(Please read and consider the following. Feel free to contact me. There are a few important Bible passages being overlooked today, let's remember all scripture is given by inspiration of God.)
Acts 2:37 Now when they heard this, they were pricked in their heart, and said unto Peter and to the rest of the apostles, Men and brethren, what shall we do?
Acts 2:38 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 2:39 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.
The Book of Acts records the beginning of the New Testament church, here in Acts chapter two the Holy Ghost has been poured out for the first time. Those filled with the Holy Ghost included Peter, James, and Mary (the mother of Jesus). The recipients of the Holy Ghost began to speak with other tongues (Acts 2:4), and this was noised abroad (Acts 2:6). Those on looking where amazed and began to ask WHAT MEANETH THIS? (Acts 2:12) Others even mocked, some still mock today. But Peter stood up with the Eleven and began to preach and to tell the people exactly what all this meant. Peter preached that what was happening was a fulfillment of Joel's prophesy (Joel 2:28-29, Acts 2:16-18). Peter went on to preach to them Jesus, that he was both Lord and Christ (Acts 2:36). After being convicted in their hearts they ask Peter what shall we do? Lets examine what Peter told them to do.
First, he responded to them repent. Repentance was commanded by Jesus (Mark 1:15, Luke 13:3). Repentance is not merely saying "I'm Sorry" and then continuing the same lifestyle. Repentance is a change in mind and direction, a turning. (Ezekiel 18:30, Acts 26:20) God desires that all of mankind would repent (2 Peter 3:9). With repentance will come evidence (fruit) of a change in your life (Matthew 3:8,Acts 26:20). We are instructed of the Lord to preach repentance. Paul preached repentance (Acts 26:20) as a turning to God. It was Jesus whom gave the instructions for repentance and remission of sins to be preached in his name starting at Jerusalem (Luke 24:47). That leads us to baptism and the remission of sins.
Next, Peter gave them instruction to be baptized. Baptism was also instructed by the Lord (Matthew 28:19, Mark 16:16, Luke 24:47). As evident by the word of God, baptism is essential for salvation (Mark 16:16, 1 Peter 3:20-21, Romans 6:4). The true Bible believer will be baptized (Acts 8:12, Acts 18:8). Biblical baptism is by immersion, it is equated to a burial of the old man. (Romans 6:4, Acts 8:39). Never is a burial just a sprinkling of dirt. As evident from scripture they came up out of the water. It is for the remission of sins, the very reason that Jesus shed his blood. (Hebrews 9:22, Matthew 26:28). Repentance is a turning, remission is a washing away (Acts 22:16). Paul was commanded to be baptized to wash away his sin calling on the name of the Lord. The blood was shed for our remission (washing away) and is applied through water baptism in Jesus name. The only valid mode of baptism is when administrated in the name of Jesus (Acts 4:12). Every example of baptism in the New Testament church is in the name of Jesus (Acts 2:38, Acts 8:16 Acts 10:48, Acts 19:5, Acts 22:16). Baptism in Jesus name remits and washes away our sins. No where in the New Testament church will you find anyone being baptized any other way, they directly followed the command of Jesus (Matthew 28:19). Name is singular while Father, Son, and Holy Ghost are all titles. According to the Bible he (Jesus) came in his father’s name (John 5:43) and the Holy Ghost would be sent in his name (John 14:26). For in him dwelleth all the fullness of the Godhead bodily (Col. 2:9). After baptism we then have a promise of the Holy Ghost.
The true believer will receive the gift of the Holy Ghost (John 7:37-39). Without the Spirit of God (Holy Ghost) we are none of his (Romans 8:9). Paul asked those in Ephesus in Acts 19 if they had received the Holy Ghost since they believed? (Acts 19:2) A true believer (the Obedient) will receive the gift of the Holy Ghost (Acts 5:32). The initial evidence of receiving the Holy Ghost is speaking in other tongues (Acts 2:4, Acts 10:46, 19:6). The initial evidence of the Holy Ghost is not to be confused with the gift of tongues. Everyone who receives the gift of the Holy Ghost will speak in other tongues as the initial evidence. How can we bear the fruit of the Spirit as we are instructed to, without the Spirit? Jesus gave them the instruction to receive the Holy Ghost (Acts 1:8, John 20:22). Once an individual has been baptized in Jesus name and Holy Ghost filled they complete the New Birth (John 3:3-5). We must be born again to be saved.
Once we have experienced the plan of salvation we then are instructed how to live for God (Romans-Revelation). Some are still asking, "What meaneth this?" In perilous times like our world is experiencing today, we need to hear the truth. We need to have the answer, and that answer is JESUS. From the upper room on the day of Pentecost till now the church has never ceased to exist nor changed. We must be born again, we must know how to be born again. Philip went down to Samaria in Acts chapter 8 and preached Jesus, when Jesus is preached people are baptized in his name and filled with his Spirit. (Acts 8:4-17) We must hear the same message no matter how good a person we may be, and no matter if we are Gentile or Jew. In Acts chapter 10 the Bible records that Cornelius was a good man, yet Cornelius was lost until he heard the word of God preached. (Acts Ch. 10, Acts 11:14) He had to hear the word of God to be saved, and he had to believe and obey. It is no different for us today. We need to know the answer to, "What Meaneth This?" Our world is hungry for true Christianity, the Apostles doctrine that changes lives (Acts 2:42). Have ye received the Holy Ghost since ye believed? Remember there are no exceptions we must be born again. Not everyone that saith Lord, Lord shall enter into the Kingdom of God, like those in the parable of the kingdom of heaven found in Matthew 22:11-12 some will be found without a wedding garment. What garment will they be missing? The garment of salvation described in Isaiah 61:10; could it be they refused to obey the gospel?
Pastor Justin Caudle (336)648-2833
New Life Pentecostal Church
1457 E. Pine St., Mount Airy, NC
www.nlapc.com
Justincaudle91@gmail.com
