Acts
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Let's address why wouldn't someone want to be Baptized? Mark 16:16, Acts 2:38, Acts 10:48, Acts 19:2-7, Romans 6:3-13,
Is it fear that keeps one from baptism? 1John 4:18, trust? Psalms 56:11, that person may possibly be about to ask another gentle close friend in the Body of Christ to be the person submersing with people of close relation in there nearby or helping, while the Church leader prays or recites scripture. I've seen many believers like youth outreach baptize with Pastor helping. Depending on the fellowship. Matthew 28:18-20,
If the reason is medical, or because of very difficult situation. Luke 23:38-46,
Matthew 10:33, 2Timothy 2:12, Matthew 16:24, Matthew 3:13-17,
Hopefully these are all helpful
This could be compared in a way to confessing with our mouth that Jesus Christ is Lord to be saved. ( Romans 10:9-10). Believing in the heart is a necessary condition; lest we simply have a mantra that is some intellectual acceptance of Christ as Lord; who He actually is to every person; whether or not they have been given a new heart post conversion or are still unregenerate.
The clear example is the thief at the cross. ( Luke 23:39-43). He didn't have time to be baptized; but clearly Christ was going to be with him in paradise. Therefore; baptism is as an outer confession; it demonstrates our public affirmation of becoming part of the Body and Christ and symbolizes in some ways the death; burial and resurrection in our own lives mirroring that of Christ; our head. It is clearly a command; hence it should be done ASAP after conversion. One could say that if a person does NOT seek to be baptized and goes on a long time without it it is likely there is no evidence that they have truly repented. If we love Him; we obey His commands. ( John 14:15). Obviously we should test ourselves to see if we are in the faith ( 2 Cor. 13:5-6); or as a Pastor see if there are any fruits indicating true repentance ( Matthew 3:8; etal). Matthew 5:19 shows if we break the least of the commandments and teach others to do so we shall be least in the Kingdom of Heaven. That should be a sobering warning of losing rewards for disobedience for elders and laypersons alike
Genesis 1:26, 3:22, 11:7
Isaiah 6:8
Romans 1:20
Colossians 2:9
Acts 17:27-30
1 John 5:7
John 10:30
"For the invisible things of him from the creation of the world are clearly seen, being understood by the things that are made, even his eternal power and GODHEAD so that they are without excuse:"
Genesis 1:1
The Father purposes
The Word (Jesus) speaks. ( John 1:1)
The Spirit (Holy Spirit) executes the spoken word. Action.
All working together. Jesus came to show us the Father, as Emmanuel.
Matthew 1:23
Behold, a virgin shall be with child, and shall bring forth a son, and they shall call his name Emmanuel, which being interpreted is, God WITH US. [Jesus]
{Comment} Jesus came to bring to each born again believer; the baptism and the in-dwelling of the Holy Spirit.
[ Genesis 1:2, John 3:6, Acts 2:1-3, John 16: 7-15]
Upon being born again, Jesus gives the Holy Spirit to teach us scripture, comfort us, convict us of sin, enable us to be witnesses. Stay in the New Testament at first.
"Go ye therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost:
Teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I have commanded you: and, lo, I am with you alway, even unto the end of the world. Amen."
I am praying for you now.
You may go to God in prayer just as you are. Joel 2:32. John 3:16. Acts 2:38. God bless you.
Sometimes we have to find out who we are not, & who we don't want to be, before we find out who we are. I've told several people at times before testings & temptation we can say "I'd never" but as Peter under the real pressure gave in, we really don't know how we handle trial & temptation until testing. (We're to pray that God deliver us & lead us not into temptation ' Matthew 6,) Luke 22:31-34, Luke 22:40-62, Matthew 26:75, John 21:17, later Peter became a bold preacher read all the book of Acts to see Peter's boldness afterward. Here's a few: Acts 2:38-47, Acts 2:14, this is in the Bible for those of us who need this encouragement. Also this scripture : Luke 7:47, in context Luke 7:37-50,
Here are a few more: Mark 1:15, Acts 2:38, John 3:15-16, Acts 3:19, Romans 3:22-25,
Romans 5:8, "But God commendeth his love towards us, in that, while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us."
