How the Spirit helped me confirm the gospel Paul preached?
A. Jesus' command: Mark 16:15-16
And he said unto them, Go ye into all the world, and preach the gospel to the whole creation. He that believes and is baptized shall be saved; but he that does not believe shall be condemned. (This is clear and simple?) He that believes and is baptized shall be saved; but he that believes not shall be condemned. Salvation comes after baptism! He who believes not Jesus is the Christ will die in sins! (Jn.8:24)
B. Preach the gospel is preaching Jesus is the Christ!1. Acts 2:36-38--> Let all the house of Israel therefore know assuredly, that God hath made him both Lord and Christ, this Jesus whom ye crucified. Now when they heard (this,) they were pricked in their heart, and said unto Peter and the rest of the apostles, Brethren, what shall we do? And Peter (said) unto them, Repent ye, and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ unto the remission of your sins; and ye shall receive the gift of the Holy Spirit. Sins forgiven (salvation) is at the time of baptism!2. Acts 8:35-38--> And Philip opened his mouth, and beginning from this Scripture preached unto him Jesus. And as they went on the way, they came unto a certain water; and the eunuch said, Behold, (here is) water; what hinder me to be baptized? (And Philip said, If you believe with all your heart, thou may. And he answered and said, I believe that Jesus Christ is the Son of God.) And he commanded the chariot to stand still: and they both went down into the water, both Philip and the eunuch, and he baptized him. And when they came up out of the water, the Spirit of the Lord caught away Philip; and the eunuch saw him no more, for he went on his way rejoicing. It is clear preaching Jesus resulting in baptism for the believer!
C. Preach the gospel is preaching the word of the Lord. Acts 16:30-34 The jailer brought Paul and Silas out of the jail and said, Sirs, what must I do to be saved? And they said, Believe on the Lord Jesus, and thou shall be saved, thou and thy house. And they spoke the word of the Lord unto him, with all that were in his house. He took them the same hour of the night, and washed their wounds; and was baptized, he and all his, immediately. And he brought them up into his house, and set food before them, and rejoiced greatly, with all his house, having believed in God. Spoke to them the word of the Lord resulting in the baptism of the family!
D. Anyone preach a different gospel will be condemned! Gal.1:8 Even if we or an angel from heaven should preach a gospel other than the one we preached to you, let him be condemned!
E. Preaching the gospel concluded with water baptism! 1. 3000 people in Jerusalem. Acts 2:14-41 Peter did the preaching! 2. The Eunuch. Acts 8:35-38 Philip did the preaching! 4. The Cornelius family. Accts 10:1-11:18 Peter did the preaching! 3. The Philippians jailer. Acts 16:30-33 Paul did the preaching!
F. Paul confirm the gospel he preached! 1 Cor.15:1-4 1. Now I make known unto you brethren, the gospel which I preached unto you, which also ye received, wherein also ye stand, by which also ye are saved, if ye hold fast the word which I preached unto you, except ye believed in vain. For I delivered unto you first of all that which also I received: that Christ died for our sins according to the scriptures; and that he was buried; and that he hath been raised on the third day according to the scriptures. 2. One’s baptism is to die, be buried, and raised with Christ! Ro.6:3-4
G. This is how the Spirit help me confirm the gospel Paul preached! Hear word of the Lord--> believe Jesus is Christ--> repent and be baptized--> sins forgiven--> receive gift of the Holy Spirit--> a child of God is born.
May the Lord bless you and keep you forever! April 14, 2010