ANSWER: A person cannot devise his own plan of salvation; nor is he saved by “works of righteousness” (Titus 3:5). However, without “works of obedience” one cannot be saved (James 2:14-26). These are the “works” Peter referred to in Acts 2:40 when he told those (and us) on Pentecost day, “Save yourselves from this untoward generation.” What were these “works” they were told to do? Verse thirty-eight answers, “ (You believers) Repent and be baptized for the remission of sins . . .” Verse forty-one, “Then they that gladly received his word were baptized: and the same day there were added unto them about three thousand souls.” Thus, they are said to have saved themselves in their obedience to God’s saving plan! Titus 3:5: ‘not by works of righteousness, but according to His mercy He saved us, by the washing of regeneration/renewing (baptism),’ which is described as the new birth in John 3:3-5!