Do You Know that Jesus of Nazareth
Was No Ordinary Man?
By Rev A. F. Varnell
(C) 1956
Jesus of Nazareth Was No Ordinary Man
Jesus was begotten by the Holy Ghost, and born of the Virgin Mary. Matt. 1:18-25 “Now the birth of Jesus Christ was on this wise: When as his mother Mary was espoused to Joseph, before they came together, she was found with child of the Holy Ghost. Then Joseph her husband, being a just man, and not willing to make her a public example, was minded to put her away privily. But while he thought on these things, behold, the angel of the Lord appeared unto him in a dream, saying, Joseph, thou son of David, fear not to take unto thee Mary thy wife: for that which is conceived in her is of the Holy Ghost. And she shall bring forth a son, and thou shalt call his name JESUS: for he shall save his people from their sins. Now all this was done, that it might be fulfilled which was spoken of the Lord by the prophet, saying, Behold, a virgin shall be with child, and shall bring forth a son, and they shall call his name Emmanuel, which being interpreted is, God with us. Then Joseph being raised from sleep did as the angel of the Lord had bidden him, and took unto him his wife: And knew her not till she had brought forth her firstborn son: and he called his name JESUS.”
Luke l:30-35 “And the angel said unto her, Fear not, Mary: for thou hast found favour with God. And, behold, thou shalt conceive in thy womb, and bring forth a son, and shalt call his name JESUS. He shall be great, and shall be called the Son of the Highest: and the Lord God shall give unto him the throne of his father David: And he shall reign over the house of Jacob for ever; and of his kingdom there shall be no end. Then said Mary unto the angel, How shall this be, seeing I know not a man? And the angel answered and said unto her, The Holy Ghost shall come upon thee, and the power of the Highest shall overshadow thee: therefore also that holy thing which shall be born of thee shall be called the Son of God.” Jesus did not have an earthly Father.
He Was Born Without the Sin of Nature
He had a body like Adam before the fall. I Pet. 2:21-24 “For even hereunto were ye called: because Christ also suffered for us, leaving us an example, that ye should follow his steps: Who did no sin, neither was guile found in his mouth: Who, when he was reviled, reviled not again; when he suffered, he threatened not; but committed himself to him that judgeth righteously: Who his own self bare our sins in his own body on the tree, that we, being dead to sins, should live unto righteousness: by whose stripes ye were healed.”) He never missed the mark or made a mistake. His life was spotless and clean. He is well able to redeem sinners.
He Was God Manifest in the Flesh
His life and works proved Him to be God manifest in the flesh. Isa. 9:6 “For unto us a child is born, unto us a son is given: and the government shall be upon his shoulder: and his name shall be called Wonderful, Counsellor, The mighty God, The everlasting Father, The Prince of Peace.” John 14:7-11 “If ye had known me, ye should have known my Father also: and from henceforth ye know him, and have seen him. Philip saith unto him, Lord, show us the Father, and it sufficeth us. Jesus saith unto him, Have I been so long time with you, and yet hast thou not known me, Philip? he that hath seen me hath seen the Father; and how sayest thou then, Show us the Father? Believest thou not that I am in the Father, and the Father in me? the words that I speak unto you I speak not of myself: but the Father that dwelleth in me, he doeth the works. Believe me that I am in the Father, and the Father in me: or else believe me for the very works' sake.” I Tim. 3:16 “And without controversy great is the mystery of godliness: God was manifest in the flesh, justified in the Spirit, seen of angels, preached unto the Gentiles, believed on in the world, received up into glory.” II Cor. 5:19 “To wit, that God was in Christ, reconciling the world unto himself, not imputing their trespasses unto them; and hath committed unto us the word of reconciliation.” He was a union of God and man. John 10:30 “I and my Father are one.” That makes Him the God-Man.
