New Birth

Repentance Is Death To Self

~ Pat Vick ~ Leave a comment


Have you ever done something that you knew was wrong, and been sorry while you were doing it, knowing you would do it again? Me too. That isn’t repentance. True repentance (the kind God will forgive your sins over) is not just being sorry, but turning away from sin. True repentance stops the offending action.

WHY ISN’T BEING SORRY GOOD ENOUGH?

We must empty ourselves of our SELF, and give ourselves over to God’s SELF.

[bctt tweet=”“We must empty ourselves of SELF, and give ourselves over to God’s SELF. This is true repentance.” ” username=”patvickdotcom”]

If I’m still living for I and ME, even if I’m sorry for it, then I haven’t repented. I must die to self. That means that no matter how much I enjoy or want something, I have to give that over to the will of God.

As Christians, we throw around the phrase, “Be Born Again” quite often. The Apostle Peter, who Jesus gave the Keys to the Kingdom, explained this process:

”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.” (Acts 2:38)

We can only be Born Again if we have died. Not physically, but spiritually. We must die to our own will and desires, putting God’s Will above our own.

WHAT DOES DEATH TO SELF LOOK LIKE?

When it comes time for a caterpillar to transition to its next phase of life, it will weave a cocoon. There’s nothing appealing or attractive about this cozy little spot. It’s purely functional. While wrapped tightly inside it’s self-spun coffin, an amazing metamorphosis takes place at its cellular level. The caterpillar doesn’t just put on a butterfly costume, it BECOMES a butterfly. It is changed.

[bctt tweet=”“The caterpillar doesn’t just put on a butterfly costume. It becomes a butterfly. It is CHANGED. This is true repentance.”” username=”patvickdotcom”]

Before its change, the caterpillar was probably quite happy and content doing caterpillar things. Crawling, chomping green leaves and basking on branches in the warm sunshine. What would make it want to end all that and die to self? Because God has put something deep inside of that little creature that longs for more. It doesn’t even know what that more looks like, but it instinctively seeks it out, and does whatever is necessary to achieve it.

NEW BIRTH IS NEW LIFE

When the butterfly comes out of its place of death, it is reborn with silken wings of splendor. She cautiously stretches them out to their fullest expanse. What are these lovely appendages for? It begins to press them ever so gently up, down, in, out…There…Did you feel that? Lift! That never happened while she was in her caterpillar body. Something…or Someone…is calling her out to the edge of the limb and even further. Should she? Dare she? She must see what’s beyond where she’s been before. She takes a breath and steps out past the solid branch, trusting her new wings to carry her…and they do.

She looks down from her new vantage point as she soars high above all the other caterpillars that haven’t spun their cocoons yet. They think they are living, but she knows differently. She can FLY, and it was only made possible by dying to SELF.

AN INVITATION

You may be thinking that your life is awesome, and you don’t want anything to change. Trust me…You do. Because what God has in store for you is so much more amazing than what you have ever experienced. Like the caterpillar living its best life can’t fathom what it means to have wings, you can’t fathom what a life given completely over to God will look and feel like.

HOW DO I GET FROM HERE TO THERE?

That’s the tricky part because no one can do it for you. Just as the caterpillar must weave its own place of dying, you must take whatever action is necessary to die to self. You alone know what is in your heart. You alone know what you need to turn away from. You alone know what you need to ask forgiveness for.

Start with one strand. Think of everything you can that you have done against Gods’ Word and Will. Ask Him to forgive you for it. Think of everything that you plan to do that is against His Word and Will. Ask Him to forgive you for it. Commit to Him and yourself that no matter what, you will live for Him. That means His Will takes precedence in your life.

When you have woven enough strands of repentance tightly around your bare soul, the process of transition will begin. God will take your sincere repentance and change you from a caterpillar to a butterfly. You will be able to begin your new life from a fresh vantage point because it comes with WINGS.

“I came not to call the righteous, but sinners to repentance.” (Luke 5:32)

 

 

What’s The Big Deal About Being Born Again?

~ Pat Vick ~ Leave a comment

Here’s the situation: Jesus told Nicodemus, a ruler of the Jews, that unless a man is BORN AGAIN he cannot see the Kingdom of God. That makes it a pretty big deal.

