Examining the gospel

Grasping the gospel

We have been going through the most important thing there is, the gospel. The power of God unto salvation!

We have looked at there are facts to believe

We have looked at there are commands to obey (and to obey joyfully)

We have looked at promises to receive (presently, future)

(Transition) We have looked at do we know the true gospel, the pure and simple gospel. We looked at how each part, hear, believe, confess, baptism, are all a part working together for your salvation, and the person you share the message Jesus wants everyone to know. Then from that starting point of being born again, learn to live faithfully.

Examples of conversions (Acts)

The book of Acts gives a historical account of the early church, about 30 years. It shows the spread of the gospel from a local church in Jerusalem then the whole Mediterranean world. We may find that these examples show the preaching of the gospel and the immediate results, conversion.

Conversions are a part of the great commission (Mt28:19-20); it is the great commission being carried out, From Jerusalem outward (Act1:8).

Each one of the passages on the screen reveal about the conversions. Some accounts include, but not all, belief, confession, repentance, but not all, but all do contain baptism. Even if only mentioned one time, that would be enough.

Did God want to prepare the church for a falling away from biblical truth? Did God plan for man to reject the bible instructions, (Hear, believe, confess, repent, baptized) Many downplay the purpose or the significance of baptism.

One thing people mention is baptism is not mentioned in all of the salvation passages (Jn3:16; Rom10:9-10, 13 Act16:31).

Jn3:16 (Believe); Rom10:9-10 (believe, confess); Act16:31 (believe in the Lord Jesus)

Some passages do not mention repentance, so does that negate the passages that do (Act3:19, 17:30)?

Acts 3:19 “19 “Therefore repent and return, so that your sins may be wiped away, in order that times of refreshing may come from the presence of the Lord;”

Acts 17:30 “30 “Therefore having overlooked the times of ignorance, God is now declaring to men that all people everywhere should repent,”

There are some passages that do not mention faith, but lest we be very careful when it comes to faith, even if not in every passage.

John 8:24 “24 “Therefore I said to you that you will die in your sins; for unless you believe that I am He, you will die in your sins.””

John 20:30–31 “30 Therefore many other signs Jesus also performed in the presence of the disciples, which are not written in this book; 31 but these have been written so that you may believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God; and that believing you may have life in His name.”

So it is with baptism too. This morning we will be focusing not on the passages that do not mention it, but the passages that do, and none of them say as a result of salvation, none of them say as a public profession. So hold on here we go:

Baptism is for the forgiveness of sins; through the blood of Christ

Ephesians 1:7 “7 In Him we have redemption through His blood, the forgiveness of our trespasses, according to the riches of His grace”

Ephesians 2:8–9 “8 For by grace you have been saved through faith; and that not of yourselves, it is the gift of God; 9 not as a result of works, so that no one may boast.”

Without the blood there is no forgiveness.

Forgiveness is for those repent and are baptized

Acts 2:38 “38 Peter said to them, “Repent, and each of you be baptized in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins; and you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit.”

Acts 22:16 “16 ‘Now why do you delay? Get up and be baptized, and wash away your sins, calling on His name.’”

It is at baptism will you are given the gift of the Holy Spirit

Again, Act2:38.

For it the promise that Jesus spoke of John 7:37–39 “37 Now on the last day, the great day of the feast, Jesus stood and cried out, saying, “If anyone is thirsty, let him come to Me and drink. 38 “He who believes in Me, as the Scripture said, ‘From his innermost being will flow rivers of living water.’ ” 39 But this He spoke of the Spirit, whom those who believed in Him were to receive; for the Spirit was not yet given, because Jesus was not yet glorified.”

Baptism involves the work of the Holy Spirit Titus 3:5 “5 He saved us, not on the basis of deeds which we have done in righteousness, but according to His mercy, by the washing of regeneration and renewing by the Holy Spirit,”

Baptism and being in union, united with Christ.

We abide with Him John 15:4–5 “4 “Abide in Me, and I in you. As the branch cannot bear fruit of itself unless it abides in the vine, so neither can you unless you abide in Me. 5 “I am the vine, you are the branches; he who abides in Me and I in him, he bears much fruit, for apart from Me you can do nothing.”

We are united with Him Romans 6:3–4, we are clothed in Christ Galatians 3:27 “27 For all of you who were baptized into Christ have clothed yourselves with Christ.”

Buried with him through baptism into His death

And we put Him on!

Baptism brings about the newness of life; maybe I should continue with Romans passage

Romans 6:5–7 “5 For if we have become united with Him in the likeness of His death, certainly we shall also be in the likeness of His resurrection, 6 knowing this, that our old self was crucified with Him, in order that our body of sin might be done away with, so that we would no longer be slaves to sin; 7 for he who has died is freed from sin.”

We are made alive in Christ Colossians 2:12–13 “12 having been buried with Him in baptism, in which you were also raised up with Him through faith in the working of God, who raised Him from the dead. 13 When you were dead in your transgressions and the uncircumcision of your flesh, He made you alive together with Him, having forgiven us all our transgressions,”

Buried and raised up with Christ through faith in the working of God, not by any works we have done (Tit3:5; Ephesians 2:9)

He forgives ALL our transgressions

Scripture tells us baptism saves

Mark 16:16 “16 “He who has believed and has been baptized shall be saved; but he who has disbelieved shall be condemned.”

1 Peter 3:21 “21 Corresponding to that, baptism now saves you—not the removal of dirt from the flesh, but an appeal to God for a good conscience—through the resurrection of Jesus Christ,”

Yes there are passages that say we are saved by grace Ephesians 2:5 “5 even when we were dead in our transgressions, made us alive together with Christ (by grace you have been saved),” or by grace through faith Ephesians 2:8 “8 For by grace you have been saved through faith; and that not of yourselves, it is the gift of God;”

Baptism saves, how?

For it is at baptism we make an appeal to the Lord for a good conscience (1Pt3:21).

It is at baptism we are calling on the name of the Lord Acts 22:16 “16 ‘Now why do you delay? Get up and be baptized, and wash away your sins, calling on His name.’”

(Transition) it is at baptism that a repentant sinner makes his plea, confession, repentance, surrender to God and God graciously answers and your sins are removed and you are born again!

When we are baptized we are:

Buried

Raised up

Crucified, free from sin

Clothed

Washed

Forgiven

Added into the body, the church

Put Summing it up picture here (Conclusion)

Hopefully through the scripture this morning

Looking at the examples of conversion

Looking at the doctrine of baptism

You can say, and back it with scripture, that baptism for remission of sins is necessary and is a vital part of the gospel.

“For both in practice and precept; example and exposition baptism plays an integral part in our salvation by grace through faith.” (Copeland)

So, in the first gospel message let me bring in some scripture before we close.

Acts 2:36–38 “36 “Therefore let all the house of Israel know for certain that God has made Him both Lord and Christ—this Jesus whom you crucified.” 37 Now when they heard this, they were pierced to the heart, and said to Peter and the rest of the apostles, “Brethren, what shall we do?” 38 Peter said to them, “Repent, and each of you be baptized in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins; and you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit.”

and then just a few verses later Acts 2:41 “41 So then, those who had received his word were baptized; and that day there were added about three thousand souls.”

Have you been baptized for the forgiveness of your sins? Have you been baptized into Christ Jesus? If not, what hinders you, what are you waiting for, but how about scripture verses my words, Acts 22:16 “16 ‘Now why do you delay? Get up and be baptized, and wash away your sins, calling on His name.’”

If you need to respond today, here is an opportunity, if you would like to further discuss this see me and we can discuss.

(prayer) (Exit)