"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
"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
"And now why tarriest thou? arise, and be baptized, and wash away thy sins, calling on the name of the Lord." - Acts 22:16
We enter into a blood covenant with Jesus when we are baptized in the name of Jesus for the remission of sins. The Bible compares this covenant with the covenant of circumcision, which is also a blood covenant. (At least one drop of blood must be shed at circumcision.)
"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
We cut off the sins of our flesh when we repent and are baptized in the name of Jesus.
"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 KJV
While a Jewish child is given his name at circumcision, we are given the name of Jesus at baptism. (Luke 1:59, Luke 2:21, Acts 15:17, James 2:7).
If a Jewish male was not circumcised, he was cut off from his people. (Genesis 17:14).
Without baptism in the name of Jesus we are cut off from the people of God. (Mark 16:16).
*Chart from Search for Truth Bible Study
By His Spirit we can feel love for the unlovable, forgiveness for the unforgiveable, patience in turmoil, wisdom and direction in the midst of confusion, and joy and peace no matter what the situation.
The key is to stay full of His Spirit.
"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 15:5 KJV
"But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, gentleness, goodness, faith, meekness, temperance: against such there is no law. And they that are Christ's have crucified the flesh with the affections and lusts. If we live in the Spirit, let us also walk in the Spirit." - Galatians 5:22-25 KJV
"But the wisdom that is from above is first pure, then peaceable, gentle, and easy to be intreated, full of mercy and good fruits, without partiality, and without hypocrisy." - James 3:17 KJV
"And the peace of God, which passeth all understanding, shall keep your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus." - Philippians 4:7 KJV
"If ye had known me, ye should have known my Father also: and from henceforth ye know him, and have seen him.
"Philip saith unto him, Lord, shew us the Father, and it sufficeth us.
"Jesus saith unto him, Have I been so long time with you, and yet hast thou not known me, Philip?
"He that hath seen me hath seen the Father; and how sayest thou then, Shew us the Father?
"Believes thou not that I am in the Father, and the Father in me?
"The words that I speak unto you I speak not of myself: but the Father that dwelleth in me, he doeth the works.
"Believe me that I am in the Father, and the Father in me: or else believe me for the very works' sake."
John 14:7-11 KJV
God prepared Himself a body when He overshadowed Mary and she conceived.
"And the angel answered and said unto her, The Holy Ghost shall come upon thee, and the power of the Highest shall overshadow thee: therefore also that holy thing which shall be born of thee shall be called the Son of God." - Luke 1:35 KJV
God came in His name of salvation - JESUS. (Acts 4:12, Acts 2:38).
"And she shall bring forth a son, and thou shalt call his name JESUS: for he shall save his people from their sins." - Matthew 1:21 KJV
The Son of God is the flesh and blood body of God. (Luke 1:35).
It was necessary that God Himself put on flesh and blood to save humanity from sin. Sin required blood to be shed of a man without sin for remission of our sins, and only God is without sin. (Hebrews 10:4).
"And almost all things are by the law purged with blood; and without shedding of blood is no remission." - Hebrews 9:22 KJV (Leviticus 17:11).
"For this is my blood of the new testament, which is shed for many for the remission of sins." - Matthew 26:28 KJV
"Who did no sin, neither was guile found in his mouth:" - 1 Peter 2:22 KJV
"And from Miletus he [Paul] sent to Ephesus, and called the elders of the church...Take heed therefore unto yourselves, and to all the flock, over the which the Holy Ghost hath made you overseers, to feed the church of God, which he hath purchased with his own blood." - Acts 20:17, 28 KJV
"Hereby perceive we the love of God, because he laid down his life for us" - 1 John 3:16a KJV
What Part Do We Have in the Kingdom of God?
God has called us. (Matthew 22:14). We have answered. (Revelation 17:14). We have turned from the pleasures of sin and committed ourselves to a life of pleasing God. (Hebrews 11:25 Colossians 1:10, 1John 3:22).
We have repented and had all our sins washed away by baptism in the name of Jesus. (Acts 22:16). God has mercifully filled us with His Holy Ghost so we can walk in His Spirit. (Titus 3:5, Galatians 5:16, 22-25).