“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.” (John 3:3)

At Nicodemus’ confusion concerning how he was expected to be born a second time from his mother’s womb, Jesus explained further that this New Birth would include WATER and SPIRIT, and that it was necessary to ENTER the Kingdom of God.

“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? 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.” (John 3:4-5)

HOW DO I KNOW IF I’M BORN AGAIN?

Good question! I’m glad you asked, because the answer is so very important. If you are truly born again, you will have experienced the WATER and SPIRIT being applied to your life that Jesus spoke of.

WHAT DOES THAT LOOK LIKE?

Again, another very good question. We must turn to the Word of God, the book of Acts in particular, to find the answer. We need to find out how Jesus’ apostles followed through with his instructions.

ACTS CHAPTER TWO

In Acts 2, one hundred and twenty of Jesus’ disciples were gathered in an upper room in Jerusalem, waiting for the wonderful gift that Jesus had promised them before he ascended into Heaven. After ten days of praying, they all received the Gift of the Holy SPIRIT, and began to speak in unknown languages/tongues.

When the crowds in the streets heard them speaking in tongues, they thought they were crazy, or even drunk. But Peter stood up and preached that this was actually the gift of the Holy SPIRIT that the disciples had received.

After the crowd listened to Peter preach about the life, death and resurrection of Jesus, they wanted to know how they could be saved. This is what Peter told them:

“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. 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.” (Acts 2:38-39)

Three thousand people believed Peter’s message, repented of their sins, were baptized in Jesus’ name, and were filled with the Holy Spirit that day.

ACTS CHAPTER EIGHT

In Acts 8, Philip preached Jesus to the Samaritans. They believed his preaching, and were baptized in Jesus’ name. They didn’t receive the Holy Spirit at this time, but it was so important that Philip called in reinforcements. He asked Peter and John to come and help him pray for the people. When they arrived, they laid their hands on the people who had been baptized in WATER in Jesus’ name, and then they received the Holy Ghost/SPIRIT.

“Now when the apostles which were at Jerusalem heard that Samaria had received the word of God, they sent unto them Peter and John: Who, when they were come down, prayed for them, that they might receive the Holy Ghost: (For as yet he was fallen upon none of them: only they were baptized in the name of the Lord Jesus.) Then laid they their hands on them, and they received the Holy Ghost.” (Acts 8:14-17)

ACTS CHAPTER TEN

Cornelius was a good man. Actually, he was a very good man. He loved God. He prayed. He gave money to the poor. He served God to the best of his ability, and with what knowledge he had. You would think that such a good man as Cornelius was would for sure be saved. I mean, that’s who Heaven is for, right? Good people?

Actually, the truth is that Heaven is for BORN AGAIN PEOPLE. We can never be good enough on our own to deserve a place in Heaven. Thankfully, God loved Cornelius so much that He went above and beyond to bring a preacher to him to tell him what he needed to do.

It’s a miraculous story full of visions and angelic visitations that you can read about in Acts 10. The point is that God. Add a way for Cornelius and his family to hear the TRUTH of their need to be BORN AGAIN of WATER and SPIRIT.

“While Peter yet spake these words, the Holy Ghost fell on all them which heard the word. 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. For they heard them speak with tongues, and magnify God. Then answered Peter, Can any man forbid water, that these should not be baptized, which have received the Holy Ghost as well as we? And he commanded them to be baptized in the name of the Lord…” (Acts 10:44-47)

ACTS CHAPTER NINETEEN

In Acts 19, the Apostle Paul ran across some Believers in Jesus. He asked them if they had received the Holy Ghost yet. (With no cellphones, word travelled rather slowly) They didn’t even know what the Holy Ghost was!!! Paul asked the most obvious next question. How were you baptized??? He k ew if they had been baptized in Jesus’ name, they should have also known about the Holy Ghost.

It turns out that they had been baptized by John the Baptist. This made perfect sense to Paul now. He explained to them that John only baptized u to repentance, but that John had told his followers to believe on Jesus when He showed up on the scene. Now, everyone was expected to be baptized in Jesus’ name to take away their sins.

THE PATTERN HAS BEEN SET
Maybe you have seen yourself in one of these groups of people.

