Genesis 3 · Isaiah 53 · John 3 · Romans 3–10 · Ephesians 2 · Bible Study
The Plan of Salvation
God’s Rescue, from Eden to the Empty Tomb
From the first sin in Eden, God had a plan to rescue lost people. He promised a Saviour, pictured Him in every sacrifice, and sent His Son, Jesus Christ, to die for our sins and rise again. Salvation is God’s free gift, received by grace through faith in Him.
About Salvation
Salvation at a Glance
Bible Study
Note: Scripture quotations and verse links on this site use the King James Version (KJV) because it is in the public domain, while most modern translations limit how much can be quoted online. Feel free to read along in the translation of your choice.
All Have Sinned
Romans 3:23
Christ Died for Us
Romans 5:8
A Free Gift
By grace through faith (Ephesians 2:8)
Eternal Life
Whosoever believeth (John 3:16)
About Salvation
What Is God’s Plan of Salvation?
What It Means
Rescued by God
To be saved is to be rescued by God: forgiven of sin, brought from death to life, made His child, and given eternal life with Him. It is all His work, from first to last.
The Bible’s word “salvation” means deliverance or rescue. God saves His people from the penalty of sin (Romans 6:23), from its power over their lives (Romans 6:14), and one day from its very presence (Revelation 21:4). He saves us for Himself, to know Him and enjoy Him for ever: “And this is life eternal, that they might know Thee the only true God, and Jesus Christ, whom Thou hast sent” (John 17:3).
Salvation was God’s plan before the world began. Jesus is “the Lamb slain from the foundation of the world” (Revelation 13:8). For a short, plain-words summary, see our Salvation page in Key Christian Terms.
Why We Need It
Lost Without Him
Every person has sinned and fallen short of God’s glory. Sin separates us from a holy God, and its wages is death. We cannot save ourselves by good works.
“For all have sinned, and come short of the glory of God” (Romans 3:23). Sin is not only wrong things we do but a heart turned away from God. Isaiah says, “your iniquities have separated between you and your God” (Isaiah 59:2), and “all our righteousnesses are as filthy rags” (Isaiah 64:6).
“For the wages of sin is death” (Romans 6:23): physical death, and eternal separation from God after the judgment (Hebrews 9:27; Revelation 20:14–15). No amount of religion or good deeds can pay that debt. “Not by works of righteousness which we have done, but according to His mercy He saved us” (Titus 3:5).
How It Comes
Through Jesus Alone
God saves by His grace, through faith in Jesus Christ, who died for our sins and rose again. We receive His gift by turning from sin and trusting Him alone.
“For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God: Not of works, lest any man should boast” (Ephesians 2:8–9). Grace is God’s undeserved kindness; faith is the empty hand that receives it.
Jesus is the only way: “Neither is there salvation in any other: for there is none other name under heaven given among men, whereby we must be saved” (Acts 4:12). He died in our place and rose again (1 Corinthians 15:3–4), and “whosoever shall call upon the name of the Lord shall be saved” (Romans 10:13).
Key Verse
Saved by Grace Through Faith
“For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God: Not of works, lest any man should boast.”
Ephesians 2:8-9 (KJV)
Key Themes
Six Truths About Salvation
These six truths sum up God’s plan of salvation.
1
God Loves the World
Salvation begins with the love of God.
“For God so loved the world, that He gave His only begotten Son”
JOHN 3:16
2
All Have Sinned
No one is good enough on their own.
“For all have sinned, and come short of the glory of God”
ROMANS 3:23
3
Christ Died for Sinners
Jesus took the punishment we deserved.
“but God commendeth His love toward us, in that, while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us.”
ROMANS 5:8
4
He Rose Again
The empty tomb proves the payment was accepted.
“Who was delivered for our offences, and was raised again for our justification.”
ROMANS 4:25
5
By Grace Through Faith
A gift to receive, not a wage to earn.
