Pattern Of Conversion 3 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 to the Ethiopian treasurer on the road to Gaza.

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 finishing up his work in Samaria, now being called to: “go down unto Gaza, to find a man there to preach Christ unto him.” When preaching Christ, the audience will change, but the message will remain the same. Philip has just concluded a "gospel meeting" in Samaria; the Holy Spirit is now summoning him to go down to Gaza, to preach the message of grace to a man of color, of financial means, position, and education.

B. God is no respecter of persons. His call of grace is given unto all: “that call upon the name of the Lord to be saved,” Romans 10:13. Jesus died and shed His blood to save both Jews and Gentiles by the grace of God, through the faith in Christ Jesus, Acts 2:39; Acts 10:34-35.

C. Angel of the Lord. “Spake unto Philip, saying, Arise, and go toward the south unto the way that goeth down from Jerusalem unto Gaza, which is desert,” Acts 8:26.

D. Philip’s response: “And he arose and went: and, behold, a man of Ethiopia, a eunuch of great authority under Candace queen of the Ethiopians, who had the charge of all her treasure, and he came to Jerusalem for to worship, (he) was returning, and sitting in his chariot read(ing) Esaias the prophet,” Acts 8:27-28.

E. Spirit said unto Philip: "Go near and join thyself to this chariot," Acts 8:29. The picture being painted in the text is a man of authority is reading the prophet Esaias while traveling from Jerusalem back to Ethiopia. Philip has been sent down to Gaza to join him, to preach Jesus unto him. Any person interested in learning of Jesus will be willing to read or hear of Him from the man of God. It was customary to read the scriptures aloud that others might hear. This Ethiopian is reading Esaias aloud so his chariot driver might hear and be enlightened by the prophet's words of the Messiah. This is the Messiah of Isaiah’s prophecy, Romans 10:16-18. His work of redemption included all nations, even the Ethiopians. Let’s see how God brings this all together.

II BELIEVE IN THE GOSPEL

A. Philip’s work begins. Luke continued: “And Philip ran thither to him, and heard him read the prophet Esaias, and said: Understandest what thou readest?” Acts 8:30.

B. The treasurer responded: "How can I, except some man, guide me? And he desired Philip that he would come up and sit with him," Acts 8:31. We don't know how long this man was trying to understand the scriptures. It could have begun in Jerusalem, after the worship service. Maybe he recently purchased his copy of Esaias the prophet. God knew that he needed help in understanding the prophet. God will make way for you to understand His word, Matthew 7:7-8.