|
The Original New Testament Plan of SalvationGod’s Word is Truth. God sent his Son to die in our stead in order that we might have eternal life. While on earth, He trained certain men (disciples) for a great work, the work of the New Testament Church. Read John 17: 6 – 26. Note in verse 20, it says, “Neither pray I for these alone, but for them also which shall believe on me through their word”, here Jesus is referring to his disciples. Now turn to John 7:37-39, Jesus is speaking and he says; “In the last day, that great day of the feast, Jesus stood and cried, saying, If any man thirst, let him come unto me, and drink. He that believeth on me, as the scripture hath said, out of his belly shall flow rivers of living water. (But this spake he of the Spirit, which they that believe on him should receive: for the Holy Ghost was not yet given, because that Jesus was not yet glorified.)” Read what Jesus said about the Comforter in John 16: 7-15. Verse 7 states, “Nevertheless I tell you the truth; it is expedient for you that I go away: for if I go not away, the Comforter will not come to you; but if I depart, I will send him unto you.” Then read Luke 24: 44-49, where Jesus opened the disciples understanding to the scriptures and told them to go to Jerusalem and wait for the promise. In Acts 1: 1-8; again the promise of the Holy Ghost is given. Read how God fulfilled this promise to his church in Acts 2: 1-4. After Peter received the gift of the Holy Ghost, he went on to preach the first New Testament sermon, and quoted in his sermon how the Holy Ghost was prophesied by Joel (Joel 2: 29-32) in the Old Testament. Now refer back to John 17:20 where Jesus was praying and said those who believe on Him (Jesus) through their word, he was letting us know to believe the teaching and preaching of the disciples. Read Acts 2:37-40, where Peter told the people who were pricked in their hearts what to do. Peter gives the instruction for entrance into the New Testament church in Acts 2:38. Now read Acts the 8th Chapter. Here believers had not received the Holy Ghost, but they were baptized in the name of Jesus Christ. Note that something happened in order for Simon to be able to see when they received the Holy Ghost for the Bible says Simon “saw” them receive the Holy Ghost. Read how Cornelius and his household received the Gift of the Holy Ghost and was baptized in the name of the Lord Jesus in Acts 10: 1- 48. Then read how Peter gave his defense for going into the home of a Gentile to the other disciples in Acts 11:1 –18. Another event in the bible which gives specific details of receiving the Holy Ghost is Acts 19:1-6. Here Paul witnessed to former disciples of John the Baptist who had been baptized unto John’s baptism. Once these believers were given the Word; they were re-baptized in the name of the Lord Jesus.
THE HOLY GHOST:The baptism of the Holy Ghost is the birth of the Spirit. This spiritual baptism is necessary to enter into the Kingdom of God. This is the birth whereby one enters God’s Church, the Bride of Christ and is evidenced by speaking in tongues (other languages) as the Spirit of God gives utterance (Acts 2:4; Acts 10:44 , and Acts 19:6) Tongues can be classified in two ways, according to function: (1) speaking in tongues as the initial evidence of the baptism of the Holy Ghost and (2) the gift of tongues as mentioned in I Corinthians Chapters 12 and 14. THE WATER BAPTISM: Scripture also supports baptism
in the name of the Lord Jesus Christ. If you follow the scriptures carefully,
you will read where the disciples baptized in the name of the Lord Jesus.
“Study to shew thyself approved unto God, a
workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the
word of truth” (II Timothy 2:15).When you read Matthew 28: 16-20, the disciples understood what Jesus meant when he said, “baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost”, they understood the name to be “JESUS”, and followed his commandment. Search the New Testament scriptures and you also will find the name that is above every name to be Jesus, the saving name for our New Testament Salvation. “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). THE GOSPEL:In II Thessalonians 1: 7-9, we are warned that Jesus will return and take vengeance out on those that know not God, and that obey not the gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ. Well, how do we obey the gospel? What is the gospel? Read I Corinthians 15: 1-4, where Paul describes the gospel as the death, burial and resurrection of Jesus Christ.
Note what Jesus proclaimed it would be: Thus it is written, and thus it behoved Christ to suffer and to rise from the dead the third day: and that (1) repentance and (2) remission of sins should be preached in his name among all nations, beginning at Jerusalem. And ye are witnesses of these things. And, behold,(3) I send the promise of my Father upon you; but tarry ye in the city of Jerusalem until you be endued with power from on high” (Luke 24: 46-49). Note what Peter preached it to be: “ Then Peter said unto them, (1) Repent, and (2) be baptized everyone of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins, and (3) 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).
Jesus died, (I Corinthians 15: 1-4) (1) DEATH=REPENTANCE We must “die” (Romans 6: 2) We die with Him in repentance.
Jesus was buried (I Corinthians 15: 4) (2) BURIAL= BAPTISM We must be “buried” (Romans 6: 3-4) We are buried with Him in baptism.
Jesus Rose Again! (I Corinthians 15:4) (3) RESURRECTION= HOLY GHOST We must “rise again” (Romans 6:4; 8:2) We are resurrected with Him to walk in the newness of life by receiving the Spirit. Romans 8: 9, 11 states: “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. But if the Spirit of him that raised Christ from the dead dwell in you, he that raised Jesus from the dead shall also quicken your mortal bodies by his Spirit that dwelleth in you.”
Home |
|