“it is the gift of God: Not of works, lest any man should boast.”
EPHESIANS 2:8–9
6
Jesus Is the Only Way
There is no other Saviour.
“I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by Me.”
JOHN 14:6
From Eden to Eternity
God’s Plan, Step by Step
Genesis 1–3Created for God, Lost in Sin
God made man and woman in His own image, very good, to walk with Him (Genesis 1:27, 31). But Adam and Eve disobeyed, and sin and death entered the world: “by one man sin entered into the world, and death by sin; and so death passed upon all men, for that all have sinned” (Romans 5:12). They hid from God, and were sent out of the garden. See The Fall in Eden.
Genesis 3:15The First Promise
Even as He pronounced judgment, God gave a promise. He told the serpent that the woman’s Seed would crush him: “it shall bruise thy head, and thou shalt bruise His heel” (Genesis 3:15). This first gospel promise looked ahead to Jesus, born of a woman, who would be wounded at the cross yet defeat Satan for ever. God also clothed Adam and Eve with coats of skins (3:21), the first hint that a death would cover their shame.
Genesis 12 – Exodus 12A Family and a Lamb
God chose Abraham and promised, “in thee shall all families of the earth be blessed” (Genesis 12:3). Abraham “believed in the LORD; and He counted it to him for righteousness” (Genesis 15:6), showing that salvation has always been by faith. In Egypt, God spared every home marked with the blood of a lamb: “when I see the blood, I will pass over you” (Exodus 12:13). Jesus is “our passover” (1 Corinthians 5:7).
Leviticus · Isaiah 53Sacrifices and a Suffering Servant
The law showed God’s holiness and our sin, and the sacrifices taught that “without shedding of blood is no remission” (Hebrews 9:22). Yet animal blood could never truly take away sin (Hebrews 10:4); it pointed ahead. Isaiah saw the One it pointed to: “But He was wounded for our transgressions, He was bruised for our iniquities … and with His stripes we are healed” (Isaiah 53:5).
Luke 2 · John 3The Saviour Is Born
In the fulness of time God sent His Son. The angel announced, “For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Saviour, which is Christ the Lord” (Luke 2:11). His name, Jesus, means “the LORD saves,” “for He shall save His people from their sins” (Matthew 1:21). Jesus told Nicodemus, “For God so loved the world, that He gave His only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in Him should not perish, but have everlasting life” (John 3:16).
The GospelsThe Cross
Jesus lived a sinless life and then gave it up willingly: “the Son of man came not to be ministered unto, but to minister, and to give His life a ransom for many” (Mark 10:45). On the cross He bore God’s judgment on sin in our place: “Who His own self bare our sins in His own body on the tree” (1 Peter 2:24). Before He died He cried, “It is finished” (John 19:30). The debt was paid in full. See The Crucifixion.
1 Corinthians 15The Empty Tomb
On the third day Jesus rose from the dead, as He had promised. This is the heart of the gospel: “how 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). Because He lives, those who trust Him will live too, and death has lost its sting (15:55–57).
Romans 10 · Acts 16The Response of Faith
God calls everyone to turn from sin and trust in Christ. “Repent ye therefore, and be converted, that your sins may be blotted out” (Acts 3:19). When a jailer asked, “Sirs, what must I do to be saved?” Paul answered, “Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ, and thou shalt be saved” (Acts 16:30–31). “That if thou shalt confess with thy mouth the Lord Jesus, and shalt believe in thine heart that God hath raised Him from the dead, thou shalt be saved” (Romans 10:9).
Romans 8 · Revelation 21New Life and a Sure Hope
Whoever trusts Christ is justified, declared righteous before God (Romans 5:1), born again by the Holy Spirit (John 3:5), adopted as God’s child (John 1:12), and made a new creature (2 Corinthians 5:17). “There is therefore now no condemnation to them which are in Christ Jesus” (Romans 8:1). And one day God will finish what He began: “God shall wipe away all tears from their eyes; and there shall be no more death” (Revelation 21:4).