At creation, the first commandment God gave to Adam and Eve was to be fruitful and multiply. (Genesis 1:27-28).
When we are in Christ (Acts 2:38), we are a new creation (2Corinthians 5:17 NKJV, Eph.4:24). The first command God gave to us as the newborn church is to be fruitful and multiply. (Mark 16:15-16, Acts 1:8, John 20:21-23).
The church is fruitful and multiplies by the gospel. (Acts 2:38-39, Mark 16:20, 1Corinthians 4:15, Acts 2:41, Acts 4:4, Acts 5:14, Acts 6:7, Acts 8:12, Acts 9:31, Acts 11:23-24).
We are laborers together with Jesus. (1Corinthians 3:9). When we are in Christ, we have obeyed the gospel, taking His yoke upon us. (Ephesians 3:6, Matthew 11:28-30, 1Peter 4:17).
Yoked together with Jesus by the gospel, we labor together with Him in the field of souls in the world (Matthew 13:37-38, 1Peter 1:23) bringing them the gospel of salvation. (Ephesians 1:13-14).
"To wit, that God was in Christ, reconciling the world unto himself, not imputing their trespasses unto them; and hath committed unto us the word of reconciliation. Now then we are ambassadors for Christ, as though God did beseech you by us: we pray you in Christ's stead, be ye reconciled to God." - 2 Corinthians 5:19-20 KJV
Every child of God has a testimony. (Acts 22:18, Revelation 6:9, Revelation 12:10-11, Revelation 19:10).
Every child of God can be a witness of Jesus. (Acts 1:8).
Every child of God can pray for souls to be saved. (Galatians 4:19, Ephesians 6:18-20).
What does the Bible say about God’s kingdom?
God called Peter to go to the Gentiles and preach the Gospel to them - the death, burial and resurrection of Jesus Christ (1Corinthians 15:1-4).
When Peter went into the house of Cornelius, he had “called together his kinsmen and near friends.”
Peter began preaching to them Jesus. He preached the gospel to them.
"And we are witnesses of all things which he did both in the land of the Jews, and in Jerusalem; whom they slew and hanged on a tree: Him God raised up the third day, and shewed him openly;" - Acts 10:39-40
"To him give all the prophets witness, that through his name whosoever believeth in him shall receive remission of sins." - Acts 10:43 KJV ["He is the one all the prophets testified about, saying that everyone who believes in him will have their sins forgiven through his name."" NLT]
"While Peter yet spake these words, the Holy Ghost fell on all them which heard the word. And they of the circumcision which believed were astonished, as many as came with Peter, because that on the Gentiles also was poured out the gift of the Holy Ghost. For they heard them speak with tongues, and magnify God." - Acts 10:44-46
Peter and the Jewish believers that came with Peter knew the Gentiles received the Holy Ghost because they heard them speak with tongues.
"Then answered Peter, Can any man forbid water, that these should not be baptized, which have received the Holy Ghost as well as we? And he commanded them to be baptized in the name of the Lord." - Acts 10:46-48
Why did Peter immediately COMMAND them to be baptized in the name of Jesus?
The Gentiles had received the promised GIFT of the covenant without entering into the covenant. The covenant is entered into when we are baptized in the name of Jesus. It is through the name of Jesus that the blood of Jesus is applied to our life. Peter preached the gospel on the Day of Pentecost. When the people asked, "Men and brethren what shall we do?" Peter told them 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
Is it important to believe that Jesus is the Father revealed in flesh?
Jesus said, “for if ye believe not that I am he, ye shall die in your sins."
Yes, it is important to believe that Jesus is the Father ("I AM") revealed in flesh. (John 14:6-11, John 8:58).
This is what the Bible says:
The Pharisees said to Jesus,
"Where is thy Father? Jesus answered, Ye neither know me, nor my Father: if ye had known me, ye should have known my Father also." - John 8:19 KJV
"I said therefore unto you, that ye shall die in your sins: for if ye believe not that I am he, ye shall die in your sins." - John 8:24 KJV
In the verse above, “for if ye believe not that I am he” the “he” is italicized. This means that the translators added the word in because they thought it made a better translation. The verse is actually saying, “for if ye believe not that I am, ye shall die in your sins.”
