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 Peter’s preaching of this pattern on the Day of Pentecost to these: repentant believers, who had asked him: “Men and brethren what shall we do?”
BODY OF LESSON
I HEAR OF THE FAITH
A. Peter’s introduction: “But Peter, standing up with the eleven, lifted his voice and said unto them. Ye men of Judaea…and ye who dwell at Jerusalem, be this known unto you, and listen to my words: For these are not drunken… But this is that which was spoken by the prophet Joel, 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 daughter shall prophesy, and your young men shall dream dreams: And on my servants and my handmaidens, I will pour out in those days of my Spirit. They shall prophesy," Acts 2:14-18.
B. Peter preaches Christ’s work: “Ye men of Israel, hear these words; Jesus of Nazareth, a man approved of God among you by miracles and wonders and signs, which God did by Him in the midst of you, as ye yourselves also know. Him, being delivered by the determinate counsel and foreknowledge of God, ye have taken, and by wicked hands have crucified and slain: Whom God hath raised, having loosed the pains of death: because it was not possible that he should be holden of it,” Acts 2:22-24.
C. Peter preaches David’s prophecy: “For David speaketh concerning him, I foresaw the Lord always before my face, for he is on my right hand, that I should not be moved: Because thou wilt not leave my soul in hell, neither wilt thou suffer thine Holy One to see corruption. Thou hast made known to me the ways of life; thou shalt make me full of joy with thy countenance,” Acts 2:25-28.
D. Peter preaches David’s throne: “Men and brethren, let me freely speak unto you of the patriarch David, that He is both dead and buried, and his tomb is with us unto this day. Therefore, being a prophet, and knowing that God had sworn with an oath to him, that of the fruit of his loins, according to the flesh, He would raise Christ to sit on His throne…This Jesus hath God raised, of which we all are witnesses,” Acts 2:29-32.
E. Christ is now exalted: “Therefore, being by the right hand of God exalted, and having received of the Father the promise of the Holy Ghost, he hath shed forth this, which ye now see and hear. For David is not ascended into the heavens: but he saith himself, The LORD said unto my Lord, Sit thou on my right hand, Until I make thy foes thy footstool,” Acts 2:33-35. This is the hearing of the faith. Let’s consider now belief!
II BELIEVE IN THE GOSPEL
A. Peter’s conclusion: “Therefore, let all the house of Israel know assuredly, that God hath made that same Jesus, whom ye have crucified, both Lord and Christ,” Acts 2:36. The apostle now acknowledges that Christ has been exalted and declared Lord and Christ!
B. The audience response: “Now when they heard this, they were pricked in their heart, and said unto Peter and to the rest of the apostles,” Acts 2:37. The audience heard Peter's message; they were convicted of their sins and asked him the most critical question of their lives. Luke wrote elsewhere: “Howbeit many of them which heard the word believed; and the number of the men was about five thousand,” Acts 4:4. Paul wrote: “Faith comes by hearing, and hearing by the word of God,” Romans 10:17.
C. The audience question: “Men and brethren, what shall we do?” Acts 2:37. Peter and the other apostles' preaching causes these believers to ask: "What shall we do?" Now I ask you, "What are you going to do?" You have heard about Christ, His suffering, death, burial, and resurrection. You did not crucify Christ, but your sin and disobedience "separates you from Him," Isaiah 59:1-2. All have sinned: "And fallen short of the glory of God," Romans 3:23.
D. The audience belief: These men now acknowledged their sin and disobedience in condemning Jesus to death. They now believed the prophet David’s words of Jesus' death, burial, and resurrection. Peter’s preaching on this day completed the Lord’s promise and words: “That all things must be fulfilled, which were written in the law of Moses, and the prophets, and the Psalms… the Christ must 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 the nations, beginning at Jerusalem,” Luke 24:44-47. This was the first sermon preached by the apostles under the “Great Commission,” Matthew 28:19-20; Mark 16:15-16.
E. Except ye believe. Jesus said unto these same Jews that believed in Him: "If you continue in my word, then are ye my disciples indeed; And ye shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free…If the Son, therefore, shall make you free, ye shall be free indeed,” John 8:31-36. When these believing Jews heard of their condition now because of their sins and disobedience: they asked: “Peter and the other apostles, what shall they do?” Let’s notice their response.
III REPENT OF SINS
A. Peter and the other apostles’ response: “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,” Acts 2:38.
B. The entire audience of believers was told first to repent. They were guilty, as well as their leaders, of rejecting and crucifying Christ. Faith moves one to repentance when they learn of their sinfulness before God, Romans 3:23. Once they realize: "That the wages of sin are death, but the gift of God is eternal life to every one that believeth," Romans 6:23; John 3:16.
