GOD'S PLAN OF SALVATION
1. GOD'S PLAN OF SALVATION
a. REPENTANCE
b. THE GIFT OF THE HOLY GHOST
c. WHAT YOU SHOULD DO, IF YOU'RE NOT BAPTIZED IN JESUS NAME.
"Then opened he their understanding, that they might understand the scriptures, And said unto them, "Thus it is written, and thus it behooved Christ to suffer, and to rise from the dead the third day: And that repentance and remission of sins should be preached in his name among all nations, beginning at Jerusalem."
TWO THINGS WOULD BE PREACHED
1. Repentance
2. Remission of sins
HOW?.... It would be preached in HIS NAME
WHERE?.... It would begin in Jerusalem. This was fulfilled in Acts 2:38
"From that time Jesus began to preach, and to say, Repent: for the kingdom of God is at hand." - Matthew 4:17
Bring therefore fruits meet for repentance" - Matthew 3:8
God demanded repentance of mankind. Repentance means "the act of turning an about face" from sin to God. (see below for a study on "REPENTANCE")
AFTER REPENTANCE, the next step of your obedience is water baptism. Water baptism is not the removal of dirt from your body but the pledge of a good conscience toward God (1Peter 3: 20-21). It is being buried with Him to walk in newness of life in Jesus (Romans 6: 4; Colosians 2: 12).
THE PLAN OF SALVATION BEGAN IN JERUSALEM ON THE DAY OF PENTECOST
They were baptized for the remission of sins in JESUS NAME - Acts 2: 38; Acts 10: 48; Acts 19: 5, etc.
REPENTANCE
REPENTANCE actually has three parts:
1. A TURNING FROM SIN - This turning must be both in heart (emotion) and mind (thinking). We must both feel sorrow in our hearts and support that sorrow with resources of our mind.
2. A SPIRIT OF ABHORENCE TO SIN - A desire to turn away from our old ways and change to a new one. A hatred for the thought of sin as well as a desire to be holy.
3. A SPIRIT OF HONOR TOWARD GOD - God told Abraham: I am the Almight God, walk before me and be thou perfect. And again he said: I am holy, be ye therefore also holy.
Repentance must be an outward and inward confession (Romans 10: 10).
A BIBLICAL EXAMPLE OF A MEANINGLESS WORSHIP WITHOUT REPENTANCE
"Stop bringing meaningless offerings your insence is detestable to me. New moons, Sabbaths and your coming together I cannot bear your assemblies . . . When you spread out your hands in prayer, I will hide my eyes from you; I will not listen. Your hands are full of blood. Wash and make yourselves clean. Take your evil deeds out of my sight stop doing wrong, learn to do right, seek justice, encourage the oppressed" Isaiah 1: 13-16 NIV
TO THE CHURCH: SIN IN OUR LIVES WILL CAUSE GOD TO TURN AWAY FROM OUR PRAYERS
Scripture tells us God hears only the prayers of the righteous (Psalm 34: 13-15; 66: 18-19) and those who call on Him in truth (Psalm 145: 18), of the genuinely repentant and humble (Luke 18: 14) and of those who ask according to His will (1John 5:14)
THE GIFT OF THE HOLY GHOST
1. The Old Testament prophecy - read Ezekiel 36: 26-27; Joel 2 :28
2. This prophecy happened for the first time on the day of Pentecost when the 120 disciples and followers of Jesus were filled with the Holy Ghost (Acts 2 :1 - 4)
3. Jesus also prophesied about this (John 7 :38-39)
The Acts 2 experince by the 120 is part of the new birth.
Is the Holy Ghost necessary for salvation? ANSWER: "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 (confirmed) with that Spirit of promise." - Ephesians 1: 13.
The outward evidence or visible confirmation that you received the Holy Ghost like the experience of the 120 on the day of Pentecost when the people saw them speak in different languages even unknown to the person who receive the gift of the Holy Ghost is called "SPEAKING IN TONGUES."
"For with stammering lips and another tongue will he speak to this people." - Isaiah 28 :11.
"And they were all filled with the Holy Ghost, and began to speak with other tongues, as the Spirit gave them utterance." - Acts 2 :4
"And they of the circumcision (the Jews) which believed were astonished, as many as came with Peter, because that on the Gentiles also was poured out the gift of the Holy Ghost. For they heard them speak with tongues and magnify God." - Acts 10 :45 - 46
WHAT YOU SHOULD DO IF YOU ARE NOT BAPTIZED IN JESUS NAME
You should obey exactly what the Word of God says and follow the examples of the people who obeyed . . .
And it came to pass, that while Apollos was at Corinth, Paul having passed through the upper coasts came to Ephesus: and finding certain disciples, He said unto them, have ye received the Holy Ghost since ye believed? And they said unto him, we have not so much as heard whether there be any Holy Ghost. And he said unto them, unto what then were ye baptized? And they said, unto John's baptism. Then said Paul, John verily baptized with the baptism of repentance, saying unto the people, that they should believe on him which should come after him, that is , on Christ Jesus. And when Paul had his hands upon them, the Holy ghost came on them, and they spake with tongues, and prophesied." - Acts 19 : 1-6
Even though they had been baptized unto John's baptism, it was not enough. They were rebaptized in the name Jesus.
Note carefully the question Paul asked them on verse 3, "Unto what then were ye baptized?" You should ask the same question because God's plan of salvation involves -
First, Believe in the Lord Jesus Christ
Second, is to Repent of your sins
Third, be baptized in the name of Jesus Christ
Fourth, and you shall receive the gift of the Holy Ghost.
WHAT YOU WILL BE DOING IS NOT A CRIMINAL OFFENCE NOR WILL IT BE A BLASPHEMY TO YOUR RELIGION. It is your pledge of a good conscience toward God and your personal will to accept a new life in Christ Jesus.
If you want more informations about all these please email[ Frank Buhain] or go to your nearest Apostolic Pentecostal church.
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last modified Good Friday, March 29, 2002
