Prayer

 Prayer

Hannah prayed, and the Lord gave her a son, Samuel.

"And she was in bitterness of soul, and prayed unto the LORD, and wept sore. ... For this child I prayed; and the LORD hath given me my petition which I asked of him:" - 1 Samuel 1:10, 27 KJV

Solomon prayed, and the fire came down from heaven, and the glory of the LORD filled the house.

"Now when Solomon had made an end of praying, the fire came down from heaven, and consumed the burnt offering and the sacrifices; and the glory of the LORD filled the house." - 2 Chronicles 7:1 KJV

Daniel prayed, and God gave him understanding of the end times.

"Yea, whiles I was speaking in prayer, even the man Gabriel…informed me, and talked with me, and said, O Daniel, I am now come forth to give thee skill and understanding." - Daniel 9:21-22 KJV

The church prayed and Peter was miraculously delivered from prison.

"Peter therefore was kept in prison: but prayer was made without ceasing of the church unto God for him. ... And when Peter was come to himself, he said, Now I know of a surety, that the Lord hath sent his angel, and hath delivered me out of the hand of Herod, and from all the expectation of the people of the Jews." - Acts 12:5, 11 KJV

Through prayer, things can be accomplished that we could never do. Souls can be reached that we could never reach. Miracles can happen. Never underestimate what God will do through your prayers.

"Be careful for nothing; but in every thing by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known unto God." - Philippians 4:6 KJV

Stand

 The Bible tells us we are to stand. 

"Stand therefore, having your loins girt about with truth, and having on the breastplate of righteousness; and your feet shod with the preparation of the gospel of peace;" - Ephesians 6:14-15 

The member of our body that we stand with is our feet. The Bible tells us to have our feet shod with the preparation of the gospel of peace.

What is the gospel?

The gospel is the death burial and resurrection of Jesus. We stand in the gospel. 

"Moreover, brethren, I declare unto you the gospel which I preached unto you, which also ye have received, and wherein ye stand;" - 1 Corinthians 15:1  

"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 15:3-4 

Why is it called the gospel of peace?

Because by His death, burial, and resurrection, Jesus made peace between Himself and man.

"And, having made peace through the blood of his cross, by him to reconcile all things unto himself... " - Colossians 1:20 

"To wit, that God was in Christ, reconciling the world unto himself, not imputing their trespasses unto them... " - 2 Corinthians 5:19 

By the gospel, we are able to put on the whole armour of God. 

"Put on the whole armour of God, that ye may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil. For we wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high places." - Ephesians 6:11-12 

"Wherefore take unto you the whole armour of God, that ye may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand." - Ephesians 6:13 

Why does Ithe Bible tell us to have our feet shod with the PREPARATION of the gospel of peace? 

We have made preparation of the gospel on our feet, when we  have obeyed the gospel. 

After the people heard the gospel on the Day of Pentecost, Peter told them how to obey the gospel. 

"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

The Kingdom Part 5

 Part 5 Making Our Calling and Election Sure

Peter spoke about the kingdom in His epistle.

"Wherefore the rather, brethren, give diligence to make your calling and election sure: for if ye do these things, ye shall never fall: for so an entrance shall be ministered unto you abundantly into the everlasting kingdom of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ." - 2 Peter 1:10-11 KJV

Peter began this by telling us that by God’s divine power, He has given us everything we need for living a godly life. By His Spirit, the Holy Ghost, we have grown to know Him. He called us out from the world of sin to become His sons and daughters. We repented of our sins, and we were baptized in His name Jesus for the remission of our sins. When He filled us with His Spirit, He gave us His power to escape the sin of this world. (2 Corinthians 6:16-18, 2 Corinthians 7:1, Acts 2:38, Acts 1:8).

"According as his divine power hath given unto us all things that pertain unto life and godliness, through the knowledge of him that hath called us to glory and virtue: whereby are given unto us exceeding great and precious promises: that by these ye might be partakers of the divine nature, having escaped the corruption that is in the world through lust." - 2 Peter 1:3-4 KJV

So what things are we supposed to do so that we shall never fall? 

