I
found this on a website:
Romans 6:23b "...But the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord."
Romans 5:8, "God demonstrates His own love for us, in that while we were yet sinners Christ died for us!"
[AND THE CLINCHER FOR SALVATION IS NOTED AS FOLLOWS:]
Romans 10:13 "Whoever will call on the name of the Lord will be saved!"
Romans 10:9,10 "...If you confess with your mouth Jesus as Lord, and believe in your heart that God raised Jesus from the dead, you shall be saved; for with the heart man believes, resulting in righteousness, and with the mouth he confesses, resulting in salvation."
If you know that God is knocking on your heart's door, ask Him to come into your heart.
But that is taking the passage of Romans 10 out of context.
We learned that John 3:16 said believe in Jesus and have everlasting life.
In Romans 10, Paul quoted the Old Testament.
Romans 10:5-8 KJV For Moses describeth the righteousness which is of the law, That the man which doeth those things shall live by them.
That verse quoted was Leviticus 18:5
Leviticus 18:5 KJV Ye shall therefore keep my statutes, and my judgments: which if a man do, he shall live in them: I am the LORD.
Back to Romans 10:
(6) But the righteousness which is of faith speaketh on this wise, Say not in thine heart, Who shall ascend into heaven? (that is, to bring Christ down from above:) (7) Or, Who shall descend into the deep? (that is, to bring up Christ again from the dead.) (8) But what saith it? The word is nigh thee, even in thy mouth, and in thy heart: that is, the word of faith, which we preach;
Paul quoted those words from this passage:
Deuteronomy 30:11-14 KJV (11) For this commandment which I command thee this day, it is not hidden from thee, neither is it far off. (12) It is not in heaven, that thou shouldest say, Who shall go up for us to heaven, and bring it unto us, that we may hear it, and do it? (13) Neither is it beyond the sea, that thou shouldest say, Who shall go over the sea for us, and bring it unto us, that we may hear it, and do it? (14) But the word is very nigh unto thee, in thy mouth, and in thy heart, that thou mayest do it.
This commandment had to be received in order to bring restoration of Israel.
Back to Romans 10:8
Romans 10:8 KJV But what saith it?
What is the Old Testament saying?
…The word is nigh thee, even in thy mouth, and in thy heart:
He quoted Deut 30:14.
… that is, the word of faith, which we preach;
He said Deut 40:14 is dealing with the WORD OF FAITH that Paul was preaching, and referred to it as THIS COMMANDMENT in Deut 30:11.
Romans 10:9 KJV That if thou shalt confess with thy mouth the Lord Jesus, and shalt believe in thine heart that God hath raised him from the dead, thou shalt be saved.
This is similar to John 3:16.
Paul will provide all we need to know to not leave us guessing.
Romans 10:10 KJV For with the heart man believeth unto righteousness; and with the mouth confession is made unto salvation.
That does not mean you are saved at that moment. YOU SHALL BE SAVED.
This becomes clear as we continue.
Romans 10:11-13 KJV For the scripture saith, Whosoever believeth on him shall not be ashamed. (12) For there is no difference between the Jew and the Greek: for the same Lord over all is rich unto all that call upon him. (13) For whosoever shall call upon the name of the Lord shall be saved.
Verse 11 quoted words from Isaiah 28:16:
Isaiah 28:16 KJV Therefore thus saith the Lord GOD, Behold, I lay in Zion for a foundation a stone, a tried stone, a precious corner stone, a sure foundation: he that believeth shall not make haste.
Continue in Romans.
Romans 10:14 KJV How then shall they call on him in whom they have not believed? and how shall they believe in him of whom they have not heard? and how shall they hear without a preacher?
Notice he referred to Isaiah about believing, and then explains that you cannot call on the Lord if you have not believed.
What does APOSTLE mean?
Romans 10:16 KJV But they have not all obeyed the gospel. For Esaias saith, Lord, who hath believed our report?
Paul added a whole lot to just believing.
Recall the question we said we would ask you?
Whom do we know is sent of God?
Romans 1:16 KJV For I am not ashamed of the gospel of Christ: for it is the power of God unto salvation to every one that believeth; to the Jew first, and also to the Greek.
So it is not just believing Jesus existed and died.
John 17:20 KJV Neither pray I for these alone, but for them also which shall believe on me through their word;
Jesus prayed that the Father would save anybody that would believe on him THROUGH THE APOSTLES’ WORDS.
Mark 1:15 KJV And saying, The time is fulfilled, and the kingdom of God is at hand: repent ye, and believe the gospel.
It is not just believing Jesus is savior.
2 Corinthians 4:1-5 KJV (1) Therefore seeing we (APOSTLES) have this ministry, as we have received mercy, we faint not; (2) But have renounced the hidden things of dishonesty, not walking in craftiness, nor handling the word of God deceitfully; but by manifestation of the truth commending ourselves to every man's conscience in the sight of God.