At a Glance
Salvation at a Glance
God’s plan of salvation on one page: why we need it, the Romans Road with a chart, how God prepared the way from Eden to the cross, the great words of salvation, how to be saved, and new life in Christ. Tap a topic to jump to it.
Printable Copy
Save or Print the Infographic
Everything in this section, with the key verse and key themes, is also on a printable infographic (five pages). It opens in a new tab, where you can save it to your phone or computer, share it, or print it.
The Problem
Why We Need Salvation
Before the good news makes sense, we need to see the bad news: what sin has done, and why we cannot fix it ourselves.
EVERYONE
All Have Sinned
No one is righteous on their own.
“As it is written, There is none righteous, no, not one”
ROMANS 3:10
SEPARATED
Cut Off from God
Sin puts a wall between us and God.
“But your iniquities have separated between you and your God”
ISAIAH 59:2
THE PENALTY
The Wages of Sin
Sin earns death.
“For the wages of sin is death”
ROMANS 6:23
JUDGMENT
After Death
Every person will stand before God.
“And as it is appointed unto men once to die, but after this the judgment”
HEBREWS 9:27
HELPLESS
Good Works Cannot Save
Our best is not enough.
“But we are all as an unclean thing, and all our righteousnesses are as filthy rags”
ISAIAH 64:6
BUT GOD
God Loves Sinners
The bad news is not the end of the story.
“But God, who is rich in mercy, for His great love wherewith He loved us”
EPHESIANS 2:4
Chart
The Romans Road Chart
The “Romans Road” walks through the gospel in seven verses from Paul’s letter to the Romans. Follow it step by step.
The same seven verses, with what each one means, are in the next section.
Romans 3–10
The Romans Road, Step by Step
Seven verses from one letter that explain how to be saved.
1
The Problem
Everyone has sinned.
“For all have sinned, and come short of the glory of God”
ROMANS 3:23
2
The Penalty and the Gift
Sin earns death; God gives life freely.
“For the wages of sin is death; but the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord.”
ROMANS 6:23
3
God’s Provision
Jesus died for us while we were still sinners.
“while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us.”
ROMANS 5:8
4
Our Response
Believe in the risen Lord and confess Him.
“That if thou shalt confess with thy mouth the Lord Jesus, and shalt believe in thine heart that God hath raised Him from the dead, thou shalt be saved.”
ROMANS 10:9
5
For Everyone
Whoever calls on Him will be saved.
“For whosoever shall call upon the name of the Lord shall be saved.”
ROMANS 10:13
6
The Result
Justified by faith, at peace with God, free from condemnation.
“Therefore being justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ”
ROMANS 5:1
“There is therefore now no condemnation to them which are in Christ Jesus, who walk not after the flesh, but after the Spirit.”Romans 8:1 (KJV)
Genesis to the Gospels
Prepared from the Beginning
Salvation was not God’s second plan. All through the Old Testament He pointed to the Saviour who was coming.
EDEN
The Promised Seed
The first promise of a Saviour.
“it shall bruise thy head, and thou shalt bruise His heel.”
GENESIS 3:15
MOUNT MORIAH
God Will Provide
A ram in Isaac’s place.
“My son, God will provide Himself a lamb for a burnt offering”
GENESIS 22:8
EGYPT
The Passover Lamb
The blood on the door meant life.
“and when I see the blood, I will pass over you”
EXODUS 12:13
THE TABERNACLE
Blood for Atonement
Life for life on the altar.
“for it is the blood that maketh an atonement for the soul.”
LEVITICUS 17:11
ISAIAH
The Suffering Servant
Wounded for our sins.
“But He was wounded for our transgressions, He was bruised for our iniquities”
ISAIAH 53:5
FULFILLED
The Lamb of God
John the Baptist pointed to Jesus.