  • Perhaps you know absolutely nothing about Jesus’ death, burial and resurrection to purchase your salvation.
  • Perhaps you’ve never heard that you need to be BORN AGAIN to go to Heaven.
  • Perhaps you have just assumed that when you accepted Jesus has your personal Savior, that automatically meant you were born again.
  • Perhaps you have been baptized using a different formula than in Jesus’ name.
  • Perhaps you know nothing about the Holy Ghost/Spirit.

I urge you to follow the steps that Jesus and His Apostles laid out so plainly. The pattern has been set. Have you been BORN AGAIN of the WATER (Baptism in Jesus’ name) and the SPIRIT (Infilling of the Holy Ghost/God’s Spirit, evidenced by speaking in tongues)?

Warm Regards, -Pat Vick PAT@PATVICK.COM 

 

 

 

 

When God’s Love Won’t Save You

~ Pat Vick ~ 4 Comments

As I scroll through my social media feeds, I see posts from well-meaning professors of Christianity. These posts are usually in the form of a poster or meme that has been circulated and shared over and over.

Statements such as TRUST GOD WITH YOUR PROBLEMS or IF YOU DON’T STAND FOR GOD, YOU’ll FALL FOR ANYTHING or GOD WILL COME THROUGH FOR YOU fill my newsfeed. There’s certainly nothing false about these declarations. I wonder, though, whether people who are scrolling through social media really take them to heart…Or, even more importantly, maybe they DO take them to heart, and use them to feel justified in continuing to live in sin while professing themselves to be Christians.

People who are living in sin don’t need to be rocked into spiritual slumber with CHRISTIAN CLICHES. They don’t need to feel comfortable in their sinful lifestyle. Allowing the sinner to believe they can continue in their sin, and just WAIT ON GOD to come and turn their life around for them will be to the destruction of their souls.

If you are living in sin, no amount of catchy, faith-building phrases will make you right with God. You must repent, and turn away from sin.

If you are a born-again Christian, the world doesn’t need you to make them feel safe and secure in their sin. The world needs a CHURCH who will PROCLAIM TRUTH to the point that sinners will:

  1. Be Convicted.
  2. Turn from their sin.
  3. Repent.
  4. Be baptized in Jesus’ name for the remission of sins.
  5. Receive the infilling of the Holy Ghost evidenced by speaking in tongues.
  6. Live a holy and sanctified life.

Born-again Christians need to listen to themselves through the ears of the world, and read their posts through the world’s eyes. We need to communicate Bible Truths in a way that brings CONVICTION, and offers HOPE…but NOT the latter WITHOUT the former.

In this time of “any way you like it,” our voices need to give CLEAR INSTRUCTION, and not mamby-pamby, feel good phrases that offer DECEPTION, and not DIRECTION. I want my life and witness to be more than a CHRISTIAN CLICHE.

GOD IS LOVE, but even His love won’t save a person who refuses to REPENT and OBEY the Word. His love will DRAW you, but YOU MUST RESPOND.

“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. 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. And with many other words did he testify and exhort, saying, Save yourselves from this untoward generation.” (Acts 2:38-40)

The Keys of the Kingdom

Video ~ ~ Pat Vick ~ 4 Comments
Peter was given the Keys of the Kingdom (plan of salvation) by Jesus in Matthew 16. He revealed what those keys were when he preached the first message of the New Testament Church in Acts 2.

When Did “Fundamental” Become A Bad Word?

~ Pat Vick ~ 2 Comments

I bought a dictionary in the fall of 1985 when I started my first and only year of college. I still have that dictionary today. I used it to look up the word “Fundamental.”

When did “Serving as an original or generating source, Primary, Basic, Of central importance” become a bad thing? I’ve always thought being authentic, rather than fake, was a good thing, and something to be sought after and pursued.

If you are a bike rider, you want to ride a bike that has all the BASIC parts: Tires, Frame, Seat, Peddles, Handlebars, brakes.

If you go to a pet store to buy a puppy, you don’t ask, “Do you have any in the back, maybe one with a broken leg and only one eye?” No…You want one with all the BASIC parts!

If you buy a house, you want it to have all the BASIC parts: Footer, Floor, Walls, Roof, Windows, Doors, Kitchen, Bathroom, Bedroom.

If you must have surgery, you want your doctor to have all the BASIC knowledge, education, internship and residency.

Why is it that when so many people look for a CHURCH, they don’t mind it being a mamby pamby, wishy washy, anything goes, double minded, anyway you want it, quickshod, inkblot, quicksand kind of assembly?

