What is meant by "Obey the Gospel?"

Today, it seems as though few preachers are telling their congregations specifics anymore. The "feel good gospel" is dominating our pulpits. Don't preach against sin, or you'll hurt feelings. Don't preach against homosexuality, or you might end up in jail, depending on where you live. Truth is being portrayed as "hate speech" by those who hate the truth.

The truth is, according to Jesus, that the only way to the Father is through himself...Jesus. No other religion offers eternal life. Is that hate speech? It is motivated only by love! "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." John 3:16. If that is hate speech what do you call it when those who labor in love to spread that good news are accosted as vile creatures? What motivates the persecution of these lovers of men's souls? Is it love? Or is it hatred of the truth, and the God of truth?

OK, so if you are reading this, you probably already agree that those trying to spread the gospel are motivated by love, and I'm preaching to the choir...but all aren't spreading the same "gospel".

We are told that "Gospel" simply means "good news", and telling folks about John 3:16 is spreading the good news...obeying our commission to " Go ye therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost": Matt.28:19

We are taught the "Roman Road to Salvation", and share the tracts that teach that plan of salvation, with hope in our hearts, and faith in God to move on the hearts we are presented with. Bravo! Brave soldiers of the cross believe in the promise that says "...and the gates of hell shall not prevail against us." But are we presenting the "Gospel" that the apostles gave their lives to present? Does it matter, as long as our hearts mean well? Won't God bless the hearers even if we are lacking in depth of understanding...the work of the Holy Ghost surely isn't hampered by our inadequacies...is it?

The only scripture that actually defines the gospel is found in 1 Cor.15:1-4
1. Moreover, brethren, I declare unto you the gospel which I preached unto you, which also ye have received, and wherein ye stand;
2. By which also ye are saved, if ye keep in memory what I preached unto you, unless ye have believed in vain.
3. For I delivered unto you first of all that which I also received, how that Christ died for our sins according to the scriptures;
4. And that he was buried, and that he rose again the third day according to the scriptures:

2 Thess. 1:7. And to you who are troubled rest with us, when the Lord Jesus shall be revealed from heaven with his mighty angels, 8. In flaming fire taking vengeance on them that know not God, and that obey not the gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ: 9. Who shall be punished with everlasting destruction from the presence of the Lord, and from the glory of his power; 10. When he shall come to be glorified in his saints, and to be admired in all them that believe (because our testimony among you was believed) in that day.

Romans 10:16. But they have not all obeyed the gospel. For Esaias saith, Lord, who hath believed our report? 17. So then faith cometh by hearing, and hearing by the word of God.

The gospel we are to be spreading must be according to the word of God! If we are all using the same word of God, how is it we are not all telling the same gospel? Do I suddenly appear divisive to you? There is only one gospel.

1. I Therefore, the prisoner of the Lord, beseech you that ye walk worthy of the vocation wherewith ye are called, 2. With all lowliness and meekness, with longsuffering, forbearing one another in love; 3. Endeavouring to keep the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace. 4. There is one body, and one Spirit, even as ye are called in one hope of your calling; 5. One Lord, one faith, one baptism, 6. One God and Father of all, who is above all, and through all, and in you all. 7. But unto every one of us is given grace according to the measure of the gift of Christ. 8. Wherefore he saith, When he ascended up on high, he led captivity captive, and gave gifts unto men. 9. (Now that he ascended, what is it but that he also descended first into the lower parts of the earth? 10. He that descended is the same also that ascended up far above all heavens, that he might fill all things.) 11. And he gave some, apostles; and some, prophets; and some, evangelists; and some, pastors and teachers; 12. For the perfecting of the saints, for the work of the ministry, for the edifying of the body of Christ: 13. Till we all come in the unity of the faith, and of the knowledge of the Son of God, unto a perfect man, unto the measure of the stature of the fulness of Christ: 14. That we henceforth be no more children, tossed to and fro, and carried about with every wind of doctrine, by the sleight of men, and cunning craftiness, whereby they lie in wait to deceive; 15. But speaking the truth in love, may grow up into him in all things, which is the head, even Christ: Ephesians 4

Speaking the truth in love has gotten a lot of men (and women) killed. Remember the Inquisition! The Roman Catholic Church put many Christians to death for their faith. The Protestant reformation was truly a God send, but those that broke away from the RCC took parts of their old traditions and teaching with them.

8. Beware lest any man spoil you through philosophy and vain deceit, after the tradition of men, after the rudiments of the world, and not after Christ. 9. For in him dwelleth all the fulness of the Godhead bodily. Col.2

What was the gospel that the apostles taught? Who preached the first gospel message on the birthday of the new Christian faith? Peter did! What did he preach? Two things...first he preached the gospel...the death, burial, and resurrection of Jesus Christ.

Acts 2:14. But Peter, standing up with the eleven, lifted up his voice, and said unto them, Ye men of Judaea, and all ye that dwell at Jerusalem, be this known unto you, and hearken to my words: 15. For these are not drunken, as ye suppose, seeing it is but the third hour of the day. 16. But this is that which was spoken by the prophet Joel; 17. And it shall come to pass in the last days, saith God, I will pour out of my Spirit upon all flesh: and your sons and your daughters shall prophesy, and your young men shall see visions, and your old men shall dream dreams: 18. And on my servants and on my handmaidens I will pour out in those days of my Spirit; and they shall prophesy: 19. And I will shew wonders in heaven above, and signs in the earth beneath; blood, and fire, and vapour of smoke: 20. The sun shall be turned into darkness, and the moon into blood, before that great and notable day of the Lord come: 21. And it shall come to pass, that whosoever shall call on the name of the Lord shall be saved. 22. Ye men of Israel, hear these words; Jesus of Nazareth, a man approved of God among you by miracles and wonders and signs, which God did by him in the midst of you, as ye yourselves also know: 23. Him, being delivered by the determinate counsel and foreknowledge of God, ye have taken, and by wicked hands have crucified and slain: 24. Whom God hath raised up, having loosed the pains of death: because it was not possible that he should be holden of it. 25. For David speaketh concerning him, I foresaw the Lord always before my face, for he is on my right hand, that I should not be moved: 26. Therefore did my heart rejoice, and my tongue was glad; moreover also my flesh shall rest in hope: 27. Because thou wilt not leave my soul in hell, neither wilt thou suffer thine Holy One to see corruption. 28. Thou hast made known to me the ways of life; thou shalt make me full of joy with thy countenance. 29. Men and brethren, let me freely speak unto you of the patriarch David, that he is both dead and buried, and his sepulchre is with us unto this day. 30. Therefore being a prophet, and knowing that God had sworn with an oath to him, that of the fruit of his loins, according to the flesh, he would raise up Christ to sit on his throne; 31. He seeing this before spake of the resurrection of Christ, that his soul was not left in hell, neither his flesh did see corruption. 32. This Jesus hath God raised up, whereof we all are witnesses. 33. Therefore being by the right hand of God exalted, and having received of the Father the Promise of the Holy Ghost, he hath shed forth this, which ye now see and hear. 34. For David is not ascended into the heavens: but he saith himself, The Lord said unto my Lord, Sit thou on my right hand, 35. Until I make thy foes thy footstool. 36. Therefore let all the house of Israel know assuredly, that God hath made that same Jesus, whom ye have crucified, both Lord and Christ.

