ACTS 1:3-5
As we enter the book of Acts, we discover almost immediately that the promise, is the baptism of the HOLY GHOST.
ACTS 2:1-17
When the Apostles were at Jerusalem, they, along with many others, were joyously filled with the Holy Ghost and began to speak with other TONGUES as the Spirit gave the utterance. The amazed onlookers from many nations who heard them speaking with tongues asked, "What meaneth this?" Then Peter explained the promised coming of the Spirit and went on to preach Christ and THE ORIGINAL PLAN OF SALVATION as instructed by Jesus.
ACTS 2:36-39
When the people heard Peters words and believed that Jesus Christ was their Lord and Savior, they were sorry for their sins and asked Peter and the Apostles what they should do to be saved. Peter replied by preaching the message commanded to be preached in
LUKE 24:45-49.
In light of this, consider the three requirments of the PLAN OF SALVATION Peter preached in ACTS 2:38.
"Then Peter said unto them, REPENT, and be BAPTISED every one of you IN THE NAME
OF JESUS CHRIST for the remission of sins and ye shall recieve the gift of the HOLY GHOST."
Step 1. REPENTANCE
Step 2. BAPTISM IN JESUS NAME
Step 3. RECIEVING THE HOLY GHOST
The fulfillment of the two "new birth" requirments Jesus mentioned in JOHN 3:5 that were necessary to enter the Kingdom of God:
WATER BAPTISM: baptism in the name of Jesus (BIRTH BY WATER)
SPIRIT BAPTISM infilling of the Holy Ghost (BIRTH BY THE SPIRIT) Was preached by Peter in ACTS.
OTHER MESSAGES RECORDED IN ACTS
A. PHILIP PREACHING TO THE SAMARITANS
In Acts Chapter 8 Verses 5-8 They already had great joy VERSE 12 They already believed VERSES 14-17 They were baptised in Jesus Name and recieved the Holy Ghost as a seperate and distinct experience.
B. PETER PREACHING TO THE GENTILES
In Acts Chapter 10 Verses 1-2 Cornelius was already a good, devout and religious man
VERSES 5-6 God had more for him to do
VERSES 44-46 they recieved the Holy Ghost and spake in tongues and this was after the
day of pentecost
VERSES 47-48 They were baptised in Jesus name
C. PAUL PREACHING TO JOHN'S DISCIPLES
In Acts Chapter 19
VERSES 1-2 They were already believers
VERSES 3-5 They had to be re-baptised in the name of Jesus
VERSE 6 They recieved the Holy Ghost with the evidence of speaking in tongues
We find that the Apostles preached the following salvation message: belief in Jesus Christ; his death, burial and resurrection. Repentence; turning from your sinful ways in asking for forgiveness baptism; immersion in water in Jesus name recieving the Holy Ghost by the evidence of speaking in tongues
PART 3- INTO THE EPISTLES
Read what the Apostles had to say about the message of salvation they proclaimed in the book of Acts.
What did Peter say? (Obedience To God's WORD purifies the soul)
Ye have purified your souls in obeying the truth...being born again...by theword of God...and this is the word which by the gospel is preached unto you.1 PETER 1:22-25
Peter asked a question: What shall the end be of them that obey not the gospel of God? PETER 4:17-18
Paul gave the answer: (Iy is eternally important to obey the gospel)
The Lord Jesus shall be reveled from heaven with His mighty angels, In flaming fire taking vengeance on them that know not God, and that obey not the gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ: Who shall be punished with everlasting destruction from the preence of the Lord, and from the glory of His power. 2 THESSALONIANS 1:7-9
What else did Paul say?
I marvel that ye are so soon removed from Him that called you into the grace of Christ unto another gospel: Which is not another; but there be some that trouble you, and would pervert the gospel of Christ. But though we, or an angel from heaven, preach any other gospel unto you than that which we have preached unto you, let him be accursed. As we have said before, so say I now again, If any man preach any other gospel unto you than that ye have recieved, let him be accursed.GALATIANS 1:6-9
What did James say?
...Recieve with meekness the engrafted word, which is able to save your souls. But be ye doers of the word, and not hearers only, (decieving your own selves). For if any be a hearer of the word, and not a doer, he is like a man beholding his natural face in a glass: For he beholdeth himself, and goeth his way, and straightway forgetteth what manner of man he was. JAMES 1:21-24
PART 4-SUPPLEMENTAL STUDY SCRIPTURES
(1) MATTHEW 7:13-24
God's warning to false prophets and the importence of being a doer
(2) MATTHEW 16:15-19
Peter given the keys to the kingdom because of his revelation of who Jesus CHRIST IS
(3) MATTHEW 28:18-20
Apostles told how to baptise people: in the name (SINGULAR)OF The Father, Son AND Holy Ghost. IT'S easy to see that (Father-Son-Holy Ghost) are titles and not God's name .
The name (singular) of the Father, Son, And Holy Ghost IS JESUS CHRIST. (SEE ACTS 4:12)
ADDITIONAL SCRIPTURES
MARK 16:15-18 THE IMPORTANCE OF WATER BAPTISM AND THE SIGNS THAT WOULD FOLLOW BELIEVERS
ACTS 8:35-39 PHILIP AND THE EUNUCH WENT DOWN INTO THE WATER (IMMERSION) BAPTIZE COMES FROM THE GREEK ROOT "BAPTO" WHICH LITERALLY MEANS TO COVER
WHOLLY WITH FLUID, TO DIP. (SEE ALSO ROMANS 6:3-4)
1 PETER 3:20-21 ACCORDING TO PETER, BAPTISM IS AN ESSENTIAL PART OF THE PLAN OF SALVATION