His Sacrificial Death
Jesus was crucified by the Gentiles at the request of the Jews. The Romans charged Him with treason, the Jews charged Him with blasphemy, John 10:30-33 “I and my Father are one. Then the Jews took up stones again to stone him. Jesus answered them, Many good works have I showed you from my Father; for which of those works do ye stone me? The Jews answered him, saying, For a good work we stone thee not; but for blasphemy; and because that thou, being a man, makest thyself God.)”, but He was actually God's Lamb shedding His blood for the sins of the whole world. Isa. 53:4-10 “Surely he hath borne our griefs, and carried our sorrows: yet we did esteem him stricken, smitten of God, and afflicted. But he was wounded for our transgressions, he was bruised for our iniquities: the chastisement of our peace was upon him; and with his stripes we are healed. All we like sheep have gone astray; we have turned every one to his own way; and the LORD hath laid on him the iniquity of us all. He was oppressed, and he was afflicted, yet he opened not his mouth: he is brought as a lamb to the slaughter, and as a sheep before her shearers is dumb, so he openeth not his mouth. He was taken from prison and from judgment: and who shall declare his generation? for he was cut off out of the land of the living: for the transgression of my people was he stricken. And he made his grave with the wicked, and with the rich in his death; because he had done no violence, neither was any deceit in his mouth. Yet it pleased the LORD to bruise him; he hath put him to grief: when thou shalt make his soul an offering for sin, he shall see his seed, he shall prolong his days, and the pleasure of the LORD shall prosper in his hand.” John1:29 “The next day John seeth Jesus coming unto him, and saith, Behold the Lamb of God, which taketh away the sin of the world.” I John 2:2 “And he is the propitiation for our sins: and not for ours only, but also for the sins of the whole world.” Jesus died in our stead, and became the head of a new creation. Therefore if any man be in Christ he is a new creature (or creation). II Cor 5:17.
His Burial and Resurrection
He was buried in the tomb and raised from the dead the third day. Luke 23:50-55 “And, behold, there was a man named Joseph, a counsellor; and he was a good man, and a just: (The same had not consented to the counsel and deed of them;) he was of Arimathaea, a city of the Jews: who also himself waited for the kingdom of God. This man went unto Pilate, and begged the body of Jesus. And he took it down, and wrapped it in linen, and laid it in a sepulchre that was hewn in stone, wherein never man before was laid. And that day was the preparation, and the sabbath drew on. And the women also, which came with him from Galilee, followed after, and beheld the sepulchre, and how his body was laid.” Matt. 16:21 “From that time forth began Jesus to show unto his disciples, how that he must go unto Jerusalem, and suffer many things of the elders and chief priests and scribes, and be killed, and be raised again the third day.” Luke 24:6, 7 “He is not here, but is risen: remember how he spake unto you when he was yet in Galilee, Saying, The Son of man must be delivered into the hands of sinful men, and be crucified, and the third day rise again.” The final proof that Jesus was the Son of God was His resurrection from the dead. Rom. 1:1-4 “Paul, a servant of Jesus Christ, called to be an apostle, separated unto the gospel of God, (Which he had promised afore by his prophets in the holy scriptures,) Concerning his Son Jesus Christ our Lord, which was made of the seed of David according to the flesh; And declared to be the Son of God with power, according to the spirit of holiness, by the resurrection from the dead:” Now it should be easy for everyone to believe on Jesus as God’s Son.
His Death, Burial and Resurrection
The death, burial and resurrection of Jesus is the Gospel. I 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 again the third day according to the scriptures:”) Through His death, burial and resurrection He opened up a new and living way. John 14:6 “Jesus saith unto him, I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by me.” Heb. 10:19, 20 “Having therefore, brethren, boldness to enter into the holiest by the blood of Jesus, By a new and living way, which he hath consecrated for us, through the veil, that is to say, his flesh;” By His death and resurrection he became the door of the sheepfold. (The Church). John 10:1-9 “Verily, verily, I say unto you, He that entereth not by the door into the sheepfold, but climbeth up some other way, the same is a thief and a robber. But he that entereth in by the door is the shepherd of the sheep. To him the porter openeth; and the sheep hear his voice: and he calleth his own sheep by name, and leadeth them out. And when he putteth forth his own sheep, he goeth before them, and the sheep follow him: for they know his voice. And a stranger will they not follow, but will flee from him: for they know not the voice of strangers. This parable spake Jesus unto them: but they understood not what things they were which he spake unto them. Then said Jesus unto them again, Verily, verily, I say unto you, I am the door of the sheep. All that ever came before me are thieves and robbers: but the sheep did not hear them. I am the door: by me if any man enter in, he shall be saved, and shall go in and out, and find pasture.” The death, burial, and resurrection of Jesus is the hub of the Bible. The Old Testament points forward to it, and the New Testament points back to it.