Next he preached the obedience to that gospel, continuing in Acts 2:
37. Now when they heard this, they were pricked in their heart, and said unto Peter and to the rest of the apostles, Men and brethren, what shall we do? 38. Then Peter said unto them, Repent, and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins, and ye shall receive the gift of the Holy Ghost. 39. For the promise is unto you, and to your children, and to all that are afar off, even as many as the Lord our God shall call. 40. And with many other words did he testify and exhort, saying, Save yourselves from this untoward generation. 41. Then they that gladly received his word were baptized: and the same day there were added unto them about three thousand souls. 42. And they continued stedfastly in the apostles' doctrine and fellowship, and in breaking of bread, and in prayers.

I know this may seem like a strange new doctrine if you have not been made familiar to it before, but please go to the powerpoint presentation "The Roman Road, put into perspective" by clicking on the title of this post. Then check out the powerpoint presentation, "The Tabernacle in the Wilderness" found in the links to the left. We all need to get on the same page with this gospel, if we are to be as effective as we are called to be. "if the eye be single, the whole body is full of light"...lets let the true light shine!

Simon the Sorcerer

I think it's important to examine our beliefs about salvation against what the bible shows us. We are instructed in the word of God by sincere God-called people, who too often just teach what they were taught without critical examination. Let us critically examine this portion of scripture to determine if our thoughts align with the naked word of God.

Acts 8:
5. Then Philip went down to the city of Samaria, and preached Christ unto them.
6. And the people with one accord gave heed unto those things which Philip spake, hearing and seeing the miracles which he did.
7. For unclean spirits, crying with loud voice, came out of many that were possessed with them: and many taken with palsies, and that were lame, were healed.
8. And there was great joy in that city.

The people gave heed! Miracles were occurring, evil spirits being cast out... an obvious move of the power of the Holy Spirit is in evidence. Especially notice that there was great joy in that city! Is experiencing the joy of the presence of God the same as becoming a christian? No! Keep reading.

9. But there was a certain man, called Simon, which beforetime in the same city used sorcery, and bewitched the people of Samaria, giving out that himself was some great one:
10. To whom they all gave heed, from the least to the greatest, saying, This man is the great power of God.
11. And to him they had regard, because that of long time he had bewitched them with sorceries. 12. But when they believed Philip preaching the things concerning the kingdom of God, and the name of Jesus Christ, they were baptized, both men and women.

Simon was accustomed to being revered and feared. Simon became addicted to his position in the people's hearts and minds. Simon was all about Simon being looked up to. Now the people were being given a hope apart from Simon...he was being displaced in the hearts of men by the TRUE authority, Jesus Christ.

13. Then Simon himself believed also: and when he was baptized, he continued with Philip, and wondered, beholding the miracles and signs which were done.

Simon understood the message of the gospels facts, if not the understanding of the gospel's heart. (1 Cor. 15:1-4 explain that the gospel is the death, burial, and resurrection of the Lord, Jesus Christ) The story was irrefutable, and verifiable by the many witnesses alive during this time. Philip's power was more than his sorcery had afforded him, so he believed the apostle Philip's words, and demonstration of power, and submitted to the facts of the gospel as being true...and was baptized in the name of Jesus (vs.16)

14. Now when the apostles which were at Jerusalem heard that Samaria had received the word of God, they sent unto them Peter and John:
15. Who, when they were come down, prayed for them, that they might receive the Holy Ghost:
16. (For as yet he was fallen upon none of them: only they were baptized in the name of the Lord Jesus.)17. Then laid they their hands on them, and they received the Holy Ghost.
 
OK, this is where we really have to put on our thinking caps.
The city had experienced a revival of truth! They had been delivered from the evil influence of the sorceries of Simon, and had repented and experienced great joy. The city had obeyed the baptism in water in the name of Jesus! ( the trinity formula was not introduced into the church until some 300 years later). Yet the word of God says that even though all these wonderful truths were done, they had still not received the baptism of the Holy Ghost!

Romans 10:16 says there is an obedience to the gospel, and all have not obeyed the gospel. If the gospel is the death, burial, and resurrection of Jesus...how do we obey that? On the day of Pentecost, Peter preached back to back messages. First he preached the gospel- the death burial and resurrection of Jesus, then when asked what the response to that truth was, he responded with ..."repent, and be baptized everyone of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sin, and ye shall receive the gift of the Holy Ghost...for the promise is for...even as many as the lord our God shall call.

And pay attention to these words:

2Th 1:7  And to you who are troubled rest with us, when the Lord Jesus shall be revealed from heaven with his mighty angels,

2Th 1:8  In flaming fire taking vengeance on them that know not God, and that obey not the gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ:
2Th 1:9  Who shall be punished with everlasting destruction from the presence of the Lord, and from the glory of his power;


The people of Samaria had received the word as true. They had repended (died to self will, accepting Christ as their lord- the DEATH part of obedience to the gospel) They had been baptized in the name of Jesus for the remission of their sins ( obeying the BURIAL part of obedience to the gospel...BTW, how were you baptized). There was an obvious lack of a physical manifestation of the baptism of the Holy Ghost. Apparently belief and great joy is not the manifestation. Apparently the Holy Ghost is NOT instantaneous with believing, or accepting Jesus as your saviour as taught by most evangelicals, else why did Peter and John come to lay hands on them that they might receive the gift?

18. And when Simon saw that through laying on of the apostles' hands the Holy Ghost was given, he offered them money,
19. Saying, Give me also this power, that on whomsoever I lay hands, he may receive the Holy Ghost.
Simon just couldn't give up the adulation of the masses, the power of his influence being displaced. Simon understood the story, and believed it. Simon was a real believer in the death, burial, and resurrection of Jesus Christ, and understood that obedience to that gospel was needed. What Simon didn't understand was what repenance was. Simon never stopped wanting to keep his old life alive. He still wanted to be the center of attention, the object of peoples reverence. Simon didn't repent...he only believed! Simon was a baptized believer! Isn't that enough?

20. But Peter said unto him, Thy money perish with thee, because thou hast thought that the gift of God may be purchased with money.
21. Thou hast neither part nor lot in this matter: for thy heart is not right in the sight of God.

Simon, you don't have any part in this new birth. Your are not a Christian...only a believer.

22. Repent therefore of this thy wickedness, and pray God, if perhaps the thought of thine heart may be forgiven thee.
23. For I perceive that thou art in the gall of bitterness, and in the bond of iniquity.

Simon, you are poisoned with bitterness over your loss of prestige, and influence over the people, and are in fact still in bondage to sin! Your believing hasn't saved you. Your heart is still the same. You have NOT been born again. John 3:3 says you must be born again. Being born again is not merely believing the truth. The devils believe, and tremble!