COME ON NOW!

Shouldn’t we expect THE CHURCH OF THE LIVING GOD to be comprised of the ORIGINAL, Bible-based, Non-negotiable, BASIC PARTS???

And shouldn’t we expect that when we hold churches accountable to those BASIC INDICATORS OF TRUTH, that we aren’t labeled “FUNDAMENTALISTS,” as though it meant the same thing as HERETIC or BLASPHEMER or ABOMINATION?

-If Fundamentalist means that I believe the Bible is the infallible Word of God, so be it.

-If Fundamentalist means that I take God at His Word, so be it.

-If Fundamentalist means that I stand on Deuteronomy 6:4, “Here O Israel, the Lord our God is one Lord” and NOT A TRINITY, so be it.

-If Fundamentalist means that I believe what Jesus told Nicodemus, Unless a man is born of water and Spirit, he cannot see the kingdom of God, So be it.

-If Fundamentalist means that I believe the basic plan of salvation that Peter preached on the Day of Pentecost in Acts chapter two is the New Birth that Jesus spoke of, so be it.

-If Fundamentalist means that I believe NO PERSON AFTER THE DAY OF PENTECOST will be saved and see the kingdom of God without being born again of the WATER (which is Jesus’ name baptism) and the SPIRIT (which is the baptism of the Holy Ghost with the evidence of speaking in other tongues as the Spirit gives utterance), SO. BE. IT.

-If Fundamentalist means I believe a Christian must live a sanctified life of HOLINESS, “without which no man shall see the Lord,” so be it.

People may look at me narrowly and say, “She’s one of those Fundamentalists. Basically, she thinks the Bible means just what it says, and God really expects us to repent, be baptized in Jesus’ name, receive the Holy Ghost, speak in tongues, dress, act, speak and live a certain way…and Oh, she doesn’t even believe in the trinity.

I’m sure those people will mean this description as an insult, but THANK YOU VERY MUCH, I will take it as a COMPLIMENT.

 

THE REMNANT: What Does An Old Scrap Of Cloth Have In Common With The True Church?

~ Pat Vick ~ 2 Comments

We have lived on our farm for the last ten years. We purchased it from a family who had lived on the land for decades. Through the years, as my husband and and sons have worked the ground, they have unearthed many treasures. Not of monetary value, but bits of history. A tool here. A toy there. A piece of metal from a trailer or a tractor. Evidence of past generations that have lived here. Worked here. Died here.

There is one thing that has surfaced time and again. On the acreage in front of where our house now sits, was once a thriving sawmill. Now it is a small lake that hosts a family of Canadian geese and one mallard duck. When the lake was being dug, again and again, we would find scraps of fabric. Not just any fabric. Not multiple kinds of fabric. But remnants of one specific garment.

Even now, every Summer, when one of the men till the ground between the house and the lake or run the bush hog over it, there it will be. Another Remnant.

It always stands out against its surroundings, with its odd pattern and color scheme. Patches of black, orange and pink, interspersed with a trickle of yellow circles. We’ve asked the previous owners if they remember what it might have been. A worker’s shirt? A ladies’ skirt or apron? A table cloth or bed sheet? No, they have no specific memory of it. It could have been anything, really.

But I can’t let it go. It wears on my mind. Why does it matter what it was all these years later? The only reason that I can give is because it keeps turning up. It matters because it was, and still is. The fact that it remains is proof that it is real and vital and true.

That old scrap of fabric reminds me of the Church. Real people who chose to follow Jesus. Real people who repented of their sins and were baptized in Jesus’ name. Real people that He poured His Holy Spirit into. Real people who spoke in tongues as the Spirit gave them utterance. Real people who separated themselves from sin and worldliness, choosing to live a holy and consecrated life to the Lord. Real people who gave all they had -time, money, talents, and even their lives. Real people who were persecuted and hunted and put on trial and killed. All the day long. Year after year. Generation after generation. Dark age to dark age.

The ungodly world would have you believe those people never existed. That what you predominately see today called “church” is what always was. No, my friend. Don’t you believe it. The bedazzled, self-centered, over indulged, superficial, drunk on entertainment, any way you like it thing that is heralded by so many in the name of our Savior isn’t the Church that Jesus built.