"And beside this, giving all diligence, add to your faith virtue; and to virtue knowledge; and to knowledge temperance [self-control]; and to temperance patience; and to patience godliness; and to godliness brotherly kindness; and to brotherly kindness charity [love]." - 2 Peter 1:5-7 KJV

"For if these things be in you, and abound, they make you that ye shall neither be barren nor unfruitful in the knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ. But he that lacketh these things is blind, and cannot see afar off, and hath forgotten that he was purged [cleansed] from his old sins." - 2 Peter 1:8-9 KJV

"Wherefore I will not be negligent to put you always in remembrance of these things, though ye know them, and be established [standing firm] in the present truth [truth you have been taught]." - 2 Peter 1:12 KJV

The Kingdom Part 4

 The Kingdom Part 4

While Jesus preached His kingdom throughout His ministry and after His resurrection, His followers also preached the things concerning the kingdom of God. 

Philip preached the things concerning the kingdom of God in Samaria, resulting in them getting baptized in the name ofJesus and then receiving the gift of the Holy Ghost. (Acts 8:14-17).

"But when they believed Philip preaching the things concerning the kingdom of God, and the name of Jesus Christ, they were baptized, both men and women." - Acts 8:12 KJV

During his entire ministry, Paul preached the things concerning the kingdom of God. 

"And when they had preached the gospel to that city [Derbe], and had taught many, they returned again to Lystra, and to Iconium, and Antioch, confirming the souls of the disciples, and exhorting them to continue in the faith, and that we must through much tribulation enter into the kingdom of God." - Acts 14:21-22 KJV

"And he went into the synagogue, and spake boldly for the space of three months, disputing and persuading the things concerning the kingdom of God." - Acts 19:8 KJV

When Paul said his goodbye to the elders of the church of Ephesus, Paul spoke how he had preached the kingdom of God to them. (Acts 20:17-38).

"And now, behold, I know that ye all, among whom I have gone preaching the kingdom of God, shall see my face no more." - Acts 20:25 KJV

Paul went to Jerusalem, where he was accused of the Jews, then appealed to Caesar, and was taken to Rome. In Rome, in his last years, he continued to preach the kingdom of God. Paul was permitted to have his own private lodging, though he was guarded by a soldier. (Acts 28:16).

"And when they had appointed him a day, there came many to him into his lodging; to whom he expounded and testified the kingdom of God, persuading them concerning Jesus, both out of the law of Moses, and out of the prophets, from morning till evening." - Acts 28:23 KJV 

"And Paul dwelt two whole years in his own hired house, and received all that came in unto him, preaching the kingdom of God, and teaching those things which concern the Lord Jesus Christ, with all confidence, no man forbidding him." - Acts 28:30-31 KJV

The Kingdom - Part 3

 

The Kingdom - Part 3

To be in the kingdom of God, we must not only get oil in our lamps (born of the Spirit - John 3:5), but we must KEEP full of oil (full of the Holy Ghost - Acts 6:3).

"Then shall the kingdom of heaven be likened unto ten virgins, which took their lamps, and went forth to meet the bridegroom…" - Matthew 25:1 (See verses 2-13).

The kingdom of God is a spiritual kingdom entered by repentance, baptism in the name of Jesus, and receiving the Holy Ghost. The kingdom of God is within us. (John 3:5, Acts 2:38).

"The kingdom of God cometh not with observation: neither shall they say, Lo here! or, lo there! for, behold, the kingdom of God is within you." - Luke 17:20-21 

"For the kingdom of God is not meat and drink; but righteousness, and peace, and joy in the Holy Ghost." - Romans 14:17 

"For the kingdom of God is not in word, but in power." - 1 Corinthians 4:20 

When we enter the kingdom of God by being born of water and of the Spirit, we receive the power of the Spirit that is life changing.

"But ye shall receive power, after that the Holy Ghost is come upon you: and ye shall be witnesses unto me both in Jerusalem, and in all Judaea, and in Samaria, and unto the uttermost part of the earth." - Acts 1:8 

The power of the Holy Ghost gives us a life changing experience that we become witnesses of. By the Holy Ghost and baptism in the name of Jesus we are washed, sanctified, and justified. 