24. Then answered Simon, and said, Pray ye to the Lord for me, that none of these things which ye have spoken come upon me.

Pray for yourself, Simon. Repent! Die to the desire to have the pre-imminence in peoples minds. Being born again consists of first dying to your own ownership over your life, giving total ownership to Jesus, who purchased the right with his own blood! Then you obey the burial by being baptized by watery immersion in the name of Jesus. If you don't accept the death of your own will first, baptism only gets you wet! Only the dead are buried with Christ in baptism. Col.2:12. Buried with him in baptism, wherein also ye are risen with him through the faith of the operation of God, who hath raised him from the dead.

After you have died, and been buried, you may receive the resurrection, which is Christ in you, the hope of Glory. It is the receiving of the gift of the Holy Ghost. Romans 8:11. But if the Spirit of him that raised up Jesus from the dead dwell in you, he that raised up Christ from the dead shall also quicken your mortal bodies by his Spirit that dwelleth in you. This quickening is the resurrection power.

What was the manifestation that was missing in Samaria that let everyone know tht they had NOT been baptized by the Holy Ghost? On the day of Pentecost, all the believers who were baptized in the Spirit spoke in tongues. Acts 2:4. And they were all filled with the Holy Ghost, and began to speak with other tongues, as the Spirit gave them utterance.

Lets look at another occurance:
Acts 10: 45. And they of the circumcision which believed were astonished, as many as came with Peter, because that on the Gentiles also was poured out the gift of the Holy Ghost. 46. For they heard them speak with tongues, and magnify God. Then answered Peter, 47. Can any man forbid water, that these should not be baptized, which have received the Holy Ghost as well as we? 48. And he commanded them to be baptized in the name of the Lord. Then prayed they him to tarry certain days.

One more:
Acts 19:1. And it came to pass, that, while Apollos was at Corinth, Paul having passed through the upper coasts came to Ephesus: and finding certain disciples, 2. He said unto them, Have ye received the Holy Ghost since ye believed? And they said unto him, We have not so much as heard whether there be any Holy Ghost. 3. And he said unto them, Unto what then were ye baptized? And they said, Unto John's baptism. 4. Then said Paul, John verily baptized with the baptism of repentance, saying unto the people, that they should believe on him which should come after him, that is, on Christ Jesus. 5. When they heard this, they were baptized in the name of the Lord Jesus. 6. And when Paul had laid his hands upon them, the Holy Ghost came on them; and they spake with tongues, and prophesied.

Are you "Born Again", or merely a baptized believer? Please click on the links found at the left titled "Roman Road to Salvation- in Perspective" and "The Tabernacle in the wilderness" for better understanding.

Simon the Sorcerer

I think it's important to examine our beliefs about salvation against what the bible shows us. We are instructed in the word of God by sincere God-called people, who too often just teach what they were taught without critical examination. Let us critically examine this portion of scripture to determine if our thoughts align with the naked word of God.

Acts 8:
5. Then Philip went down to the city of Samaria, and preached Christ unto them.
6. And the people with one accord gave heed unto those things which Philip spake, hearing and seeing the miracles which he did.
7. For unclean spirits, crying with loud voice, came out of many that were possessed with them: and many taken with palsies, and that were lame, were healed.
8. And there was great joy in that city.

The people gave heed! Miracles were occurring, evil spirits being cast out... an obvious move of the power of the Holy Spirit is in evidence. Especially notice that there was great joy in that city! Is experiencing the joy of the presence of God the same as becoming a christian? No! Keep reading.

9. But there was a certain man, called Simon, which beforetime in the same city used sorcery, and bewitched the people of Samaria, giving out that himself was some great one:
10. To whom they all gave heed, from the least to the greatest, saying, This man is the great power of God.
11. And to him they had regard, because that of long time he had bewitched them with sorceries. 12. But when they believed Philip preaching the things concerning the kingdom of God, and the name of Jesus Christ, they were baptized, both men and women.

Simon was accustomed to being revered and feared. Simon became addicted to his position in the people's hearts and minds. Simon was all about Simon being looked up to. Now the people were being given a hope apart from Simon...he was being displaced in the hearts of men by the TRUE authority, Jesus Christ.

13. Then Simon himself believed also: and when he was baptized, he continued with Philip, and wondered, beholding the miracles and signs which were done.

Simon understood the message of the gospels facts, if not the understanding of the gospel's heart. (1 Cor. 15:1-4 explain that the gospel is the death, burial, and resurrection of the Lord, Jesus Christ) The story was irrefutable, and verifiable by the many witnesses alive during this time. Philip's power was more than his sorcery had afforded him, so he believed the apostle Philip's words, and demonstration of power, and submitted to the facts of the gospel as being true...and was baptized in the name of Jesus (vs.16)

14. Now when the apostles which were at Jerusalem heard that Samaria had received the word of God, they sent unto them Peter and John:
15. Who, when they were come down, prayed for them, that they might receive the Holy Ghost:
16. (For as yet he was fallen upon none of them: only they were baptized in the name of the Lord Jesus.)17. Then laid they their hands on them, and they received the Holy Ghost.
 
OK, this is where we really have to put on our thinking caps.
The city had experienced a revival of truth! They had been delivered from the evil influence of the sorceries of Simon, and had repented and experienced great joy. The city had obeyed the baptism in water in the name of Jesus! ( the trinity formula was not introduced into the church until some 300 years later). Yet the word of God says that even though all these wonderful truths were done, they had still not received the baptism of the Holy Ghost!

Romans 10:16 says there is an obedience to the gospel, and all have not obeyed the gospel. If the gospel is the death, burial, and resurrection of Jesus...how do we obey that? On the day of Pentecost, Peter preached back to back messages. First he preached the gospel- the death burial and resurrection of Jesus, then when asked what the response to that truth was, he responded with ..."repent, and be baptized everyone of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sin, and ye shall receive the gift of the Holy Ghost...for the promise is for...even as many as the lord our God shall call.

And pay attention to these words:

2Th 1:7  And to you who are troubled rest with us, when the Lord Jesus shall be revealed from heaven with his mighty angels,

2Th 1:8  In flaming fire taking vengeance on them that know not God, and that obey not the gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ:
2Th 1:9  Who shall be punished with everlasting destruction from the presence of the Lord, and from the glory of his power;


The people of Samaria had received the word as true. They had repended (died to self will, accepting Christ as their lord- the DEATH part of obedience to the gospel) They had been baptized in the name of Jesus for the remission of their sins ( obeying the BURIAL part of obedience to the gospel...BTW, how were you baptized). There was an obvious lack of a physical manifestation of the baptism of the Holy Ghost. Apparently belief and great joy is not the manifestation. Apparently the Holy Ghost is NOT instantaneous with believing, or accepting Jesus as your saviour as taught by most evangelicals, else why did Peter and John come to lay hands on them that they might receive the gift?

18. And when Simon saw that through laying on of the apostles' hands the Holy Ghost was given, he offered them money,
19. Saying, Give me also this power, that on whomsoever I lay hands, he may receive the Holy Ghost.

