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.
II BELIEVE IN THE GOSPEL
A. Samaritans believed. Luke continued: “But when they (the Samaritans) believed Philip’s preaching. Luke wrote: Philip preached: 1) The kingdom of God, and 2) The name of Jesus Christ. Philip’s preaching of these two things caused the Samaritans to believe. You might recall: Jesus had preached in the city of Samaria. John wrote: “And many of the Samaritans of the city believed on Him for the saying of the woman…they besought Him that he would stay with them: and he abode there two days. And many more believed because of his word: And said unto the woman: Now we believe, not because of thy saying: for we have heard Him ourselves, and know that this is indeed the Christ, the Savior of the world," John 4:39-42.
B. The kingdom of God. What did he preach about the “kingdom of God?” It might be wise to tie "baptism" with "the kingdom of God." Jesus spoke of them: "Verily, verily, I say unto thee, Except a man is born again, he cannot see the kingdom of God…Verily, verily, I say unto thee, Except a man is born of water and the Spirit, he cannot enter into the kingdom of God," John 3:3-5.
C. The name of Jesus Christ. What did he preach regarding the name of Jesus Christ? That He was the Son of God? Maybe that He was the Messiah? These Samaritans already knew these things. They had heard from the woman and the Lord themselves. After hearing, they believed: “that Jesus was truly the Savior of the world,” John 4:39-42.
D. The Samaritans. After hearing these things: “they were baptized, both men and women,” Acts 8:12. We will return to baptism again at the end of this invitation.
E. Simon the sorcerer. Luke wrote further: “Then Simon (the sorcerer) himself also believed: and when he was baptized, and he continued with Philip, wondered, and beholding the miracles and signs which were done by him," Acts 8:13. Simon, the sorcerer, also believed in the preaching of Philip regarding the name of the Lord Jesus and the kingdom of God. Do you believe the gospel?
III REPENT OF SINS
A. The Holy Spirit. Peter and John came down to Samaria to lay hands on these believers that they might be “given gifts from the Holy Ghost,” Acts 8:14-17; Hebrews 2:1-4.
B. When Simon saw: “That through laying on of the apostles’ hands, the Holy Ghost was given, he offered them money. Saying, Give me also this power, that on whomsoever I lay hands, he may receive the Holy Ghost,” Acts 8:18-19.
C. Simon commanded to repent. But Peter said: “Unto him, Thy money perishes with thee because thou hast thought that the gift of God might be purchased with money. You have neither part nor lot in this matter: for your heart is not right in the sight of God. Repent therefore of this wickedness, and pray God, if perhaps the thought of thine heart may be forgiven thee. For I perceive that thou art in the gall of bitterness, and the bond of iniquity," Acts 8:20-23.
D. Then answered Simon, and said: “Pray ye to the Lord for me, that none of these things which ye have spoken come upon me,” Acts 8:24. The preaching of repentance and remission of sins was a part of apostolic preaching, Luke 24:46-47; Acts 2:38; Acts 3:19.
E. Peter and John returned to Jerusalem. Luke wrote: “And they, when they had testified and preached the word of the Lord, returned to Jerusalem, and preached the gospel in many villages of the Samaritans,” Acts 8:25.
IV CONFESS FAITH IN CHRIST
A. These Samaritans had already confessed that Jesus was the Christ, John 4:25-26; John 4:28-30. After Jesus had preached unto them, the Samaritans believed that Jesus was the Messiah that should come into the world, John 4:41-42.
B. So it was no great thing when they heard Philip preaching of Jesus and Him being the Christ.
C. Philip's message to the treasurer on the road to Gaze included Jesus being the Son of God, Acts 8:35. We know that this is so because the treasurer confessed: "I believe that Jesus Christ is the Son of God," Acts 8:37. The treasurer confessed his faith in Christ after hearing Philip’s preaching of Jesus.
D. Then, Philip preached Christ to be the Son of God while in the city of Samaria. At the same time, while preaching faith in Jesus, the “kingdom of God,” and "baptism in His name."
E. What this evangelist taught to the city, he preached to the treasurer. Therefore, what he preached to the treasurer, in like manner he taught unto the Samaritans. The need to “confess their faith in Christ Jesus as being “the Son of God.” I wish I had some help! Now let’s consider the Samaritan’s baptism due to Philip's preaching. Consider,
V BE BAPTIZED INTO CHRIST
A. Samaritans baptized. “They were baptized, both men and women,” Acts 8:12. The Samaritan’s after hearing Philip’s preaching of the kingdom of God, Jesus as Messiah and the Son of God, “believed and were baptized, both men and women,” Acts 8:12; Acts 18:8.
B. Simon also baptized: “Then Simon himself believed also: and when he was baptized, he continued with Philip, and wondered, beholding the miracles and signs which were done,” Acts 8:13. This was the mandate Christ gave His apostles and disciples in the Great Commission. He instructed them: “To go preach and baptize,” Matthew 28:19-20. And “He that believeth and is baptized shall be saved,” Mark 16:15-16.
C. Philip preached baptism in the name of the Lord Jesus. The preaching of Christ in the first century entailed both "faith and baptism" for one to be saved. Baptists and Evangelicals do not believe or preach the message or mandate of the Great Commission.
D. Peter and the apostles preached that: Believers should “repent and be baptized, in the name of the Lord Jesus Christ, for the remission of sins, and to receive the gift of the Holy Ghost," Acts 2:38. Why shouldn't Philip be preaching the same thing? The question before us now: are you willing to believe the gospel, repent of your sins, confess Christ as the Son of God, and be baptized to be saved. Don't listen to preachers or religious leaders that are unwilling to follow the commandments of Christ. You do what's right and save yourself! If God so wills, these too will submit to the truth and also obey the gospel of Christ.
E. Paul preached baptism, “in the name of the Lord Jesus,” Acts 19:1-7. And he was instructed by Ananias: "To arise and be baptized to wash away his sins, calling on the name of the Lord," Acts 22:16. In baptism, the repentant believer is "baptized in the name of Jesus Christ, for the remission of sins, and to receive the gift of the Holy Ghost," Acts 2:38. There may be one in the audience today/tonight who will obey the gospel of Christ. As I conclude this lesson, let me review what we discussed….
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! May God bless you with this decision! Let me hear from you if this lesson helped you make 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