“Behold the Lamb of God, which taketh away the sin of the world.”
JOHN 1:29
Key Christian Terms
The Great Words of Salvation
The Bible uses many words to describe what God does when He saves us. Each has its own short page in Key Christian Terms.
Your Response
How to Be Saved
God has done everything needed for our salvation. Here is how the Bible says to receive it.
1
Admit Your Need
Agree with God that you are a sinner.
“God be merciful to me a sinner.”
LUKE 18:13
2
Turn from Sin
Repent: turn away from sin and toward God.
“Repent ye therefore, and be converted, that your sins may be blotted out”
ACTS 3:19
3
Believe in Jesus
Trust that He died for you and rose again.
“Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ, and thou shalt be saved”
ACTS 16:31
4
Receive Him
Welcome Christ as your Saviour and Lord.
“But as many as received Him, to them gave He power to become the sons of God, even to them that believe on His name”
JOHN 1:12
5
Confess Him
Openly own Jesus as Lord.
“For with the heart man believeth unto righteousness; and with the mouth confession is made unto salvation.”
ROMANS 10:10
6
Follow Him
Be baptized as He commanded, and walk with Him.
“Then they that gladly received his word were baptized”
ACTS 2:41
A Prayer You Can Pray
Talk to God Now
Words alone do not save; trusting Christ does. If you are ready to trust Him, you can tell God in your own words, or like this:
“Lord God, I know that I am a sinner and cannot save myself. I believe that Jesus Christ died for my sins and rose again. I turn from my sin and trust Him as my Saviour and Lord. Thank You for forgiving me and giving me eternal life. In Jesus’ name, Amen.”
Then tell another believer, find a Bible-believing church, and start reading the Gospel of John.
New Life in Christ
New Life and Assurance
Salvation is not only forgiveness for the past. It is a new life now and a sure hope for ever.
1
A New Creature
God makes us new on the inside.
“Therefore if any man be in Christ, he is a new creature: old things are passed away; behold, all things are become new.”
2 CORINTHIANS 5:17
2
You Can Know
God wants His children to be sure.
“that ye may know that ye have eternal life”
1 JOHN 5:13
3
Held by His Hand
Jesus keeps His sheep.
“And I give unto them eternal life; and they shall never perish, neither shall any man pluck them out of My hand.”
JOHN 10:28
4
God Finishes His Work
What He starts, He completes.
“He which hath begun a good work in you will perform it until the day of Jesus Christ”
PHILIPPIANS 1:6
5
Saved for Good Works
Good works are the fruit of salvation, not the root.
“For we are His workmanship, created in Christ Jesus unto good works”
EPHESIANS 2:10
6
Heaven at Last
God will dwell with His people for ever.
“and God shall wipe away all tears from their eyes; and there shall be no more death”
REVELATION 21:4
Bible Study
Read God’s Plan of Salvation in Scripture
God’s plan of salvation runs through the whole Bible. These passages trace it in five parts. Tap a part below to jump to it, tap any section to expand it, and tap a verse reference to read it in the King James Version at BibleGateway.
Part I
The Promise
Genesis – Isaiah · Sin enters the world, and God promises a Saviour.
- Sin enters; the promised Seed · Genesis 3:1–15
- Coats of skins; out of the garden · Genesis 3:21–24
- Death through Adam, life through Christ · Romans 5:12–21
- Abraham believed God · Genesis 15:1–6
- God will provide a lamb · Genesis 22:1–14
- The Passover lamb · Exodus 12:1–13
- The Day of Atonement · Leviticus 16:15–22
- A psalm of the cross · Psalm 22:1–18
- Wounded for our transgressions · Isaiah 53
Part II
The Saviour Comes
The Gospels · Jesus is born, and He explains why He came.