Trust what they taught!
(3) But if our gospel be hid, it is hid to them that are lost:
Their APOSTLE gospel.
1 Peter 2:8 KJV And a stone of stumbling, and a rock of offence, even to them which stumble at the word, being disobedient: whereunto also they were appointed.
THIS WORD is the ROCK!
2 Cor 4:(4) In whom the god of this world hath blinded the minds of them which believe not,
Believe not what?
(4) …lest the light of the glorious gospel of Christ, who is the image of God, should shine unto them. (5) For we preach not ourselves, but Christ Jesus the Lord; and ourselves your servants for Jesus' sake.
Jesus said to believe on Him and be saved.
Paul writes to the church of Ephesus of SAVED people in our next verse.
(In Acts Paul actually came to these Ephesians and preached, which we will get to eventually.)
Ephesians 1:13 KJV In whom ye also trusted, after that ye heard the word of truth, the gospel of your salvation: in whom also after that ye believed, ye were sealed with that holy Spirit of promise,
When you hear the Gospel and believe the gospel of salvation, YOU WERE SEALED WITH THE HOLY SPIRIT.
1 John 4:6 KJV We are of God: he that knoweth God heareth us; he that is not of God heareth not us. Hereby know we the spirit of truth, and the spirit of error.
Here is how you know error.
Early church got saved when believed the apostles’ preaching and acted upon it and received whatever they taught.
We can see that BELIEVING involves far more than just believing Jesus existed.
Obeying what the apostles preached is believing upon Jesus.
WHAT IS THE GOSPEL?
We will now study the GREAT COMMISSION in Matthew, Mark and Luke, Jesus’ final words before leaving the world, after which the apostles would BEGIN reaching the lost.
Many only read the Great Commission in Matthew, but it is in the others, too.
Matthew 28:18 KJV And Jesus came and spake unto them, saying, All power is given unto me in heaven and in earth.
He has ALL POWER.
Matthew 28:19 KJV Go ye therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost:
SINGULAR NAME.
Jesus has over 1,500 titles.
We will see how the apostles took that command to baptize in the Name, and explained it to people in Acts.
Matthew 28:20 KJV 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.
Some say they listen to Jesus and not apostles, but here we read that Jesus gave them detailed instructions.
Mark 16:15-16 KJV And he said unto them (APOSTLES), Go ye into all the world, and preach the gospel to every creature. (16) He that believeth and is baptized shall be saved; but he that believeth not shall be damned.
He did not say those who believe and are saved shall be baptized.
Mark 16:17 KJV And these signs shall follow them that believe; In my name shall they cast out devils; they shall speak with new tongues;
It’s not talking about stopping one’s cussing.
Mark 16:18 KJV They shall take up serpents; and if they drink any deadly thing, it shall not hurt them; they shall lay hands on the sick, and they shall recover.
All these signs MUST BE OPERATED BY FAITH.
An angel told Paul just before that he would not die til he got to Rome.
Mark 16:19 KJV So then after the Lord had spoken unto them, he was received up into heaven, and sat on the right hand of God.
Mark 16:20 KJV And they went forth, and preached every where, the Lord working with them, and confirming the word with signs following. Amen.
Luke 24:44 KJV And he said unto them, These are the words which I spake unto you, while I was yet with you, that all things must be fulfilled, which were written in the law of Moses, and in the prophets, and in the psalms, concerning me.
Luke 24:45-49 KJV Then opened he their understanding, that they might understand the scriptures,
Jesus died, and resurrected, and a period of time between the resurrection and Pentecost about 50 days.
(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: (47) And that repentance and remission of sins should be preached in his name among all nations, beginning at Jerusalem.
NOTICE THE NAME singular is emphasized again as in Matt 28:19.
When the apostles preach in Acts, we have to see if they preached REPENTANCE in the name of Jesus, REMISSION OF SINS in the name of Jesus and how they would cause it.
(48) And ye are witnesses of these things. (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.
Notice the third element: He’d send the Promise of the Father.
So three days in grave, and forty days preaching, it could be about seven days left or so until Acts 2 since Acts 2 was on the day of Pentecost and Leviticus tells us Pent. was fifty days after the passover.
Luke 24:50-53 KJV And he led them out as far as to Bethany, and he lifted up his hands, and blessed them. (51) And it came to pass, while he blessed them, he was parted from them, and carried up into heaven. (52) And they worshiped him, and returned to Jerusalem with great joy: (53) And were continually in the temple, praising and blessing God. Amen.
TO THE BOOK OF ACTS
Luke Wrote Acts.
Acts 1:1-8 KJV The former treatise have I made, O Theophilus,
Luke referred here to the Gospel of Luke.
… of all that Jesus began both to do and teach, (2) Until the day in which he was taken up, after that he through the Holy Ghost had given commandments unto the apostles whom he had chosen:
They are chosen, the ones we can believe,
(3) 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:
They had a meeting with Jesus for FORTY DAYS!