Simon just couldn't give up the adulation of the masses, the power of his influence being displaced. Simon understood the story, and believed it. Simon was a real believer in the death, burial, and resurrection of Jesus Christ, and understood that obedience to that gospel was needed. What Simon didn't understand was what repenance was. Simon never stopped wanting to keep his old life alive. He still wanted to be the center of attention, the object of peoples reverence. Simon didn't repent...he only believed! Simon was a baptized believer! Isn't that enough?

20. But Peter said unto him, Thy money perish with thee, because thou hast thought that the gift of God may be purchased with money.
21. Thou hast neither part nor lot in this matter: for thy heart is not right in the sight of God.

Simon, you don't have any part in this new birth. Your are not a Christian...only a believer.

22. Repent therefore of this thy wickedness, and pray God, if perhaps the thought of thine heart may be forgiven thee.
23. For I perceive that thou art in the gall of bitterness, and in the bond of iniquity.

Simon, you are poisoned with bitterness over your loss of prestige, and influence over the people, and are in fact still in bondage to sin! Your believing hasn't saved you. Your heart is still the same. You have NOT been born again. John 3:3 says you must be born again. Being born again is not merely believing the truth. The devils believe, and tremble!

24. Then answered Simon, and said, Pray ye to the Lord for me, that none of these things which ye have spoken come upon me.

Pray for yourself, Simon. Repent! Die to the desire to have the pre-imminence in peoples minds. Being born again consists of first dying to your own ownership over your life, giving total ownership to Jesus, who purchased the right with his own blood! Then you obey the burial by being baptized by watery immersion in the name of Jesus. If you don't accept the death of your own will first, baptism only gets you wet! Only the dead are buried with Christ in baptism. Col.2:12. Buried with him in baptism, wherein also ye are risen with him through the faith of the operation of God, who hath raised him from the dead.

After you have died, and been buried, you may receive the resurrection, which is Christ in you, the hope of Glory. It is the receiving of the gift of the Holy Ghost. Romans 8:11. But if the Spirit of him that raised up Jesus from the dead dwell in you, he that raised up Christ from the dead shall also quicken your mortal bodies by his Spirit that dwelleth in you. This quickening is the resurrection power.

What was the manifestation that was missing in Samaria that let everyone know tht they had NOT been baptized by the Holy Ghost? On the day of Pentecost, all the believers who were baptized in the Spirit spoke in tongues. Acts 2:4. And they were all filled with the Holy Ghost, and began to speak with other tongues, as the Spirit gave them utterance.

Lets look at another occurrence:
Acts 10: 45. And they of the circumcision which believed were astonished, as many as came with Peter, because that on the Gentiles also was poured out the gift of the Holy Ghost. 46. For they heard them speak with tongues, and magnify God. Then answered Peter, 47. Can any man forbid water, that these should not be baptized, which have received the Holy Ghost as well as we? 48. And he commanded them to be baptized in the name of the Lord. Then prayed they him to tarry certain days.

One more:
Acts 19:1. And it came to pass, that, while Apollos was at Corinth, Paul having passed through the upper coasts came to Ephesus: and finding certain disciples, 2. He said unto them, Have ye received the Holy Ghost since ye believed? And they said unto him, We have not so much as heard whether there be any Holy Ghost. 3. And he said unto them, Unto what then were ye baptized? And they said, Unto John's baptism. 4. Then said Paul, John verily baptized with the baptism of repentance, saying unto the people, that they should believe on him which should come after him, that is, on Christ Jesus. 5. When they heard this, they were baptized in the name of the Lord Jesus. 6. And when Paul had laid his hands upon them, the Holy Ghost came on them; and they spake with tongues, and prophesied.

Are you "Born Again", or merely a baptized believer? Please click on the links found at the left titled "Roman Road to Salvation- in Perspective" and "The Tabernacle in the wilderness" for better understanding.

Baptism?

How important is it

really?

Maybe more than you think!

Jesus said…
Matt. 28:18-19

And Jesus came and spake unto them, saying, All power is given unto me in heaven and in earth.

Go ye therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost:

 Mark 16:16

He that believeth and is baptized shall be saved; but he that believeth not shall be damned

Peter said…
Acts 2:38

 …repent, and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins, and ye shall receive the gift of the holy ghost.   

1 Peter 3:21
The like figure whereunto baptism  doth also now save us, (not the putting away of the filth of the flesh, but the answer of a good conscience toward God,)  by the resurrection of Jesus Christ.

Paul said…
Col .2:12

Buried with him in baptism, wherein also ye are risen with him through the faith of the operation of God, who raised him form the dead.

How did the church respond?

Acts 2:41
Then they that gladly received his word were baptized: and the same day there were added about unto them about three thousand souls.

Acts 8:12

But when thy believed Philip preaching concerning the kingdom of God, and the name of Jesus Christ, they were baptized both men and women.

Acts 10:48

And he commanded them to be baptized in the name of the Lord.

Acts 19:4-5

Then said Paul,, John verily baptized with the baptism of repentance, saying unto the people, that they should believe on him which would come after him, that is, on Christ Jesus.  When they heard this, they were baptized in the name of the Lord Jesus.

But aren’t we saved by grace, and not by works?

Titus 3:5
Not by works of righteousness which we have done, but according to his mercy he saved us, by the *washing of regeneration, and the renewing of the holy ghost.

Titus 3:5    * washing of regeneration is baptism

So, what exactly is the gospel?

1 Cor. 15:1-4
Moreover, brethren, I declare unto you the gospel which I preached unto you, which also ye have received, and wherein ye stand, By which also ye are saved, if ye keep in memory what I preached unto you, unless ye have believed in vain, For I delivered unto you first of all that which I also received, how that Christ died for our sins, according to the scriptures, And that he was buried, and that he rose the third day, according to the scriptures.

Death, Burial & Resurrection

          is the Gospel

2 Thess. 1:7-8
And to you who are troubled, rest with us, when the Lord Jesus shall be revealed from heaven with his mighty angels, in flaming fire taking vengeance on them that know not God, and that obey not the gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ:

          

So, what is the obedience to the Gospel?

On the birthday of the New Testament Church, the Day of Pentecost, in Acts 2, then again in Acts 8, 10, and 19 we see that in each case the church repented, was baptized in the name of the Lord Jesus, and received the baptism of the Holy Ghost, as was evidenced by speaking in tongues and magnifying God.

The order of these three steps varied on occasion, but all three elements were present in each case.  Repentance is our death to self will; the acceptance of the Lordship of Jesus in our lives.  We are buried with Christ in baptism.  Our power to walk in the newness of  a resurrected life is found in the baptism of the Holy Ghost.  Our obedience to the gospel is Acts 2:38- repentance, baptism in Jesus name, and the infilling of the Holy Ghost.

Check out the new Tracts page! 
Also, check out the power point presentations on both pages! 
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Biblical Christianity regarding TITHING

Why the Tithe?

