Subject: Unforgivable sin |
Bible Note: Acts 22:16 'Now why do you delay? Get up and be baptized, and wash away your sins, calling on His name Paul believed but he was still in sin. What takes away sin? "be baptized, AND wash away your sins" God's word, not mine. Acts 2:38 Peter said to them, "Repent, and each of you be baptized in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins; God's word, not mine! These people in Jerusalem on the Day of Pentecost believed for it was this belief that caused them to ask "Brethren, what shall we do?" They BELIEVED. Did Peter say, "you don't have to do anything else, you are saved"? No he told them what they had to do. They had to be forgiven of their sin and, according to Acts 2:38 they had to be baptized in order for God's forgiveness to take effect. "Sirs, what must I do to be saved?" Acts 16:31 They said, "Believe in the Lord Jesus, and you will be saved, you and your household." 32 And they spoke the word of the Lord to him together with all who were in his house. 33 And he took them that very hour of the night and washed their wounds, and immediately he was baptized, he and all his household. At what point did the Philippian jailor believe? vs 31 when he was told to? vs 32 after the word was spoken to him? Brother Moran points out this passage in Romans. Rom 10:13 for "WHOEVER WILL CALL ON THE NAME OF THE LORD WILL BE SAVED." 14 How then will they call on Him in whom they have not believed? How will they believe in Him whom they have not heard? And how will they hear without a preacher? 15 How will they preach unless they are sent? Just as it is written, "HOW BEAUTIFUL ARE THE FEET OF THOSE WHO BRING GOOD NEWS OF GOOD THINGS!" 16 However, they did not all heed the good news; for Isaiah says, "LORD, WHO HAS BELIEVED OUR REPORT?" 17 So faith comes from hearing, and hearing by the word of Christ. Vs 15, How will they preach unless they are sent? This is answered in Mark 16:15 And He said to them, "Go into all the world and preach the gospel to all creation. 16 He who has believed and has been baptized shall be saved; but he who has disbelieved shall be condemned." Jesus sent his apostles out to preach the gospel. What is the gospel? Salvation has come to all mankind through Jesus the Christ. Jesus HIMSELF said, "He who believes AND is baptized shall be saved." He who believes the gospel and is baptized for what? Forgiveness of sin (Acts 2:38), to wash away your sins (Acts 22:16), "baptism now saves you--not the removal of dirt from the flesh, but an appeal to God for a good conscience--through the resurrection of Jesus Christ," (1 Pet 3:21) At what point does a believer have a clear conscience? Before baptism? NO, after! God's word, not mine! Belief AND baptism are included in the equation for salvation. This is not legalism! It is a command by God! Men have perverted God's word to make it into a work, a deed, something that it is not. |