Pattern Of Conversion 5 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 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. God did not impart this pattern of conversion 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 conversion process, 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 Paul’s preaching of Christ unto the Jailer and his house in Philippi.

BODY OF LESSON

I HEAR OF THE FAITH

A. Preaching Christ in Europe. The faith is continuing to be preached unto the Gentile nations in Europe. Paul and Silas are continuing their missionary journey into the city of Philippi, a Roman colony. The Jerusalem Council has just concluded after settling one of the church's biggest challenges regarding the faith of the Gentiles. Paul and Silas are now delivering the Letter to the Gentile's churches, exhorting them to contend for the faith in Christ Jesus. Paul had just received his vision of the "Macedonian Call" to preach Christ in Philippi, Acts 16:9-10.

B. After Lydia’s conversion. Paul and Silas began to spread the message of Christ throughout Philippi. As they continued in prayer and teaching, a certain damsel having a spirit of divination followed them, declaring that they were: "servants of the High God, which show unto them (citizens of Philippi) the way of salvation,” Acts 16:16-17. The damsel followed them many days. Paul, being grieved, turned to her and commanded: "in the name of Jesus, the spirit come out of her." This he did in the same hour. When her master saw his hope of gain was gone, they caught and drew them into the marketplace before the magistrates. Saying, these men being Jews, do exceedingly trouble our city. "Teaching custom, which is not lawful for them to receive, neither to observe, being Romans," Acts 16:18-21.

C. Paul and Silas were imprisoned. The magistrates rented Paul and Silas’ clothes and commanded them to be beaten. They then charged the jailer to keep them safe. After they had laid: "Many stripes upon them, they were cast into the prison. Who, having received this order, thrust them into the inner prison, and made their feet fast in the stocks," Acts 16:22-25.

D. At the midnight hour. Paul and Silas: “Prayed, and sang praises unto God: and the prisoners heard them. And suddenly there was a great earthquake…And the keeper of the prison awaking out of sleep, seeing the prison doors open, drew his sword, about to kill himself, supposing that the prisoners had fled,” Acts 16:25-27. A Roman guard knew the penalty for losing a prisoner. He was about to take his life. He supposed that all the prisoners had fled the jail.

E. Paul cried out: “With a loud voice, saying, Do thyself no harm: for we are all here,” Acts 16:28. God is going to declare His goodness unto this Jailer and his house. Paul and Silas will teach them the "way of salvation" at midnight. God calls His elect at the most inopportune times. He never sleeps; he never slumbers, always watching over His chosen ones. The jailer and his house will hear, believe, and obey the gospel sometime after midnight. The jailer and the prisoners heard Paul and Silas singing. Now, he and his entire house will hear the word of truth, the gospel of their salvation. Observe,