Deut. 18:

1.  The priests the Levites, and all the tribe of Levi, shall have no part nor inheritance with Israel: they shall eat the offerings of the Lord made by fire, and his inheritance.

 2.  Therefore shall they have no inheritance among their brethren: the Lord is their inheritance, as he hath said unto them.

 3.  And this shall be the priest's due from the people, from them that offer a sacrifice, whether it be ox or sheep; and they shall give unto the priest the shoulder, and the two cheeks, and the maw.

 4.  The firstfruit also of thy corn, of thy wine, and of thine oil, and the first of the fleece of thy sheep, shalt thou give him.

 5.  For the Lord thy God hath chosen him out of all thy tribes, to stand to minister in the name of the Lord, him and his sons for ever.

Numbers 18:

5.  And ye shall keep the charge of the sanctuary, and the charge of the altar: that there be no wrath any more upon the children of Israel.

 6.  And I, behold, I have taken your brethren the Levites from among the children of Israel: to you they are given as a gift for the Lord, to do the service of the tabernacle of the congregation.

 7.  Therefore thou and thy sons with thee shall keep your priest's office for every thing of the altar, and within the vail; and ye shall serve: I have given your priest's office unto you as a service of gift: and the stranger that cometh nigh shall be put to death.

 8.  And the Lord spake unto Aaron, Behold, I also have given thee the charge of mine heave offerings of all the hallowed things of the children of Israel; unto thee have I given them by reason of the anointing, and to thy sons, by an ordinance for ever.

 9.  This shall be thine of the most holy things, reserved from the fire: every oblation of theirs, every meat offering of theirs, and every sin offering of theirs, and every trespass offering of theirs which they shall render unto me, shall be most holy for thee and for thy sons.

 10.  In the most holy place shalt thou eat it; every male shall eat it: it shall be holy unto thee.

 11.  And this is thine; the heave offering of their gift, with all the wave offerings of the children of Israel: I have given them unto thee, and to thy sons and to thy daughters with thee, by a statute for ever: every one that is clean in thy house shall eat of it.

 12.  All the best of the oil, and all the best of the wine, and of the wheat, the firstfruits of them which they shall offer unto the Lord, them have I given thee.

 13.  And whatsoever is first ripe in the land, which they shall bring unto the Lord, shall be thine; every one that is clean in thine house shall eat of it.

 14.  Every thing devoted in Israel shall be thine.

17.  But the firstling of a cow, or the firstling of a sheep, or the firstling of a goat, thou shalt not redeem; they are holy: thou shalt sprinkle their blood upon the altar, and shalt burn their fat for an offering made by fire, for a sweet savour unto the Lord.

 18.  And the flesh of them shall be thine, as the wave breast and as the right shoulder are thine.

 19.  All the heave offerings of the holy things, which the children of Israel offer unto the Lord, have I given thee, and thy sons and thy daughters with thee, by a statute for ever: it is a covenant of salt for ever before the Lord unto thee and to thy seed with thee.

20.  And the Lord spake unto Aaron, Thou shalt have no inheritance in their land, neither shalt thou have any part among them: I am thy part and thine inheritance among the children of Israel.

 21.  And, behold, I have given the children of Levi all the tenth in Israel for an inheritance, for their service which they serve, even the service of the tabernacle of the congregation.

31.  And ye shall eat it in every place, ye and your households: for it is your reward for your service in the tabernacle of the congregation.

Was the tithe only for the priesthood?

Deut.26:

12.  When thou hast made an end of tithing all the tithes of thine increase the third year, which is the year of tithing, and hast given it unto the Levite, the stranger, the fatherless, and the widow, that they may eat within thy gates, and be filled;

 13.  Then thou shalt say before the Lord thy God, I have brought away the hallowed things out of mine house, and also have given them unto the Levite, and unto the stranger, to the fatherless, and to the widow, according to all thy commandments which thou hast commanded me: I have not transgressed thy commandments, neither have I forgotten them.

After receiving the tithes from the Israelites, the priests in turn were required to also give ten percent of what was given to them.[*9] [Nu18:21-28] Every third year the tithe was to be reserved as a festival tithe and everything brought for the Levites was shared so strangers, orphans, widows and the poor could come and eat and be content [*10][De 14:27-29; 15:1-7; 26:12-13, etc] In fact, the one festival and related tithes was provided for the people to go and spend the tithe on purchasing anything they lusted after or desired, by commandment of God.[*11] [Deut 14:22-27] http://www.seekgod.ca/tithing.htm)

Rev.1: 6.  And hath made us kings and priests unto God and his Father; to him be glory and dominion for ever and ever. Amen.  (Not clergy only)

How Did the OT Law of the Tithe get into the NT Church?

(all of the information for this section  is from: http://www.seekgod.ca/tithing.htm)

The Catholic church in fact, viewed the replacement of the Levite priests with sacred ministers. The New Advent article on Tithes, stated that:

"...In the Christian Church, as those who serve the altar should live by the altar (1 Cor., ix, 13), provision of some kind had necessarily to be made for the sacred ministers. In the beginning this was supplied by the spontaneous offerings of the faithful. In the course of time, however, as the Church expanded and various institutions arose, it became necessary to make laws which would insure the proper and permanent support of the clergy. The payment of tithes was adopted from the Old Law, and early writers speak of it as a divine ordinance and an obligation of conscience. The earliest positive legislation on the subject seems to be contained in the letter of the bishops assembled at Tours in 567 and the cannons of the Council of Macon in 585. In course of time, we find the payment of tithes made obligatory by ecclesiastical enactments in all the countries of christendom. The Church looked on this payment as "of divine law, since tithes were instituted not by man but by the Lord Himself ...In English statute law proper, however, the first mention of tithes is to be found in the Statute of Westminister of 1285. ...There are many exempted from the paying of tithes: spiritual corporations, the owners of uncultivated lands, those who have acquired lawful prescription, or heave obtained a legal renunciation, or received a privilege from the pope. At first, the tithe was payable to the bishop, but later the right passed by common law to parish priests...." http://www.newadvent.org/cathen/14741b.htm [bolding added]

Please note that according to Catholic sources based on historical documentation, the saints including any leadership were supported solely by freewill giving, not the tithe, from the time of the Apostles and for about 500 years, until the Catholic church reinstituted it. They in fact became the appointed priesthood and in many places that were controlled by the Catholic church it became a state or provincial law that tithing was required. In fact in Quebec Canada it remains a provincial law that the tithe is required.

The questions become, that since the tithe was instituted under the Mosaic Law which was given to the Hebrew people, is it to be kept, while the other Laws are not? Are the Hebraic Roots leaders the "new" Levite priesthood, or is that authority and job aligned to "Christian pastors", which some Christians claim also replaces the Levite priesthood? 

If the Law of Moses is to be kept for tithing, then the rest of the Law must also be kept, according to the Word of God. That includes the food Laws, clean/unclean, circumcision, stoning rebellious children and stoning those caught in adultery, which includes far too many in leadership and outside of leadership. 