Ephesians 5,
Ephesians 5:8 "For ye were sometimes darkness, but now ye are light in the Lord: walk as children of the light."
Matthew 7, Matthew 25:31-46, 2Corinthians 1:4,
Hopefully these are all helpful
Acts 3, Peter & John continues into Acts 4,
The Apostles: Acts 5, Acts 6, specifically says the 12 , including the newly appointed. From Acts 1:26, Acts 9:27, Acts 11,
Philip: Acts 8,
Peter: Acts 9:32-42, Acts 10:5-48, Acts 11, Acts 12:3-7, Acts 12,
Barnabas: Acts 11:22-30,
James: Acts 12:1-2,
Mark, John, Barnabas, Acts 12:25,
That is just some of what the Apostles did after Pentecost. Please read through the Book of Acts, & rest of New Testament books for even more.
Hopefully these are all helpful
When the Scriptute says that God will pour His Spirit to all people, does it is literally mean to ALL people no matter what they want or believe? If this is the case then the muslims, the buddhists and all other people have got the Holly Spirit that "leads them to the truth?" The truth of their religion? This can't be right, can it?
Lets see what Jesus said about this.
John 14:16-17
" And I will pray the Father, and he shall give you another Comforter, that he may abide with you for ever; Even the Spirit of truth; whom the world cannot receive, because it seeth him not, neither knoweth him: but ye know him; for he dwelleth with you, and shall be in you."
Jesus said that the world can not receive the HS because they don't know It.
Read also Galatians 4:6
" And because ye are sons, God hath sent forth the Spirit of his Son into your hearts, crying, Abba, Father."
The above says that the HS is given by God only to His children. Can we agree on that?
Now if we don't really need anybody else than the HS to teach us the Word of God, how come there are so many different beliefs amongst Christians? Don't we all have the HS that leads us to the truth? Which one (truth)? If that is the case why God has placed teachers in the church? If all churches are falling away during these last days how come that that Isaiah said about the knowledge of God covering the whole world comes true? Because the HS will teach people? Do you see many people outside churches that know or want to know anything about God? Since this practically doesn't happen, shouldn't we think that the scripture means something else? Remember that Paul said to Timothy that people of the last days will be the worst of all ages? 2 Timothy 3:1-5
Question. Can one be saved if one doesn't believe in Jesus? There are so many scriptures that say the opposite. I give you some. John 3:18-19, John 5:24, John 5:28-29, Acts 2::38 etc
There is more to say but not now...
GBU
And if any man shall take away from the words of the book of this prophecy, God shall take away his part out of the book of life, and out of the holy city, and from the things which are written in this book. God has a plan for salvation and we have no right to change it by our interpretation of the word 2 Timothy 3:16 All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness: These are not my word, they are scripture By Which we as CHRISTIANS must live by. I submit this in the love of Jesus and the hope of seeing his will, that NO MAN SHOULD PARRISH !
Then after Jesus' Death & Resurrection, His apostles & the new Church formed under the Holy Spirit's indwelling & direction, also observed this coming together, eating, & remembering of Jesus' Sacrifice ( Acts 2:41-47; 1 Corinthians 11:23-30). So when Jesus first instituted this at The Last Supper, He wanted to show His disciples very vividly how the bread they had broken & now eating, was a picture of His Own Body being broken (crown of thorns, nails in hands & feet, flesh torn by whipping, & pierced side). And the cup of liquid they drank & shared together, should be a reminder of His Blood that would be shed in death & through it, the New Covenant would be brought in. New Covenant? This is God's Promise that whoever repents & is forgiven, does so because Jesus was made our Sacrifice (our Substitute) & God accepts us on His new Terms. The Old Covenant was under obedience to the Law & Sacrifices, which could never save a person, but it looked forward to when God's Sacrifice (His Son) would fully pay for our sin - for those who truly repent & turn to Him.