The Gospel
Jesus said to preach the gospel to every creature. (All mankind) Mark 16:15 “And he said unto them, Go ye into all the world, and preach the gospel to every creature.” Paul said the gospel is Christ died, Christ was buried, and Christ arose. I Cor.15:1-4. Peter asked this question in I Pet. 4:17. “What shall the end be of them that obey not the gospel?" Paul answers that question in II Thes. 1:6-9, saying, "The Lord Jesus shall be revealed from heaven taking vengeance on them that obey not the gospel." If the Lord Jesus is going to take vengeance on them that obey not the gospel, then the vital question is how do we obey the gospel? It is a fact that Jesus said, preach the gospel to all mankind, it is also a fact that we must obey the gospel. The question then would be, what is the gospel and how do we obey it? Paul answers the first question in I Cor. 15:1-4. Peter answers the second question in Acts 2:38 “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.” OBEYING THE GOSPEL means to go through the door into the church, John 10:9 “I am the door: by me if any man enter in, he shall be saved, and shall go in and out, and find pasture.”, by being identified with Jesus in His death, burial and resurrection. Rom. 6:17, 18 “But God be thanked, that ye were the servants of sin, but ye have obeyed from the heart that form of doctrine which was delivered you. Being then made free from sin, ye became the servants of righteousness.”
The great question on the day of pentecost was, men and brethern what shall we do? 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?” Peter's answer was “REPENT AND BE BAPTISED, 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.
Identification with Jesus In His Death, Burial, and Resurrection
Because Jesus died we must die, because He was buried we must be buried, and because He arose from the dead we must rise. We must go through the door, and there is only one door for both Jew and Gentile. Eph. 2:14-18 “For he is our peace, who hath made both one, and hath broken down the middle wall of partition between us; Having abolished in his flesh the enmity, even the law of commandments contained in ordinances; for to make in himself of twain one new man, so making peace; And that he might reconcile both unto God in one body by the cross, having slain the enmity thereby: And came and preached peace to you which were afar off, and to them that were nigh. For through him we both have access by one Spirit unto the Father.”
We cannot die on a literal cross, therefore the Lord has substituted repentance for our death. Since we cannot be buried in a literal tomb, He has substituted water for our burial. Rom. 6:4 “Therefore we are buried with him by 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.” We do not have a literal resurrection so the Lord has substituted resurrection life (Holy Ghost) for our resurrection. Col.3:1 “If ye then be risen with Christ, seek those things which are above, where Christ sitteth on the right hand of God.” Being thus identified with Him in His death, burial, and resurrection we are in God's church, and have a new life. Now we really have something to live for.
Obey the Gospel
Don't try to get into God's church without obeying the gospel.
Jesus said "he that climbeth up some other way is a thief and a robber." John 10:1. He also said, "Except a man be born of water and Spirit he cannot enter into the kingdom of God." John 3:5. Jesus said again, "He that believeth and is baptized shall be saved." Mark 16:16. It is better to be safe than sorry, so be sure and obey the gospel.
Be Baptised In Jesus' Name
No matter how many times you have been baptized, when you see the light, you should be baptized in Jesus' name. Read Acts 19:1-5 “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, 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. 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 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.” These disciples were all rebaptized in Jesus' name.