Galatians 3:7 Know ye therefore that they which are of faith, the same are the children of Abraham. 
8 And the scripture, foreseeing that God would justify the heathen through faith, preached before the gospel unto Abraham, saying, In thee shall all nations be blessed. 
9 So then they which be of faith are blessed with faithful Abraham.
10 For as many as are of the works of the law are under the curse: for it is written, Cursed is every one that continueth not in all things which are written in the book of the law to do them.
11 But that no man is justified by the law in the sight of God, it is evident: for, The just shall live by faith.
12 And the law is not of faith: but, The man that doeth them shall live in them.
13 Christ hath redeemed us from the curse of the law, being made a curse for us: for it is written, Cursed is every one that hangeth on a tree:

New Testament on Tithing

Matt.23: 23.  Woe unto you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! for ye pay tithe of mint and anise and cummin, and have omitted the weightier matters of the law, judgment, mercy, and faith: these ought ye to have done, and not to leave the other undone.  (LAW)

Luke 11:42 42.  But woe unto you, Pharisees! for ye tithe mint and rue and all manner of herbs, and pass over judgment and the love of God: these ought ye to have done, and not to leave the other undone. (LAW-same instance)

Luke 18: 10.  Two men went up into the temple to pray; the one a Pharisee, and the other a publican.

 11.  The Pharisee stood and prayed thus with himself, God, I thank thee, that I am not as other men are, extortioners, unjust, adulterers, or even as this publican.

 12.  I fast twice in the week, I give tithes of all that I possess.  (LAW)

Hebrews 7: 1.  For this Melchisedec, king of Salem, priest of the most high God, who met Abraham returning from the slaughter of the kings, and blessed him;

 2.  To whom also Abraham gave a tenth part of all; first being by interpretation King of righteousness, and after that also King of Salem, which is, King of peace;

 3.  Without father, without mother, without descent, having neither beginning of days, nor end of life; but made like unto the Son of God; abideth a priest continually.

 4.  Now consider how great this man was, unto whom even the patriarch Abraham gave the tenth of the spoils.

 5.  And verily they that are of the sons of Levi, who receive the office of the priesthood, have a commandment to take tithes of the people according to the law, that is, of their brethren, though they come out of the loins of Abraham:

 6.  But he whose descent is not counted from them received tithes of Abraham, and blessed him that had the promises.

 7.  And without all contradiction the less is blessed of the better.

 8.  And here men that die receive tithes; (under the LAW) but there he receiveth them, of whom it is witnessed that he liveth.

This scripture is the favorite of many who teach the NT church is to pay tithes…not because of the law, but because Abraham paid to Melchisedec a tenth of the spoils of war one time….BEFORE IT BECAME LAW!  That’s the argument…tithes predates the law and so supersedes the law.   Not because he was instructed to by God , but because he chose to.

Animal sacrifice predates the law too, does that supersede the law?  Nobody that teaches a required tithe teaches a continued animal sacrifice.  But, it predates the law!  Why chose one over the other?  Is it perhaps because the preacher or organization lives off of the tithe?  The Levites had no other means of support.  They obtained no inheritance with Israel.   Do preachers today claim to have no inheritance with the rest of the church?  Hardly.

Other Used NT Scriptures to support Tithing.

1 Cor. 9: 4.  Have we not power to eat and to drink?

 5.  Have we not power to lead about a sister, a wife, as well as other apostles, and as the brethren of the Lord, and Cephas?

 6.  Or I only and Barnabas, have not we power to forbear working?

 7.  Who goeth a warfare any time at his own charges? who planteth a vineyard, and eateth not of the fruit thereof? or who feedeth a flock, and eateth not of the milk of the flock?

 8.  Say I these things as a man? or saith not the law the same also?

 9.  For it is written in the law of Moses, Thou shalt not muzzle the mouth of the ox that treadeth out the corn. Doth God take care for oxen?

 10.  Or saith he it altogether for our sakes? For our sakes, no doubt, this is written: that he that ploweth should plow in hope; and that he that thresheth in hope should be partaker of his hope.

 11.  If we have sown unto you spiritual things, is it a great thing if we shall reap your carnal things?

 12.  If others be partakers of this power over you, are not we rather? Nevertheless we have not used this power; but suffer all things, lest we should hinder the gospel of Christ.

 13.  Do ye not know that they which minister about holy things live of the things of the temple? and they which wait at the altar are partakers with the altar?

 14.  Even so hath the Lord ordained that they which preach the gospel should live of the gospel.

But they rarely teach the rest of this line of thought…

 15.  But I have used none of these things: neither have I written these things, that it should be so done unto me: for it were better for me to die, than that any man should make my glorying void.

 16.  For though I preach the gospel, I have nothing to glory of: for necessity is laid upon me; yea, woe is unto me, if I preach not the gospel!

 17.  For if I do this thing willingly, I have a reward: but if against my will, a dispensation of the gospel is committed unto me.

 18.  What is my reward then? Verily that, when I preach the gospel, I may make the gospel of Christ without charge, that I abuse not my power in the gospel.

So, did Paul mention the law of the tithe? No.  Did Paul teach that ministers are not to support themselves? No.  Did Paul teach that ministers are not to be condemned for living off of charity.  Yes.

Acts 18: 3.  And because he was of the same craft, he abode with them, and wrought: for by their occupation they were tentmakers.  (Here we see Paul supported himself at this time as a tentmaker.)

Paul goes on to say…

Acts 20: 33.  I have coveted no man's silver, or gold, or apparel.

 34.  Yea, ye yourselves know, that these hands have ministered unto my necessities, and to them that were with me.

 35.  I have shewed you all things, how that so labouring ye ought to support the weak, and to remember the words of the Lord Jesus, how he said, It is more blessed to give than to receive.

Acts 28: 30.  And Paul dwelt two whole years in his own hired house, and received all that came in unto him,  (apparently Paul wasn’t supplied a parsonage, which many today think they somehow deserve)

Another popular verse to support the tithe…

Gal.6: 6.  Let him that is taught in the word communicate unto him that teacheth in all good things.

 (They teach this means to pay tithes)

Communicate:Strong's Exhaustive Concordance

Romanized  koinoneo

Pronounced koy-no-neh'-o from GSN2844; to share with others (objectively or subjectively): KJV--communicate, distribute, be partaker.   No mention of money or tithes or any amount. 

Philippians 4: 14.  Notwithstanding ye have well done, that ye did communicate with my affliction.

 15.  Now ye Philippians know also, that in the beginning of the gospel, when I departed from Macedonia, no church communicated with me as concerning giving and receiving, but ye only.  (Did that mean that Paul taught them to tithe and they rebelled?  It gives no indication of that rendering.  It does seem to indicate a purely voluntary giving.)

And finally,…

1 Timothy 5: 17.  Let the elders that rule well be counted worthy of double honour, especially they who labour in the word and doctrine.

 18.  For the scripture saith, Thou shalt not muzzle the ox that treadeth out the corn. And, The labourer is worthy of his reward.  (No mention of tithes or a requirement to financially support the ministry.)

