Baptized Into One Body

Acts 2:41–42 ESV

So those who received his word were baptized, and there were added that day about three thousand souls. And they devoted themselves to the apostles’ teaching and the fellowship, to the breaking of bread and the prayers.

And they live happily ever after - NO

Acting like a Christian did not come natural (we often default to our 1st nature)

Ephesians 2:14 ESV

For he himself is our peace, who has made us both one and has broken down in his flesh the dividing wall of hostility

The first Christians were primarily Jewish Men

The introduction of Gentiles was not met with open arms

Peter himself has trepidation and reluctance in introducing the Gospel to the Gentiles (Acts 10)

Why

Transition From the Old Position

Colossians 1:13 ESV

He has delivered us from the domain of darkness and transferred us to the kingdom of his beloved Son,

Spiritual change of citizenship from the world into sovereign kingdom of Christ

Not a physical transition

New Position, Old Practice

NOT AUTOMATIC

Romans 6:22 ESV

But now that you have been set free from sin and have become slaves of God, the fruit you get leads to sanctification and its end, eternal life.

1 Corinthians 1:10–13 ESV

I appeal to you, brothers, by the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, that all of you agree, and that there be no divisions among you, but that you be united in the same mind and the same judgment. For it has been reported to me by Chloe’s people that there is quarreling among you, my brothers. What I mean is that each one of you says, “I follow Paul,” or “I follow Apollos,” or “I follow Cephas,” or “I follow Christ.” Is Christ divided? Was Paul crucified for you? Or were you baptized in the name of Paul?

I have to deliberately and consciously make an effort to change

Ephesians 4:1–3 ESV

I therefore, a prisoner for the Lord, urge you to walk in a manner worthy of the calling to which you have been called, with all humility and gentleness, with patience, bearing with one another in love, eager to maintain the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace.

Remove the Old and Put on the New

Galatians 3:26–28 ESV

for in Christ Jesus you are all sons of God, through faith. For as many of you as were baptized into Christ have put on Christ. There is neither Jew nor Greek, there is neither slave nor free, there is no male and female, for you are all one in Christ Jesus.

Football

two teams in conflict

different goals, personnel, and going in two different directions

introduced to these 2 teams in conflict is a third team - The Officials

The Officials are on the field but not of the field

They are in the midst of the conflict

Not allowed to become part of the conflict because they’re obligated to another Kingdom headquartered 345 Park Ave in NY

The Commission of the NFL has sent official on the field of play that represent them on every football field in the NFL

Their job is to bring order to an otherwise chaotic conflict

When the officials step on the field, their personal opinions must now be adjusted

Their desires must be reoriented to a higher authority to reflect the rules and regs of the Commission

They are clearly distinguishable by their black and white Jessie

They don’t belong to any either of the competing teams because they represent a higher kingdom

Each official is given a book

This book - The rules that govern the game provided by the NFL Offices

All decision made on the field of play must be made by and in accordance with that book.

Their personal opinions have to be subject to that book

They must make their decisions by the even though they may be booed and sometime they may be cheered

But they are not there to when a popularity contest. they are there to bring order to conflict

Must Take off Old and Put on the New

Ephesians 4:24 ESV

and to put on the new self, created after the likeness of God in true righteousness and holiness.

Colossians 3:9–11 ESV

Do not lie to one another, seeing that you have put off the old self with its practices and have put on the new self, which is being renewed in knowledge after the image of its creator. Here there is not Greek and Jew, circumcised and uncircumcised, barbarian, Scythian, slave, free; but Christ is all, and in all.

Put off the old self with its opinions and preferences

I put on the new based on a new perspective developed from a new knowledge (Peter realized that Gentiles are also children to the promise.

John 17:21–23 ESV

that they may all be one, just as you, Father, are in me, and I in you, that they also may be in us, so that the world may believe that you have sent me. The glory that you have given me I have given to them, that they may be one even as we are one, I in them and you in me, that they may become perfectly one, so that the world may know that you sent me and loved them even as you loved me.

God’s Plan for Your Salvation