What We Believe About Scriptural Baptism Series

https://acrobat.adobe.com/link/review?uri=urn:aaid:scds:US:15e8b3db-6a55-3b82-b79c-4b08b478bc15

36) WE BELIEVE IN SCRIPTURAL BAPTISM

Text: Ephesians 4:4-6

BRIEF REVIEW

Welcome brethren to our weekly Bible Study - and to our ongoing challenge which is to:

“...set forth in order a declaration of those things which are most surely believed among us”(Lk1:1)

So far in this series of lessons we established many truths through the Word of God,

With particular emphasis lately being on what we believe about the Gospel of Jesus Christ.

Through our study of the Scriptures we have seen what the Gospel is...

We have discovered why the Gospel is important...

We have taken careful note of where the Gospel is to be preached,

And of course, studied How we can effectively share the Gospel with others.

Jesus declared in Mark 16:15 - Go ye into all the world, and preach the gospel…

So we know what we are to be doing as Christ’s disciples,

We are to share the Gospel – but we must also take note in how we do it.

Remember, last week we talked about the importance of also...

“Confirming a Person’s Salvation in Jesus Christ”.

Now this has absolutely nothing to do with you or I saving that person,

Because salvation can only ever come through Christ alone.

We know that – so when I talk about the need to confirm a persons salvation,

I am talking about the need to discern, beyond mere assumptions,

That a person has actually placed their faith in Jesus.

CONFIRMING SALVATION

Now some people may not see the need for this.

Some simply say: “Its our role to share the Gospel – and leave the rest upto God.”

Others say things like: “You can never truly know a person’s heart...

So at some point we just need to accept their word that they are saved”.

And look – I absolutely agree...

But the point that I am trying to make is that…

There exists a great deal of confusion among people today

About what the Gospel is and about how people genuinely get saved.

Some sources have stated that there are 10,000 different religions

That actively exist in the world – and brethren believe me when I say,

They are not all preaching salvation through Jesus Christ.

There is one God – and there is one truth.

Just as there is one Gospel – and one way to be saved through Jesus Christ.

Remember – even the Apostle Paul warned about the existence of False Gospels.

The sad truth and reality in all of this is that Satan actually gains alot out of Religion,

Because Religion does not preach the true Gospel of Jesus Christ.

And if they are not preaching the true Gospel – how are people going to get saved.

2 Corinthians 4:3-4: But if our gospel be hid, it is hid to them that are lost: In whom the god of this world hath blinded the minds of them which believe not, lest the light of the glorious gospel of Christ, who is the image of God, should shine unto them.

Brethren, mark my words - there are people living in the world right now,

Who have been misinformed and wrongly taught within various religious circles...

And they are blind to the truth.

And of gravest concern to me – is many think they are saved – when they are not.

Salvation comes through Jesus Christ alone...through faith in Him alone.

There is One God...One Truth...and One Gospel.

This is why I challenge you all – when sharing the truth with others...

To also seek to “confirm their salvation in Jesus Christ”.

When meeting a stranger don’t just assume they are saved – because they say so,

Or because they say they believe in God.

Words do not save a person – Faith in Jesus Christ does.

We must care enough about others – not just to preach the Gospel...

But to also to confirm their understanding of the truth.

THE QUESTION METHOD

The question then becomes – how do we do that?

With so much confusion in religion...

And with so many misconceptions existing among people about how they are saved,

How can we “Confirm their Salvation in Jesus Christ”?

Personally, I like to ask people I meet two questions.

Question 1: “If you died right now – do you know for certain that you would go to heaven?”

This should be a simple question to answer for those that have faith in Christ,

And for those who know and understand the Gospel truth.

But for many others a question like this can fill them with dread and doubt.

The thing I like about this question...

Is that for those who are unsure of their salvation,

It provides a wonderful opportunity to openly share the Word of God & the Gospel truth them.