Response to the Gospel

Response to the gospel Believe in Jesus Repent of sins Baptized in water Receive the Holy Spirit (power in life) “Jesus answered and said to him, “Most assuredly, I say to you, unless one is born again, he cannot see the kingdom of God.” Nicodemus said to Him, “How can a man be born when he is old? Can he enter a second time into his mother’s womb and be born?” Jesus answered, “Most assuredly, I say to you, unless one is born of water and the Spirit, he cannot enter the kingdom of God.” ‭‭John‬ ‭3:3-5‬ ‭NKJV‬‬ “And He said to them, “Go into all the world and preach the gospel to every creature. He who believes and is baptized will be saved; but he who does not believe will be condemned. And these signs will follow those who believe: In My name they will cast out demons; they will speak with new tongues; they will take up serpents; and if they drink anything deadly, it will by no means hurt them; they will lay hands on the sick, and they will recover.” And they went out and preached everywhere, the Lord working with them and confirming the word through the accompanying signs. Amen.” ‭‭Mark‬ ‭16:15-18, 20‬ ‭NKJV‬‬ “Now when they heard this, they were cut to the heart, and said to Peter and the rest of the apostles, “Men and brethren, what shall we do?” Then Peter said to them, “Repent, and let every one of you be baptized in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins; and you shall receive the gift of the Holy Spirit. For the promise is to you and to your children, and to all who are afar off, as many as the Lord our God will call.” Then those who gladly received his word were baptized; and that day about three thousand souls were added to them.” ‭‭Acts‬ ‭2:37-39, 41‬ ‭NKJV‬‬ “But when they believed Philip as he preached the things concerning the kingdom of God and the name of Jesus Christ, both men and women were baptized. Then Simon himself also believed; and when he was baptized he continued with Philip, and was amazed, seeing the miracles and signs which were done. Now when the apostles who were at Jerusalem heard that Samaria had received the word of God, they sent Peter and John to them, who, when they had come down, prayed for them that they might receive the Holy Spirit. For as yet He had fallen upon none of them. They had only been baptized in the name of the Lord Jesus. Then they laid hands on them, and they received the Holy Spirit. And when Simon saw that through the laying on of the apostles’ hands the Holy Spirit was given, he offered them money, saying, “Give me this power also, that anyone on whom I lay hands may receive the Holy Spirit.”” ‭‭Acts‬ ‭8:12-19‬ ‭NKJV‬‬ “But you shall receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you; and you shall be witnesses to Me in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the end of the earth.”” ‭‭Acts‬ ‭1:8‬ ‭NKJV‬‬ “While Peter was still speaking these words, the Holy Spirit fell upon all those who heard the word. And those of the circumcision who believed were astonished, as many as came with Peter, because the gift of the Holy Spirit had been poured out on the Gentiles also. For they heard them speak with tongues and magnify God. Then Peter answered, “Can anyone forbid water, that these should not be baptized who have received the Holy Spirit just as we have?” And he commanded them to be baptized in the name of the Lord. Then they asked him to stay a few days.” ‭‭Acts‬ ‭10:44-48‬ ‭NKJV‬‬ Works vs faith Many will want to argue baptism and Holy Spirit as “works” and claim that this takes away from the “finished work of Christ on the cross”. After all, salvation is free. It is by grace through faith that we are saved. Through FAITH is the key here. Faith = Action It’s important to remember that there are different “works” to consider. *Work of the law - “I have to earn my salvation” *Work of the flesh - “I have to prove myself…I “do” for man’s approval or to serve self. *Work of faith - “I understand that obedience is greater than sacrifice therefore I “do”. It comes from obedience and the love I have for my king compels me to take action. “Faith without works is dead”. The obedience to the scriptures regarding new covenant salvation is Acts 2:38 and is a work of faith. It is necessary to join in covenant salvation.