his great love wherewith he loved us, Even when we were dead in sins (before you received the Holy Ghost), hath quickened us together with Christ (gave us the Holy Ghost), (by grace (grace is not mercy, read Titus 2:11--it is what teaches you how to save yourself) ye are saved;) And hath raised us up together in heavenly places in Christ Jesus (If you have received the Holy Ghost, you know what this feels like)." (Ephesians 2:1-6)
"And ye are complete in him (if you have the Holy Ghost), which is the head of all principality and power: In whom also ye are circumcised with the circumcision made without hands (the Holy Ghost), in putting off the body of the sins of the flesh by the circumcision of Christ (He came to save you from your sins, not in them): Buried with him in baptism, wherein also ye are risen with him (received the Holy Ghost) through the faith of the operation of God, who hath raised him from the dead. And you, being dead in your sins and the uncircumcision of your flesh (before you received the Holy Ghost), hath he quickened together with him (given you the Holy Ghost), having forgiven you all trespasses." (Colossians 2:10-13)
If you have not obeyed Acts 2:38, you are dead in sins and trespasses. You do not have power over sin, you are not saved, and you do not really know Jesus. You may think that you do, but you do not. Jesus told the woman at the well, "If thou knewest the gift of God, and who it is that saith to thee, Give me to drink; thou wouldest have asked of him, and he would have given thee living water (the Holy Ghost). Whosoever drinketh of this water shall thirst again: But whosoever drinketh of the water that I shall give him (the Holy Ghost) shall never thirst; but the water that I shall give him shall be in him a well of water springing up into everlasting life. (You need some of this water. It is free. All you have to do is ask him for it, faith believing, obeying all that you know.) Ye worship ye know not what (if you don't have the Holy Ghost): we know what we worship; for salvation is of the Jews (spiritual jews--i.e., those who God has filled with the Holy Ghost, the circumcision made without hands). But the hour cometh, and now is, when the true worshippers shall worship the Father in spirit and in truth: for the Father seeketh such to worship him. God is a Spirit: and they that worship him must worship him in spirit and in truth." (John 4:10,13-14,22-24)
"Except a man be born of water (be baptized in the name of Jesus Christ) and of the Spirit (receive the Holy Ghost), he cannot enter into the kingdom of God." (John 3:5)
Have you received the Holy Ghost since you believed?
Unto what were you baptized?
Jesus was Crucified
After being betrayed mocked, judged of men, beaten and shamed Jesus was crucified.