C. They are told to be baptized. Let me say right now, both faith and baptizing made up the Great Commission, and repent and be baptized made up the apostles’ response to their question: "Men and brethren, what shall we do?" Mark 16:15-16; Acts 2:38. We will return to baptism at the end of this invitation. Peter now reminds the audience of God’s promise to them. Notice,
D. The promise of God: “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,” Acts 2:39. This promise reaches back to the promise God made to Abraham, Genesis 12:3; Galatians 3:6-9. Jehovah promise: "In Abraham's seed shall all the nations of the earth be blessed." The promised seed was Christ. Through Him, all people will be blessed. These Jews were the children of Abraham and the prophets: "And of the covenant which God made with our fathers, saying unto Abraham: And in thy seed shall all the kindreds of the earth be blessed. Unto you first God, having raised his Son Jesus, sent him to bless you, in turning away every one of you from his iniquities,” Acts 3:25-26. These repentant believers are now encouraged “to save themselves.” Observe,
E. Peter and the other apostles’ persuasive words: “And with many other words did he testify and exhort, saying, Save yourselves from this untoward generation,” Acts 2:40. Indeed, in our preaching, we must encourage the repentant believers to save themselves. Too many are not obedient because of their allegiance to family members or denominational ties. Once one learns of the truth, it is now on them to be obedient, even as Saul: "I was not disobedient unto the heavenly vision," Acts 26:19. The gospel must be "believed and obeyed," Acts 6:7; Romans 10:16-18. After acquiring faith, repentance, the believer is asked to confess their faith in Jesus.
IV CONFESS FAITH IN CHRIST
A. Confession of faith. When one believes in Jesus like these Jews, they understand their need to confess Him unto others. John wrote: "Nevertheless among the chief rulers also believed on Him; but because of the Pharisees they did not confess him, lest they should be put out of the synagogue: For they loved the praise of men more than the praise of God,” John 12:42-43; John 9:22.
B. Jesus said: “Whosoever, therefore, shall confess me before men, he will I also confess before my Father which is in heaven. But whosoever shall deny me before men; he will I also deny before my Father which is in heaven,” Matthew 10:32-33.
C. Confess Jesus as the Christ. Paul wrote: “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. For with the heart, man believeth unto righteousness; and with the mouth, confession is made unto salvation,” Romans 10:9-10.
D. Jesus is the Son of God. The confession the repentant believer makes before being baptized is: "That Jesus Christ is the Son of God," Acts 8:37. When asked about being baptized, the treasurer was told: “If thou believeth with all thine heart, thou mayest,” Acts 8:37.
E. Confession of faith. The treasurer responded: “I believe that Jesus Christ is the Son of God," Acts 8:37. Although this was not recorded in this conversion experience, it does not mean it was not a part of Peter and the other's apostles' teaching on the Day of Pentecost. Finally, the repentant believers were commanded to be baptized. Hear Peter’s final instruction to these Jews.
V BE BAPTIZED INTO CHRIST
A. Gladly received his words: “Then they that gladly received his word were baptized,” Acts 2:41. Please note that these repentant believers were instructed to not only repent but also to be baptized. For what? Peter said: “For the remission of sins, and the receipt of the Holy Ghost,” Acts 2:38. I might add: "They gladly received his word" to be baptized. Not sadly, madly, or poorly, but: "gladly." I wish I had some help! Once a sincere repentant believer hears that their sins and disobedience to God can be forgiven, they will “gladly be baptized.”
B. The conversion experience includes baptism. Christ has commanded it! Matthew 28:19-20; Mark 16:15-16. The apostles preached it! Acts 2:38-41. What doth hinder you? Acts 8:36.
C. Baptism and conversion. Baptism, then, is the final part of the conversion experience. In every act of conversion in the Book of Acts, baptism was commanded, requested, or directed. This part of the "pattern of conversion" is the most ignored or eliminated in denominational preaching and practice. This is so because their evangelist and ministers do not believe that: "Baptism is essential to salvation."
D. What did Peter command? He commanded that these believers were to: “Repent, and be baptized for the remission of sins, and to receive the gift of the Holy Ghost,” Acts 2:38; Acts 5:32. Baptism is necessary for the repentant believers to "receive the forgiveness of sins." Saul obeyed it: "To wash away his sins calling on the name of the Lord," Acts 22:16. If you have not been baptized: you are yet in your sins. Hearing the gospel (Christ's death, burial, and resurrection), believing it, repenting of your sins, confessing your faith in Jesus as being the Son of God, and being baptized for the remission of your sins, will also save you and your household if they too “obey from their hearts that form of the doctrine,” Romans 6:17-18. After such faith and obedience, the Lord will add you to His church. Observe,
E. Lord added to the church. Luke concluded: “And the same day there were added unto them about three thousand souls,” Acts 2:41. They were: “Praising God, and having favor with all the people, and the Lord added to the church daily such as should be saved,” Acts 2:41; Acts 2:47.
CONCLUSION
A. 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.
B. Summarize main points
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.
3. The pattern of conversion 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 by 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. If you are to be saved, you must believe and obey the same "truth of the gospel."
C. Invitation. Jesus is still calling all to come unto Him, Matthew 11:28-30.
D. Motivation. “With many other words did he testify and exhort, saying, save thyself from this untoward generation,” Acts 2:40.
E. Persuasion. "Knowing, therefore, the terror of the Lord, we persuade men,” 2 Corinthians 5:10-11.
NOTE: If you want to obey the gospel right now, reach out to any minister, preacher, or teacher of the church of Christ in your community, and tell them you want to confess Christ and be baptized. They will assist you in being baptized into Christ. Remember, today is the day of salvation! Let me hear from you if this lesson helped you make this decision. May God bless you with this decision!
NOTE: Download these lessons from SermonCentral.com by Ron Freeman.
1. Baptism For The Remission Of Sins; and
2. Baptism "for" or "because" of remission.
Ron Freeman, Evangelist
Worldwide Ministry Church of Christ.org
https://wwmchurchofchrist.org
Contact me at: wwmcoc@earthlink.net
ronald.e.freeman@wwmchurchofchrist.org
