Obeying the Gospel

 With God, it's not enough to believe what He says; God wants us to obey what He says.

God gave His people Commandments, but it wasn't enough for the people to believe the Commandments that they were the right thing to do. God expected the people to obey His Commandments.

In the New Testament, Jesus told His disciples to go into all the world and to preach the gospel. He then said, "He that believeth and is baptized shall be saved..."

Jesus didn't say he that believeth is saved; Jesus said he that believeth AND is baptized shall be saved. It is not enough that we believe the gospel, although that is necessary. We must also obey the gospel in order to be saved.

On the day of Pentecost, after Peter preached to the people the gospel that Jesus died for our sins, that He was buried, and on the third day He rose again, they asked, What shall we do? Peter then told them how to obey the gospel. 

Acts 2:37-38  Now when they heard this, they were pricked in their heart, and said unto Peter and to the rest of the apostles, Men and brethren, what shall we do?  

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.  

They heard the gospel, they heard how to obey the gospel, and then they obeyed the gospel.

Acts 2:41 "Then they that gladly received his word were baptized..."

Paul preached in 1Corinthians 15:3-4 what the gospel is.

1Corinthians 15:3-4  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:

When Paul preached the gospel to them, they received the gospel, they stood in the gospel, and they were saved by the gospel... unless they believed in vain.

1Corinthians 15:1-2 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. 

"In vain" means "without success or effort...without effect."

Thus, to believe in vain means to believe without effect. For example, if a person believes the gospel but they don't obey the gospel, they have believed in vain.

The gospel preached is successful when people not only believe it but they obey it by repenting of their sins, by being baptized in the name of Jesus for the remission/ forgiveness of their sins and by receiving the gift of the HolyGhost. We aren't saved if we don't obey the gospel. It is in vain if we believe the gospel, and then we don't obey it.

"For the time is come that judgment must begin at the house of God: and if it first begin at us, what shall the end be of them that obey not the gospel of God?" - 1 Peter 4:17 KJV

Temporary Pleasures

 If you are holding on to the “pleasures” of this life before you give your all to Jesus, remember, this life on earth is like a vapour: it is here for but a moment, then it’s gone.

"Whereas ye know not what shall be on the morrow. For what is your life? It is even a vapour, that appeareth for a little time, and then vanisheth away." - James 4:14

Giving into the lusts of our flesh (sinful desires) is a temporary “pleasure” that is not worth the price tag that comes with it. Are we thinking we will repent before we stand before God? And how can we say we love God, if we are indulging in the things of the world, and not pleasing the One that loves us and died for our sins?

"Love not the world, neither the things that are in the world [the things it offers you]. If any man love the world, the love of the Father is not in him. 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. [For the world offers only a craving for physical pleasure, a craving for everything we see, and pride in our achievements and possessions. These are not from the Father, but are from this world.] And the world passeth away, and the lust thereof: but he that doeth the will of God abideth for ever. [And this world is fading away, along with everything that people crave. But anyone who does what pleases God will live forever.]" - 1 John 2:15-17 KJV

"Be not deceived; God is not mocked: for whatsoever a man soweth, that shall he also reap. [Don’t be misled—you cannot mock the justice of God. You will always harvest what you plant.] For he that soweth to his flesh shall of the flesh reap corruption; but he that soweth to the Spirit shall of the Spirit reap life everlasting. [Those who live only to satisfy their own sinful nature will harvest decay and death from that sinful nature. But those who live to please the Spirit will harvest everlasting life from the Spirit.] And let us not be weary in well doing: for in due season we shall reap, if we faint not. [So let’s not get tired of doing what is good. At just the right time we will reap a harvest of blessing if we don’t give up.]" - Galatians 6:7-9 KJV

"While it is said, Today if ye will hear his voice, harden not your hearts, as in the provocation. [Remember what it says: “Today when you hear his voice, don’t harden your hearts as Israel did when they rebelled.”]" - Hebrews 3:15

Peter preached that Jesus had finally come as Messiah and Savior, and His own rejected Him. When Peter preached about Christ’s suffering, His crucifixion, and on the third day His resurrection, the people responded.

"Now when they heard this, they were pricked in their heart [Peter’s words pierced their hearts], and said unto Peter and to the rest of the apostles, Men and brethren, what shall we do? 

“Then Peter said unto them, Repent [repent of your sins and turn to God], and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins [forgiveness of your 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. And with many other words did he testify and exhort [strongly urging], saying, Save yourselves from this untoward [perverse] generation. 

“Then they that gladly received his word were baptized: and the same day there were added unto them [added to the church that day] about three thousand souls. And they continued stedfastly in the apostles' doctrine [teaching] and fellowship, and in breaking of bread, and in prayers." - Acts 2:37-42 KJV

Give your life to Jesus. Turn your back on the world. Stay full of the Holy Ghost. 

Life with Jesus in this life –  and eternal life with Jesus in heaven – is worth everything!

Jesus - Son of David

 Jesus, our heavenly Father, King of the Universe, robed (manifested) Himself in flesh. He revealed Himself as the chosen King that would sit on the throne of David forever, as He promised to David by the prophet Nathan.

"And thine house and thy kingdom shall be established for ever before thee: thy throne shall be established for ever." According to all these words, and according to all this vision, so did Nathan speak unto David." - 2 Samuel 7:16-17. 

Because God told David that his house, his kingdom, and his throne would be established forever, this meant the Messiah would be David's offspring.

When people called Jesus, “Son of David,” they were saying that Jesus is the Messiah.