How do I know? How could I possibly know? Because every time the ground is stirred up, the evidence is brought to the surface. Another remnant. You can’t hide the Truth when another remnant rises to the top. Oh, it may not be pretty. A bit odd, really, with its awkward patches of patterns and colors. It may not look like the world, or act like the world, or talk like the world. That’s because it’s IN the world, but not OF the world.

You can keep going to that thing called church if you want to. You can blend in with everyone else, do like everyone else, and talk like everyone else. But in your heart, you know the Truth. There was a Church that was different, pure, holy. And the reason you know it, the way you can be sure, is that every so often, the ground is stirred, and another remnant turns up.

[bctt tweet=”CHURCH: Ekklesia (Called Out Ones, Set Apart)” username=”patvickdotcom”]

That co-worker that always wears skirts. That family member that never went to college, but prays in a language that you know she never learned. That teenager that refuses to be a part of the “fun” the rest of the crowd has going. The one that refuses to bend…and refuses to be ignored. For millennia there have been those like her, declaring their story. His Story.

They may have been torn asunder in the sawmill of persecution, yet they live. Just as righteous Abel’s blood cried out from the ground to his God, so does theirs witness of a True Church. Trust me when I tell you, the Remnant is alive and well.

“Even so then at this present time also there is a remnant according to the election of grace.” (Romans 11:5)

Warm Regards, -Pat

If you are dissatisfied with the church you attend because it doesn’t reflect the attributes of the Church that Jesus built, or if you are looking for a home Church, I invite you to check out the UNITED PENTECOSTAL CHURCH, INTERNATIONAL. It is one of several Church organizations that promotes true Apostolic Doctrine. (Including the Oneness of God, the New Birth Experience of Repentance, Baptism in Jesus’ Name & the Baptism of the Holy Ghost, as well as living a lifestyle of Holiness.

As always, feel free to leave a comment, share to social media, SUBSCRIBE TO MY NEWSLETTER, and email me PAT@PATVICK.COM.

REMIND ME AGAIN…What’s Keeping You From Being Baptized In Jesus’ Name?

~ Pat Vick ~ 3 Comments

It’s a sincere question that begs a sincere answer.

You say you love Jesus. You say you’re a Christian. I can tell by your conversation and by your works that you are true-hearted about your love and service to Him. You wear Jesus t-shirts. You have a Jesus charm on your bracelet. Your car sports a “What Would Jesus Do?” bumper sticker. And it’s a good thing you’re serious about Him, because you know how hard those things are to get off. You end your prayers with a heartfelt, “in Jesus’ name.”

So, remind me again…What’s keeping you from being baptized in Jesus’ name?

I’ve heard you talk about where He brought you from; that old life of sin that He delivered you out of. I’ve seen the shame seep into your eyes and down your cheeks when you remember the old you. I’ve also witnessed the thankful joy that chases it away when you share how He changed you. I believe you when you say you’ll never be able to repay His sacrifice that purchased your freedom, but you’ll never stop trying.

So, remind me again…What’s keeping you from being baptized in Jesus’ name?

I know you say that you have already been baptized. It was according to Matthew 28:19, right? Let’s take a look at that.

“Go ye therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost:” (Matthew 28:19)

I was baptized once using this formula, as well. Then I realized that Jesus was saying to do what He said, not just repeat what He said. I realized that the name of the Father, Son and Holy Ghost is Jesus. That explains why I didn’t feel clean when I came up out of the water, only wet.

Once I understood this, I was re-baptized. This time, the preacher said, “In the name of Jesus Christ” when he put me under the water. I can tell you it felt altogether different from the first time. I felt truly clean-not just wet.

So, remind me again…What’s keeping you from being baptized in Jesus’ name?

Would it make a difference to know that every account in scriptures where people were baptized, the name of Jesus was spoken over them?

“Now when the apostles which were at Jerusalem heard that Samaria had received the word of God, they sent unto them Peter and John: Who, when they were come down, prayed for them, that they might receive the Holy Ghost: (For as yet he was fallen upon none of them: only they are baptized in the name of the Lord Jesus.)” (Acts 8:14-16)

“Can any man forbid water, that these should not be baptized, which have received the Holy Ghost as well as we? And he commanded them to be baptized in the name of the Lord. Then prayed they him to tarry certain days.” (Acts 10:47-48)

“And he said unto them, Unto what then were ye baptized? And they said, Unto John’s baptism. then said Paul, John verily baptized with he baptism of repentance, saying unto the people, that they should believe on him which should come after him, that is, on Christ Jesus. When they heard this, they were baptized in the name of the Lord Jesus.”