(4) And, being assembled together with them, commanded them that they should not depart from Jerusalem, but wait for the promise of the Father, which, saith he, ye have heard of me. (5) For John truly baptized with water; but ye shall be baptized with the Holy Ghost not many days hence.
(6) When they therefore were come together, they asked of him, saying, Lord, wilt thou at this time restore again the kingdom to Israel?
Many people make the same mistake and think it is a natural Kingdom, and not spiritual.
(7) And he said unto them, It is not for you to know the times or the seasons, which the Father hath put in his own power. (8) 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.
They would get power once the Holy Ghost came on them.
Look how many are there:
Acts 1:14-15 KJV These all continued with one accord in prayer and supplication, with the women, and Mary the mother of Jesus, and with his brethren. (15) And in those days Peter stood up in the midst of the disciples, and said, (the number of names together were about an hundred and twenty,)
More than 12 apostles.
Then they elect an apostle to take Judas’ place.
Acts 2:1-21 KJV And when the day of Pentecost was fully come, they were all with one accord in one place. (2) And suddenly there came a sound from heaven as of a rushing mighty wind, and it filled all the house where they were sitting. (3) And there appeared unto them cloven tongues like as of fire, and it sat upon each of them. (4) And they were all filled with the Holy Ghost, and began to speak with other tongues, as the Spirit gave them utterance.
There is the LANGUAGE/PHONAY!
How many?
(5) And there were dwelling at Jerusalem Jews, devout men, out of every nation under heaven. (6) Now when this was noised abroad, the multitude came together, and were confounded, because that every man heard them speak in his own language. (7) And they were all amazed and marvelled, saying one to another, Behold, are not all these which speak Galilaeans? (8) And how hear we every man in our own tongue, wherein we were born? (9) Parthians, and Medes, and Elamites, and the dwellers in Mesopotamia, and in Judaea, and Cappadocia, in Pontus, and Asia, (10) Phrygia, and Pamphylia, in Egypt, and in the parts of Libya about Cyrene, and strangers of Rome, Jews and proselytes, (11) Cretes and Arabians, we do hear them speak in our tongues the wonderful works of God.
17 LANGUAGES!
(12) And they were all amazed, and were in doubt, saying one to another, What meaneth this? (13) Others mocking said, These men are full of new wine. (14) But Peter, standing up with the eleven, lifted up his voice, and said unto them, Ye men of Judaea, and all ye that dwell at Jerusalem, be this known unto you, and hearken to my words: (15) For these are not drunken, as ye suppose, seeing it is but the third hour of the day. (16) But this is that which was spoken by the prophet Joel;
What they saw was what Joel prophesied.
(17) And it shall come to pass in the last days, saith God, I will pour out of my Spirit upon all flesh: and your sons and your daughters shall prophesy, and your young men shall see visions, and your old men shall dream dreams: (18) And on my servants and on my handmaidens I will pour out in those days of my Spirit; and they shall prophesy: (19) And I will shew wonders in heaven above, and signs in the earth beneath; blood, and fire, and vapour of smoke: (20) The sun shall be turned into darkness, and the moon into blood, before that great and notable day of the Lord come: (21) And it shall come to pass, that whosoever shall call on the name of the Lord shall be saved.
That was quoted from JOEL.
He then spoke of Jesus dying on the cross and being resurrected, and David prophesied of Jesus rising from the dead.
Acts 2:36-42 KJV Therefore let all the house of Israel know assuredly, that God hath made that same Jesus, whom ye have crucified, both Lord and Christ.
David was not the one who was said to rise from the dead.
(37) 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?
Here is what we have spent WEEKS on so far.
(38) Then Peter said unto them, [1] Repent, and [2] be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins, and [3] ye shall receive the gift of the Holy Ghost. (39) 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.
If God called you, this is FOR YOU!
Recall Luke:
Luke 24:47 And that [1] repentance and [2] remission of sins should be preached in his name among all nations, beginning at Jerusalem.
Acts 2:38 Then Peter said unto them, [1] Repent, and [2] be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins,…
How did Peter preach “REMISSION OF SINS IN HIS NAME?”
Luke 24:47 (48) And ye are witnesses of these things. (49) And, [3] 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.
Acts 2:38 …and [3] ye shall receive the gift of the Holy Ghost. (39) 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.
We know the PROMISE OF THE FATHER is the GIFT OF THE HOLY GHOST:
Acts 1:4-5 KJV And, being assembled together with them, commanded them that they should not depart from Jerusalem, but wait for the promise of the Father, which, saith he, ye have heard of me. (5) For John truly baptized with water; but ye shall be baptized with the Holy Ghost not many days hence.
Acts 2:40 And with many other words did he testify and exhort, saying, Save yourselves from this untoward generation. (41) Then they that gladly received his word …
Notice that the people who received the word WERE BAPTIZED.