One translation says, “I AM” (all capital letters). Another translation has a notation, “Most authorities associate this with Ex 3:14, I AM WHO I AM.”
Exodus 3:14 is:
"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
Thus, Jesus is telling the Pharisees that He is the Father, known to Moses and the children of Israel as “I AM,” and if they don't believe this, they shall die in their sins.
There is one God. He is the Everlasting Father. He is a Spirit.
He robed (manifested) Himself in flesh, born of a woman, to become a substitute for our sins. He came to dwell among His creation in His name of salvation, JESUS.
"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 KJV
"And she shall bring forth a son, and thou shalt call his name JESUS: for he shall save his people from their sins." - Matthew 1:21 KJV
"To wit, that God was in Christ, reconciling the world unto himself, not imputing their trespasses unto them;" - 2 Corinthians 5:19 KJV
Jesus came to pay the price for our sins by His death on a cross so that we could be filled with His Spirit.
He told His disciples,
"I will not leave you comfortless: I will come to you." - John 14:18 KJV
On the Day of Pentecost, Jesus kept His promise.
"And they were all filled with the Holy Ghost, and began to speak with other tongues, as the Spirit gave them utterance." - Acts 2:4 KJV
Peter preached that day how Jesus came to save us. He then preached HOW we are saved.
"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 KJV
"And with many other words did he testify and exhort, saying, Save yourselves from this untoward generation.
“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
“…And the Lord added to the church daily such as should be saved." - Acts 2:40-42, 47 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
"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
When we are born again of water and of the Spirit, we take on the image of God. He has chosen us to be His representative in this world. We repent of our sinful ways. Our sins are buried/washed away/remitted/forgiven by water baptism by immersion in the name of Jesus. We take on the name of Jesus by water baptism, and are filled with His Spirit by receiving the gift of His Holy Ghost. (Acts 2:38, 2Corinthians 5:19-21).
There are some things we are to put off, and some things we are to put on in order for us to bear the image of our Creator. We no longer have our old lifestyle. By our new birth, we have a new life in Jesus. Our affection should be set on Him, and on those things above, and no longer on the things of the world. (Colossians 3:1-17).
We must put off sexual immorality, impurity, lust, evil desires, and greed, for a greedy person worships the things of this world. We must get rid of anger, rage, malicious behavior, slander, and dirty language. We must quit lying to each other, for we have repented and put to death our old sinful nature, the “old man” and all its wicked deeds, and put on a new self, the “new man,” with the Spirit of Jesus changing us into His Godly image.
As Gods holy people, we must put on compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness, and patience. We must make allowance for each other’s faults, forgiving anyone that offends us, just as God has forgiven us. Above all we must put on the love of God, which brings true unity among the body of Christ. The peace and reconciliation we have found between us and God must rule our heart and actions towards others. For it is by His mercy that we are now in the body of Christ, whose mercy we should be deeply thankful for, and by our mercy and forgiveness of others that we will stay in the body of Christ.
"But we all, with open face beholding as in a glass the glory of the Lord, are changed into the same image from glory to glory, even as by the Spirit of the Lord." - 2 Corinthians 3:18
"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?
“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
When Jesus said, "Before Abraham was, I AM, He was referring to Exodus 3:14:
"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."
The Jews took up stones to cast at Jesus because He was saying He is God.
Jesus told them earlier in John 8:24 - "I said therefore unto you, that ye shall die in your sins: for if ye believe not that I am he, ye shall die in your sins."
We see here that to be saved we must repent of our sins, be baptized in the name of Jesus for the remission of our sins, and receive the gift of the Holy Ghost, believing that Jesus is God, the only One without sin that could pay the price of our sins.
Jesus chose, in His infinite wisdom, to begin His New Covenant on the Day of Pentecost.
The Day of Pentecost in the book of Acts was a fulfillment of what took place at Mount Sinai on the first Pentecost.
At Sinai, God’s Law was written on tables of stone. (Exodus 24:12).
