Pattern Of Conversion 2 Series

INTRODUCTION

Outline.

1. Hear of the faith.

2. Believe in the gospel.

3. Repent of sins.

4. Confess faith in Christ.

5. Be Baptized into Christ

Introductory Remarks.

1. The "gift" of salvation is given to all by God's grace, not by our faith or works of merit. Salvation is not given merely upon our faith in Christ; but, in our obedience through the faith in Christ Jesus,” Ephesians 2:8-9. Grace is a precious gift. It is not deserved or earned; but divinely given to all who accept Christ by faith and obedience to the gospel, Romans 1:16-17; Romans 10:16-18. The gospel of Christ is not obeyed "in the heart." But, "from the heart," Romans 6:17-18. It is more than a confession of faith, Romans 10:9-10. It is our obedience to the faith, Acts 6:7; Romans 1:5; Romans 15:18-19.

2. Salvation by grace must be accepted on God's terms of pardon, through our belief and obedience to the precious gospel of Christ, Romans 10:16-18. Most Baptists and Evangelicals argue: that salvation is by grace alone. They leave no room for obedience in their view of God’s salvation by grace. However, we will demonstrate faith and obedience are both necessary for one to be saved by grace. God’s grace is offered, but believers must accept it on His terms. And here is the problem: these denominational preachers want to accept and preach God's offer of grace on their terms. However, Paul’s preaching of “God’s grace” included faith and obedience to the gospel: as taught in Isaiah’s report, Romans 10:16-18.

3. This pattern was not imparted unto the world until after Christ’s death, burial, resurrection, and ascension into the heavens, Acts 1:8. The God of heaven then uncovered His pattern of conversion, through which all believers could be called into His grace.

4. The calling of grace is through the hearing of the faith, belief in the gospel, repenting of all past sins, confessing Christ to be the Son of God, and by being baptized: in the name of the Lord Jesus: “for the remission of sins, and to receive the gift of the Holy Spirit,” Acts 2:36-41; Acts 22:16. Let’s consider Philip’s preaching of Christ in the city of Samaria.

BODY OF LESSON

I HEAR OF THE FAITH

A. Preaching of the faith. The faith is being preached throughout Jerusalem, Judea, and now Samaria. We find Philip now down in the city of Samaria, “Preaching Christ unto them.” Luke wrote: “Therefore, they scattered abroad went everywhere preaching the word. Then Philip went down to the city of Samaria and preached Christ unto them. And the people with one accord gave heed unto those things which Philip spake, hearing and seeing the miracles which he did…And there was great joy in that city," Acts 8:4-8.

B. Jesus said: “And these signs shall follow them that believe: In my name shall they cast out devils; they shall speak with new tongues; 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,” Mark 16:17-18. Philip was one of the seven deacons that were imparted miraculous powers from the Holy Spirit. He was an evangelist in the church at Caesarea, Acts 6:1-7; Acts 21:8-9.

C. Miracles and signs. These were the works of the apostles and disciples sent by the Lord. After Pentecost, Luke wrote of the apostles: "And fear came upon every soul: and the apostles did many wonders and signs," Acts 2:42.

D. Such gifts of healing have ceased. Paul wrote to Corinth: "Charity never faileth: but whether there be prophecies, they shall fail whether there be tongues, they shall cease; and whether there be knowledge, it shall vanish away…when that which is perfect has come, then that which is in part shall be done away," 1 Corinthians 13:8-10. We know the "part" to be these signs and miracles, etc., and the "perfect" to be the word of God ultimately revealed, James 1:25; Matthew 7:21-23.

E. Some vagabond Jews. Professing to be messengers of Christ sought to perform the same signs and wonders as did the Apostle Paul, Acts 19:11-12. They were unsuccessful, Acts 19:13-16. The evil spirit in the man: "Answered and said, Jesus, I know, Paul I know, but who are you? And the man in whom the evil spirit was leaped on them, and overcame them, and prevailed against them so that they fled out of that house naked and wounded," Acts 19:15-16. It takes more than just calling over someone the "name of the Lord" to perform such miracles. The person sent has the "authority of Christ" to do such miracles. The people of Samaria heard the word of the Lord being preached by Philip. Paul wrote: “So then faith comes by hearing, and hearing by the word of God,” Romans 10:17.