(40)…were baptized: and the same day there were added unto them about three thousand souls. (42) And they continued stedfastly in the apostles' doctrine and fellowship, and in breaking of bread, and in prayers.
The APOSTLES’ DOCTRINE refers to ACTS 2:38.
Acts 2:38 KJV 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.
Notice that after they said, “Men and brethren what shall we do?” they were not told to accept Jesus into their hearts?
Some might ask how important baptism is:
1 Peter 3:20-21 KJV Which sometime were disobedient, when once the longsuffering of God waited in the days of Noah, while the ark was a preparing, wherein few, that is, eight souls were saved by water. (21) The like figure whereunto even baptism doth also now save us (not the putting away of the filth of the flesh, but the answer of a good conscience toward God,) by the resurrection of Jesus Christ:
It is not literally washing away sins.
The ROMANS ROAD....is a pathway you can
walk.
- It is a group of Bible verses from the book of Romans in the New Testament. If you walk down this road you will end up understanding how to be saved.
Romans 3:23
"For all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God."
We all have sin in our hearts. We all were born with sin.
We all have sin in our hearts. We all were born with sin.
- We were born under the power of sin's control.
- - Admit that you are a sinner.
Romans 6:23a
"...The wages of sin is death..."
- Sin has an ending. It results in death. We all face physical death, which is a result of sin. But a worse death is spiritual death that alienates us from God, and will last for all eternity. The Bible teaches that there is a place called the Lake of Fire where lost people will be in torment forever. It is the place where people who are spiritually dead will remain.
- - Understand that you deserve death for your sin.
Romans 6:23b "...But the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord."
- Salvation is a free gift from God to you! You can't earn this gift, but you must reach out and receive it.
- - Ask God to forgive you and save you.
Romans 5:8, "God demonstrates His own love for us, in that while we were yet sinners Christ died for us!"
- When Jesus died on the cross He paid sin's penalty. He paid the price for all sin, and when He took all the sins of the world on Himself on the cross, He bought us out of slavery to sin and death! The only condition is that we believe in Him and what He has done for us, understanding that we are now joined with Him, and that He is our life. He did all this because He loved us and gave Himself for us!
- - Give your life to God... His love poured out in Jesus on the cross is your only hope to have forgiveness and change. His love bought you out of being a slave to sin. His love is what saves you -- not religion, or church membership. God loves you!
[AND THE CLINCHER FOR SALVATION IS NOTED AS FOLLOWS:]
Romans 10:13 "Whoever will call on the name of the Lord will be saved!"
- - Call out to God in the name of Jesus!
Romans 10:9,10 "...If you confess with your mouth Jesus as Lord, and believe in your heart that God raised Jesus from the dead, you shall be saved; for with the heart man believes, resulting in righteousness, and with the mouth he confesses, resulting in salvation."
If you know that God is knocking on your heart's door, ask Him to come into your heart.
- Believe in Him.
- Ask Him to come in to your heart by faith, and ask Him to reveal Himself to you.
- Open the Bible to the Gospel of John and read what God says about Jesus, about you, and about being born again.
Water baptism is one
of the ways you first show that you have been joined to Jesus.
This is an action, and actions will not save you. However, it is
an act of obedience and a symbol of commitment.
But that is taking the passage of Romans 10 out of context.
- When Paul says to believe in the heart and confess with the mouth, he was not giving the plan of salvation.
We learned that John 3:16 said believe in Jesus and have everlasting life.
- But John 17:20 said it is believing on Him through the apostles’ words—and we find those words in the BOOK OF ACTS.
- Over and over again the epistles show the apostles telling people they have to obey their words in order to know God.
In Romans 10, Paul quoted the Old Testament.
Romans 10:5-8 KJV For Moses describeth the righteousness which is of the law, That the man which doeth those things shall live by them.
That verse quoted was Leviticus 18:5
Leviticus 18:5 KJV Ye shall therefore keep my statutes, and my judgments: which if a man do, he shall live in them: I am the LORD.
Back to Romans 10:
(6) But the righteousness which is of faith speaketh on this wise, Say not in thine heart, Who shall ascend into heaven? (that is, to bring Christ down from above:) (7) Or, Who shall descend into the deep? (that is, to bring up Christ again from the dead.) (8) But what saith it? The word is nigh thee, even in thy mouth, and in thy heart: that is, the word of faith, which we preach;
Paul quoted those words from this passage:
Deuteronomy 30:11-14 KJV (11) For this commandment which I command thee this day, it is not hidden from thee, neither is it far off. (12) It is not in heaven, that thou shouldest say, Who shall go up for us to heaven, and bring it unto us, that we may hear it, and do it? (13) Neither is it beyond the sea, that thou shouldest say, Who shall go over the sea for us, and bring it unto us, that we may hear it, and do it? (14) But the word is very nigh unto thee, in thy mouth, and in thy heart, that thou mayest do it.
This commandment had to be received in order to bring restoration of Israel.
