By Grace (Gen 6:8) But Noah found grace in the eyes of the LORD.
By Faith (Heb 11:7) By faith Noah, being warned of God of things not seen as yet, moved with fear, prepared an ark to the saving of his house; by the which he condemned the world, and became heir of the righteousness which is by faith.
By Obedience (Heb 11:7) By faith Noah, being warned of God of things not seen as yet, moved with fear, prepared an ark to the saving of his house; by the which he condemned the world, and became heir of the righteousness which is by faith.
In the Ark (1Pet 3:20) Which sometime were disobedient, when once the longsuffering of God waited in the days of Noah, while the ark was a preparing, wherein few, that is, eight souls were saved by water.
By Water (1Pet 3:21) The like figure whereunto even baptism doth also now save us
What does the bible say about how WE are saved?
By Grace (Eph 2:8) For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God:
By Faith (Rom 5:1) Therefore being justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ:
By Obedience (Heb 5:8-9) Though he were a Son, yet learned he obedience by the things which he suffered; And being made perfect, he became the author of eternal salvation unto all them that obey him;
In Christ (2Tim 2:10) Therefore I endure all things for the elect’s sakes, that they may also obtain the salvation which is in Christ Jesus with eternal glory.
Baptized into Christ (Gal 3:27; Col 2:11; Acts 8:35-38; Rom 6:3-5) For as many of you as have been baptized into Christ have put on Christ.
1Peter 3:21 The like figure whereunto even baptism doth also now save us.
Which of the following sentences are true? Let them that oppose it erase the one he says is NOT true.
I contend that baptism comes before salvation. Some claim salvation comes before baptism.
Which does the Holy Spirit place first?
A. Mark 16:16 “He that believeth and is baptized shall be saved;”
(1) Belief, (2) Baptism, (3) Salvation.
B. Acts 2:38 “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.”
(1) Repent, (2) Baptized, (3) Remission of sins.
C. Acts 22:16 “And now why tarriest thou? arise, and be baptized, and wash away thy sins, calling on the name of the Lord.”
(1) Arise, (2) Baptized, (3) Wash away sins.
D. Galatians 3:27 “For as many of you as have been baptized into Christ have put on Christ.”
(1) Baptized, (2) Into Christ, (3) Put on Christ.
E. 1Peter 3:21 “The like figure whereunto even baptism doth also now save us…”
(1) Baptism, (2) Saves.
If they’re correct that salvation comes before baptism, is it not strange that the Holy Spirit never one time had these in the right order?
The phrase “God has a plan for you” is one of the most Disheartening, Destructive, and Dangerous false Doctrines taught today. It’s based on an abuse of the context of Jeremiah’s prophecy. God does have a plan for you. It’s the same plan for everyone. Ecclesiastes 12:13 KJV Let us hear the conclusion of the whole matter: Fear God, and keep his commandments: for this is the whole duty of man. 2 Peter 3:9 KJV The Lord is not slack concerning his promise, as some men count slackness; but is longsuffering to us-ward, not willing that any should perish, but that all should come to repentance. Mark 16:15-16 KJV And he said unto them, Go ye into all the world, and preach the gospel to every creature. [16] He that believeth and is baptized shall be saved; but he that believeth not shall be damned. 1 Thessalonians 4:11-12 KJV And that ye study to be quiet, and to do your own business, and to work with your own hands, as we commanded you; [12] That ye may walk honestly toward them that are without, and that ye may have lack of nothing.
God’s PLAN for you and me. God is no respect of persons. Acts 10:34. He has the same PLAN for the whole world. SADLY, MOST WON’T FOLLOW IT. 1) PUT on Christ. Galatians 3:27 KJV For as many of you as have been baptized into Christ have put on Christ. Mark 16:15-16 KJV And he said unto them, Go ye into all the world, and preach the gospel to every creature. [16] He that believeth and is baptized shall be saved; but he that believeth not shall be damned. 2) LOVE the Lord, His commands, His children, and everyone. Matthew 22:37,39 KJV Jesus said unto him, Thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy mind. [39] And the second is like unto it, Thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself. 1 John 5:3 KJV For this is the love of God, that we keep his commandments: and his commandments are not grievous. 3) ASPIRE to live a quiet and peaceful life. 1 Thessalonians 4:11-12 KJV And that ye study to be quiet, and to do your own business, and to work with your own hands, as we commanded you; [12] That ye may walk honestly toward them that are without, and that ye may have lack of nothing. 1 Timothy 2:2-4 KJV For kings, and for all that are in authority; that we may lead a quiet and peaceable life in all godliness and honesty. [3] For this is good and acceptable in the sight of God our Saviour; [4] Who will have all men to be saved, and to come unto the knowledge of the truth. 4) NEVER quit being faithful even in the face of pain, persecution, and personal struggles. Revelation 2:10 KJV Fear none of those things which thou shalt suffer: behold, the devil shall cast some of you into prison, that ye may be tried; and ye shall have tribulation ten days: be thou faithful unto death, and I will give thee a crown of life. Matthew 10:22 KJV And ye shall be hated of all men for my name’s sake: but he that endureth to the end shall be saved.