So how does Communion work? It is a memorial occasion, where those who are born again of God's Spirit, share together in a meal (today we generally have small tokens of wafer & juice), remembering in a material way, what the cost of our salvation was & a time to praise God together as a Church body, for God's Gift of His Son because of His great Love for us. This meal/token of bread & wine doesn't change into flesh & blood, as some believe, but are given as reminders of the great work at Calvary. It should be a special time when the Church together focusses on Jesus' Death & Resurrection.
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. Amen
Just come to Jesus Christ and he will save you. Believe that Jesus Christ is the Son of God and that He rose from the dead after 3 days.
He has dominion and is also Lord over death. God bless you and yours. He will protect you and preserve you for the rest of your life and the rest. Have faith as in your only good Father. Stay safe in Jesus Name.
Matthew Chapter 16:1-4
1 The Pharisees also with the Sadducees came [neither of which, believing in the "caught up in the clouds" ]
Mishael comment: we cannot predict the Rapture, by selected and separated passages. Jesus said ONLY the Father knows. If we understand the procedure of the Bridegrooms father's preparations for a son's wedding to his espoused bride; can we understand the moment the Bridegroom is released to bring the bride to the wedding. This is the focus.
It's not on world wide social and national violence and threats of wars.
We are given many Bible passages (OT and NT) to read the signs and share the acceleration of those signs. We cannot move Gods hand.
We are a generation of watchmen. Watching for what? the approach of enemies. Satan WANTS to deceive, kill, steal and destroy.
To turn our focus TO social violence and freedoms removed; fears we will miss the "rapture of the CHURCH." Memorize Jesus's teaching on the Ten Virgins parable.
The earth, nations and land, will see the beginning of
2 Peter 3__even now.
That's why I've said "the Green Deal" is the ONE WORLD RELIGION" that will unite unbelieving people on earth.
Gods promise to people is that those who trust implicitly in Him; will see the total restoration of Earth, by God the Creator (no others).
Sad to say this, but E. Musk cannot save earth, nor plant colonies of people on Mars. He is not a believer. Pray for him.
THE Bible provides signs and events that will occur. They do not predict timing. Gods timing is not like man's.
The Thief comes not at noonday. He comes in the blackness of night. Sin thinks blackness of night covers it's deeds? Not so.
Let us go through the Bible and gather the signs Jesus gave us.
Christians, vote for the FRUIT of righteousness. Not empty promises. Use righteous judgment; not wistful hopes.
If we do not read our Bibles we may be the 5 VIRGINS with no oil in our lamps. Selah.
Mishael
So, because they were forgiven. If they believed what Peter had told them that they had crucified their messiah, then repent, and be baptized.
If you are a born again believer then you should be baptized. It pictures your death, with Christ your burial and resurrection. It is an outward profession of an inward confession.
Christ had to preach to the spirits in prison. Hell is a prison with bars. Those spirits I think were the fallen angels he cast into hell.
Matt 12:40 "For as Jonas was three days and three nights in the whale's belly; so shall the Son of man be three days and three nights in the heart of the earth."
Sheol is the name singular for grave. There is two compartments down there, Hell and Paradise/ Abraham's bosom. When one died before Christ died on the cross, one went to Hell or Abraham's bosom. Christ did not suffer in Hell, he suffered on the cross. However nobody could go to Heaven before Christ died on the cross, because the Lamb of God had not died and shed his blood to pay for sins. So Christ preaches to the spirits, goes next door to Paradise/Abraham's bosom and the souls were there resting, and now that the blood was shed.
Ephesians 4:8 " Wherefore he saith, When he ascended up on high, he led captivity captive, and gave gifts unto men.
9) Now that he ascended, what is it but that he also descended first into the lower parts of the earth.