"Know ye not that the unrighteous shall not inherit the kingdom of God? Be not deceived: neither fornicators, nor idolaters, nor adulterers, nor effeminate, nor abusers of themselves with mankind [practice homosexuality], nor thieves, nor covetous [greedy of gain], nor drunkards, nor revilers [are abusive], nor extortioners [cheat people], shall inherit the kingdom of God." - 1 Corinthians 6:9-10 

WERE!!

"And such were some of you: but ye are washed, but ye are sanctified, but ye are justified in the name of the Lord Jesus, and by the Spirit of our God." - 1 Corinthians 6:11

By the gospel - repentance, baptism in the name of Jesus, and receiving the gift of the Holy Ghost - we are transformed, able to enter into the kingdom! (John 3:5).

The Kingdom Part 2

 The Kingdom Part 2

Jesus went everywhere, preaching the kingdom of God.

"And it came to pass afterward, that he went throughout every city and village, preaching and shewing the glad tidings of the kingdom of God: and the twelve were with him," - Luke 8:1 KJV

The "glad  tidings" of the kingdom is another word for the "gospel"of  the kingdom.

"And Jesus went about all the cities and villages, teaching in their synagogues, and preaching the gospel of the kingdom, and healing every sickness and every disease among the people." - Matthew 9:35 KJV

Jesus told Nicodemus how we enter the kingdom. 

"Jesus answered, Verily, verily, I say unto thee, Except a man be born of water and of the Spirit, he cannot enter into the kingdom of God." - John 3:5 KJV

Jesus gave Peter the keys to the kingdom. 

"And I will give unto thee the keys of the kingdom of heaven..." - Matthew 16:19 KJV 

(Matthew speaks of the kingdom as “the kingdom of heaven,” while Mark, Luke, and John speak of the kingdom as “the kingdom of God.”)

With the keys from Jesus, Peter, full of the Holy Ghost, made clear what being born of water and of the Spirit is and exactly how we enter 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 KJV

We are born of water when we are water baptized in the name of Jesus. We are born of the Spirit when we are baptized with the Spirit, filled with the Holy Ghost. 

When we enter the kingdom of God by being born of water and of the Spirit to live our lives for God, we must not look back to the world of sin. 

"And Jesus said unto him, No man, having put his hand to the plough, and looking back, is fit for the kingdom of God." - Luke 9:62 KJV

The Kingdom

 The Kingdom

When the angel Gabriel came to Mary, he spoke to her about her son and His kingdom.

"And he shall reign over the house of Jacob for ever; and of his kingdom there shall be no end." - Luke 1:33 KJV

At the beginning of His ministry, Jesus preached about the kingdom. During His ministry, Jesus taught many, things about the kingdom.

"Now after that John was put in prison, Jesus came into Galilee, preaching the gospel of the kingdom of God, and saying, The time is fulfilled, and the kingdom of God is at hand: repent ye, and believe the gospel." - Mark 1:14-15 KJV

After His resurrection, Jesus spoke about the kingdom. 

"To whom also he shewed himself alive after his passion by many infallible proofs, being seen of them forty days, and speaking of the things pertaining to the kingdom of God:" - Acts 1:3 KJV

Jesus taught His disciples to pray about the kingdom.

"After this manner therefore pray ye: Our Father which art in heaven, Hallowed be thy name. Thy kingdom come. Thy will be done in earth, as it is in heaven. ... And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil: for thine is the kingdom, and the power, and the glory, for ever. Amen." - Matthew 6:9-10, 13 KJV

Jesus taught we must seek first the kingdom.

"But seek ye first the kingdom of God, and his righteousness; and all these things shall be added unto you." - Matthew 6:33 KJV

Jesus told Peter,

"And I will give unto thee the keys of the kingdom of heaven: and whatsoever thou shalt bind on earth shall be bound in heaven: and whatsoever thou shalt loose on earth shall be loosed in heaven." - Matthew 16:19 KJV

When His disciples asked Him about the end of the world, Jesus spoke of the gospel of the kingdom. 

"And this gospel of the kingdom shall be preached in all the world for a witness unto all nations; and then shall the end come." - Matthew 24:14 KJV

Jesus told His disciples the kingdom was a mystery, but the mystery was revealed to them.

