Disciples of John the Baptist

 

There were twelve men in Ephesus that had been disciples of John the Baptist. They were met by Paul the Apostle. They had heard of the baptism of the Holy Ghost from John the Baptist, but had not heard that the Holy Ghost was already being poured out. (Mark 1:7-8) 

When they heard Paul preach Christ, they were RE-BAPTIZED IN THE NAME OF JESUS. They then received the gift of the Holy Ghost, SPEAKING IN TONGUES AS THE SPIRIT GAVE THEM UTTERANCE. This is another place in the Bible where it is recorded that when people receive the Holy Ghost they speak with tongues. (Acts 2:4, Acts 10:45-46, Acts 19:6). This is also a place in the Bible where Paul is baptizing.

"And it came to pass, that, while Apollos was at Corinth, Paul having passed through the upper coasts came to Ephesus: and finding certain disciples, He said unto them, Have ye received the Holy Ghost since ye believed? 

“And they said unto him, We have not so much as heard whether there be any Holy Ghost [being poured out].

“And he said unto them, Unto what then were ye baptized? 

“And they said, Unto John's baptism. 

“Then said Paul, John verily baptized with the baptism of repentance, saying unto the people, that they should believe on him which should come after him, that is, on Christ Jesus. 

“When they heard this, they were baptized in the name of the Lord Jesus. 

“And when Paul had laid his hands upon them, the Holy Ghost came on them; and they spake with tongues, and prophesied. 

“And all the men were about twelve." - Acts 19:1-7 [There were about 12 men]

What is the gospel?

 What is the gospel?

It is the Good News that Jesus died for our sins, was buried, and rose from the dead on the third day, so that we could turn from our sinful way, bury our sinful nature by baptism in the name of Jesus, and arise to walk with Jesus with a new life, filled with His Spirit!

"Moreover, brethren, I declare unto you the gospel which I preached unto you, which also ye have received, and wherein ye stand; by which also ye are saved if ye keep in memory what I preached unto you, unless ye have believed in vain. For I delivered unto you first of all that which I also received, 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 15:1-4 

We are saved by the gospel – the death, burial, and resurrection of Jesus – if we OBEY the gospel.

"Then said Jesus unto his disciples, If any man will come after me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross, and follow me." - Matthew 16:24 

We deny ourselves by repenting of our sins. We take up our cross by crucifying our sinful nature. We follow Jesus in His burial by being water baptized in the name of Jesus. We follow His resurrection when we are filled with His Spirit and walk in a new life.

"What shall we say then? Shall we continue in sin, that grace may abound? God forbid. How shall we, that are dead to sin, live any longer therein?  Know ye not, that so many of us as were baptized into Jesus Christ were baptized into his death? 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 6:1-4

Peter preached the gospel on the Day of Pentecost, then how to obey the gospel.

"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

I AM

 

"Your father Abraham rejoiced to see my day: and he saw it, and was glad. 

“Then said the Jews unto him, Thou art not yet fifty years old, and hast thou seen Abraham? [Abraham lived approximately 2000 years earlier.]  

“Jesus said unto them, Verily, verily, I say unto you, Before Abraham was, I am. 

“Then took they up stones to cast at him: but Jesus hid himself, and went out of the temple, going through the midst of them, and so passed by." - John 8:56-59 KJV

Why did the Jews take up stones to cast at Jesus? 

Because they understood that Jesus was letting them know He is God, the “I AM.”

"And God said unto Moses, I AM THAT I AM: and he said, Thus shalt thou say unto the children of Israel, I AM hath sent me unto you." - Exodus 3:14 KJV

The World

 

"Love not the world, neither the things that are in the world. If any man love the world, the love of the Father is not in him." - 1 John 2:15 KJV (James 4:4).

"Ye are of God, little children, and have overcome them: because greater is he that is in you, than he that is in the world." - 1 John 4:4 KJV

What is the world?

"For all that is in the world, the lust of the flesh, and the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life, is not of the Father, but is of the world." - 1 John 2:16 KJV

These three things were what the devil tempted the woman with in the Garden.

"And when the woman saw that the tree was good for food, and that it was pleasant to the eyes, and a tree to be desired to make one wise, she took of the fruit thereof, and did eat, and gave also unto her husband with her; and he did eat." - Genesis 3:6 KJV

The woman saw that the tree was good for food – lust of the flesh, and that it was pleasant to the eyes – lust of the eyes, and a tree to be desired to make one wise – the pride of life. Even though that was the only tree they were not to eat of…

It was Adam and Eve’s choice to sin that brought death and separation from God. (Romans 5:12, Genesis 3:23).

"But every man is tempted, when he is drawn away of his own lust, and enticed. Then when lust hath conceived, it bringeth forth sin: and sin, when it is finished, bringeth forth death." - James 1:14-15 KJV

It is the devil that is “he that is in the world.” He is “the god of this world.” He blinds the minds of those that believe not, knowing that through the gospel we can overcome the world and once again have communion with God and eternal life. By the gospel, we can have God in us.

"In whom the god of this world hath blinded the minds of them which believe not, lest the light of the glorious gospel of Christ, who is the image of God, should shine unto them." - 2 Corinthians 4:4 KJV

What is the gospel that the devil has blinded the minds of unbelievers to?

It is the good news (the great news!!!) that God robed Himself in flesh to dwell among humanity and die in our place for our sins, that He was buried, and that on the third day He rose again. (1Corinthians 15:1-4).

It is the good news (the great news!!!) that if a person will repent of their sins, be baptized in the name of Jesus for the remission (forgiveness) of their sins, and receive the gift of the Holy Ghost (the Spirit of Jesus in them), they will be saved. (Matthew 16:24-26, Galatians 6:14, Romans 6:1-5, Acts 2:38).

