Thursday, January 29, 2015

IT IS WELL WORTH IT


 

Last week I talked to a man from half way around the world that claims to have repented and was baptized in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of his sins as according to Acts 2:38, but…..

This man said, “I tried and tried to believe in the name of Jesus Christ but I could not bring myself to actually get to that point, I DO NOT BELIEVE.” Herein lies the problem with  ‘The Acts 2:38 Only Doctrine’ for salvation, there is no power in being baptized in the name of Jesus Christ if a person does not believe. This man went on to say, “I tried to pray, I really did, but when you do not know who you are to pray to it is hard to believe in what you are praying for.”

He asked me, “Since I have been baptized in water, in the name of Jesus Christ…. am I saved? Do I have the gift of Eternal Salvation?”

All I could do is shake my head while looking at the words this man just wrote to me. I realized that no one had introduced this man to Jesus Christ, no one had ever showed him Scripture in the Bible to confirm to this man who Jesus Christ is. I found it quite amazing that someone, a man of GOD especially did not take the time to show this man who Jesus Christ really is before baptizing him in the name of Jesus Christ.

I replied: “To answer your question as politely as I can, no matter what anyone else tells you, YOU ARE NOT SAVED! Being baptized in accordance with Acts 2:38 and not believing on the name of Jesus Christ as your Lord and Savior, you only took a very public bath with your clothes on. If you were to die today without believing that Jesus Christ was crucified on the cross, died as the ultimate sacrifice for the forgiveness of your sins, was buried and arose again on the third day you will be judged as a non-believer and cast out into outer darkness for eternity.”

He replied a short time later, “So, you are saying I waisted my time being baptized and if I were to die today, I would go to hell. Thank you for your honesty, that is all I asked from the others that enticed me to be baptized, I will let you know what the others say that talked me into being baptized a few days ago.”

Before he logged off, I gave him a link to an online Bible Study site and gave a list of scriptures to read and study. I told him that someone dropped the ball but GOD led him to someone that would pick that ball up and not let it go until he believed in the name of my Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.

Just about an hour ago, I got a message from this man, “Bishop Sparks, thank you for introducing me to who Jesus Christ really is. Thank you for giving me that list for Scriptures to study and meditate on. I just want to let you know that I spoke with that group and their preacher that baptized me that day telling them what you had said. They tried their best to prove you wrong but with the Word of GOD that you gave me, you proved all of them wrong. Three men actually became so angry that they were made to leave and I could hear them yelling all the way out the door. The preacher looked at me and said, ‘I thought you believed already, if I would have known you did not, I would have not baptized you, please forgive me.’ He offered to pray with me and asked what he could pray about, I said, I want to believe, I really do. The preacher prayed for me and suggested I contact you when I start believing in the name of Jesus Christ. Well, I want you to know, I do believe now, not because of anything that preacher said or even what you said, but what the Bible says in John 3:15-21. Thank you Bishop Sparks for your obedience unto GOD and your integrity to speak the Truth. I now BELIEVE and now I know I AM SAVED!”

To all those brothers and sisters in the Lord that believe in the Acts 2:38 Doctrine as your plan of Salvation, I caution you to make sure you are leading people to believe in Jesus Christ first. Without believing they can never be saved because they are condemned unto judgement. Just to bring back into remembrance what the Word of GOD teaches:

15 That whosoever believeth in Him should not perish, but have eternal life. 16 For GOD so loved the world, that He gave His only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in Him should not perish, but have everlasting life. 17 For GOD sent not His Son into the world to condemn the world; but that the world through Him might be saved. 18 He that believeth on Him is not condemned: but he that believeth not is condemned already, because he hath not believed in the name of the only begotten Son of GOD. 19 And this is the condemnation, that light is come into the world, and men loved darkness rather than light, because their deeds were evil. 20 For every one that doeth evil hateth the light, neither cometh to the light, lest his deeds should be reproved. 21 But he that doeth truth cometh to the light, that his deeds may be made manifest, that they are wrought in GOD.” (John 3:15-21 KJV)

Please remember not to get ahead of GOD, there are those He is still reaching out to, just to believe in Him. It is easy for you and I to have faith in GOD and know that Jesus Christ is our Savior but there are those that just do not believe. It is not that they are bad people, most of the time it is the fact that we as Christians have forgotten what it means to not believe. GOD loves you and I even those that are afar off, the Word of GOD teaches:

8 The Word is nigh thee, even in thy mouth, and in thy heart: that is, the Word of Faith, which we preach; 9 That if thou shalt confess with thy mouth the Lord Jesus, and shalt believe in thine heart that GOD hath raised Him from the dead, thou shalt be saved. 10 For with the heart man believeth unto righteousness; and with the mouth confession is made unto salvation. 11 For the scripture saith, Whosoever believeth on Him shall not be ashamed. 12 For there is no difference between the Jew and the Greek: for the same Lord over all is rich unto all that call upon Him. 13 For whosoever shall call upon the name of the Lord shall be saved. 14 How then shall they call on Him in whom they have not believed? and how shall they believe in Him of whom they have not heard? and how shall they hear without a preacher? 15 And how shall they preach, except they be sent? as it is written, How beautiful are the feet of them that preach the gospel of peace, and bring glad tidings of good things!” (Romans 10:8-15 KJV)

Be steadfast in your faith and exercise your belief in the one that we call Lord and Savior. Jesus Christ reached out to you even in your unbelief and through His love and patience caused you to believe. Lead someone to believe in Jesus Christ today, trust me, it is well worth it…..

Seeking the face of GOD
His Always
Bishop Darrin Sparks
Touching Heaven Ministries

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