Jesus Is God's Proper Name
When God's name is pronounced in the Hebrew language, it is JEHOVAH, but when Jehovah is translated into the English language it is Jesus. God highly exalted His Son by giving Him His own name. Phil.2:9-11 “Wherefore God also hath highly exalted him, and given him a name which is above every name: That at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, of things in heaven, and things in earth, and things under the earth; And that every tongue should confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.” John 5:43 “I am come in my Father's name, and ye receive me not: if another shall come in his own name, him ye will receive.” Therefore the name JESUS is that great name of the Father, Son, and Holy Ghost. Compare Matt. 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:” with Acts 2:38 “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.” and Phil. 2:9-11 “Wherefore God also hath highly exalted him, and given him a name which is above every name: That at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, of things in heaven, and things in earth, and things under the earth; And that every tongue should confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.” Also John 5:43 “I am come in my Father's name, and ye receive me not: if another shall come in his own name, him ye will receive.”
The Out-standing Things
These are the out-standing things one should know about Jesus in order to believe on Him intelligently. Acts. l6:25-34 “And at midnight Paul and Silas prayed, and sang praises unto God: and the prisoners heard them. And suddenly there was a great earthquake, so that the foundations of the prison were shaken: and immediately all the doors were opened, and every one's bands were loosed. And the keeper of the prison awaking out of his sleep, and seeing the prison doors open, he drew out his sword, and would have killed himself, supposing that the prisoners had been fled. But Paul cried with a loud voice, saying, Do thyself no harm: for we are all here. Then he called for a light, and sprang in, and came trembling, and fell down before Paul and Silas, And brought them out, and said, Sirs, what must I do to be saved? And they said, Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ, and thou shalt be saved, and thy house. And they spake unto him the word of the Lord, and to all that were in his house. And he took them the same hour of the night, and washed their stripes; and was baptized, he and all his, straightway. And when he had brought them into his house, he set meat before them, and rejoiced, believing in God with all his house.” God has a great plan of SALVATION--be sure you don't miss it.
Could You Honestly Sign this Pledge
After reading all these Scriptures on God's great plan of SALVATION, I confess that I believe it with all my heart. And because I believe, I accept Jesus as my own personal Saviour and Lord. And I will obey the gospel revealed in these Scriptures, and summed up in Acts 2:38. I also will go to church where I can worship God in the Spirit and receive food for my soul.
(C) 1956
Jesus of Nazareth Was No Ordinary Man
Jesus was begotten by the Holy Ghost, and born of the Virgin Mary. Matt. 1:18-25 “Now the birth of Jesus Christ was on this wise: When as his mother Mary was espoused to Joseph, before they came together, she was found with child of the Holy Ghost. Then Joseph her husband, being a just man, and not willing to make her a public example, was minded to put her away privily. But while he thought on these things, behold, the angel of the Lord appeared unto him in a dream, saying, Joseph, thou son of David, fear not to take unto thee Mary thy wife: for that which is conceived in her is of the Holy Ghost. And she shall bring forth a son, and thou shalt call his name JESUS: for he shall save his people from their sins. Now all this was done, that it might be fulfilled which was spoken of the Lord by the prophet, saying, Behold, a virgin shall be with child, and shall bring forth a son, and they shall call his name Emmanuel, which being interpreted is, God with us. Then Joseph being raised from sleep did as the angel of the Lord had bidden him, and took unto him his wife: And knew her not till she had brought forth her firstborn son: and he called his name JESUS.”
Luke l:30-35 “And the angel said unto her, Fear not, Mary: for thou hast found favour with God. And, behold, thou shalt conceive in thy womb, and bring forth a son, and shalt call his name JESUS. He shall be great, and shall be called the Son of the Highest: and the Lord God shall give unto him the throne of his father David: And he shall reign over the house of Jacob for ever; and of his kingdom there shall be no end. Then said Mary unto the angel, How shall this be, seeing I know not a man? And the angel answered and said unto her, The Holy Ghost shall come upon thee, and the power of the Highest shall overshadow thee: therefore also that holy thing which shall be born of thee shall be called the Son of God.” Jesus did not have an earthly Father.