Back to Romans 10:8
Romans 10:8 KJV But what saith it?
What is the Old Testament saying?
…The word is nigh thee, even in thy mouth, and in thy heart:
He quoted Deut 30:14.
- He is giving the interpretation of that.
… that is, the word of faith, which we preach;
He said Deut 40:14 is dealing with the WORD OF FAITH that Paul was preaching, and referred to it as THIS COMMANDMENT in Deut 30:11.
- That is the commandment that would restore Israel.
- It was the Gospel restoring them back to God by way of a NEW COVENANT.
Romans 10:9 KJV That if thou shalt confess with thy mouth the Lord Jesus, and shalt believe in thine heart that God hath raised him from the dead, thou shalt be saved.
This is similar to John 3:16.
- THOU SHALT BE SAVED.
- He is dealing with scriptures that refer to HEART, MOUTH, MIND and BELIEVING.
- Is this saying to merely Believe he existed?
- Or accept Him as personal Saviour?
- This chapter says nothing about “Accept Jesus as your personal Savior.”
- Not one verse is in the bible that says salvation comes by accepting Jesus as your personal savior.
- We need to keep reading.
Paul will provide all we need to know to not leave us guessing.
Romans 10:10 KJV For with the heart man believeth unto righteousness; and with the mouth confession is made unto salvation.
That does not mean you are saved at that moment. YOU SHALL BE SAVED.
- Made unto salvation means made towards salvation.
This becomes clear as we continue.
Romans 10:11-13 KJV For the scripture saith, Whosoever believeth on him shall not be ashamed. (12) For there is no difference between the Jew and the Greek: for the same Lord over all is rich unto all that call upon him. (13) For whosoever shall call upon the name of the Lord shall be saved.
Verse 11 quoted words from Isaiah 28:16:
Isaiah 28:16 KJV Therefore thus saith the Lord GOD, Behold, I lay in Zion for a foundation a stone, a tried stone, a precious corner stone, a sure foundation: he that believeth shall not make haste.
Continue in Romans.
- Here is where we find out that MORE THAN confession and belief saves us…
- Keep in mind that Jesus said to believe on Him through the apostles’ words.
Romans 10:14 KJV How then shall they call on him in whom they have not believed? and how shall they believe in him of whom they have not heard? and how shall they hear without a preacher?
Notice he referred to Isaiah about believing, and then explains that you cannot call on the Lord if you have not believed.
- It’s like Jesus seeing Nic disbelieve his words of new birth and then telling him that he has to believe what the man of God says.
What does APOSTLE mean?
- ONE SENT.
- See the hint of APOSTLES here?
- Jesus SENT THEM just as the Father sent Jesus.
Romans 10:16 KJV But they have not all obeyed the gospel. For Esaias saith, Lord, who hath believed our report?
Paul added a whole lot to just believing.
- He said not obeying the GOSPEL is equated with NOT BELIEVING THE REPORT!
- The Gospel was not actually laid forth in Romans 10.
- You have to go to Acts to see how they preached the gospel and there understand what it is we are intended to believe.
- He said belief cannot even occur unless they hear about Jesus and a preacher comes so they can hear about Jesus VIA THE GOSPEL.
- So, we can see that He did not simply say believe and call.
- There are certain ways you have to call.
- A preacher has to explain what the apostles said.
- There are certain things you have to believe and certain men you have to listen to.
- That means a lot after we showed how Paul emphasized so much about false prophets and our need to heed the doctrine Paul and the apostles preached.
Recall the question we said we would ask you?
Whom do we know is sent of God?
- The apostles.
- Because they were the only ones who were said to be sent of God.
- Only the bible is what we know as truth, the word of God.
- We have a world full of claims and ideas.
- We have to compare it by the word of God.
- Paul said cast out anything Paul did not preach as gospel.
- So the apostles’ words are what we base our salvation on.
- Jesus said He would stand behind Peter’s words – bind in heaven what Peter binds on earth.
Romans 1:16 KJV For I am not ashamed of the gospel of Christ: for it is the power of God unto salvation to every one that believeth; to the Jew first, and also to the Greek.
So it is not just believing Jesus existed and died.
- BELIEF is BELIEF IN THE GOSPEL.
John 17:20 KJV Neither pray I for these alone, but for them also which shall believe on me through their word;
Jesus prayed that the Father would save anybody that would believe on him THROUGH THE APOSTLES’ WORDS.
- The words of the apostles for salvation are only found in Acts.
- Romans 10 says to believe and be saved, but the context shows it is believing the GOSPEL.
- Romans 10 does not even list the gospel.
- It refers to it as what must be believed.
- So we have to find the GOSPEL the apostles preached and BELIEVE IT.
Mark 1:15 KJV And saying, The time is fulfilled, and the kingdom of God is at hand: repent ye, and believe the gospel.
It is not just believing Jesus is savior.
- There is a GOSPEL that explains HOW HE IS SAVIOUR.