"And he said unto them, Unto you it is given to know the mystery of the kingdom of God: but unto them that are without, all these things are done in parables:" - Mark 4:11 KJV

To be continued…

Church!

 upci.org

Christ and the Church

 Christ and the Church- Father and Mother in the New Birth

Throughout the Bible, the relationship of God to His people is typed as a husband and wife. In Ephesians 5, Paul describes the relationship between husband and wife and concludes with this statement: “but this speak I of Christ and the Church”.

In I Corinthians 15.46 the scriptures reveal, “Howbeit that was not first which is spiritual, but that which is natural; and afterward that which is spiritual”. 

God’s first commandment in the Bible, “Be fruitful and multiply"… was natural. Jesus’ great commission to the Church, “Go ye therefore, and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them"… was spiritual. First God commanded natural reproduction, but then spiritual reproduction.

As in the natural relationship of husband and wife, each having their own role in reproduction, so it is in the spiritual relationship. Christ’s role as the husband in spiritual birth is to baptize with His Spirit. The Church’s role as the wife in spiritual birth is to baptize with water in Jesus name.

Only the Husband is capable of His role of baptizing with the Spirit, and only the wife is capable of her role of baptizing with water. Husband and wife cannot interchange their roles and both water and Spirit are necessary for the New Birth. As Jesus answered Nicodemus, “Except a man be born of water and of the Spirit, he cannot enter into the kingdom of God.”

When the wife does her part - water baptism in Jesus name, the Husband PROMISES to do His part. Peter said in Acts 2:38-39, “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." God promises. 

In John 20:22-23, Jesus breathed on His disciples and said, “Receive ye the Holy Ghost”. Then He said, “Whose soever sins ye remit, they are remitted unto them; and whose soever sins ye retain, they are retained.” 

Jesus revealed in this Scripture that the Church is in a very powerful position of salvation: If the Church does not remit sins, the sins are retained. 

Sins are remitted in the name of Jesus in water baptism. If the Church does not realize this imperative responsibility as her primary obligation, will souls be lost?

The baptism of the Holy Ghost supplies the power to overcome sin. It is vital that the Church brings souls to the point of receiving the Holy Ghost by travailing in prayer as well as assisting them in receiving the Holy Ghost in the New Birth process at the altar. However, the bottom line is, only God can fill them with His Spirit. And, He PROMISES He will fill them with His Spirit when they repent and are baptized in the name of Jesus, if a person will receive His Spirit.

The Church is commanded to preach repentance and to water baptize in the name of Jesus, and God promises His Spirit:

Matthew 28:19 Go ye therefore, and teach all nations, BAPTIZING them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost: (the NAME “Jesus”) 

Matthew 28:20 Teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I have commanded you: and, lo, I am with you alway, [even] unto the end of the world. Amen.

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

Mark 16:16 He that believeth and is BAPTIZED shall be saved; but he that believeth not shall be damned… 

Mark 16:20 And they went forth, and preached every where, the Lord working with [them], and confirming the word with signs following. Amen.

Luke 24:46 And said unto them, Thus it is written, and thus it behoved Christ to suffer, and to rise from the dead the third day:

Luke 24:47 And that REPENTANCE and REMISSION OF SINS should be preached IN HIS NAME among all nations, beginning at Jerusalem.

Luke 24:48 And ye are witnesses of these things. 

Luke 24:49 And, behold, I send the promise of my Father upon you: but tarry ye in the city of Jerusalem, until ye be endued with power from on high. 

John 20:21 Then said Jesus to them again, Peace [be] unto you: as [my] Father hath sent me, even so send I you. 

John 20:22 And when he had said this, he breathed on [them], and saith unto them, Receive ye the Holy Ghost:

John 20:23 Whose soever SINS YE REMIT, they are remitted unto them; [and] whose soever [sins] ye retain, they are retained. 

God can baptize with His Holy Spirit and the New Birth not be completed if the Church does not likewise fulfill her role of baptizing with water in the name of Jesus. While it is essential to preach about the Holy Ghost, to pray for souls to receive the Holy Ghost, and to assist people in receiving the Holy Ghost, the Church's necessary role in the New Birth is to water baptize people in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of their sins.

