Sunday, August 12, 2018 - After Baptism, What Then?
Pastor Roger C. Marcos
August 12, 2018
Delivered at North York Church of Christ
The greatest gifts anyone can receive come “from above”-from our Creator God James 1:17. And God offers us two gifts that are by far the most important that any human being can receive in this life. The first gift is the forgiveness of sins. The second is the indwelling presence of God’s Holy Spirit.
In turn, these two gifts make possible the greatest gift of all, which is eternal, glorified life after death in the everlasting Kingdom of God.
Countless people are confused, thinking they have already received God’s forgiveness when they haven’t, and thinking they already have God’s Holy Spirit when they haven’t- I MEAN NEVER BEEN BAPTIZED INTO WATER.
The Bible is the best source of Spiritual guidance and direction of life. Jesus Word in the Bible can lead us to a fulfilling spiritual life and a true hope for eternity.
Life Is Action, it is not a hope, it is a happening, it’s not tomorrow.IT IS TODAY! I am claiming the power of His Word..souls converted thru Him.
Last August 5, 2018- at the OCA six souls received the water baptism; Gideon Baltazar, Anthony Malijan, Kaylah Marquest, Shane Calixto, Teah R. Valtoribio, and Nelita Rosete. Feb. 18, 2018 sis. Aubern Joy Asuncion, and Christine Borgus- 8 baptism
Transferred: Noel, Precy, and Kyle Bernardino family- Frankie, Flor, Remy Austin, family- Bernard 3rd and Niljen Malija, Jerry, Edith, Ellis, Nicole, Foronda family- Jun, Andrew, Dandan, Princess Sagayaga family-17 plus 8= 25
Can a person be a true Christian and Not Be BAPTIZED? Or Be BAPTIZED and Not Be A Christian?
Can there be a construction detour with no signs being posted? Or can there be detour signs and no construction? Anyone who Respond the Gospel OF Christ baptism.. WONDERFUL BLESSINGS BE UPON. They receive remission of sins and the gift of the Holy Spirit.
Acts 2:38-39- 38 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. 39 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.”
What shall we do?
But for us to receive forgiveness and the gift of the Holy Spirit, more is required than just repentance and faith. In Acts 2, we read a summary of the apostle Peter’s inspired sermon. He explained that the sacrificial death of Jesus Christ was necessary to pay the penalty for our sins. It is our sinfulness that was responsible for His suffering. In essence, “you crucified” Him (Acts 2:36).
Notice the reaction of the listeners: “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?’” (verse 37, emphasis added throughout). They knew God would require them to do certain things if they were to be given eternal life
Then Peter said to them, ‘Repent, and let every one of you be baptized in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission [forgiveness] of sins; and you shall receive the gift of the Holy Spirit’ ” (verse 38). Peter made it clear that we must receive two things to be reconciled to God-forgiveness and the Holy Spirit.
Peter said we must first repent. But Peter didn’t mention the other condition, which is faith. Why not? The very question “What shall we do?” showed Peter that the people believed in his message and in the Scriptures. They wanted to know what they should do next to act on that faith!
What to Do After Baptism?
I. REMEMBER WHO YOU ARE NOW. Whatever the ugliest of the past thrown on the deep of the Sea. Mal. 7:19 Once again, you will have compassion on us. You will trample our sins under your feet and throw them into the depths of the Ocean. Isa. 43:25
A. You Are A Brand New Person. 2 Corinthians 5:17 NKJV
17 Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, He Is A New Creation; old things have passed away; behold, all things have become new.
Romans 6:3-4 NKJV 3 Or do you not know that as many of us as were baptized into Christ Jesus were baptized into His death? 4 Therefore we were buried with Him through baptism into death, that just as Christ was raised from the dead by the glory of the Father, even so we also should walk in the newness of life.
Baptism actually pictures three deaths, burials and resurrections. First, baptism symbolizes our faith “that Christ died for our sins according to the Scriptures, and that He was buried, and that He rose again the third day according to the Scriptures” (1 Corinthians 15:3-4).
Second, it symbolizes our acknowledgement of the need for our old sinful way of life to be “put to death” and be buried forever (Colossians 3:5; 2:12). And our rising from the water symbolizes our beginning to “walk in newness of life” (Romans 6:3-6). Of course our spiritual character isn’t immediately transformed in those few seconds. Baptism is a sign of our lifelong dedication and commitment to that goal.
Third, baptism symbolizes one’s faith in the hope of the literal resurrection to come-”that there will be a resurrection of the dead, both of the just and the unjust” (Acts 24:15).
B. You Are Committed to Christ and His Church.- all who are baptized God expects us to be a part of a church family. Two things you can do most- Serving and Giving.
You are members of God’s very own family.and you belong in God’s household with every other Christian. Eph. 2:19 LB.
C. Your Maturity Commitment Is A Must. Is a commitment to the HABITS necessary for Spiritual Growth. Continue to Grow in GRACE and knowledge of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ. 2 Pet. 3:18
II. THE VERY IMPORTANT THINGS TO DO.
A. PUT GOD FIRST...
1. Love Him with all your being. Mt 22:37
2. Seek first His kingdom and righteousness. Mt 6:33
This will ensure that you do all that is necessary to remain faithful!
B. Prayer and STUDY THE WORD OF GOD...
1. Long for the Word, like an infant longs for milk - 1 Pet. 2:2
2. Emulate the Bereans in their attitude - Ac 17:11
Receive the Word with meekness, and it will save you!
C. BE DILIGENT IN ASSEMBLING...
1. We are not to forsake our assembling together - He 10:24-25
2. It is a time for fellowship, prayer, and on the first day of
the week, the Lord's Supper - Ac 2:42; 20:7; 1Co 11:23-26
-- Neglecting the assemblies is a symptom of Spiritual Stagnation!
Conclusion:
Why do People Reject the Love of Jesus while in fact Gave His life for them? WHY?
Ask Yourself: Who is righteous (without sin) NO ONE IS.
- Romans 3:10 As it is written, There is none righteous, NO, NOT ONE.
Ask Yourself: Who Has Sinned? Everyone Has!
- Romans 3:23 For all have sinned, and come short of the glory of God.
Ask Yourself: What Is God’s Penalty For Sin? DEATH and Hell.
- Heb. 9:27 It is appointed unto men once to die, but after this the judgment.
Here’s the Command: REPENT:
- Luke13:3 I tell you, no, but UNLESS you repent, you will all likewise PERISH.