Introduction A. We have seen the importance of sanctification, but we also need to understand when this vital process ...
Baptism: Is it Really Necessary?
Introduction A. The relationship between water baptism and salvation has long been a subject of heated religious debate...
What Must I Do?
Introduction A. In our study of Jesus’ words on salvation, we have seen that God wants all to be saved (Matthew 18:14), but...
What God Has Joined
Introduction A. In the world that Jesus lived in, signs of division were everywhere, even in the temple itself. B. As people who still live in a world full of division, we can testify that division is more often detrimental than beneficial. Discussion I. When God joins things together, man should not divide them. A. God joins body and spirit (Genesis 2:7; James 2:26). B. God has joined faith and works in His plan of salvation (James 2:14-26)...
Born Again
Introduction A. There is no way to know exactly what Nicodemus expected from this interview with Jesus, but one could safely deduce that he was shocked to learn that he himself needed to be born again! B. There are many to whom this news still comes as a shock today, and there are precious few who are willing to submit to it. I. Nicodemus didn’t realize that the need for rebirth is universal.A. The fact that the Gentiles needed to be...
Matthew 3: Our Savior’s Baptism
Jesus traveled from Galilee (the northern part of Palestine) to the Jordan (its most important river) to be baptized by John. No doubt, being baptized was an essential part of the beginning of His ministry. Why was Jesus baptized?
Since Jesus never committed sin (Hebrews 4:15), He was baptized “to fulfill all righteousness” (vs. 15)—Jesus was to fulfill Heaven’s requirements by submitting to baptism; John...
Saul’s Conversion
Introduction
A. Saul set out for Damascus with the intention of arresting all the Christians he could find in the synagogues there, but when he arrived, he preached that Jesus is the Christ.
B. When Saul of Tarsus was converted, he left no room for doubt in anyone’s mind that he was changed forever.
I. In Saul’s conversion, we see a dramatic change in him.
A. There was a change in his perspective (Acts 26:9)...
What Is Impossible for God?
Then Jesus said to His disciples, “Assuredly, I say to you that it is hard for a rich man to enter the kingdom of heaven. And again I say to you, it is easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle than for a rich man to enter the kingdom of God.” When His disciples heard it, they were greatly astonished, saying, “Who then can be saved?” But Jesus looked at them and said to them, “With men this is impossible, but...
Old Testament Lessons on New Testament Baptism
Introduction
A. In spite of the teachings of the New Testament, there are still many who object to the doctrine that baptism is essential for salvation.
B. Paul tells us that “whatever things were written before were written for our learning” (Romans 15:4), and we shall see that there is much that we can learn about NT baptism from familiar OT stories.
I. We learn about baptism when we read of the flood (Genesis 6-7)...