 

Peter preached of Christ’s suffering, death, burial, and resurrection to Jews from all nations on the Day of Pentecost at Jerusalem. He then preached of repentance and remission of sins by baptism in the name of Jesus:

Acts 2:38, 41 "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. ... Then they that gladly received his word were baptized: and the same day there were added unto them about three thousand souls." 

Here are the rest of the verses from the photo of Biblical examples of baptism:

Acts 8:16 "(For as yet he was fallen upon none of them: only they were baptized in the name of the Lord Jesus.)"

Acts 10:47-48 "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. Then prayed they him to tarry certain days."

Acts 19:4-5 "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."

Acts 22:16 "And now why tarriest thou? arise, and be baptized, and wash away thy sins, calling on the name of the Lord."

Romans 6:3 "Know ye not, that so many of us as were baptized into Jesus Christ were baptized into his death?"

1 Corinthians 1:13-15 "Is Christ divided? was Paul crucified for you? or were ye baptized in the name of Paul? I thank God that I baptized none of you, but Crispus and Gaius; Lest any should say that I had baptized in mine own name."

Galatians 3:27 "For as many of you as have been baptized into Christ have put on Christ."

Colossians 2:11-12 "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."

 

Jesus is the Father and the Son, the Creator and the Savior.

How could this be?

God made Himself a body when He overshadowed Mary and she conceived (Luke 1:35). At this point, the Father was in the Son - God was manifest in the flesh (John 14:9, 1Timothy 3:16). He is all powerful God that humbled Himself and felt the pain and temptations of a human (Philippians 2:8, Hebrews 4:15). 

The man Jesus is the image of the invisible God (Colossians 1:15). All the fullness of the Father is in this man, the “Son of God” (Colossians 1:19). Through the blood of this flesh that the Father dwelt in, He reconciled all humanity back to Himself (Acts 20:28, Colossians 1:20). 

By the gospel, His death, burial, and resurrection, Jesus brought salvation. We claim His salvation by crucifying our sinful nature, burying it in water baptism in the name of Jesus, and receiving the gift of the Spirit of Jesus, the Holy Ghost. (1Corinthians 15:1-4, Romans 6:1-6, Acts 2:38, Acts 4:12).

"Giving thanks unto the Father, which hath made us meet to be partakers of the inheritance of the saints in light: who hath delivered us from the power of darkness, and hath translated us into the kingdom of his dear Son: in whom we have redemption through his blood, even the forgiveness of sins: who is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn of every creature: for by him were all things created, that are in heaven, and that are in earth, visible and invisible, whether they be thrones, or dominions, or principalities, or powers: all things were created by him, and for him: and he is before all things, and by him all things consist. 

“And he is the head of the body, the church: who is the beginning, the firstborn from the dead; that in all things he might have the preeminence. For it pleased the Father that in him should all fulness dwell; and, having made peace through the blood of his cross, by him to reconcile all things unto himself; by him, I say, whether they be things in earth, or things in heaven. 

“And you, that were sometime alienated and enemies in your mind by wicked works, yet now hath he reconciled in the body of his flesh through death, to present you holy and unblameable and unreproveable in his sight: if ye continue in the faith grounded and settled, and be not moved away from the hope of the gospel, which ye have heard, and which was preached to every creature which is under heaven; whereof I Paul am made a minister;" - Colossians 1:12-23

Photo by: Ziel Gabrielle

 

I am baptized in the name of Jesus because I have decided to follow Jesus.

“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 

Jesus died on a cross, was buried, and rose again on the third day.

We follow His death by denying ourself and taking up our cross. We do this by repentance. When we repent, we turn from the world and its pleasures of sin and lust and turn our life to living for Jesus. (1John 2:15-16).

We follow Jesus by “crucifying” our sinful nature.

Jesus died one time. Not every day.

“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?” – Romans 6:1-2

"Knowing this, that our old man is [old sinful selves were] 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 6:6-7 

"And they that are Christ's have crucified the flesh with the affections and lusts." - Galatians 5:24 [Those who belong to Christ Jesus have nailed the passions and desires of their sinful nature to his cross and crucified them there.]

Jesus said we are to take up our cross and follow Him. After Jesus died on the cross, He was buried.