So, remind me again…What’s keeping you from being baptized in Jesus’ name?

Would it make a difference to know that it is baptism in Jesus’ name that remits (removes) our sins?

“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.” (Acts 2:38)

[bctt tweet=”Remind me again…What’s keeping you from being baptized in Jesus’ name?” username=”patvickdotcom”]

I think you meant it when you said you would do anything to please Jesus. You would go anywhere He asked you to. You would give up anything He ask of you. In your heart and mind, no sacrifice was too much to give because of your great love for Him, and His for you.

Could that great sacrifice possibly be something so simple as allowing a Man of God to immerse you under water in baptism while pronouncing the name of your Savior, Redeemer, Lover of Your Soul, Great God, Jesus Christ, over you? I’m confused as to why you wouldn’t do such a small thing.

“Neither is there salvation in any other: for there is none other name under heaven given among men, whereby we must be saved.” (Acts 4:12) 

“And now why tarriest thou? arise, and be baptized, and wash away thy sins, calling on them name of the Lord.” (Acts 22:16)

“And whatsoever ye do in word or deed, do all in the name of the Lord Jesus…” (Colossians 3:17)

SO, REMIND ME AGAIN…

What’s keeping you from being baptized in Jesus’ name?

Warm Regards -Pat

INVITATION TO SHARE

-Do you have a memory of being baptized in Jesus’ name that you would like to share?

-Were you baptized another way before you were baptized in Jesus’ name? Could you feel a difference?

-Does your Church baptize in Jesus’ name only?

-Do you want to find a Church near you where you can be baptized in Jesus’ name? VISIT UPCI.ORG.

As always, feel free to leave a comment, share to social media, SUBSCRIBE TO MY NEWSLETTER, and email me: Pat@PATVICK.COM.

Baptism In Jesus’ Name

~ Pat Vick ~ Leave a comment

Photo by Tim Marshall on Unsplash

IS IT REALLY NECESSARY?

Isn’t salvation granted by faith? Absolutely. Baptism does not destroy faith; it fulfills it. If a person truly has faith in the Lord Jesus Christ, then he or she will follow through with His commandments. Is it possible that a person can be a true believer and yet ignore Jesus’ very words?

It was Jesus at the Great Commission of His disciples, just before He ascended into Heaven, who spoke these words, “He that believeth and is baptized shall be saved; but he that believeth not shall be damned.” (Mark 16:16) The obvious implication being that a person who truly believes, will be baptized and a person who doesn’t truly believe, will not be baptized. And that it makes a difference to his salvation.

Let’s also consider the words that Jesus spoke to Nicodemus in John 3. He told him that unless a man was born again, he couldn’t see the kingdom of God. At Nicodemus’ confusion, Jesus clarified his statement by saying, “…Except a man be born of water and of the Spirit, he cannot enter into the kingdom of God.” (John 3:5) From this passage of scripture we learn that the born again experience is essential to our salvation and that it involves two elements, water and Spirit.

Moving into the Acts of the Apostles, we hear a very important message from Peter. Remember, Jesus gave Peter the “keys of the kingdom” in Matthew 16 because of his revelation of Jesus’ true identity. If anyone other than Jesus Himself should be able to say what steps are necessary to salvation, it would be Peter.

The crowd that was gathered on the Day of Pentecost heard Peter preach about Jesus and were “pricked in their hearts,” wanting to know what they could do to right the enormous wrong they had done by taking part in Jesus’ crucifixion. Peter was full of Apostolic Authority when he stood up before the crowd that day and instructed them saying, “…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.” (Acts 2:38) He summed up his oration with the sobering words, “Save yourselves from this untoward generation. (Acts 2:40)

Peter also tells us in his first letter that just as humanity was saved by water in Noah’s day, so are we still saved by the water of baptism today. “…when once the longsuffering of God waited in the days of Noah, while the ark was a-preparing, wherein few, that is, eight souls were saved by water. The like figure whereunto even baptism doth also now save us…” (1 Peter 3:20-21)

Paul reminds us that when the Lord delivered the children of Israel from Egyptian bondage by the hand of Moses, every one of them had to pass through the water of the Red Sea. Turning back from this water crossing would mean either death or a return to slavery. There was only one way to the Promise Land, and it required two elements: to travel under the cloud and through the water.