I believe if you love the Lord, love the truth, and love the ministry you will most likely be moved with a desire to support the efforts of the gospel.  I do not believe that believing this makes it acceptable criteria for teaching what the NT does not teach, that the tithe is a requirement for membership in the body, or any body of believers.  I don't believe it is a legitimate prohibition against voting as a member in good standing.  Having the baptism of the holy spirit is the only requirement for being in "good standing".  

1 Cor.12: 13.  For by one Spirit are we all baptized into one body, whether we be Jews or Gentiles, whether we be bond or free; and have been all made to drink into one Spirit.

Vatican link to St Peter challenged by TV study - Europe, World News - Independent.ie

1 Corinthians 9-Paul writes,
1. Am I not an apostle? am I not free? have I not seen Jesus Christ our Lord? are not ye my work in the Lord? 2. If I be not an apostle unto others, yet doubtless I am to you: for the seal of mine apostleship are ye in the Lord. 3. Mine answer to them that do examine me is this, 4. Have we not power to eat and to drink? 5. Have we not power to lead about a sister, a wife, as well as other apostles, and as the brethren of the Lord, and Cephas? [Peter was married!]


Have the Roman Catholics lost this chapter of Galatians?
Galatians 2- Paul writes further...
1. Then fourteen years after I went up again to Jerusalem with Barnabas, and took Titus with me also. 2. And I went up by revelation, and communicated unto them that gospel which I preach among the Gentiles, but privately to them which were of reputation, lest by any means I should run, or had run, in vain. 3. But neither Titus, who was with me, being a Greek, was compelled to be circumcised: 4. And that because of false brethren unawares brought in, who came in privily to spy out our liberty which we have in Christ Jesus, that they might bring us into bondage: 5. To whom we gave place by subjection, no, not for an hour; that the truth of the gospel might continue with you.
6. But of these who seemed to be somewhat, (whatsoever they were, it maketh no matter to me: God accepteth no man's person:) for they who seemed to be somewhat in conference added nothing to me: [ here PAUL IS TAKING ABOUT PETER NOT BEING ALL THAT SUPERIOR TO PAUL] 7. But contrariwise, when they saw that the gospel of the uncircumcision was committed unto me, [PAUL WAS THE APOSTLE TO THE GENTILES, INCLUDING ROME] as the gospel of the circumcision was unto Peter;[PETER WAS THE APOSTLE TO THE JEWS, NOT ROME]
8. (For he that wrought effectually in Peter to the apostleship of the circumcision, the same was mighty in me toward the Gentiles:) 9. And when James, Cephas, and John, who seemed to be pillars, perceived the grace that was given unto me, they gave to me and Barnabas the right hands of fellowship; that we should go unto the heathen, and they unto the circumcision. 10. Only they would that we should remember the poor; the same which I also was forward to do.
11. But when Peter was come to Antioch, I withstood him to the face, because he was to be blamed. [PAUL WAS NOT UNDER PETERS AUTHORITY, BUT BOTH WERE UNDER THE AUTHORITY OF JESUS-EQUALLY]12. For before that certain came from James, he did eat with the Gentiles: but when they were come, he withdrew and separated himself, fearing them which were of the circumcision. 13. And the other Jews dissembled likewise with him; insomuch that Barnabas also was carried away with their dissimulation. 14. But when I saw that they walked not uprightly according to the truth of the gospel, I said unto Peter before them all, If thou, being a Jew, livest after the manner of Gentiles, and not as do the Jews, why compellest thou the Gentiles to live as do the Jews?
15. We who are Jews by nature, and not sinners of the Gentiles, 16. Knowing that a man is not justified by the works of the law, but by the faith of Jesus Christ, even we have believed in Jesus Christ, that we might be justified by the faith of Christ, and not by the works of the law: for by the works of the law shall no flesh be justified. 17. But if, while we seek to be justified by Christ, we ourselves also are found sinners, is therefore Christ the minister of sin? God forbid. 18. For if I build again the things which I destroyed, I make myself a transgressor. 19. For I through the law am dead to the law, that I might live unto God. 20. I am crucified with Christ: nevertheless I live; yet not I, but Christ liveth in me: and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by the faith of the Son of God, who loved me, and gave himself for me. 21. I do not frustrate the grace of God: for if righteousness come by the law, then Christ is dead in vain.

The above supports the article linked below. The Roman Catholic Church's argument against the linked argument is due to lack of knowledge of the word of God. Those who believe the Catholic church suffer from an ignorance of the word of God.
Vatican link to St Peter challenged by TV study - Europe, World News - Independent.ie

Born Again?

Born Again…
The Whole Package.

Ye must be born again…
John 3:
1. There was a man of the Pharisees, named Nicodemus, a ruler of the Jews:
2. The same came to Jesus by night, and said unto him, Rabbi, we know that thou art a teacher come from God: for no man can do these miracles that thou doest, except God be with him.
3. Jesus answered and said unto him, Verily, verily, I say unto thee, Except a man be born again, he cannot see the kingdom of God.
4. Nicodemus saith unto him, How can a man be born when he is old? can he enter the second time into his mother's womb, and be born?
5. Jesus answered, Verily, verily, I say unto thee, Except a man be born of water and of the Spirit, he cannot enter into the kingdom of God.
6. That which is born of the flesh is flesh; and that which is born of the Spirit is spirit.
7. Marvel not that I said unto thee, Ye must be born again.

The popular plan of salvation, commonly called “the Roman Road to Salvation,” all from the book of Romans, is as follows…

3: 23. For all have sinned, and come short of the glory of God;

5: 8. But God commendeth his love toward us, in that, while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us.

6: 23. For the wages of sin is death; but the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord.

10: 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.
13. For whosoever shall call upon the name of the Lord shall be saved.

But is that the teaching the original church followed as the New Testament plan of salvation?
Colossians 2:
8. Beware lest any man spoil you through philosophy and vain deceit, after the tradition of men, after the rudiments of the world, and not after Christ.
9. For in him dwelleth all the fulness of the Godhead bodily.


The book of Romans was penned about 60 A.D. according to many authorities. That’s almost 30 years after the Day of Pentecost. Does the Bible give us the doctrine used to establish new church communities before 60 A.D.? Unequivocally, yes!
But first...

The Gospel-Death, Burial, & Resurrection of Jesus
1 Corinthians 15:1-4- defines what it is…

1. Moreover, brethren, I declare unto you the gospel which I preached unto you, which also ye have received, and wherein ye stand;
2. By which also ye are saved, if ye keep in memory what I preached unto you, unless ye have believed in vain.
3. For I delivered unto you first of all that which I also received, how that Christ died for our sins according to the scriptures;
4. And that he was buried, and that he rose again the third day according to the scriptures:

2 Thessalonians 1:7-10 warn against not obeying…

7. And to you who are troubled rest with us, when the Lord Jesus shall be revealed from heaven with his mighty angels,
8. In flaming fire taking vengeance on them that know not God, and that obey not the gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ:
9. Who shall be punished with everlasting destruction from the presence of the Lord, and from the glory of his power;
10. When he shall come to be glorified in his saints, and to be admired in all them that believe (because our testimony among you was believed) in that day.