He Was Born Without the Sin of Nature
He had a body like Adam before the fall. I Pet. 2:21-24 “For even hereunto were ye called: because Christ also suffered for us, leaving us an example, that ye should follow his steps: Who did no sin, neither was guile found in his mouth: Who, when he was reviled, reviled not again; when he suffered, he threatened not; but committed himself to him that judgeth righteously: Who his own self bare our sins in his own body on the tree, that we, being dead to sins, should live unto righteousness: by whose stripes ye were healed.”) He never missed the mark or made a mistake. His life was spotless and clean. He is well able to redeem sinners.
He Was God Manifest in the Flesh
His life and works proved Him to be God manifest in the flesh. Isa. 9:6 “For unto us a child is born, unto us a son is given: and the government shall be upon his shoulder: and his name shall be called Wonderful, Counsellor, The mighty God, The everlasting Father, The Prince of Peace.” John 14:7-11 “If ye had known me, ye should have known my Father also: and from henceforth ye know him, and have seen him. Philip saith unto him, Lord, show us the Father, and it sufficeth us. Jesus saith unto him, Have I been so long time with you, and yet hast thou not known me, Philip? he that hath seen me hath seen the Father; and how sayest thou then, Show us the Father? Believest thou not that I am in the Father, and the Father in me? the words that I speak unto you I speak not of myself: but the Father that dwelleth in me, he doeth the works. Believe me that I am in the Father, and the Father in me: or else believe me for the very works' sake.” I Tim. 3:16 “And without controversy great is the mystery of godliness: God was manifest in the flesh, justified in the Spirit, seen of angels, preached unto the Gentiles, believed on in the world, received up into glory.” II Cor. 5:19 “To wit, that God was in Christ, reconciling the world unto himself, not imputing their trespasses unto them; and hath committed unto us the word of reconciliation.” He was a union of God and man. John 10:30 “I and my Father are one.” That makes Him the God-Man.
His Sacrificial Death
Jesus was crucified by the Gentiles at the request of the Jews. The Romans charged Him with treason, the Jews charged Him with blasphemy, John 10:30-33 “I and my Father are one. Then the Jews took up stones again to stone him. Jesus answered them, Many good works have I showed you from my Father; for which of those works do ye stone me? The Jews answered him, saying, For a good work we stone thee not; but for blasphemy; and because that thou, being a man, makest thyself God.)”, but He was actually God's Lamb shedding His blood for the sins of the whole world. Isa. 53:4-10 “Surely he hath borne our griefs, and carried our sorrows: yet we did esteem him stricken, smitten of God, and afflicted. But he was wounded for our transgressions, he was bruised for our iniquities: the chastisement of our peace was upon him; and with his stripes we are healed. All we like sheep have gone astray; we have turned every one to his own way; and the LORD hath laid on him the iniquity of us all. He was oppressed, and he was afflicted, yet he opened not his mouth: he is brought as a lamb to the slaughter, and as a sheep before her shearers is dumb, so he openeth not his mouth. He was taken from prison and from judgment: and who shall declare his generation? for he was cut off out of the land of the living: for the transgression of my people was he stricken. And he made his grave with the wicked, and with the rich in his death; because he had done no violence, neither was any deceit in his mouth. Yet it pleased the LORD to bruise him; he hath put him to grief: when thou shalt make his soul an offering for sin, he shall see his seed, he shall prolong his days, and the pleasure of the LORD shall prosper in his hand.” John1:29 “The next day John seeth Jesus coming unto him, and saith, Behold the Lamb of God, which taketh away the sin of the world.” I John 2:2 “And he is the propitiation for our sins: and not for ours only, but also for the sins of the whole world.” Jesus died in our stead, and became the head of a new creation. Therefore if any man be in Christ he is a new creature (or creation). II Cor 5:17.