“Moreover, brethren, I would not that ye should be ignorant, how that all our fathers were under the cloud, and all passed through the sea; And were all baptized unto Moses in the cloud and in the sea.” (1 Corinthians 10:1-2)

Both Noah’s family and the children of Israel were saved by God’s mercy, but that salvation was still dependent on their obedience to the process He established. It makes one wonder, why believers today want so desperately to avoid the water and the Spirit.

THE QUESTION OF WORKS

Many people avoid baptism, using as their excuse that baptism is not essential because we are not saved by our works.

When the Bible says we are not saved by works, it is speaking of good deeds, not baptism. Works of service are a natural extension of a Christian’s walk with the Lord and very much expected, but cannot be used as leverage to tip the scales in one’s favor for salvation.

Paul makes it very clear in Titus 3:5 by what process we are saved, “Not by works of righteousness which we have done, but according to his mercy he saved us, by the washing of regeneration, and renewing of the Holy Ghost.” (The original greek word for washing used here is “loutron,” Strong’s 3067, meaning to bathe or baptize). Baptism is not works; it is OBEDIENCE to the gospel.

[bctt tweet=”Baptism is not “WORKS”; it is OBEDIENCE to the gospel.”]

THE FORMULA FOR BAPTISM 

Jesus sets the stage for the formula of baptism when He commissions His disciples in Matthew 28:19, “Go ye therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost.”

Many ministers baptize by reciting these exact words over the person. But it is important to realize that Jesus was not telling His disciples to repeat what He said, but to do what he said. They understood fully that He was instructing them to speak the name of Jesus over those they baptized.

We know this is the case for two reasons:

First, we know that Jesus is the name of the Father, Son and Holy Ghost. The only way the disciples could have fulfilled Jesus’ instructions was to baptize using His name.

Second, we can look through both scriptural and historical accounts and find that when the disciples baptized, they used Jesus’ name. Not one time does scripture record that the early Church baptized reciting His titles. Either Jesus’ disciples understood Him to mean for them to speak His name when baptizing, or all baptisms in the early church were administered incorrectly.

NEW TESTAMENT ACCOUNTS OF BAPTISM 

“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…Then they that gladly received his word were baptized: and the same day there were added unto them about three thousand souls.” (Acts 2:38, 41)

“Who, when they were come down, prayed for them, that they might receive the Holy Ghost: (For as yet he was fallen upon none of them: only they were baptized in the name of the Lord Jesus.)” (Acts 8:15, 16)

“And he commanded them to be baptized in the name of the Lord.” (Acts 10:48)

“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. When they heard this, they were baptized in the name of the Lord Jesus.” (Acts 19:4-5)

“And now why tarriest thou? Arise, and be baptized, and wash away thy sins, calling on the name of the Lord.” (Acts 22:16)

WE ARE INNOCENT BY ASSOCIATION WITH JESUS’ NAME

“Know ye not, that so many of us as were baptized into Jesus Christ were baptized into his death? Therefore we are buried with him in baptism into death: that like as Christ was raised up from the dead by the glory of the Father, even so we also should walk in newness of life. For if we have been planted together in the likeness of his death, we shall also be in the likeness of his resurrection.” (Romans 6:3-5)

“For as many of you as have been baptized into Christ have put on Christ.” (Galatians 3:27)

THE NAME OF JESUS IS THE ONLY WAY TO SALVATION 

“Neither is there salvation in any other; for there is none other name under heaven given among men, whereby we must be saved.” (Acts 4:12)

“And whatsoever ye do in word or deed, do all in the name of the Lord Jesus…”(Colossians 3:17)

It was Jesus’ precious blood that was shed for us. It was Jesus who hung on the cross in agony until the work was done and He could say, “It is finished.” It is Jesus to whom we owe our lives and our allegiance. If we claim Christianity, why wouldn’t we want to take on the name of Jesus Christ in baptism?