What message did the apostles preach to establish the new church?

On the Day of Pentecost, Peter preached two messages, first the gospel of the death, burial and resurrection…
Acts 2: 22. Ye men of Israel, hear these words; Jesus of Nazareth, a man approved of God among you by miracles and wonders and signs, which God did by him in the midst of you, as ye yourselves also know:
23. Him, being delivered by the determinate counsel and foreknowledge of God, ye have taken, and by wicked hands have crucified and slain:
24. Whom God hath raised up, having loosed the pains of death: because it was not possible that he should be holden of it.
25. For David speaketh concerning him, I foresaw the Lord always before my face, for he is on my right hand, that I should not be moved:
26. Therefore did my heart rejoice, and my tongue was glad; moreover also my flesh shall rest in hope:
27. Because thou wilt not leave my soul in hell, neither wilt thou suffer thine Holy One to see corruption.
28. Thou hast made known to me the ways of life; thou shalt make me full of joy with thy countenance.
29. Men and brethren, let me freely speak unto you of the patriarch David, that he is both dead and buried, and his sepulchre is with us unto this day.
30. Therefore being a prophet, and knowing that God had sworn with an oath to him, that of the fruit of his loins, according to the flesh, he would raise up Christ to sit on his throne;
31. He seeing this before spake of the resurrection of Christ, that his soul was not left in hell, neither his flesh did see corruption.
32. This Jesus hath God raised up, whereof we all are witnesses.
33. Therefore being by the right hand of God exalted, and having received of the Father the Promise of the Holy Ghost, he hath shed forth this, which ye now see and hear.

Secondly Peter preached the obedience to the gospel when asked how the hearers should respond to the message…
37. Now when they heard this, they were pricked in their heart, and said unto Peter and to the rest of the apostles, Men and brethren, what shall we do?
38. Then Peter said unto them, Repent, and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins, and ye shall receive the gift of the Holy Ghost.39. For the promise is unto you, and to your children, and to all that are afar off, even as many as the Lord our God shall call.
40. And with many other words did he testify and exhort, saying, Save yourselves from this untoward generation.
41. Then they that gladly received his word were baptized: and the same day there were added unto them about three thousand souls.
42. And they continued stedfastly in the apostles' doctrine and fellowship, and in breaking of bread, and in prayers.

Was that just for the Day of Pentecost, or is that same message repeated in the establishment of other churches?

Acts 8:
12. But when they believed Philip preaching the things concerning the kingdom of God, and the name of Jesus Christ, they were baptized, both men and women.
13. Then Simon himself believed also: and when he was baptized, he continued with Philip, and wondered, beholding the miracles and signs which were done.
14. Now when the apostles which were at Jerusalem heard that Samaria had received the word of God, they sent unto them Peter and John:
15. Who, when they were come down, prayed for them, that they might receive the Holy Ghost:
16. (For as yet he was fallen upon none of them: only they were baptized in the name of the Lord Jesus.)17. Then laid they their hands on them, and they received the Holy Ghost.

Note: they were believers, baptized in Jesus name, but had NOT received the baptism of the Holy Ghost Until the apostles laid hands on them
Acts 10:
39. And we are witnesses of all things which he did both in the land of the Jews, and in Jerusalem; whom they slew and hanged on a tree:
40. Him God raised up the third day, and shewed him openly;
41. Not to all the people, but unto witnesses chosen before of God, even to us, who did eat and drink with him after he rose from the dead.
42. And he commanded us to preach unto the people, and to testify that it is he which was ordained of God to be the Judge of quick and dead.
43. To him give all the prophets witness, that through his name whosoever believeth in him shall receive remission of sins.
44. While Peter yet spake these words, the Holy Ghost fell on all them which heard the word.
45. And they of the circumcision which believed were astonished, as many as came with Peter, because that on the Gentiles also was poured out the gift of the Holy Ghost.
46. For they heard them speak with tongues, and magnify God. Then answered Peter,
47. Can any man forbid water, that these should not be baptized, which have received the Holy Ghost as well as we?
48. And he commanded them to be baptized in the name of the Lord. Then prayed they him to tarry certain days.

Acts 19:
1. And it came to pass, that, while Apollos was at Corinth, Paul having passed through the upper coasts came to Ephesus: and finding certain disciples,
2. He said unto them, Have ye received the Holy Ghost since ye believed? And they said unto him, We have not so much as heard whether there be any Holy Ghost.
3. And he said unto them, Unto what then were ye baptized? And they said, Unto John's baptism.
4. Then said Paul, John verily baptized with the baptism of repentance, saying unto the people, that they should believe on him which should come after him, that is, on Christ Jesus.
5. When they heard this, they were baptized in the name of the Lord Jesus.
6. And when Paul had laid his hands upon them, the Holy Ghost came on them; and they spake with tongues, and prophesied.
It becomes apparent that the message used to establish the New Testament church was not the Roman Road as usually used, but rather was Acts 2:38- repentance, baptism in Jesus name, and receiving the baptism of the Holy Ghost. It also becomes apparent that the way one was known to have received the baptism of the holy ghost was that they spoke in tongues. Re-read the above passages! Has the New Testament plan of salvation been changed? Or has mans understanding shifted through the years? Is it important to be accurate on these things? Many seem to think that it no longer matters.

1 Timothy 4:16. Take heed unto thyself, and unto the doctrine; continue in them: for in doing this thou shalt both save thyself, and them that hear thee.

2 Timothy 3:14. But continue thou in the things which thou hast learned and hast been assured of, knowing of whom thou hast learned them; 15. And that from a child thou hast known the holy scriptures, which are able to make thee wise unto salvation through faith which is in Christ Jesus. 16. All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness: 17. That the man of God may be perfect, throughly furnished unto all good works.

Acts 2:41. Then they that gladly received his word were baptized: and the same day there were added unto them about three thousand souls. 42. And they continued stedfastly in the apostles' doctrine and fellowship, and in breaking of bread, and in prayers.

The rise of Roman Catholicism almost crushed the original Church, and brought about the dark ages. The reformation came about because monks and priests started to read the word of God, and believe it. Martin Luther nailed his 95 thesis's on the door of Wittenberg College, setting off a chain reaction that changed the world. Unfortunately, those who found the courage to leave the church of Rome took Roman doctrine with them, including sprinkling for baptism, infant baptism, the doctrine of the trinity (which didn't officially exist until after 325 AD), and other foolishness.

The original is still the ordained message of deliverance. We are to walk in the light as we have the light, lest the light that we have is turned into darkness. Acts 2:38 was the original message of New Testament salvation, and should still be our message to believers today. To ignore this for the supposed sake of unity is to deny the One who authored it. Do you want to trust your salvation to erroneous doctrines, holdovers from the Great Whore, Mystery Babylon, or the word of God that the original church followed. As for me and my house, we will follow the Lord!