“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….” – Romans 6:3-4

Because I, too, want to follow Jesus, I am buried with Him by being baptized in water in the name of Jesus.

Hallelujah, Jesus didn’t stay on the cross, and He didn’t stay in the grave.

On the third day, Jesus rose from the dead.

We follow His resurrection by being filled with His Spirit to walk in newness of life.

"…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 6:4

"And that ye put on the new man [the new self], which after God is created [created to be like God – truly righteous and holy] in righteousness and true holiness." - Ephesians 4:24 KJV

Church!

 

 

The Holy Ghost - the Spirit of Jesus in us - is not just a good thing to have; the Holy Ghost is necessary to be saved.

"Jesus answered, Verily, verily, I say unto thee, Except a man be born of water and of the Spirit, he cannot enter into the kingdom of God." - John 3:5 KJV

"There is therefore now no condemnation to them which are in Christ Jesus, who walk not after the flesh, but after the Spirit. ... But ye are not in the flesh, but in the Spirit, if so be that the Spirit of God dwell in you. Now if any man have not the Spirit of Christ, he is none of his." - Romans 8:1, 9 KJV

We are born of the Spirit just like they were on the day of Pentecost. Jesus commanded His disciples to wait for the promise of His Spirit which He would soon pour out. (Luke 24:46-49, Acts 1:4-5).

"And when the day of Pentecost was fully come, they were all with one accord in one place." - Acts 2:1 KJV

"And suddenly there came a sound from heaven as of a rushing mighty wind, and it filled all the house where they were sitting. ... And they were all filled with the Holy Ghost, and began to speak with other tongues, as the Spirit gave them utterance." - Acts 2:2, 4 KJV (Tongues then became the universal sign of receiving the Holy Ghost). 

Peter preached the gospel to all those that saw and heard the disciples speaking in tongues as they received the promised Holy Ghost.

Peter preached the death, burial, and resurrection of Jesus. (Acts 2:22-24).

"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?

"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. ... 

“Then they that gladly received his word were baptized: and the same day there were added unto them about three thousand souls." - Acts 2:38-39, 41 KJV

Baptism in the Name of Jesus

 

There are some that say you only have to believe, and that you do not have to be baptized in the name of Jesus to be saved.

It is by baptism in the name of Jesus that we have remission of sins. 

How can a person be saved when their sins have not been remitted?

“Remission” means, “forgiveness, pardon, of sins (the letting them go, as if they had not been committed), remission of their penalty” (Thayer’s Greek Lexicon).

Jesus spoke to His disciples,

"Thus it is written, and thus it behoved Christ to suffer, and to rise from the dead the third day: and that repentance and remission of sins should be preached in his name among all nations, beginning at Jerusalem." - Luke 24:46-47

There in Jerusalem on the Day of Pentecost, Peter preached repentance and remission of sins 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

Later, God sent Peter to preach to the Gentiles. Peter had just finished preaching the gospel and the power of the name of Jesus to remit sins. (Acts 10:43).

"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. 

"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 10:44-48

When Peter saw that the Gentiles received the gift of the Holy Ghost, he COMMANDED them to be baptized in the name of the Lord.

It is by the name of Jesus, applied when we are water baptized, that we are saved.

"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

Receiving the Holy Ghost

 

The Holy Ghost - the Spirit of Jesus in us - is not just a good thing to have; the Holy Ghost is necessary to be saved.

"Jesus answered, Verily, verily, I say unto thee, Except a man be born of water and of the Spirit, he cannot enter into the kingdom of God." - John 3:5 KJV

"There is therefore now no condemnation to them which are in Christ Jesus, who walk not after the flesh, but after the Spirit. ... But ye are not in the flesh, but in the Spirit, if so be that the Spirit of God dwell in you. Now if any man have not the Spirit of Christ, he is none of his." - Romans 8:1, 9 KJV

We are born of the Spirit just like they were on the day of Pentecost. Jesus commanded His disciples to wait for the promise of His Spirit which He would soon pour out. (Luke 24:46-49, Acts 1:4-5).