2 Corinthians 4:1-5 KJV (1) Therefore seeing we (APOSTLES) have this ministry, as we have received mercy, we faint not; (2) But have renounced the hidden things of dishonesty, not walking in craftiness, nor handling the word of God deceitfully; but by manifestation of the truth commending ourselves to every man's conscience in the sight of God.
Trust what they taught!
- Not me nor Joe Blow, but the APOSTLES’ words.
(3) But if our gospel be hid, it is hid to them that are lost:
Their APOSTLE gospel.
1 Peter 2:8 KJV And a stone of stumbling, and a rock of offence, even to them which stumble at the word, being disobedient: whereunto also they were appointed.
THIS WORD is the ROCK!
2 Cor 4:(4) In whom the god of this world hath blinded the minds of them which believe not,
Believe not what?
- THE GOSPEL that was hid, the apostles’ gospel!
(4) …lest the light of the glorious gospel of Christ, who is the image of God, should shine unto them. (5) For we preach not ourselves, but Christ Jesus the Lord; and ourselves your servants for Jesus' sake.
Jesus said to believe on Him and be saved.
- Paul described preaching the GOSPEL as PREACHING JESUS.
- So believing Jesus is actually BELIEVING THE GOSPEL.
Paul writes to the church of Ephesus of SAVED people in our next verse.
(In Acts Paul actually came to these Ephesians and preached, which we will get to eventually.)
Ephesians 1:13 KJV In whom ye also trusted, after that ye heard the word of truth, the gospel of your salvation: in whom also after that ye believed, ye were sealed with that holy Spirit of promise,
When you hear the Gospel and believe the gospel of salvation, YOU WERE SEALED WITH THE HOLY SPIRIT.
- Recall that in John 3 (born of Spirit) and John 7 (believe as scriptures say, out of belly flow rivers – Spirit) Jesus said that believing involves getting the SPIRIT.
1 John 4:6 KJV We are of God: he that knoweth God heareth us; he that is not of God heareth not us. Hereby know we the spirit of truth, and the spirit of error.
Here is how you know error.
- IT DEPENDS UPON WHETHER PEOPLE DO WHAT THE APOSTLES SAID TO DO.
- Jesus said the apostles would cause people to believe on HIM.
- Find out if they receive what the APOSTLES ACTUALLY PREACHED, which we will find in the book of Acts.
Early church got saved when believed the apostles’ preaching and acted upon it and received whatever they taught.
We can see that BELIEVING involves far more than just believing Jesus existed.
Obeying what the apostles preached is believing upon Jesus.
WHAT IS THE GOSPEL?
We will now study the GREAT COMMISSION in Matthew, Mark and Luke, Jesus’ final words before leaving the world, after which the apostles would BEGIN reaching the lost.
Many only read the Great Commission in Matthew, but it is in the others, too.
Matthew 28:18 KJV And Jesus came and spake unto them, saying, All power is given unto me in heaven and in earth.
He has ALL POWER.
- Nobody else has any of it.
- He is enabled with all authority.
Matthew 28:19 KJV Go ye therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost:
SINGULAR NAME.
- He did not say NAMES.
- Father is not a name.
- Holy Ghost is not a NAME.
- There are many fathers.
- Which father is it?
- I am a father and a husband, but that is not my name.
Jesus has over 1,500 titles.
- But he is not 1,500 gods but one!
- Spirit of God was manifest in flesh.
We will see how the apostles took that command to baptize in the Name, and explained it to people in Acts.
Matthew 28:20 KJV 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.
Some say they listen to Jesus and not apostles, but here we read that Jesus gave them detailed instructions.
- We do not need to worry about apostles contradicting Jesus, but PEOPLE other than the apostles contradicting both Jesus and the apostles.
Mark 16:15-16 KJV And he said unto them (APOSTLES), Go ye into all the world, and preach the gospel to every creature. (16) He that believeth and is baptized shall be saved; but he that believeth not shall be damned.
He did not say those who believe and are saved shall be baptized.
- Baptism is part of salvation.
Mark 16:17 KJV And these signs shall follow them that believe; In my name shall they cast out devils; they shall speak with new tongues;
It’s not talking about stopping one’s cussing.
- A SOUND/LANGUAGE was spoken in Acts.
Mark 16:18 KJV They shall take up serpents; and if they drink any deadly thing, it shall not hurt them; they shall lay hands on the sick, and they shall recover.
All these signs MUST BE OPERATED BY FAITH.
- You need faith even if saved, because you need faith for these.
- Jesus is generally speaking of a church really on fire for God!
- The apostles did not do these things to prove they are saved, since that was tempting God.
- Jesus would not do what the devil challenged him to do.
- But PAUL DID GET BIT by a snake in Acts and in that ACCIDENT he handled that snake and did not get poisoned.
An angel told Paul just before that he would not die til he got to Rome.
- Paul had faith and knew that snake would not harm him.