4 Examples of those who READ the Bible, and the Results.
#3 examples in ACTS.
Acts 8:32 the Eunuch
The place of the scripture which he read was this, He was led as a sheep to the slaughter; and like a lamb dumb before his shearer, so opened he not his mouth:
Ac 8:35 Then Philip opened his mouth, and began at the same scripture, and preached unto him Jesus.
36 And as they went on their way, they came unto a certain water: and the eunuch said, See, here is water; what doth hinder me to be baptized?
Acts 17:11 The Bereans
These were more noble than those in Thessalonica, in that they received the word with all readiness of mind, and searched the scriptures daily, whether those things were so.
LESSON FOR US TODAY.
We can know how to obey the Gospel when we READ.
Let’s read the bible through in 2023
Here’s a link to some printable Bible reading Bookmarks.
If you live in the Borger area and would like to study the bible better, we invite you to one of our services with the church of Christ on Franklin and Juniper.
An objection to BAPTISM is often posed something like this…
“What if a person hears and believes the truth and desires to be baptized, but they get into a car accident and dies on the way to be baptized, will God still save them?”
This is a very emotional appeal to a not very likely scenario. But, since you asked, let us go to scripture and ask some more questions. Can one be saved without Confession, Repentance, or even belief?
Can we be saved without…
BURIAL in Him? Col 2:11-12
Can we be saved without…
ADDED to the church? Acts 2:38-47
APPEAL to God. 1Pet 3:21; Acts 23:16
Can we be saved without…
PUTTING on Christ? Gal 3:27
Can we be saved by…
TRANSGRESSING the command of Christ, (& Apostles)? Luke 6:46; Mark 16:16; 1Cor 14:37; 2Thess 1:7-9
Can we be saved without…
IMMERSION INTO the likeness of His death? Rom 6:3-4
Can we be saved without…
SINS washed away? Acts 22:16; Is not SAVED. 1Pet 3:21
Can we be saved without the urgency to obey at…
MIDNIGHT, MIDDAY, or in the MIDDLE of an INCONVENIENT time? Acts 16:33; 26:28
LET’S TAKE ANOTHER LOOK AT THE BIBLE.
What if Cornelius had Died before Peter came to him to “tell thee what thou oughtest to do.” (Acts 10:1-6). Would he have been saved? If not, why not? Some will have him be saved based solely on the intent of the heart.
What if the Eunuch died before he heard Jesus Preached to him by Philip (Acts 8:35)? Would he have been saved because of the intent of his heart? He was reading about Jesus in Isaiah.
We must be careful to teach the whole counsel of God. Baptism is essential to salvation, but not the ONLY thing that saves. This is why we read of the urgency of those who hear Jesus being preached. “And as they went on their way, they came unto a certain water: and the eunuch said, See, here is water; what doth hinder me to be baptized?” (Acts 8:36; cf 16:33)
WHEN IS IT TOO LATE TO OBEY THE GOSPEL?
When life EXPIRES. Luke 12:19
When TIME is no more. Jas 4:14
Take TOO long. Acts 26:28
When you suffer brain damage through ACCIDENT, or Disease. Belief is essential to scriptural baptism. Mark 16:16.
People often ask questions about what happens if a person is not water baptized. “What if you’re on the way to the baptistry and you’re killed on the way?”
For the answer we appeal solely to the word of God. We can know nothing about it except that it was revealed by God.
Without water BAPTISM.
Was not BURIED with Him, Col 2:11-12
In whom also ye are circumcised with the circumcision made without hands, in putting off the body of the sins of the flesh by the circumcision of Christ: Buried with him in baptism, wherein also ye are risen with him through the faith of the operation of God, who hath raised him from the dead.