"And when the day of Pentecost was fully come, they were all with one accord in one place." - Acts 2:1 KJV

"And suddenly there came a sound from heaven as of a rushing mighty wind, and it filled all the house where they were sitting. ... And they were all filled with the Holy Ghost, and began to speak with other tongues, as the Spirit gave them utterance." - Acts 2:2, 4 KJV (Tongues then became the universal sign of receiving the Holy Ghost). 

Peter preached the gospel to all those that saw and heard the disciples speaking in tongues as they received the promised Holy Ghost.

Peter preached the death, burial, and resurrection of Jesus. (Acts 2:22-24).

"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?

"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. ... 

“Then they that gladly received his word were baptized: and the same day there were added unto them about three thousand souls." - Acts 2:38-39, 41 KJV

Strong and of Good Courage

 Be strong and of good courage 

Joshua led the Children of Israel into the promised land, conquering the enemies in the land and taking the territory that the Lord gave to them. 

Jesus told His disciples, "Go ye into all the world, and preach the gospel to every creature." - Mark 16:15 KJV

The enemies that we must conquer are spiritual.

"For we wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high places." - Ephesians 6:12 KJV

Moses told Israel,

"The LORD thy God, he will go over before thee, and he will destroy these nations from before thee, and thou shalt possess them: and Joshua, he shall go over before thee, as the LORD hath said." - Deuteronomy 31:3 KJV

"Be strong and of a good courage, fear not, nor be afraid of them: for the LORD thy God, he it is that doth go with thee; he will not fail thee, nor forsake thee." - Deuteronomy 31:6 KJV

Apostle Paul told the church,

"Finally, my brethren, be strong in the Lord, and in the power of his might. Put on the whole armour of God, that ye may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil." - Ephesians 6:10-11 KJV

"Wherefore take unto you the whole armour of God, that ye may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand." - Ephesians 6:13 KJV

"Praying always with all prayer and supplication in the Spirit, and watching thereunto with all perseverance and supplication for all saints; and for me, that utterance may be given unto me, that I may open my mouth boldly, to make known the mystery of the gospel," - Ephesians 6:18-19 KJV

Be strong and of a good courage. Go and take the land and people for the name of Jesus. (Acts 2:38).

Called By His Name

 

  Called By His Name

When we are baptized in the name of Jesus, the name “Jesus” is called upon us. God's holy, saving name, “Jesus” becomes our name. 

"Do not they blaspheme that worthy name by the which ye are called?" - James 2:7 

"And after they had held their peace, James answered, saying, Men and brethren, hearken unto me: Simeon [Peter] hath declared how God at the first did visit the Gentiles, to take out of them a people for his name." - Acts 15:13-14 (Acts 10, Acts 11:1-18).

"And to this agree the words of the prophets; as it is written, After this I will return, and will build again the tabernacle of David, which is fallen down; and I will build again the ruins thereof, and I will set it up: that the residue of men might seek after the Lord, and all the Gentiles, upon whom my name is called, saith the Lord, who doeth all these things." - Acts 15:15-17 (Amos 9:11-12).

How are the Gentiles called by the name of the Lord?

The Gentiles became called by the name of the Lord when they were baptized in the name of Jesus.

"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 10:47-48 

"And now why tarriest thou? arise, and be baptized, and wash away thy sins, calling on the name of the Lord." - Acts 22:16

Church!

 Church!

As we see the day of the Lord's return approaching, the Bible tells us to to be faithful to assemble ourselves together for church. 

Church is not only a time of receiving exhorting from the preaching, but it is also a time to encourage one another to keep the faith and to do the work of the Lord.

"Not forsaking the assembling of ourselves together, as the manner of some is; but exhorting one another: and so much the more, as ye see the day approaching." - Hebrews 10:25 KJV

 

  Getting Rebaptized by Paul 

John the Baptist’s baptism was a baptism of repentance. John the Baptist did not baptize in the name of Jesus. 

In the book of Acts, which describes the beginning of the church with the outpouring of the Holy Ghost on the day of Pentecost and the spread of the gospel, Apostle Paul re-baptized disciples of John the Baptist.

"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 [about 12 men], 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. [They hadn't heard that the Holy Ghost was 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." - Acts 19:1-6 KJV

If you aren’t baptized in the name of Jesus, you need to be re-baptized, just as they were in the Bible! (Acts 2:38)