Mark 16:19 KJV So then after the Lord had spoken unto them, he was received up into heaven, and sat on the right hand of God.
Mark 16:20 KJV And they went forth, and preached every where, the Lord working with them, and confirming the word with signs following. Amen.
Luke 24:44 KJV And he said unto them, These are the words which I spake unto you, while I was yet with you, that all things must be fulfilled, which were written in the law of Moses, and in the prophets, and in the psalms, concerning me.
Luke 24:45-49 KJV Then opened he their understanding, that they might understand the scriptures,
Jesus died, and resurrected, and a period of time between the resurrection and Pentecost about 50 days.
- Jesus was three days in the grave.
- Jesus spent 40 days and nights with the apostles.
- Then they went into Upper room in Acts 2.
- Imagine what they learned for forty days with JESUS, HIMSELF!
- We have the words of the MEN WHO SPENT 40 days with HIM!
- No wonder he put emphasis on what those men said!
- People say they would rather take Jesus’ words than the apostles, and they never even studied the bible.
- But these apostles were given the seal of Jesus’ approval in John 17 and spent forty days with him after His resurrected.
(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: (47) And that repentance and remission of sins should be preached in his name among all nations, beginning at Jerusalem.
NOTICE THE NAME singular is emphasized again as in Matt 28:19.
When the apostles preach in Acts, we have to see if they preached REPENTANCE in the name of Jesus, REMISSION OF SINS in the name of Jesus and how they would cause it.
- Are they going to do all these things Jesus listed?
(48) And ye are witnesses of these things. (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.
Notice the third element: He’d send the Promise of the Father.
So three days in grave, and forty days preaching, it could be about seven days left or so until Acts 2 since Acts 2 was on the day of Pentecost and Leviticus tells us Pent. was fifty days after the passover.
Luke 24:50-53 KJV And he led them out as far as to Bethany, and he lifted up his hands, and blessed them. (51) And it came to pass, while he blessed them, he was parted from them, and carried up into heaven. (52) And they worshiped him, and returned to Jerusalem with great joy: (53) And were continually in the temple, praising and blessing God. Amen.
TO THE BOOK OF ACTS
Luke Wrote Acts.
Acts 1:1-8 KJV The former treatise have I made, O Theophilus,
Luke referred here to the Gospel of Luke.
… of all that Jesus began both to do and teach, (2) Until the day in which he was taken up, after that he through the Holy Ghost had given commandments unto the apostles whom he had chosen:
They are chosen, the ones we can believe,
(3) 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:
They had a meeting with Jesus for FORTY DAYS!
- They were getting lots of instruction.
- Matthew was there, who wrote the Great Commission and mentioned baptism.
- He’d stop Peter if Peter would later preach something offkey.
(4) And, being assembled together with them, commanded them that they should not depart from Jerusalem, but wait for the promise of the Father, which, saith he, ye have heard of me. (5) For John truly baptized with water; but ye shall be baptized with the Holy Ghost not many days hence.
(6) When they therefore were come together, they asked of him, saying, Lord, wilt thou at this time restore again the kingdom to Israel?
Many people make the same mistake and think it is a natural Kingdom, and not spiritual.
(7) And he said unto them, It is not for you to know the times or the seasons, which the Father hath put in his own power. (8) 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.
They would get power once the Holy Ghost came on them.
Look how many are there:
Acts 1:14-15 KJV These all continued with one accord in prayer and supplication, with the women, and Mary the mother of Jesus, and with his brethren. (15) And in those days Peter stood up in the midst of the disciples, and said, (the number of names together were about an hundred and twenty,)
More than 12 apostles.
Then they elect an apostle to take Judas’ place.
- Matthias.
Acts 2:1-21 KJV And when the day of Pentecost was fully come, they were all with one accord in one place. (2) And suddenly there came a sound from heaven as of a rushing mighty wind, and it filled all the house where they were sitting. (3) And there appeared unto them cloven tongues like as of fire, and it sat upon each of them. (4) And they were all filled with the Holy Ghost, and began to speak with other tongues, as the Spirit gave them utterance.
There is the LANGUAGE/PHONAY!
- How many speak in tongues when get Holy Ghost?
- Ten out of every ten!
- A SOUND!
How many?
- V. 15 – 120 people, including Mary.
- Not just the 12.
- Even Mary the mother of Jesus.
- She required the Holy Ghost as much as the others did.
(5) And there were dwelling at Jerusalem Jews, devout men, out of every nation under heaven. (6) Now when this was noised abroad, the multitude came together, and were confounded, because that every man heard them speak in his own language. (7) And they were all amazed and marvelled, saying one to another, Behold, are not all these which speak Galilaeans? (8) And how hear we every man in our own tongue, wherein we were born? (9) Parthians, and Medes, and Elamites, and the dwellers in Mesopotamia, and in Judaea, and Cappadocia, in Pontus, and Asia, (10) Phrygia, and Pamphylia, in Egypt, and in the parts of Libya about Cyrene, and strangers of Rome, Jews and proselytes, (11) Cretes and Arabians, we do hear them speak in our tongues the wonderful works of God.