The lusts of the flesh are temporary “pleasures.” Living for God overcoming the world has its rewards in this life and in eternal life. (Hebrews 11:24-26, John 10:10).

"And the world passeth away, and the lust thereof: but he that doeth the will of God abideth for ever." - 1 John 2:17 KJV

When we are born of God by obeying the gospel (John 1:12-13, John 3:5, 1 Corinthians 15:1-4, Romans 6:1-13, Acts 2:38), we have the power of God within us to overcome the world and anything the devil throws at us. (Acts 1:8).

"For whatsoever is born of God overcometh the world: and this is the victory that overcometh the world, even our faith." - 1 John 5:4 KJV

One God

 

"He was in the world, and the world was made by him, and the world knew him not. He came unto his own, and his own received him not. 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: which were born, not of blood, nor of the will of the flesh, nor of the will of man, but of God." - John 1:10-13 

The Father, creator of the universe, walked among His people. He came manifest in flesh so He could die for our sins and save us. He is our Savior. He came in His name of salvation, JESUS (“LORD Salvation”). (Exodus 15:2, Isaiah 43:11, Luke 2:11, Titus 2:13).

"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 taught that we must be born of water and of the Spirit to enter His kingdom. He gave the keys to His kingdom to His disciple Peter. On the Day of Pentecost, Peter preached the keys to the kingdom.

"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." - Acts 2:38 

On that day, His Spirit filled His people, as He promised. (Luke 24:49, Acts 1:4-5, Acts 2:33). 

He gave us His Spirit so we could once again be one with Him. By our obedience to the gospel, we can claim His promise and receive the gift of His Spirit within us.

Jesus is our Father. His Spirit gives us the power to overcome sin, and the power to be witnesses unto the world.

"But when they deliver you up, take no thought how or what ye shall speak: for it shall be given you in that same hour what ye shall speak. For it is not ye that speak, but the Spirit of your Father which speaketh in you." - Matthew 10:19-20 KJV

"There is one body, and one Spirit, even as ye are called in one hope of your calling; One Lord, one faith, one baptism, One God and Father of all, who is above all, and through all, and in you all." - Ephesians 4:4-6

Faith

 

Faith

"And the apostles said unto the Lord, Increase our faith. And the Lord said, If ye had faith as a grain of mustard seed, ye might say unto this sycamine tree, Be thou plucked up by the root, and be thou planted in the sea; and it should obey you." - Luke 17:5-6

Jesus told His disciples, a grain of mustard seed is the smallest of seeds, yet when it is sown, it grows and becomes greater than all herbs. (Mark 4:31-32)

When faith is sown in our heart, even if it is a tiny seed of faith, it will grow and become great faith.

We hear about Jesus. We believe. A tiny seed of faith is planted. We begin praying, thanking Jesus for another day of life. We ask Him for His help with the things of life we are going through. We see Jesus answering prayer after prayer. We see Him working miracles. We see His healing touch in our life. With each prayer answered, our faith grows.

Faith is essential to our relationship with God.

"But without faith it is impossible to please him: for he that cometh to God must believe that he is, and that he is a rewarder of them that diligently seek him." - Hebrews 11:6

We have faith in God. We believe the Creator of the universe stepped down into humanity, taking on the form of man, so that He could pay the price of our sins. (2 Corinthians 5:19).

Through faith by believing the gospel, we are baptized in the name of Jesus, applying His blood to our life for the remission [forgiveness] of our sins. (Mark 16:15-16, Acts 2:38).

Because of our faith, we believe God's promise, and receive the gift of His Spirit in us, the Holy Ghost.

"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

Faith is the beginning. Faith grows. Faith takes us through trials, works miracles, and takes us places as God’s hands, feet, and mouthpiece. We live by faith. We walk by faith. We stand fast in faith. And faith keeps us to the day when we see our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ face to face.

Fruitful

 "Abide in me, and I in you. As the branch cannot bear fruit of itself, except it abide in the vine; no more can ye, except ye abide in me. I am the vine, ye are the branches: He that abideth in me, and I in him, the same bringeth forth much fruit: for without me ye can do nothing." - John 15:4-5 

How does Jesus abide in us, and we abide in Him?

"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 

When we decide to follow Jesus and turn our back on sin, we covenant with Him by water baptism in the name of Jesus. Our sins are remitted and we receive His gift of His Spirit, which is the Holy Ghost. 

"But now being made free from sin, and become servants to God, ye have your fruit unto holiness, and the end everlasting life." - Romans 6:22

Jesus is the vine, and we are the branches.

"For in him we live, and move, and have our being; as certain also of your own poets have said, For we are also his offspring." - Acts 17:28 

With His Spirit in us, we begin bearing the fruit of His Spirit.

"But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, gentleness, goodness, faith, Meekness, temperance: against such there is no law." - Galatians 5:22-23

"That ye might walk worthy of the Lord unto all pleasing, being fruitful in every good work, and increasing in the knowledge of God;" - Colossians 1:10 

"Herein is my Father glorified, that ye bear much fruit; so shall ye be my disciples." - John 15:8 

"Ye have not chosen me, but I have chosen you, and ordained you, that ye should go and bring forth fruit, and that your fruit should remain: that whatsoever ye shall ask of the Father in my name, he may give it you." - John 15:16 

We also are fruitful by sharing the gospel with others. Through our witness, the Word, and prayer, God gives the increase and new souls are born into the kingdom.

"Who then is Paul, and who is Apollos, but ministers by whom ye believed, even as the Lord gave to every man? I have planted, Apollos watered; but God gave the increase. So then neither is he that planteth any thing, neither he that watereth; but God that giveth the increase." - 1 Corinthians 3:5-7 

"He that abideth in me, and I in him, the same bringeth forth much fruit: for without me ye can do nothing." - John 15:5