PEOPLE DO ALL MANNER OF THINGS IN JESUS’ NAME…JUST NOT BAPTISM 

When I did a search for photos to use with this post, I used the phrase, “in Jesus’ name.” There were 25,471 photos that turned up in the search. I got weary of looking for even one of an actual baptism. There were images of people boating, biking, flying, climbing, taxi driving, sky diving, etc…There was even one really cool photo of a parrot, whose name I’m assuming is Jesus.

Apparently, people do all sorts of things in Jesus’ name…just not baptism. Don’t be one of those people.

We are associated with Jesus by baptism in His name!

Warm Regards, -Pat

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True Repentance

~ Pat Vick ~ Leave a comment

When he was a little boy, we were trying to teach our youngest son, Caleb, to say, “I’m sorry” when he did something wrong. This became a very eventful series of lessons because as he was trying to conquer this new level of manners, he would spontaneously go up to his older brother, Logan, punch him on whatever body part was most accessible, and then yell, “SORRY!”

Over and over this would happen because in Caleb’s mind, he was learning the correct usage of a new word. His parents, however, (and his big brother) wanted him to feel the word. We wanted him to feel the conviction, the remorse, the contrition and the humbleness that true repentance brings. We wanted him to actually be sorry, not to just say sorry. We also wanted him to stop doing the thing that he was continually having to be sorry for, and especially not to pre-meditate the act. Lots to learn here.

True Repentance Is The Death of Self.

In repentance, we associate ourselves with Jesus’ death. Jesus was God in flesh. We often focus on Him being God, but not so much on him being flesh. He was a man who felt desires, temptations, emotions and distractions, having to make the daily decision of whether to follow the leading of the Spirit of God that dwelled in him, or to cater to the flesh in which he was clothed.

It is no different for us today. Regardless of the trial, temptation, addiction or emotion, we must follow Jesus’ example in the Garden of Gethsemane. Matthew 26:39 says he, “fell on his face, and prayed, saying, O my Father, if it be possible, let this cup pass from me: nevertheless, not as I will, but as thou wilt.”

True Repentance Is Brokenness.

Pride cannot repent. Arrogance cannot be humble. If we desire God’s forgiveness, then we must allow His Spirit access to our hearts. We must allow ourselves to be broken in His Presence. Repentance is not a simple, “I’m sorry”. It is an honesty before God. It is an opening up and a purging out. It is an awareness of His Holiness and our smallness. It is seeing ourselves in the light of His Word. It is crying out like King David, “Search me, O God, and know my heart; Try me, and know my thoughts: And see if there be any wicked way in me, and lead me in the way everlasting.” (Psalm 139:23)

[bctt tweet=”Pride cannot repent. Arrogance cannot be humble.”]

True Repentance Is A Turning Away.

To continue to do a thing that you know is wrong, and ask God to forgive you, knowing that you will do that thing again if given the opportunity, is not true repentance. To pre-meditate on doing a thing, planning ahead of time to ask God to forgive you, is not true repentance. True repentance is a conscious decision to turn away from sin and live a life that is pleasing before God. After a person takes that initial step, a lifetime of commitment should follow. You might be wondering how it is possible to live from this point on without sinning. Jesus did, while living in a body just like yours. Hebrews 4:14 says He, “was in all points tempted like as we are, yet without sin.”

What if I slip up? What if I make a mistake? I have great news for you! Jesus, our wonderful Savior, is full of mercy and compassion. His greatest desire is to bring us into, and keep us in, a saving relationship with Him. The Apostle John says in 1 John 2:1, “My little children, these things I write unto you, that ye sin not. And if any man sin, we have an advocate with the Father, Jesus Christ the righteous.” We all make mistakes. Just remember that making a mistake is not the same as willful sin. God knows the very thoughts and intents of our hearts. Repentance should be a regular occurrence in our lives, not a one time thing. The Apostle Paul explained it best when he proclaimed in 1 Corinthians 15:31, “I die daily.”

True Repentance Is The Christian Way.

No matter who you are or what you have done, good or bad, a repentant heart is essential to your salvation. “And the times of this ignorance God winked at; but now commandeth all men every where to repent.” (Acts 17:30)

Let’s be honest with ourselves and God. “If we say that we have no sin, we deceive ourselves, and the truth is not in us.” (1 John 1:8) We have His assurance that, “If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.” (1 John 1:9)

No matter where you’ve been, where you are now, or where you want to go on your journey with Christ, repentance is the starting place to moving forward in that relationship.