8/6/20151 THE WAY OF SALVATION Part 6

8/6/20152 Biblical Baptism God has provided us a Saviour in Jesus Christ. In grace He offers us the pardon or forgiveness of our sins. And that gift of forgiveness cannot be earned by anything we do. Our faith must be in the perfect sacrifice which Jesus offered to the Father for our sins. THE WAY OF SALVATION - Baptism

8/6/20153 When Peter preached the gospel on Pentecost, the Holy Spirit convicted people of their sinful condition and their need for forgiveness. They cried out to Peter and the other apostles, "Brothers, what shall we do?"

8/6/20154 Peter said to them, "Repent and be baptised, every one of you, in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of sins. And you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit... Those who accepted his message were baptised, and about three thousand were added to their number that day.” (Acts 2:37,38,41)

8/6/20155 Those who were baptised had their faith in the sacrifice of Jesus for their forgiveness. They did not trust in themselves or in what they were doing, but trusted in what Jesus had done on their behalf.

8/6/20156 Faith and baptism are combined in Mark 16:16, in which Jesus said, "He who believes and is baptized will be saved; but he who does not believe will be condemned." Notice that salvation occurs after a person both believes and is baptized. It is not a matter of doing one or the other; both are necessary before sins can be washed away. THE WAY OF SALVATION - Baptism

8/6/20157 The New Testament book of Acts contains several accounts of people being saved from their sins as the gospel spread into the entire world. The very first gospel sermon was preached on the day of Pentecost after Jesus had ascended into heaven (Acts 1:9-11) and after the Holy Spirit came upon the apostles (Acts 2:1-4).

8/6/20158 Peter's sermon convinced many that they had crucified Jesus (the Son of God), and they wanted to know what they should do to be forgiven (Acts 2:36-37).

8/6/20159 Then Peter said to them, "Repent, and let every one of you be baptized in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of sins; and you shall receive the gift of the Holy Spirit" (Acts 2:38). “Then those who gladly received his word were baptized; and that day about three thousand souls were added to them” Acts 2:41.

8/6/ Their faith was not in a sacrament, but in a Saviour. From Pentecost onward, the church proclaimed forgiveness of sins in the name of Jesus Christ. THE WAY OF SALVATION - Baptism

8/6/ Those who believed that message were baptised in His name. "But when they [the Samaritans] believed Philip as he preached the good news of the kingdom of God and the name of Jesus Christ, they were baptised, both men and women." (Acts 8:12) "And many of the Corinthians who heard him believed and were baptised." (Acts 18:8) "And now what are you waiting for? Get up, be baptised and wash your sins away, calling on His name." (Acts 22:16)

8/6/ In baptism, we are being identified through our faith with Jesus Christ in His death, burial and resurrection. In our baptism, we are making a distinctive break with the world and our former manner of life and committing ourselves unto Jesus as the Lord of our lives.

8/6/ These people had become convinced through Peter's preaching that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God. Since they believed that fact, they wanted to know what else they should do. Peter told them to repent and be baptized for the forgiveness of their sins. THE WAY OF SALVATION - Baptism

8/6/ The solution to the problem of sin is the same today. Anyone who wants to be forgiven of sins must repent and be baptized in order for them to be forgiven. It is not the water that cleanses us. Jesus washes away our sins in His own blood (Revelation 1:5). He washes them away when we are baptized (Acts 22:16).

8/6/ Why does He wait until then to do it? Part of the reason is that He has given us a commandment; will you willingly obey it? There is also an antitype which now saves us, namely baptism (not the removal of the filth of the flesh, but the answer of a good conscience toward God), through the resurrection of Jesus Christ (1 Peter 3:21).

8/6/ Baptism is similar to marriage. A couple begin dating, fall in love and plan to marry. In their vows, they commit themselves to each other for life. THE WAY OF SALVATION - Baptism

8/6/ God then joins them together in this new relationship of husband and wife. Likewise, baptism marks the beginning of a new relationship with the Lord.

8/6/ THE WAY OF SALVATION - Baptism

8/6/ To have the hope of eternal life: We need to what Jesus did for us BELIEVE He DIED for our sins He was BURIED He was RAISED 1 Corinthians 15:1-4

8/6/ THE WAY OF SALVATION - Baptism

8/6/ To have the hope of eternal life: We need to DIE with Jesus Be BURIED with Him in Baptism We need to be UNITED with Him We will be RAISED like Him Romans 6:3-4

8/6/ Only Two Possibilities on Receiving Forgiveness of Sins SALVATION IS UNCONDITIONAL –If true – God saves everybody (Romans 2:6-8) –OR He arbitrarily saves some and condemns others (Acts 10:34-35) SALVATION IS CONDITIONAL –If true – God saves those who accept His terms for salvation (Hebrews 5:9)

8/6/ Obedience to the faith, Obeying the truth, gospel, doctrine How does one obey the gospel in order to become a Christian?

8/6/ Conditions Placed on Receiving Forgiveness Faith True belief that Jesus is the Son of God John 8:24; Romans 10:17; Hebrews11:6 Repentance Change of will and action away from past sins Acts 17:30; Luke 13:3; Acts 3:19; 26:19-20; 2 Corinthians 7:10 Confession of faith Public acknowledgment of one’s belief Romans 10:9-10; Matthew 10:32-33; John 12:42; 1 Timothy 6:12-13 Baptism Immersion in water in the name of Jesus Christ FOR THE FORGIVENESS OF SINS Acts 22:16; 2:38; 8:38; Romans 6:3-4; Galatians 3:27; Colossians2:12 Faith True belief that Jesus is the Son of God John 8:24; Romans 10:17; Hebrews11:6 Repentance Change of will and action away from past sins Acts 17:30; Luke 13:3; Acts 3:19; 26:19-20; 2 Corinthians 7:10 Confession of faith Public acknowledgment of one’s belief Romans 10:9-10; Matthew 10:32-33; John 12:42; 1 Timothy 6:12-13 Baptism Immersion in water in the name of Jesus Christ FOR THE FORGIVENESS OF SINS Acts 22:16; 2:38; 8:38; Romans 6:3-4; Galatians 3:27; Colossians2:12

8/6/ God’s Requirements For Forgiveness of Sins: Becoming a disciple –Acts 11:26 Becoming a member of the Lord’s body –1 Corinthians 12:12-13 Being Saved –Mark 16:16 Calling on the name of the Lord –Acts 2:21; 22:16 Becoming a disciple –A–Acts 11:26 Becoming a member of the Lord’s body –1–1 Corinthians 12:12-13 Being Saved –M–Mark 16:16 Calling on the name of the Lord –A–Acts 2:21; 22:16 Becoming a Christian is the same as: