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 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 conversion pattern, 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 Lydia and her house in Philippi.
BODY OF LESSON
I HEAR OF THE FAITH
A. Preaching Christ in Europe. The faith is now being preached unto the Gentile nations in Europe. Paul and Silas are beginning 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. On the Sabbath day. Paul and his company: “Went out of the city by a riverside, where prayer was being made; and they sat down, and spake unto the women which resorted thither," Acts 16:13. There was no synagogue in Philippi, so they met by the riverside for prayer. On this Sabbath, God sent his messenger to Philippi to preach unto these incredible women who were worshippers of God. This day God’s grace is being offered to the first hearers of the gospel that will make up the church at Philippi.
C. A specific woman: “Named Lydia, a seller of purple, of the city of Thyatira, who worshipped God, heard us,” Acts 16:14. The word heard in the Gr., is akouo or ä-kü'-o, which means, to hear: —give (in the) audience (of), come (to the ears), hear (-er, -ken), or to understand. Lydia was a businesswoman. A seller of dye for the purple robes worn by the prominent men in Rome.
D. Lydia heard us. Luke, however, makes a distinction between Lydia and the other women. He wrote of Lydia, she: “heard us,” Acts 16:14. In other words, she listened intensely unto the things taught by Paul and Silas; she attended and received them by faith. This kind of sincerity is true of anyone that will come to the Lord. The call of grace is unto all: “For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life,” John 3:16; 1 Timothy 2:3-6; 2 Peter 3:9.
E. Believers must learn. Jesus said: "No man can come to me, except the Father which hath sent me draw him: and I will raise him at the last day. It is written in the prophets, and they shall be all taught of God. Every man, therefore: that hath heard; and hath learned of the Father, cometh unto me,” John 6:44-45. Jesus is the Way, the Truth, and the Life, John 14:6. He is the only way unto the Father. We learn of His way through the gospel, Romans 1:16.
E. Philippi's support. Paul wrote: "I thank my God…For your fellowship (gifts of assistance) in the gospel from the first day until now; being confident of this very thing, that he which hath begin a good work in you will perform it until the day of Christ," Philippians 1:3-6; Philippians 4:15-16. Philippi would send assistance to him during his imprisonment in Rome. This church would maintain a long-lasting fellowship with Paul, enabling him to spread the gospel into Europe and Asia. Philippi continued financial support to Paul was because of Lydia’s love and devotion to the Lord and him. She continued opening her heart unto the Lord, in her giving in support of the Lord's work through the preaching of Paul and his company.
II BELIEVE IN THE GOSPEL
A. Lydia believed the gospel. Luke wrote: “Whose heart the Lord opened that she attended unto the things which Paul and Silas were speaking unto them," Acts 16:14. The word "opened" in the Gr., is dianoigo or de-ä-noi'-go, which means to open thoroughly, (to expound): —open. Examples are to open the mind, i.e., to cause or understand a thing; to rouse in one the faculty of understanding or the desire to learn. The disciples on the road to Emmaus commented: “Did not our hearts burn within us, while he talked with us by the way, and while he opened to us the scriptures?” Luke 24:31-32. Their hearts were open while hearing Jesus expound unto them the scriptures. This He did as they walked together from Emmaus unto Jerusalem.
B. Lord opened her heart. Lydia acquired faith in Christ while listening to Paul's message from the scriptures. Luke wrote: "Whose heart the Lord opened that she attended unto the things which were spoken by Paul," Acts 16:14. She earnestly listened unto the preaching of Paul and Silas. Recall, “Faith comes by hearing, and hearing by the word of God,” Romans 10:17.
C. Received the word. Lydia not only heard the word but received it. Just as the believers did on Pentecost, Acts 2:41. That is, Lydia did not just hear the word of God but responded to it. That means she: “Receive with meekness the engrafted word, which was able to save her soul,” James 1:21-22. Lydia and her house became obedient to the faith, Acts 6:7.
D. John wrote: "And the Spirit and the bride say, Come. And let him that heareth say, Come. And let him that is athirst come. And whosoever will let him take the water of life freely," Revelation 22:17. Jesus said: "If any man does his will, he will know of the doctrine," John 7:16-17. To know the doctrine is to hear it, believe it, and be obedient unto it to be saved! The doctrine is the word of truth, the gospel of our salvation. Notice Paul,
E. He wrote to Ephesus: "In whom ye also trusted, after that, ye heard the word of truth, the gospel of your salvation: in whom also after that you believed, you were sealed with that holy Spirit of promise, Which is the earnest of our inheritance until the redemption of the purchased possession, unto the praise of his glory,” Ephesians 1:13-14. The hearing of the faith and believing in it: causes one to be obedient unto it. Doing everything that God would require of them to do: to be saved by His precious grace. Faith and obedience are both necessary, to be saved by grace.
III REPENT OF SINS
A. Repentance is the believer's response to the gospel, Acts 3:19. To some, it is immediately evident, yet, to others, it is not. In this case, Lydia was not commanded to repent, as in other conversion examples. However, repentance is necessary to all because all have sinned. There is "none righteous, no not one," Romans 3:10.
B. Preaching Jesus. In Luke’s account of the Great Commission, Jesus commanded the apostles to: “Preach repentance and the remission of sins in His name,” Luke 24:46-47. The Lord: “Came not to call the righteous, but the sinners to repentance,” Luke 5:32; Although not mentioned in our text, “all have sinned and fallen short of the glory of God,” Romans 3:23. Therefore, all are in need of repentance and the remission of sins, granted through the grace of God.
