The purpose of a question like this is to wrest with the scriptures so that God’s Word will in some manner support traditional beliefs or non-belief in the operations of God and his method of
salvation. However, there might be some who sincerely want to know the answer to this type of philosophical question.
Let’s do this. Let’s go to God’s Word. (Matthew 9:13, Mark 1:4, Romans 2:4, II Timothy 2:25). Based on the Word of God, we must first repent. After repentance there is no specific order in the operation and salvation of God. However, the full operation must be completed before salvation is complete. According to God’s Word we must; 1. Repent 2. Be baptized in Jesus name 3. Receive the Holy Spirit. This is the salvation message taught by the apostles (Acts 2:38). If someone would challenge or wrest with this, do part of it, or ignore it altogether, the consequence will be to their own hurt.
Now, there have been a number of occasions where people have received the Holy Spirit without first being baptized in the name of the Lord. However, once the apostles saw people receiving the Holy Ghost, they always made it clear to them that they should be baptized in Jesus name (Acts 10:44:48).
Why would baptism in Jesus name be necessary seeing that they had received the Holy Ghost? There is evidence to support the fact that the apostles felt that the baptism in Jesus was absolutely necessary to complete the salvation experience (Romans 6:3-4, Colossians 2:12).
Today, we have seen people repent, get baptized in Jesus name and then receive the gift of the Holy Ghost. In my experience, I have seen it both ways. I have seen baptism in Jesus name before and after the reception of the Holy Ghost. There is no specific order other than
repentance which must come first (Acts 8:14-16, 10:44-48).
The Bible doesn’t indicate at what point we are saved. Why would we need to know at what point we are saved? Are we trying to find out what we can leave out? Are we trying to see if we can leave out repentance? Are trying to see if we can leave out baptism in Jesus name? Are we trying to see if we need to receive the Holy Spirit? Are we trying to see in our own wisdom if our traditions fit with God’s instructions, are we trying to find out if there is some other way to be saved, are we trying to find out if this or that is necessary for salvation? Why do we wrest with the scriptures?
God has given us clear instructions that we must follow. Why would we take a chance with our souls? Would we feel safe knowing that we have the Holy Spirit and haven’t obeyed the scriptures by baptism in Jesus name according to the apostles’ directions (Acts 19:1-5, Romans 6:3-4, Colossians 2:12)? Would you feel safe being baptized in Jesus name and not receiving the gift of the Holy Spirit? How would you feel knowing that the Holy Spirit has led and guided you into the truth of water baptism and you have refused to be baptized in Jesus name? How would you answer the Lord if he asked you, why weren’t you baptized in my name seeing that I have told you in my Word what you needed to do? Why didn’t you obey (II Thessalonians 1:8, I Peter 4:17)?
God orchestrated salvation. He alone decides who will or will not be saved and at what point we are saved. He told us what to do in his Word. And we will be judged by the Word. The Word will determine whether we have obeyed the actions of the apostles beginning with Peter (Acts 2:38). Obedience is one of the main tenants in God’s Word and his salvation.
Don’t wait and don’t ignore so great a salvation. Just believe in the name of Jesus Christ and have faith. God will reveal salvation, the born again experience, and his Word to you.
This is an excerpt from my book, "Understanding the Trinity, Three Persons vs Three Manifestations. To order call 1-888-280-7715
Thursday, April 7, 2011
Tuesday, April 5, 2011
Understanding The Trinity, Three Persons vs Three Manifestations: What must I do to be saved or born again?
Understanding The Trinity, Three Persons vs Three Manifestations: What must I do to be saved or born again?: "There are three scriptures in the Bible that addresses this question. The point that I would like to get across concerning salvation is that..."
What must I do to be saved or born again?
There are three scriptures in the Bible that addresses this question. The point that I would like to get across concerning salvation is that all scripture points to salvation which is the death, burial and resurrection of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ. The belief in the redemptive act of Jesus Christ leads one to repentance, baptism in Jesus name and the reception of the Holy Ghost as mentioned in Acts 2:38, which is also “the keys of the kingdom of heaven” mentioned in Matthew 16:19. According to Matthew 16:19, and Acts 2:38, the keys are; Key #1. Repentance, Key #2. Baptism in Jesus Name, Key #3. Reception of the Holy Ghost. Let’s take a look at these scriptures to see the continuity of God’s Word according to Acts 2:38.