On Pentecost, God wrote His law on hearts when He filled them with His Spirit. (Jeremiah 31:33).
At Sinai, the Jewish people accepted God's covenant (“we will do”) and became His wife. (Exodus 19:7-8, Jeremiah 31:32).
On Pentecost, those that were baptized accepted God's covenant and became His wife. (2 Corinthians 11:2, Ephesians 5:23-32, John 3:29, Romans 7:4).
At Sinai, the Jewish people became a peculiar treasure [special possession] from among all peoples, a kingdom of priests, and a holy nation. (Exodus 19:5-6).
On Pentecost, New Covenant Believers became a peculiar people [“special possession”], a chosen generation [“a chosen people”], a royal priesthood, and a holy nation. (1 Peter 2:9).
On the Day of Pentecost, the new Believers were all Jews. God had spoken to them through the Prophet Jeremiah that by entering His New Covenant they would continue to be His people. (Jeremiah 31:33).
"Behold, the days come, saith the LORD, that I will make a new covenant with the house of Israel, and with the house of Judah: not according to the covenant that I made with their fathers in the day that I took them by the hand to bring them out of the land of Egypt; which my covenant they brake, although I was an husband unto them, saith the LORD:
“But this shall be the covenant that I will make with the house of Israel; after those days, saith the LORD, I will put my law in their inward parts, and write it in their hearts; and will be their God, and they shall be my people.
“And they shall teach no more every man his neighbour, and every man his brother, saying, Know the LORD: for they shall all know me, from the least of them unto the greatest of them, saith the LORD: for I will forgive their iniquity, and I will remember their sin no more." - Jeremiah 31:31-34 KJV
It is God's will that we walk in joy and peace, trusting He is going to answer our prayers.
Every problem that we face, Jesus can help us through it, giving us the words to say, what to do, and giving us favor with those we need to face.
Every burden that we carry, Jesus can lift it. Jesus brings salvation, deliverance, peace, and healing. He is not only the Mighty God that can move mountains, He is also our Savior that took our place on a cross, because He loves us that much.
With our requests we give Him thanksgiving: thanking Him for the prayers He has already answered in our life and in our loved ones lives, but also thanking Him in advance for what we are requesting, to make sure He gets the praise and the glory, lest we forget to give Him thanks after He has answered our prayers!
These metaphors include the arm, eyes, ears, nose, face, back, and hand. God uses these metaphors so we can better understand and relate to God, as we are physical beings.
God’s arm is a metaphor of His power, redemption, and salvation. The Bible says God redeemed the children of Israel from Egyptian bondage with His arm.
"Wherefore say unto the children of Israel, I am the LORD, and I will bring you out from under the burdens of the Egyptians, and I will rid you out of their bondage, and I will redeem you with a stretched out arm, and with great judgments:" - Exodus 6:6 KJV (Deuteronomy 9:29, Psalm 44:3).
All of humanity needed a redeemer. More than redemption from Egyptian bondage, mankind needed redemption from the bondage of sin and death. (Hebrews 2:14-15).
The Bible says that God saw there was no man that could redeem mankind from sin. Why? Because all are born in sin. Only God Himself – our Heavenly Father – could step in and redeem mankind from sin and death. Only our Heavenly Father could be our Savior. (John 8:24). The Bible describes God’s salvation as His arm.
"And he saw that there was no man, and wondered that there was no intercessor: therefore his arm brought salvation unto him; and his righteousness, it sustained him." - Isaiah 59:16 KJV
Isaiah prophesied in Isaiah 53 that the arm of the Lord would be revealed.
"Who hath believed our report? and to whom is the arm of the LORD revealed? ...He is despised and rejected of men; a man of sorrows, and acquainted with grief...But he was wounded for our transgressions, he was bruised for our iniquities: the chastisement of our peace was upon him; and with his stripes we are healed." - Isaiah 53:1, 3, 5 KJV (John 12:37-41, Romans 10:13-16).
"The LORD hath made bare his holy arm in the eyes of all the nations; and all the ends of the earth shall see the salvation of our God." - Isaiah 52:10 KJV