C. Paul preached and testified: “To both to the Jews, and also to the Greeks, repentance, and remission of sins was a part of gospel preaching. Repentance is a change of heart that leads to a change in life. Repentance is turning from sin and idols unto God. After Peter's return from Caesarea, the brethren of Jerusalem acknowledged: "That God also has granted to the Gentiles repentance unto life,” Acts 11:18. Repentance then would include Lydia and her household, to whom Paul is now preaching unto them the grace of God. Paul reminded the elders at Miletus: "How he kept back nothing profitable unto them…Testifying both to the Jews and the Greeks, repentance towards God, and faith toward our Lord Jesus Christ," Acts 20:20-21. Repentance and faith are essential components of gospel preaching, unto all desiring to be saved by grace.
D. Godly sorrow worketh repentance. Paul wrote: “For godly sorrow worketh repentance to salvation not to be repented of: but the sorrow of the world worketh death,” 2 Corinthians 7:10. I might add here, being sorry about your sin is not repentance. Repentance means you are willing to turn from your sins and submit your life unto God, Acts 3:19; Acts 26:20.
E. God commands repentance. Luke wrote: “And the times of this ignorance God winked at; but now commandeth all men everywhere to repent: Because He hath appointed a day, in the which He will judge the world in righteousness by that man whom God hath ordained; of which He hath given assurance unto all men, in that, He hath raised him from the dead,” Acts 17:30-31. The question now for us all, are we willing to repent and be obedient to the will of God? Let's see if Lydia and her household were willing to accept God’s grace on His terms.
IV CONFESS FAITH IN CHRIST
A. Confession of faith. When one believes in Jesus as believers did in the first century, they are told to confess their faith in Him, as the Son of God. John wrote: "Nevertheless among the chief rulers also believed on Him; but because of the Pharisees they did not confess him, lest these leaders should put them out of the synagogue: For they loved the praise of men more than the praise of God,” John 12:42-43; John 9:22. Yet, unlike the Jewish leaders, who would not confess Jesus as the Son of God. Lydia, a prominent woman of Philippi, she and her household would have willingly confessed Christ to be the Son of God unto Paul, his company, and all the other worshippers; gathered by the riverside. The confession of one’s faith in Christ, was necessary before the believer could complete their obedience to the faith.
B. Jesus taught: “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. Brother Warren would say: “This is a fifty; fifty proposition, you confess me, and I will confess you. That’s fair in anybody’s business.”
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 they believe: "That Jesus Christ is the Son of God," Acts 8:37. When asked about being baptized, the man on the road was told: “If thou believeth with all thine heart, thou mayest,” Acts 8:37. The man on the road responded: “I believe that Jesus Christ is the Son of God," Acts 8:37.
E. Confession of faith. The believer must confess: “I believe that Jesus Christ is the Son of God," Acts 8:37. The first confession of faith is with their mouth: that Jesus is the Son of God. The confessions after that will be a "profession of their faith." Paul wrote Timothy: “But thou, O man of God, flee these things; and follow after righteousness, godliness, faith, love, patience, and humility. Fight the good fight of faith, lay hold on eternal life, whereunto thou art also called, and hast professed a good profession before many witnesses,” 1 Timothy 6:11-12. You will tell the world now; you believe Christ is the Son of God. But, for the rest of your life’s walk with Him, you will profess your faith and trust in Him as your Savior and Lord. Now, let's notice how Paul’s preaching to Lydia and her household concluded.
V BE BAPTIZED INTO CHRIST
A. Lydia was baptized. Luke wrote: “And when she was baptized, and her household,” Acts 16:15. 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. Jesus said unto the 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. Lydia and her household were baptized to receive: “the remission of sins and the gift of the Holy Ghost,” Acts 2:38; Acts 5:32. So moved by the word of God, Lydia and her household obeyed the Lord’s directive: “To believe and be baptized that they might be saved,” Mark 16:15-16.
B. Baptism is part of our obedience. The treasurer asked the preacher: "What doth hinder me to be baptized? I'm asking you a sincere believer in Christ. What doth hinder you? Acts 8:36. 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: is for the remission of your sins and necessary for your salvation.
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 disobedience is because their evangelist and ministers do not believe that: "Baptism is essential to salvation." Even though Christ has commanded it! Matthew 28:19-20; Mark 16:15-16.
D. Their preaching of Christ. Paul and Silas' preaching of Christ included baptism. Isn't it surprising that when one preaches Jesus, he also preaches baptism? Recall, the treasurer asked the preacher about baptism. He said: "See, here is water, what doth hinder me to be baptized?" Paul and Silas taught this form of the doctrine of the faith. Most Baptists and Evangelical ministers, preachers, and teachers neglect this command and example of Jesus' teaching. Will you be saved and your household today by: “obeying from their hearts that form of doctrine, which is being delivered unto you, that will make you free from your sins?” Romans 6:17-18. Baptism is the act of faith that puts a believer: "in Christ," Galatians 3:26-27. Salvation by grace still resides in Christ, 2 Timothy 2:10; Ephesians 2:8-10. My question: Are you in Christ?
E. Lord added to the church. We learned from Peter's preaching that the saved are added to the church after baptism. Luke wrote: “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. After Lydia and her household’s baptism, “she besought Paul, saying: If you have judged me to be faithful to the Lord, come into my house, and abide there. And Lydia persuaded us," Acts 16:15. Paul and Silas had shared Christ with Lydia and her entire household; now, she desires to share the abundance of her house with Paul and his company. Lydia and her house were now rejoicing, believing in God. You and your house can also rejoice after obeying the gospel of Christ. Let me begin to conclude this invitation by reviewing what we have 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. However, we have demonstrated faith and obedience were 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.
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
