How human mind works in relation to believe Jesus!
How the mind works depend on how the mind was taught!
For example: When come to what says in Acts 9:17-18-->
Ananias went to the house and entered it. Placing his hands on Saul, he said, "Brother Saul, the Lord-- Jesus,
who appeared to you on the road as you were coming here--
has sent me so that you may see again and be filled with the Holy Spirit."
Immediately, something like scales fell from Saul's eyes, and he could see again.
He got up and was baptized,
A. When a mind is taught only with this kind of scriptures!
1. Ro. 10:13--> "Everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved."
2. Ro. 10:9--> That if you confess with your mouth, "Jesus is Lord,"
and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved.
3. Eph. 2:8-9--> For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith--
and this not from yourselves, it is the gift of God-- not by works, so that no one can boast.
B. These are what they will see in Acts 9:17-18
1. Ananias lay his hands on Saul and he could see again! 9:17
2. Saul was filled with the Holy Spirit. 9:17
3. Saul got up and was baptized. 9:18
C. Then in presentation for defending what they believed these they will say:
1. At the laying of hands on Saul by Ananias he could see again. This means Saul was saved at this point!
2. At the laying of hands Saul was filled with the Holy Spirit. This means Saul was saved at this point!
3. Then verse 18 says, Saul got up and was baptized! The point is that Saul was saved before he was baptized!
This was how human mind works! This was also how the god of this world blinded their minds!
D. With the mercy of God these were what I see in Acts 9:17-18
The scriptures: Ananias went to the house and entered it.
Placing his hands on Saul, he said, "Brother Saul, the Lord-- Jesus, who appeared to you on the road as you were coming here--
has sent me so that you may see again and be filled with the Holy Spirit."
Immediately, something like scales fell from Saul's eyes, and he could see again.
He got up and was baptized.
1. Jesus sent me to do these 2 things for you, Saul!
a. So that you may see again.
b. Be filled with the Holy Spirit.
2. To do these 2 things for you I have to do these things!
a. I have lay hands on you, so you can see again.
b. I must baptize you to wash your sins away, so you can be filled with the Holy Spirit!
3. How can I be sure these are the correct original messages in Acts 9:17-18?
Saul said it himself in Acts 22:16--> And now what are you waiting for?
Get up, be baptized and wash your sins away, calling on his name.
4. Acts 9:18--> He got up and was baptized!
Acts 22:16--> Get up, be baptized and wash your sins away, calling on his name!
5. To confirm item 4 we may use Acts 2:38-->
Peter replied: Repent and be baptized, every one of you, in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins.
And you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit.
E. How can I be sure this has to be the way!
Galatians 1:8-->
But even if we or an angel from heaven should preach a gospel other than the one we preached to you,
let him be eternally condemned!
F. Let us make things simple!
1. Paul and Peter have to preach the same way for salvation in the Lord!
And that is for sinners in the world they have to believe, repent and be baptized to be saved! Mark 16:15-16
Paul preached this way in Acts 22:3-16 and Acts 16:30-33, Peter preached this way in Acts 2:36-38.
Otherwise one of them is going to hell! As Paul said it in Galatians 1:8!
G. How can we be double sure?
Jesus taught this way--> Mark 16:15-16 He said to them:
Go into all the world and preach the good news to all creation.
He who believes and is baptized will be saved, but whoever does not believe will be condemned.
H. How about the scriptures they quoted in item A?
1. Those scriptures were for the saved people in the church not to be confused by the heresy at the time!
2. The heresy: For sinners to be saved they must be circumcised and obey the Law!
3. Paul said: We reckon therefore that a man is justified by faith apart from the works of the law. Ro.3:28
May the Lord bless you and keep you always! Preach this on November 24, 2013.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QsZs_7H5fno