- He shall save His people from their sins · Matthew 1:18–25
- Unto you is born a Saviour · Luke 2:8–14
- The Word made flesh · John 1:1–14
- Ye must be born again; God so loved the world · John 3:1–21
- To seek and to save that which was lost · Luke 19:1–10
- A ransom for many · Mark 10:42–45
- The prodigal son · Luke 15:11–32
- The good shepherd · John 10:7–18
- The way, the truth, and the life · John 14:1–6
Part III
The Cross and the Empty Tomb
The Gospels · Jesus dies for sinners and rises again.
- Father, forgive them; the thief saved · Luke 23:33–43
- It is finished · John 19:16–30
- The veil torn in two · Mark 15:33–39
- He is not here: for He is risen · Matthew 28:1–10
- Repentance and remission of sins preached · Luke 24:44–48
- The gospel Paul preached · 1 Corinthians 15:1–8
Part IV
The Gospel Preached
Acts · How people were saved in the early church.
- Peter preaches; three thousand saved · Acts 2:22–41
- Repent and be converted · Acts 3:12–26
- None other name · Acts 4:8–12
- The Ethiopian believes · Acts 8:26–39
- Saul on the Damascus road · Acts 9:1–19
- Cornelius and his household · Acts 10:34–48
- The Philippian jailer · Acts 16:25–34
Part V
Salvation Explained
The Letters · The apostles explain what God has done.
- All have sinned; justified freely by grace · Romans 3:9–28
- Peace with God · Romans 5:1–11
- Confess and believe · Romans 10:8–17
- Dead in sin, saved by grace · Ephesians 2:1–10
- The washing of regeneration · Titus 3:3–7
- A new creature; reconciled to God · 2 Corinthians 5:14–21
- Nothing can separate us · Romans 8:28–39
- A living hope · 1 Peter 1:3–9
- That ye may know · 1 John 5:9–13
- All things new · Revelation 21:1–7
Questions
Questions About Salvation
Can I be saved by being a good person?
No. The Bible says “there is none righteous, no, not one” (Romans 3:10), and “by the deeds of the law there shall no flesh be justified in His sight” (Romans 3:20). If we could save ourselves, Christ would not have needed to die (Galatians 2:21). Salvation is “Not of works, lest any man should boast” (Ephesians 2:9). Good works follow salvation as its fruit (Ephesians 2:10).
Is Jesus really the only way?
Jesus said so Himself: “I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by Me” (John 14:6). Peter preached, “Neither is there salvation in any other” (Acts 4:12). Only Jesus is both God and man, and only He died for sin and rose again. See World Religions Compared.
What does it mean to be saved?
The Bible speaks of salvation in three tenses. Believers have been saved from the penalty of sin, declared righteous before God (Romans 5:1). They are being saved from the power of sin as the Spirit makes them holy (Philippians 2:12–13). And they will be saved from the very presence of sin when Christ returns (Romans 13:11; 1 John 3:2).
Can I know for sure that I am saved?
Yes. John wrote his first letter “that ye may know that ye have eternal life” (1 John 5:13). Assurance rests on God’s promise, not on our feelings: “He that hath the Son hath life” (1 John 5:12). The Spirit witnesses with our spirit that we are God’s children (Romans 8:16), and a changed life is the evidence (2 Corinthians 5:17).
Is it ever too late to be saved?
Not while you live and God is calling. One of the thieves crucified with Jesus turned to Him in his last hours, and Jesus promised, “To day shalt thou be with Me in paradise” (Luke 23:43). God is “not willing that any should perish, but that all should come to repentance” (2 Peter 3:9). “Behold, now is the accepted time; behold, now is the day of salvation” (2 Corinthians 6:2).
What should I do after I trust Christ?
Tell someone, and follow the Lord in baptism, as the first believers did (Acts 2:41). Read the Bible every day, starting with a Gospel (see Bible Reading Plans). Pray (see Prayer). Join a church that teaches the Bible, where you can worship, learn and serve with other believers (Hebrews 10:24–25).
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Scripture quotations and verse links are from the King James Version (KJV).