17 LANGUAGES!
- Can’t be only the 12.
- God ordained that amongst the 120 were people speaking those 17 languages.
- Some think it was gobbly-de-gook, and God changed the sound waves in the minds of the listeners to be their languages.
- No.
(12) And they were all amazed, and were in doubt, saying one to another, What meaneth this? (13) Others mocking said, These men are full of new wine. (14) But Peter, standing up with the eleven, lifted up his voice, and said unto them, Ye men of Judaea, and all ye that dwell at Jerusalem, be this known unto you, and hearken to my words: (15) For these are not drunken, as ye suppose, seeing it is but the third hour of the day. (16) But this is that which was spoken by the prophet Joel;
What they saw was what Joel prophesied.
(17) And it shall come to pass in the last days, saith God, I will pour out of my Spirit upon all flesh: and your sons and your daughters shall prophesy, and your young men shall see visions, and your old men shall dream dreams: (18) And on my servants and on my handmaidens I will pour out in those days of my Spirit; and they shall prophesy: (19) And I will shew wonders in heaven above, and signs in the earth beneath; blood, and fire, and vapour of smoke: (20) The sun shall be turned into darkness, and the moon into blood, before that great and notable day of the Lord come: (21) And it shall come to pass, that whosoever shall call on the name of the Lord shall be saved.
That was quoted from JOEL.
- Did Peter stop there as though all we do is call on the name of Jesus and we’re saved?
- No.
- Peter was quoting Joel’s incomplete prophecy.
He then spoke of Jesus dying on the cross and being resurrected, and David prophesied of Jesus rising from the dead.
- Drop to verse 36.
Acts 2:36-42 KJV Therefore let all the house of Israel know assuredly, that God hath made that same Jesus, whom ye have crucified, both Lord and Christ.
David was not the one who was said to rise from the dead.
(37) 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?
Here is what we have spent WEEKS on so far.
- The man with the keys to the Kingdom is preaching, Peter.
- Recall the gospel that Paul said must be preached or else a person is accursed.
- Here it is!
(38) Then Peter said unto them, [1] Repent, and [2] be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins, and [3] ye shall receive the gift of the Holy Ghost. (39) 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.
If God called you, this is FOR YOU!
- Everyone.
Recall Luke:
Luke 24:47 And that [1] repentance and [2] remission of sins should be preached in his name among all nations, beginning at Jerusalem.
Acts 2:38 Then Peter said unto them, [1] Repent, and [2] be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins,…
How did Peter preach “REMISSION OF SINS IN HIS NAME?”
Luke 24:47 (48) And ye are witnesses of these things. (49) And, [3] 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.
Acts 2:38 …and [3] ye shall receive the gift of the Holy Ghost. (39) 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.
We know the PROMISE OF THE FATHER is the GIFT OF THE HOLY GHOST:
Acts 1:4-5 KJV And, being assembled together with them, commanded them that they should not depart from Jerusalem, but wait for the promise of the Father, which, saith he, ye have heard of me. (5) For John truly baptized with water; but ye shall be baptized with the Holy Ghost not many days hence.
Acts 2:40 And with many other words did he testify and exhort, saying, Save yourselves from this untoward generation. (41) Then they that gladly received his word …
Notice that the people who received the word WERE BAPTIZED.
- Many people will not receive this word.
(40)…were baptized: and the same day there were added unto them about three thousand souls. (42) And they continued stedfastly in the apostles' doctrine and fellowship, and in breaking of bread, and in prayers.
The APOSTLES’ DOCTRINE refers to ACTS 2:38.
- The full apostles’ doctrine is noted here.
- Have you obeyed the apostle’s doctrine?
Acts 2:38 KJV 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.
Notice that after they said, “Men and brethren what shall we do?” they were not told to accept Jesus into their hearts?
- They were not told to raise their hands if they make Jesus their personal Saviour.
- They were not told to confess with their mouths and believe in their hearts the Lord Jesus.
- They were told precisely what to do in order to fulfill the words of believing on Jesus to be saved.
- Here is HOW THEY WERE TO BELIEVE according to the Apostles’ words.
Some might ask how important baptism is:
1 Peter 3:20-21 KJV Which sometime were disobedient, when once the longsuffering of God waited in the days of Noah, while the ark was a preparing, wherein few, that is, eight souls were saved by water. (21) The like figure whereunto even baptism doth also now save us (not the putting away of the filth of the flesh, but the answer of a good conscience toward God,) by the resurrection of Jesus Christ:
It is not literally washing away sins.
- If you were unfortunately divorced and married several more times, baptism does not automatically return you to your first spouse.
- These sins are taken care of SPIRITUALLY, not physically.
- Your CONSCIENCE involved.