When I have opportunity to study with someone who believes the basics but has not understood and obeyed the Gospel, I follow this plan:
First, I establish the fact that we live under the New Testament and not the Old Testament, and the significance of that fact. The Old Testament was a covenant made exclusively between God and the nation of Israel at Mt. Sinai (Deuteronomy 5:1-3; Psalm 147:19-20). The Gentile world was never under this covenant, and the Jewish world, since the death of Jesus, is no longer under it. So, we must get our instruction from the New Testament.
Second, I establish a common sense approach to Bible study. All the facts must be gathered. For example: When they came to arrest Jesus, Mark says that one of those who stood by drew a sword and cut off the ear of the servant of the high priest. Matthew informs us that it was a disciple of Jesus who used the sword. Luke says it was the right ear that was amputated. John identifies the swordsman as Peter and the victim as Malchus. Then the student must reason accurately from all the facts. Any Bible subject must be approached in this way.
Third, I apply all this to the question of how and when one becomes a saved person by studying the Great Commission accounts. Matthew says one is to be baptized in the name of the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit (28:19). Mark says that one must believe and be baptized to be saved (16:16). Luke adds the element of repentance and remission of sins (24:46). So, one becomes a saved person when he hears the Gospel and believes it, repents of past sins, and is baptized for the remission of sins.
Fourth, I confirm this conclusion by a brief study of Acts 2. Thousands in the audience there heard the Gospel and believed it (verses 14-37). When they asked what else they should do, they were told to repent and be baptized in the name of Jesus for the remission of their sins (verse 38).
I emphasize two things about believing, repenting and being baptized. First, this stands together as a unit. Not one of these can be omitted and still result in the remission of sins. Second, there is a logical progression from faith to repentance to baptism to salvation — which progression has been distorted by some of our religious neighbors.