His Burial and Resurrection
He was buried in the tomb and raised from the dead the third day. Luke 23:50-55 “And, behold, there was a man named Joseph, a counsellor; and he was a good man, and a just: (The same had not consented to the counsel and deed of them;) he was of Arimathaea, a city of the Jews: who also himself waited for the kingdom of God. This man went unto Pilate, and begged the body of Jesus. And he took it down, and wrapped it in linen, and laid it in a sepulchre that was hewn in stone, wherein never man before was laid. And that day was the preparation, and the sabbath drew on. And the women also, which came with him from Galilee, followed after, and beheld the sepulchre, and how his body was laid.” Matt. 16:21 “From that time forth began Jesus to show unto his disciples, how that he must go unto Jerusalem, and suffer many things of the elders and chief priests and scribes, and be killed, and be raised again the third day.” Luke 24:6, 7 “He is not here, but is risen: remember how he spake unto you when he was yet in Galilee, Saying, The Son of man must be delivered into the hands of sinful men, and be crucified, and the third day rise again.” The final proof that Jesus was the Son of God was His resurrection from the dead. Rom. 1:1-4 “Paul, a servant of Jesus Christ, called to be an apostle, separated unto the gospel of God, (Which he had promised afore by his prophets in the holy scriptures,) Concerning his Son Jesus Christ our Lord, which was made of the seed of David according to the flesh; And declared to be the Son of God with power, according to the spirit of holiness, by the resurrection from the dead:” Now it should be easy for everyone to believe on Jesus as God’s Son.
His Death, Burial and Resurrection
The death, burial and resurrection of Jesus is the Gospel. I 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 again the third day according to the scriptures:”) Through His death, burial and resurrection He opened up a new and living way. John 14:6 “Jesus saith unto him, I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by me.” Heb. 10:19, 20 “Having therefore, brethren, boldness to enter into the holiest by the blood of Jesus, By a new and living way, which he hath consecrated for us, through the veil, that is to say, his flesh;” By His death and resurrection he became the door of the sheepfold. (The Church). John 10:1-9 “Verily, verily, I say unto you, He that entereth not by the door into the sheepfold, but climbeth up some other way, the same is a thief and a robber. But he that entereth in by the door is the shepherd of the sheep. To him the porter openeth; and the sheep hear his voice: and he calleth his own sheep by name, and leadeth them out. And when he putteth forth his own sheep, he goeth before them, and the sheep follow him: for they know his voice. And a stranger will they not follow, but will flee from him: for they know not the voice of strangers. This parable spake Jesus unto them: but they understood not what things they were which he spake unto them. Then said Jesus unto them again, Verily, verily, I say unto you, I am the door of the sheep. All that ever came before me are thieves and robbers: but the sheep did not hear them. I am the door: by me if any man enter in, he shall be saved, and shall go in and out, and find pasture.” The death, burial, and resurrection of Jesus is the hub of the Bible. The Old Testament points forward to it, and the New Testament points back to it.
The Gospel
Jesus said to preach the gospel to every creature. (All mankind) Mark 16:15 “And he said unto them, Go ye into all the world, and preach the gospel to every creature.” Paul said the gospel is Christ died, Christ was buried, and Christ arose. I Cor.15:1-4. Peter asked this question in I Pet. 4:17. “What shall the end be of them that obey not the gospel?" Paul answers that question in II Thes. 1:6-9, saying, "The Lord Jesus shall be revealed from heaven taking vengeance on them that obey not the gospel." If the Lord Jesus is going to take vengeance on them that obey not the gospel, then the vital question is how do we obey the gospel? It is a fact that Jesus said, preach the gospel to all mankind, it is also a fact that we must obey the gospel. The question then would be, what is the gospel and how do we obey it? Paul answers the first question in I Cor. 15:1-4. Peter answers the second question in Acts 2:38 “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.” OBEYING THE GOSPEL means to go through the door into the church, John 10:9 “I am the door: by me if any man enter in, he shall be saved, and shall go in and out, and find pasture.”, by being identified with Jesus in His death, burial and resurrection. Rom. 6:17, 18 “But God be thanked, that ye were the servants of sin, but ye have obeyed from the heart that form of doctrine which was delivered you. Being then made free from sin, ye became the servants of righteousness.”
The great question on the day of pentecost was, men and brethern what shall we do? 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?” Peter's answer was “REPENT AND BE BAPTISED, 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.