Not ADDED to the church. Acts 2:38-47
Then they that gladly received his word were baptized: and the same day there were added unto them about three thousand souls.
Praising God, and having favour with all the people. And the Lord added to the church daily such as should be saved.
Did not PUT on Christ. Gal 3:27
For as many of you as have been baptized into Christ have put on Christ.
TRANSGRESSED the command of Christ, (& Apostles) Luke 6:46; Mark 16:16; 1Cor 14:37; 2Thess 1:7-9
Mr 16:16 He that believeth and is baptized shall be saved; but he that believeth not shall be damned.
2Th 1:8 In flaming fire taking vengeance on them that know not God, and that obey not the gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ:
1Co 14:37 If any man think himself to be a prophet, or spiritual, let him acknowledge that the things that I write unto you are the commandments of the Lord.
Did not follow Christ INTO the likeness of His death. Rom 6:3-6
Ro 6:3 Know ye not, that so many of us as were baptized into Jesus Christ were baptized into his death? 4 Therefore we are buried with him by baptism into death: that like as Christ was raised up from the dead by the glory of the Father, even so we also should walk in newness of life. 5 For if we have been planted together in the likeness of his death, we shall be also in the likeness of his resurrection: 6 Knowing this, that our old man is crucified with him, that the body of sin might be destroyed, that henceforth we should not serve sin.
Did not wash away SINS. Acts 22:16; Is not SAVED. 1Pet 3:21
Ac 22:16 And now why tarriest thou? arise, and be baptized, and wash away thy sins, calling on the name of the Lord.
1Pe 3:21 The like figure whereunto even baptism doth also now save us (not the putting away of the filth of the flesh, but the answer of a good conscience toward God,) by the resurrection of Jesus Christ:
We MUST be baptized into Christ to be saved by Grace. Acts 19:1-5; Eph 2:8-10
Ac 19:1 And it came to pass, that, while Apollos was at Corinth, Paul having passed through the upper coasts came to Ephesus: and finding certain disciples, 2 He said unto them, Have ye received the Holy Ghost since ye believed? And they said unto him, We have not so much as heard whether there be any Holy Ghost. 3 And he said unto them, Unto what then were ye baptized? And they said, Unto John’s baptism. 4 Then said Paul, John verily baptized with the baptism of repentance, saying unto the people, that they should believe on him which should come after him, that is, on Christ Jesus. 5 When they heard this, they were baptized in the name of the Lord Jesus.
spencer is an evangelist for the Franklin & Juniper st church of Christ in Borger Texas
“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.”
“Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who hath blessed us with all spiritual blessings in heavenly places in Christ:”
Optimism, hope for the future. Heb 11:6; 1Peter 1:3; 2Tim 4:8
“Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who according to His abundant mercy has begotten us again to a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead,”
“Henceforth there is laid up for me a crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous judge, shall give me at that day: and not to me only, but unto all them also that love his appearing.”
Salvation in Christ. 1Pet 3:21; Heb 5:8-9
“The like figure whereunto even baptism doth also now save us (not the putting away of the filth of the flesh, but the answer of a good conscience toward God,) by the resurrection of Jesus Christ:”
“And being made perfect, he became the author of eternal salvation unto all them that obey him;”
3 NEGATIVE THINGS:
Persecution. 2Tim 3:12
“Yea, and all that will live godly in Christ Jesus shall suffer persecution.”
Expectation of trouble from the world. 1Pet 4:4, 12
“Wherein they think it strange that ye run not with them to the same excess of riot, speaking evil of you. … Beloved, think it not strange concerning the fiery trial which is to try you, as though some strange thing happened unto you:“
Lion roaring & seeking whom do devour. 1Pet 5:8
“Be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the devil, as a roaring lion, walketh about, seeking whom he may devour:”
cf. “Therefore it is no great thing if his ministers also be transformed as the ministers of righteousness; whose end shall be according to their works.” (2Cor 11:15)
The like figure whereunto even baptism doth also now save us (not the putting away of the filth of the flesh, but the answer of a good conscience toward God,) by the resurrection of Jesus Christ:
BAPTISM:
What is the BAPTISM that saves us?