1. John 3:1-5. In this scripture Nicodemus wanted to know how to be born again. Jesus said except a man be born of the water and of the Spirit, he cannot enter into the kingdom of God. This scripture was consummated in Acts 2:38. The water was the baptism in Jesus name and the Spirit was the reception of the Holy Ghost. (Romans 6:3, Colossians 2:12)
2. Acts 2:37-38. In this scripture we see an example of the first sermon of the new church preached by the apostle Peter. After the sermon, the people were pricked in their hearts, so they asked Peter and the apostles what must they do. In other words, what must we do to be saved or born again? Peter told them in Acts 2:38 that they must repent, and be baptized in Jesus name for remission of sins and they shall receive the gift of the Holy Ghost.
3. Acts 16:27-34 In this scripture one would have to have knowledge of the history of the gospel and the method of salvation. The jailer asked Paul what must I do to be saved? They said that he should believe on the Lord Jesus Christ, and thou shalt be saved, and thy house. What happens at this point is that most people who don’t know or don’t want to know the gospel will stop right there. However, one must read the rest of the scripture which says they spake the word of the Lord (gospel) to all that were in his house and they were baptized. How were they baptized?
Well we know that Paul only baptized in Jesus name according to Acts 2:38 and Acts 19:1-5. In fact, Paul himself was baptized in Jesus name Acts 22:16. I know that some won’t believe in the baptism in Jesus name, therefore, the Word of God will become a stumbling stone because of their unbelief. They will try to manipulate God’s Word to follow their own philosophies and traditions of unbelief. They deny the power in the name of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ, thereby, following the doctrine of devils. They will not mention God’s name in baptism nor his Spirit in their traditional form of salvation which comes out of the mouth of men (II Timothy 3:5).
This is an edited excerpt from my book, "Understanding the Trinity, Three Persons vs Three Manifestations, A Revolution in Christian Thought and Philosophy, Every Person seeking to know more about God should read this book. To order call 1-888-280-7715.
1. John 3:1-5. In this scripture Nicodemus wanted to know how to be born again. Jesus said except a man be born of the water and of the Spirit, he cannot enter into the kingdom of God. This scripture was consummated in Acts 2:38. The water was the baptism in Jesus name and the Spirit was the reception of the Holy Ghost. (Romans 6:3, Colossians 2:12)
2. Acts 2:37-38. In this scripture we see an example of the first sermon of the new church preached by the apostle Peter. After the sermon, the people were pricked in their hearts, so they asked Peter and the apostles what must they do. In other words, what must we do to be saved or born again? Peter told them in Acts 2:38 that they must repent, and be baptized in Jesus name for remission of sins and they shall receive the gift of the Holy Ghost.
3. Acts 16:27-34 In this scripture one would have to have knowledge of the history of the gospel and the method of salvation. The jailer asked Paul what must I do to be saved? They said that he should believe on the Lord Jesus Christ, and thou shalt be saved, and thy house. What happens at this point is that most people who don’t know or don’t want to know the gospel will stop right there. However, one must read the rest of the scripture which says they spake the word of the Lord (gospel) to all that were in his house and they were baptized. How were they baptized?
Well we know that Paul only baptized in Jesus name according to Acts 2:38 and Acts 19:1-5. In fact, Paul himself was baptized in Jesus name Acts 22:16. I know that some won’t believe in the baptism in Jesus name, therefore, the Word of God will become a stumbling stone because of their unbelief. They will try to manipulate God’s Word to follow their own philosophies and traditions of unbelief. They deny the power in the name of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ, thereby, following the doctrine of devils. They will not mention God’s name in baptism nor his Spirit in their traditional form of salvation which comes out of the mouth of men (II Timothy 3:5).
This is an edited excerpt from my book, "Understanding the Trinity, Three Persons vs Three Manifestations, A Revolution in Christian Thought and Philosophy, Every Person seeking to know more about God should read this book. To order call 1-888-280-7715.
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