Identification with Jesus In His Death, Burial, and Resurrection
Because Jesus died we must die, because He was buried we must be buried, and because He arose from the dead we must rise. We must go through the door, and there is only one door for both Jew and Gentile. Eph. 2:14-18 “For he is our peace, who hath made both one, and hath broken down the middle wall of partition between us; Having abolished in his flesh the enmity, even the law of commandments contained in ordinances; for to make in himself of twain one new man, so making peace; And that he might reconcile both unto God in one body by the cross, having slain the enmity thereby: And came and preached peace to you which were afar off, and to them that were nigh. For through him we both have access by one Spirit unto the Father.”
We cannot die on a literal cross, therefore the Lord has substituted repentance for our death. Since we cannot be buried in a literal tomb, He has substituted water for our burial. Rom. 6:4 “Therefore we are buried with him by 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.” We do not have a literal resurrection so the Lord has substituted resurrection life (Holy Ghost) for our resurrection. Col.3:1 “If ye then be risen with Christ, seek those things which are above, where Christ sitteth on the right hand of God.” Being thus identified with Him in His death, burial, and resurrection we are in God's church, and have a new life. Now we really have something to live for.
Obey the Gospel
Don't try to get into God's church without obeying the gospel.
Jesus said "he that climbeth up some other way is a thief and a robber." John 10:1. He also said, "Except a man be born of water and Spirit he cannot enter into the kingdom of God." John 3:5. Jesus said again, "He that believeth and is baptized shall be saved." Mark 16:16. It is better to be safe than sorry, so be sure and obey the gospel.
Be Baptised In Jesus' Name
No matter how many times you have been baptized, when you see the light, you should be baptized in Jesus' name. Read Acts 19:1-5 “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, 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. 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 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.” These disciples were all rebaptized in Jesus' name.
Jesus Is God's Proper Name
When God's name is pronounced in the Hebrew language, it is JEHOVAH, but when Jehovah is translated into the English language it is Jesus. God highly exalted His Son by giving Him His own name. Phil.2:9-11 “Wherefore God also hath highly exalted him, and given him a name which is above every name: That at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, of things in heaven, and things in earth, and things under the earth; And that every tongue should confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.” John 5:43 “I am come in my Father's name, and ye receive me not: if another shall come in his own name, him ye will receive.” Therefore the name JESUS is that great name of the Father, Son, and Holy Ghost. Compare Matt. 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:” with Acts 2:38 “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.” and Phil. 2:9-11 “Wherefore God also hath highly exalted him, and given him a name which is above every name: That at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, of things in heaven, and things in earth, and things under the earth; And that every tongue should confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.” Also John 5:43 “I am come in my Father's name, and ye receive me not: if another shall come in his own name, him ye will receive.”
The Out-standing Things
These are the out-standing things one should know about Jesus in order to believe on Him intelligently. Acts. l6:25-34 “And at midnight Paul and Silas prayed, and sang praises unto God: and the prisoners heard them. And suddenly there was a great earthquake, so that the foundations of the prison were shaken: and immediately all the doors were opened, and every one's bands were loosed. And the keeper of the prison awaking out of his sleep, and seeing the prison doors open, he drew out his sword, and would have killed himself, supposing that the prisoners had been fled. But Paul cried with a loud voice, saying, Do thyself no harm: for we are all here. Then he called for a light, and sprang in, and came trembling, and fell down before Paul and Silas, And brought them out, and said, Sirs, what must I do to be saved? And they said, Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ, and thou shalt be saved, and thy house. And they spake unto him the word of the Lord, and to all that were in his house. And he took them the same hour of the night, and washed their stripes; and was baptized, he and all his, straightway. And when he had brought them into his house, he set meat before them, and rejoiced, believing in God with all his house.” God has a great plan of SALVATION--be sure you don't miss it.
Could You Honestly Sign this Pledge
After reading all these Scriptures on God's great plan of SALVATION, I confess that I believe it with all my heart. And because I believe, I accept Jesus as my own personal Saviour and Lord. And I will obey the gospel revealed in these Scriptures, and summed up in Acts 2:38. I also will go to church where I can worship God in the Spirit and receive food for my soul.