Gospel Meeting 05/05/2019

The Acts ch2 vs22 – 42

The speaker’s message tonight concluded the third portion of a series:

“The A,B,C,D,E Route to Becoming a Christian and Beyond”

 C = CONVERT

What is expected from someone who becomes a Christian?

To be converted!

Our actions and words should change - and this is our responsibility -  not God’s, though we have the indwelling Holy Spirit to help us from that point on in our lives.

Verse 38 makes this very clear, that we are to repent of our sinful way of life. A definite change is required. A specific action is also asked for – baptism.

These things need a change of thinking within ourselves. We begin to see ourselves as God sees us – we know we have utterly offended God through our sins.

Repentance is to be a lifetime experience once the decision is made, and we are to lead holy lives each day.

“If we say that we have no sin, we deceive ourselves, and the truth is not in us. If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness. If we say we have not sinned, we make him a liar, and his word is not in us”

-  1^st Epistle of John ch1 vs8 – 10

What a promise this is – anyone can genuinely confess and be forgiven!

Our sin problem was dealt with on the Cross at Calvary, once for all. The Lord Jesus Christ paid for them in full through His sacrificed body and given blood. Forgiveness is freely available to anyone in the world who will come to Him in faith and repentance.

Tonight’s scripture tells of the absolute importance of repentance.

 God’s anger at sin is as real as His love. It is excellent that we have the true and living holy God, with whom all sin matters so much that it must be punished – how right!

How angry would we feel if we were to witness an elderly person being badly beaten on the street and their pension money taken from them? I am quite sure every one of us would be extremely angry and want the offender to be made accountable for his horrific actions – because we are made in the image of God, knowing good from evil!

God, therefore, being completely holy, feels it much more than we sinful people do.

God, in His great love, gave His only begotten Son to suffer, bleed and die for our sins. 

But to those who choose to reject His offer of forgiveness, there is a great wrath to come.

“…O generation of vipers, who hath warned you to flee from the wrath to come”

-  John the Baptist speaking, from Luke’s Gospel ch3 vs7

“But God commendeth his love toward us, in that, while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us. Much more then, being now justified by his blood, we shall be saved from wrath through him”

-   Romans ch5 vs8 – 9

“…how ye turned to God from idols to serve the living and true God; And to wait for his Son from heaven, whom he raised from the dead, even Jesus, which delivered us from the wrath to come"

-   1^st Thessalonians ch1 vs9 – 10

Having repented and received Jesus Christ as Saviour, why should baptism follow for the Christian? - vs38

It is an outward sign of repentance and of the new life begun. The old has gone!

“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”

-   Romans ch6 vs4

It is an important and significant event, which should be done as soon as possible.

It is full immersion, for one who has reached an age of understanding and is able to know what they are doing and why.

There is no instance of child baptism in the scriptures

It also has a precious spiritual meaning – hence it is clearly not for infants who are too young to believe or understand, and who have it imposed upon them.

The original Latin word for an infant is “infans” meaning “without speech”.

Sadly, more and more Christians are undervaluing the importance of baptism and never take this step.

Whilst it is not essential for ones Salvation, it is a big sign of true repentance and obedience to the Word of God. It can be seen as the answer of a good conscience.

 Yet many other “man – made” practices which are contrary to God’s Word have entered in to our churches.

“I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that ye present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable unto God, which is your reasonable service. And be not conformed to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect will of God”

-   Romans ch12 vs1 – 2

“”If so be that ye have heard him, and have been taught by him, as the truth is in Jesus: That ye put off concerning the former conversation the old man, which is corrupt according to the deceitful lusts: And be renewed in the spirit of your mind; And that ye put on the new man, which after God is created in righteousness and true holiness”

-     Ephesians ch4 vs21 – 24

I have decided to follow Jesus;
I have decided to follow Jesus:
I have decided to follow Jesus;
No turning back, no turning back.

The world behind me, the cross before me;
The world behind me, the cross before me;
The world behind me, the cross before me;
No turning back, no turning back.

Though none go with me, I still will follow;
Though none go with me, I still will follow;
Though none go with me, I still will follow;
No turnng back, no turning back.

Will you decide now to follow Jesus?
Will you decide now to follow Jesus?
Will you decide now to follow Jesus?
No turning back, no turning back.

(Anonymous hymn)

Dear reader, will YOU decide now to follow Jesus?