So His soul fist goes to Hell , then next door and takes all the saved, led captivity and too all those saved to Heaven. No Abraham's bosom is empty for this age, but will be occupied again in the future.
Hello Zakaria. John 16:13 is also a verse used by other groups to find proof that their prophet is being spoken about. I'm also familiar with the Bahai's, as with Muslims, who also use this verse. Of course, the Bahai's will speak of their prophet, Baha'ullah & not Muhammed.
As followers of Jesus Christ, we believe that one verse will generally have others to support it & this is required to get a proper understanding. If this verse speaks of Muhammed, then we should read further as to whom Jesus was actually referring to. Jesus often spoke of the Holy Spirit; in fact in the previous chapter ( John 15:26), He said similar words. So we know that the Holy Spirt comes from God & He is a Comforter. You can also check out: John 14:16,17,26 (The Spirit will also live in you).
In Luke 24:49, Jesus tells His disciples to wait for the "promise of my Father"; wait, till "ye be endued with power from on high". When did this Power from God come?". Acts 2:1-4: (as the disciples waited, "there came a sound from heaven..a rushing wind..with cloven tongues of fire upon them..and they were filled with the Holy Ghost).
These are but a few Scriptures to show you what Jesus promised would come, when the Spirit came, & what the Spirit would do. These words have nothing to do with Muhammed, Baha'ullah, or any other prophet or esteemed religious person. These verses speak of the Spirit of God, invisible, not human, indwelling those who belong to God, & God using them for His Purposes. This is not some "crude attempt to ignore or bypass the Truth". It is as the Bible declares. Any other inference is just man's vain attempt to distort the Scriptures. You can even ask, 'when did Muhammed ever come to fill a person & to even cause him to speak in unlearned languages & do works beyond human capabilities?
But should "Christian charity" be confined to those in the faith? We can think of the parable of the Good Samaritan ( Luke 10:30-36). A certain lawyer came to Jesus enquiring about attaining eternal life. Jesus asked him of what the Law required. He quoted correctly, but then asked, 'who is this neighbour that I'm supposed to love'? And Jesus' parable gave him the answer.
Yes, we must care for our own house first, whether one's earthly or spiritual family. But that love in our hearts must be demonstrated to others in need, maybe I should say, in real need; for there are many that wilfully misuse what they have & so find themselves in poverty. Yet, many others are genuinely in financial trouble, & we might be able to provide either some money, food or goods to help them out. I don't look at the 'Christ deniers' spirit when giving help to others, rather, whether there is a real need there - and usually God's Spirit instructs & prompts me to give or not. And you can give to them, in the Name of Jesus the Lord, that the receiver might know that this small gift is directed by Him through you, His servant.
But I agree with you, if you know of people or organizations that promote ungodliness & are destroyers of people's lives or country, then your gifts are better served to those who are in genuine need & their appreciation for your help & quick chat with them, will be a blessing to you both.
The question is: who is our brother or sister? For years I thought Christians were supposed to be giving to EVERYONE in need. Now I think that Christian-charity is for believer to believer. Not believer to infidel.
Acts 2: (after the Holy Spirit of God came down to earth)
44 And ALL THAT BELIEVED were together, and had all things common;
45 And sold their possessions and goods, and parted them to all men, as every man had need.
2 Corinthians 6:
14 Be ye not unequally yoked together with unbelievers: for what fellowship hath righteousness with unrighteousness? and what communion hath light with darkness?
15 And what concord hath Christ with Belial? or what part hath he that believeth with an infidel?
16 And what agreement hath the temple of God with idols? for ye are the temple of the living God; as God hath said, I will dwell in them, and walk in them; and I will be their God, and they shall be my people.
17 Wherefore come out from among them, and be ye separate, saith the Lord, and touch not the unclean thing; and I will receive you.
Why should I give aid to Christ deniers???? (you-know-who-I mean)
I'm real tired of hearing that old line, "Fine Christian you are!" because I won't support the wicked: Baal worshippers, pedophiles, homosexuals, women who kill their babies, lying & cheating politicians, drug users/runners/manufacturers, illegal invaders..... to name a few.