The week before the death, burial, and resurrection of Jesus, as Jesus and His disciples were nearing Jerusalem, Jesus sent two disciples to a nearby village to bring Him a donkey and her colt. The disciples put their garments on them and Jesus sat on them. As Jesus approached Jerusalem, a very large crowd took their cloaks while others cut branches from the trees and spread them on the road for Jesus as He entered the city. The people before Him and following Him were shouting, Hosanna to the Son of David! Blessed is he that cometh in the name of the LORD! Hosanna in the highest! (Matthew 21:1-9) 

The word for Hosanna is of Hebrew origin meaning, 'save, I pray.' 

Jesus’ triumphant entry into Jerusalem was fulfillment of prophecy:

"Rejoice greatly, O daughter of Zion; shout, O daughter of Jerusalem: behold, thy King cometh unto thee: he is just, and having salvation; lowly, and riding upon an ass, and upon a colt the foal of an ass." - Zechariah 9:9 KJV

Jesus' triumphant entry into Jerusalem revealing his kingship was also fulfillment of a type and shadow of Solomon how he revealed his kingship.

Solomon was chosen by God to be the next king after David. 

"And of all my sons, (for the LORD hath given me many sons,) he hath chosen Solomon my son to sit upon the throne of the kingdom of the LORD over Israel. 

"And he said unto me, Solomon thy son, he shall build my house and my courts: for I have chosen him to be my son, and I will be his father." 1 Chronicles 28:5-6

When Adonijah, another son of David, attempted to crown himself king instead of Solomon, David revealed Solomon to be the chosen king of Israel by having him ride into Jerusalem on his personal mule. By this all Israel knew Solomon was the chosen king. (1 Kings 1:1-48).

As fulfillment of this type and shadow, Jesus rode into Jerusalem on a donkey, the people before Him and following Him were shouting Hosanna to the Son of David, the chosen King Messiah. 

Jesus the King of the Universe and Son of David, God manifest in flesh and Savior of the world. His throne and His kingdom are forever.

The Complete Experience of the Gospel

The Complete Experience of the Gospel as in the Day of Pentecost Acts 2:38

Repentance is death to sin

Water baptism in Jesus name is burial of old nature.

Holy Ghost infilling is resurrection to new life

"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 KJV

"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. For if we have been planted together in the likeness of his death, we shall be also in the likeness of his resurrection: 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 6:1-7 KJV

"In whom also ye are circumcised with the circumcision made without hands, in putting off the body of the sins of the flesh by the circumcision of Christ: Buried with him in baptism, wherein also ye are risen with him through the faith of the operation of God, who hath raised him from the dead." - Colossians 2:11-12 KJV

"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

From Search for Truth Bible Study

 

The Truth Shall Make You Free

 

"Then said Jesus to those Jews which believed on him, If ye continue in my word, then are ye my disciples indeed; and ye shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free." - John 8:31-32 

What is the truth that makes us free? And what are we made free from?

We are made free from sin.

"But God be thanked, that ye were the servants of sin, but ye have obeyed from the heart that form of doctrine which was delivered you. Being then made free from sin, ye became the servants of righteousness." - Romans 6:17-18 

The truth that makes us free from sin is the gospel of Jesus. He is the way, the truth, and the life. We are made free when we believe and obey the gospel, “that from of doctrine which was delivered you.”

"In whom ye also trusted, after that ye heard the word of truth, the gospel of your salvation: in whom also after that ye believed, ye were sealed with that holy Spirit of promise," - Ephesians 1:13 

The gospel is that Jesus died for our sins, was buried, and rose again the third day. (1 Corinthians 15:1-4). We repent of our sins, are baptized in the name of Jesus for the remission of sins, and receive His holy Spirit of promise, the Holy Ghost. (Acts 2:38).

"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 

"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

What about John 3:16?

 What is John 3:16 and what is the rest of the story?

"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 

Many people use this verse as their doctrine for salvation. They say, ‘If you believe in Jesus, you will not perish but have everlasting life. Simply believe.’

What a lot of people do not realize is, Jesus is speaking here to Nicodemus. Jesus had already told Nicodemus “Except a man be born again, he cannot see the kingdom of God.” (John 3:3). 

Just a few verses before John 3:16 Jesus further told Nicodemus "Except a man be born of water and of the Spirit, he cannot enter into the kingdom of God." - John 3:5 

We are born of water when we are baptized with water in the name of Jesus. We are born of the Spirit when we are baptized with His Spirit.

Jesus said we need to BELIEVE the gospel AND OBEY the gospel by baptism to be saved. 

"And he said unto them, Go ye into all the world, and preach the gospel to every creature." - Mark 16:15 

"He that believeth and is baptized shall be saved; but he that believeth not shall be damned." - Mark 16:16 

On the Day of Pentecost when the church began, Peter preached the gospel, then how to obey the gospel by being  born of water and of the Spirit. 

"Him, being delivered by the determinate counsel and foreknowledge of God, ye have taken, and by wicked hands have crucified and slain: whom God hath raised up, having loosed the pains of death: because it was not possible that he should be holden of it." - Acts 2:23-24 

"Now when they heard this, they were pricked in their heart, and said unto Peter and to the rest of the apostles, Men and brethren, what shall we do?" - Acts 2:37 

"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 

"Then they that gladly received his word were baptized: and the same day there were added unto them about three thousand souls. 

"And they continued stedfastly in the apostles' doctrine and fellowship, and in breaking of bread, and in prayers." - Acts 2:41-42