the BAPTISM that saves is a BURIAL. Col 2:12; Rom 6:4
the BAPTISM that saves is AUTHORIZED by Christ Mark 16:16
the BAPTISM that saves is an essential PART of conversion Acts 2:38; 3:19
the BAPTISM that saves TRUSTS in God’s working through our faith. Col 2:12
the BAPTISM that saves is IN CHRIST. Rom 6:3-4; Gal 3:27
the BAPTISM done for the right reason, the right way, with the right heart SAVES. 1Pet 3:21
the BAPTISM that saves is done immediately upon learning whether at MIDNIGHT/ midday / same hour / upon H-B-R-C. Not a scheduled monthly church event. Acts 16:33
JESUS SAID, “If ye continue in my word, then are ye my disciples indeed; And ye shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free.” [John 8:31-32]
Jesus orders us to “continue in my word,” and He connects it to the truth. (cr. John 17:17) When we keep His word, the truth, we will be FREE!
FREE from what? From what does obeying the word of God set us FREE?
We’re used to having liberty in our country (free speech, right to assemble etc.), but most fail to realize they’re in bondage.
Let’s search the scriptures to learn from what we’ve been set FREE.
The Truth shall set us FREE from:
The FEAR of death. “O death, where is thy sting? O grave, where is thy victory?” [1Cor. 15:56,57]. “For God hath not given us the spirit of fear; but of power, and of love, and of a sound mind.” [2Tim 1:7]
Being set free from the FEAR of Death is a powerful blessing from obeying Christ. By extension, we are FREE from the FEAR of men. “We ought to obey God rather than men.” [Acts 5:29].
The truth also sets us FREE to pursue RIGHTEOUSNESS. Prior to knowing (& obeying Gal 5:7) the truth we were in bondage to sin and free FROM righteousness. Now we are FREE from sin to pursue RIGHTEOUSNESS. “Being then made free from sin, ye became the servants of righteousness.” [Rom 6:18-20].
This does not mean that we can’t sin [1John 1:8-10], nor does it give us license to sin. Rather, it is teaching that we can have assurance on how to live faithfully, and avoid sin.
Another thing from which we’ve been set FREE is found in the letter to the Galatians. Paul reminded the saints that Christ set them FREE from the ENTAGLEMENT of the Law of Moses. “Stand fast therefore in the liberty wherewith Christ hath made us free, and be not entangled again with the yoke of bondage.” [Gal. 5:1; cr. 2:4; 4:9;]
Returning to the Law of Moses is tantamount to going back into bondage. It’s sad when folks appeal to the OT for NT practices, thereby becoming ENTANGLED in bondage. “Cursed is every one that continueth not in all things which are written in the book of the law to do them.” [Gal 3:10]. “But now we are delivered from the law, that being dead wherein we were held; that we should serve in newness of spirit, and not in the oldness of the letter.” [Rom. 7:6].
Going back to Romans we learn one more thing. Having been set FREE from sin, we may now have EVERLASTING LIFE. “But now being made free from sin, and become servants to God, ye have your fruit unto holiness, and the end everlasting life.” [Rom. 6:22]
None of the above will happen if we are ignorant of the truth. Remember, it is continuing in the TRUTH that sets us FREE. Before we can continue in it, we must first be in it.
…we become one of His disciples. HOW do I become a disciple of Christ? Remember, Jesus said, “If ye continue in my word, then are ye my disciples indeed; And ye shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free.” [John 8:31-32] To become His disciple we must obey the Gospel. Before He ascended into heaven He gave this command, “Go ye therefore, and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them into the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit:” [Matt 28:19 (ASV)]
The Gospel is what calls us [2Thess. 2:14]. By hearing the truth, we can then believe that Jesus is the Christ [John 20:30-31; Rom 10:17].
By hearing and believing the truth, we learn to repent [Luke 13:3], and we learn to confess that Jesus is the Christ [Act 8:37].
By hearing and believing the truth, we learn to be baptized for the remission of sins. [Acts 2:38; 22:16; Mark 16:16].
Being set FREE occurs AFTER obeying the gospel. The Gospel is the Death, Burial, and Resurrection of Jesus [1Cor 15:1-4]. Obeying the Gospel is the Death, Burial, and Resurrection of us through water baptism [Rom 6:3-4].
Obey the Gospel and be set FREE.
— spencer
Spencer is a gospel preacher residing in Borger Texas where he works with the congregation that meets at Franklin & Juniper streets.
Borger church of Christ @ Franklin & Juniper 