Am I off base or not?
Malachi 3:8-12 - Will a man rob God? Yet ye have robbed me. But ye say, Wherein have we robbed thee? In tithes and offerings.
Malachi 3:10 - Bring ye all the tithes into the storehouse, that there may be meat in mine house, and prove me now herewith, saith the LORD of hosts, if I will not open you the windows of heaven, and pour you out a blessing, that there shall not be room enough to receive it.
Matthew 6:1-4 - Take heed that ye do not your giving before men, to be seen of them: otherwise ye have no reward of your Father which is in heaven.
Matthew 23:23 - Woe unto you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! for ye pay tithe of mint and anise and cummin, and have omitted the weightier matters of the law, judgment, mercy, and faith: these ought ye to have done, and not to leave the other undone.
Luke 6:38 - Give, and it shall be given unto you; good measure, pressed down, and shaken together, and running over, shall men give into your bosom. For with the same measure that ye give withal it shall be measured to you again.
Luke 11:42 - But woe unto you, Pharisees! for ye tithe mint and rue and all manner of herbs, and pass over judgment and the love of God: these ought ye to have done, and not to leave the other undone.
Luke 18:12 - I fast twice in the week, I give tithes of all that I possess. [don't brag]
Acts 2:44-47 - And all that believed were together, and had all things common;
Acts 20:35 - I have shewed you all things, how that so labouring ye ought to support the weak, and to remember the words of the Lord Jesus, how he said, It is more blessed to give than to receive.
1 Corinthians 16:2 - Upon the first day of the week let every one of you lay by him in store, as God hath prospered him, that there be no gatherings when I come. 2 Corinthians 8:1-24
Give to missionaries
Those which were fulfilled by Christ before He ascended though...
His Resurrection & Ascension
The 1st verse is when these events were prophesied and the latter when they were fulfilled.
Raised from the deadPs 16:8-11Acts 2:24-31
Begotten as Son of GodPs 2:7Acts 13:32-35
Ascended to GodPs 68:18Eph 2:8-10
Seated beside GodPs 110:1Heb 1:3+13
There remain a number of prophesies unfulfilled which are written in the book of Revelation (which given to us under the New Covenant and concords with scripture as far back as Leviticus).
What prophesy has ceased? Absolutely everything after Revelation chapter 22. No one has prophesy beyond what's written in the Bible. The Holy Bible is a finished work but an ongoing prophesy. Each time someone stands up and says "I had a vision", "I have a prophesy..." this is not true.
Revelation 22:18-19
"For I testify unto every man that heareth the words of the prophecy of this book, If any man shall add unto these things, God shall add unto him the plagues that are written in this book: And if any man shall take away from the words of the book of this prophecy, God shall take away his part out of the book of life, and out of the holy city, and from the things which are written in this book."
That warning is to anyone who dare prophesy beyond the prophesies already written in the Holy Bible. The last prophet is Christ Jesus and none other. When John the beloved died -- this is the last God ever revealed new prophesy and with so much yet to come; how is it some are adding to this? Did they not read the warning above?
If so, then Peter was referring to Joel 2:28-32. A part of this prophecy has taken place at Pentecost (the birth of the Church) and the latter part of the prophecy (vv 30,31) is yet to take place. But all these events are placed in what is referred to as 'the last days' (i.e. the whole period of time from Jesus being sacrificed for our sins, His Spirit poured out upon those who've come to Him in faith, & the Church moving on & growing through evangelization & strengthening of the faithful, & eagerly waiting for the time when God finally begins to close the curtains of this age).
I pray deliverance from any and all attacks against you while you're sleeping! Spiritual, natural or both.
The 1st place I would like to start: Have you received or ask GOD to be LORD of your life? Accepting Jesus Christ as your savior? John 3:15-16,
With that we are sealed with promise, 2Corinthians 1:20-22, Ephesians 4:30, Ephesians 1:13, James 1:5, Acts 5:32, Romans 15:13, Acts 2:28, 1Corinthian 6:19, John 14:26, Acts 10:38, Mark 16:16-18, 1John 5:9-21,
* if you have not accepted Jesus as your personal LORD & Savior. Please do that right now, in prayer. 2Corinthians 6:2, 1Thessalonians 5:9, John 14:6,
Hebrews 1, note Hebrews 1:14, if you have received Jesus Christ as Savior, then the visible/invisible image was it fighting on your behalf?
* If you have been involved with anything associated with darkness & evil knowingly or others around you or in your dwelling have. Destroy those things, get it away from you. Turn away from those things. Ask forgiveness from our Father in Heaven. Matthew 6:23, Luke 11:34-36,
* Ephesians 5:11,
Ephesians 6,
Hopefully these are helpful.
You bring up an interesting question that I've never thought about before, but it doesn't trouble me like it may trouble you.
Like it says in 1 Peter 5:7 I would pray to God and fully give any burden or concerns about this to Him. Ask for peace in return.
I personally don't think the words said or not said by someone helping you be baptized are magical nor will be any determining factor on the legitimacy of your baptism. The power is not in any specific words spoken by someone else, but in the act of obedience on your part for taking an action step to follow Jesus.
My second observation is that many verses in the Bible cover things in different levels of detail. Acts 2:38 to me is just an general statement about baptism which is correct. And Matthew 28:19 seems to have a little more detail about in the name of and lists the Godhead. So, if a minister says either one, I think it's ok. The latter reference is more detailed complete answer IMO.
Some people get caught up on who they are praying to as well, and I totally understand the confusion, but while I personally believe prayers are generally to God the Father spoken through Jesus with aid of the Holy Spirit, I also think its fine to pray to Lord or Jesus or God in general. I think God will receive the message either way and knows our heart.
Another example is early in Genesis it says male and female were created then later it goes into detail about how each came about, just like a story with a thesis or overview with details in the body. But many assume that hey, male and female were already created so how come there's 2 accounts of it. The answer is its the same, one is an overview, and the other is detail. And this is how I interpret these 2 verses. Judas's death is the similar too- 2 different accounts with focus on different things at different times.
Congratulations on deciding to be baptized! Have excitement and peace over your great decision!
In April 1990 after 16 years of marriage and four children. My life was ruined because of alcoholism. After an argument, I left home to sort my self out. Although I had tried in the past, I just couldn't change.
Why is my life a mess?
In desperation I called out to God-"The sun rises and sets every day for thousands of years but I am only here for a short life. Why am I here, why did you make me, why is my life such a mess? God if you are there please help me! I went home and found a leaflet in my letterbox asking, "Who is God? The one who answers of course!"
Immediate and remarkable change
I went to a meeting and heard the full Gospel message. I believed in God, but I never seen or heard evidence of his power in any other church. When it was shown to me from the Bible what I must do to be saved, I decided to be baptized by full immersion according to the scriptures ( Acts 2:38).
I awoke at 3am the next morning to feel an amazing peace and joy come over me and I spoke in tongues. From that moment my life change. My marriage healed, aggression and alcoholism healed. God proved himself to me - why not you.
Healing
In February 2013. I was diagnosed with a tumor. "The surgeon told me" The tumor is very close to your right eye, after your operation you may lose your sight in the right eye. I went in to hospital for keyhole surgery and they could not find any tumor it disappeared, thank you Lord. I thank God for he is a God who hears and answers prayer.
Having a personal relationship with God is the promise of the bible. The New Testament of the bible describes a church that changed the world. It talks about salvation as a foundational experience from an answering God.
In Jude 1:3 (KJV)
Beloved, while I was very diligent to write to you concerning our common salvation, I found it necessary to write to you exhorting you to contend earnestly for the faith which was once for all delivered to the saints.