The Message of Salvation
As we continue this study about “What is Truth?”, we start with the question. Who was given the message of salvation to preach?
Matthew 16:13-19… 13 When Jesus came into the coasts of Caesarea Philippi, he asked his disciples, saying, Whom do men say that I the Son of man am?14 And they said, Some say that thou art John the Baptist: some, Elias; and others, Jeremias, or one of the prophets.15 He saith unto them, But whom say ye that I am?16 And Simon Peter answered and said, Thou art the Christ, the Son of the living God.17 And Jesus answered and said unto him, Blessed art thou, Simon Barjona: for flesh and blood hath not revealed it unto thee, but my Father which is in heaven.18 And I say also unto thee, That thou art Peter, and upon this rock I will build my church; and the gates of hell shall not prevail against it.19 And I will give unto thee the keys of the kingdom of heaven: and whatsoever thou shalt bind on earth shall be bound in heaven: and whatsoever thou shalt loose on earth shall be loosed in heaven.
When Jesus asked Peter “Who do you say I am?” Peter declared that Jesus was the “Son of the living God”. Peter didn’t just give Jesus a random answer but was actually able to make this statement because, Jesus let us know, that God had given Peter a revelation of who Jesus was. The other disciples didn’t answer like Peter did so Jesus immediately said “Upon this rock (Peter’s new name, given by Jesus literally means “Rock”) I will build my church! This is very significant! Because when Peter received and declared the revelation of the Knowledge of who Jesus was He became the literal foundation upon which the church today is built upon.
Upon this rock! I will build my church! Jesus also declared that “the gates of hell would not prevail against it”! It’s exciting to know Jesus sealed the fate of the church forever. The church is literally built upon a Rock and Hell can’t do anything about it!
Our world says “I don’t believe it!” But Just because we don’t believe something doesn’t change the facts. I can say, the blue crayon I hold in my hand is really a yellow crayon and believe it to my death but that will not change the fact that it is blue! Nothing hell throws at the church will change this message! Believe it!
Jesus told Peter, “I am giving you the Keys to the Kingdom”! Jesus said “Peter, whatever you preach, God will back it up in heaven. Whatsoever thou shalt bind on earth shall be bound in heaven: and whatsoever thou shalt loose on earth shall be loosed in heaven.” How powerful is this?!
We don’t need to wonder about Peter’s credentials as to was he qualified to preach on the day of Pentecost, Jesus just made it crystal clear ahead of time. So since Peter was an apostle, called by God, this is confirmation we need to take notice of the Word Peter preached.
DO YOU AGREE THAT THE HOLY SPIRIT IS THE SPIRIT OF CHRIST?
Romans 8:9…9 But ye are not in the flesh, but in the Spirit, if so be that the Spirit of God dwell in you. Now if any man have not the Spirit of Christ, he is none of his.
If we don’t have the Spirit of Christ dwelling in us then we don’t belong to Christ!
Galatians 4:6… 6 And because ye are sons, God hath sent forth the Spirit of his Son into your hearts, crying, Abba, Father.
God will send His Spirit into our hearts but we have to receive that Spirit. It doesn’t just happen. God, is a gentleman and requires our permission to come and dwell in our hearts. It requires a change in our Spirit to make room for the Holy Spirit of God. We must pour out our sinful nature and make a proclamation to repent (turn away from those things that are not pleasing to God).
2 Corinthians 3:17-18…17 Now the Lord is that Spirit: and where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is liberty.18 But we all, with open face beholding as in a glass the glory of the Lord, are changed into the same image from glory to glory, even as by the Spirit of the Lord.
The Spirit of God will forever change us to be in His image!
Do you believe the Holy Spirit is the Spirit of Jesus Christ?
HOW AND WHEN DO YOU RECEIVE THE HOLY GHOST (SPIRIT)?
John 3:1-8…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.8 The wind bloweth where it listeth, and thou hearest the sound thereof, but canst not tell whence it cometh, and whither it goeth: so is every one that is born of the Spirit.
Let’s break this down.
Just to be clear Nicodemus was a preacher (ruler) in the church and recognized he was missing something in his life. He heard about Jesus and sought him out to learn more.
Nicodemus recognized that Jesus was more than just a normal man. He saw the miracles and knew only God could make them happen. He said: 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.
Jesus didn’t qualify His actions but said: “Verily, verily, I say unto thee, Except a man be born again, he cannot see the kingdom of God.” Jesus was saying Truly, Truly, saying it twice lets us know how important his next statement would be. It emphasizes a strong affirmation or declaration, often used to convey the truth and certainty of a statement. Truly, Truly I say unto thee, Except a man be born of water and of the Spirit, he cannot enter into the kingdom of God.
Unless a man (or woman) is born of the water (baptism) and of the Spirit (receive the Holy Spirit) He cannot enter into the Kingdom of God. Just like in the Old Testament tabernacle Jesus is giving us His plan (formula) of salvation. In order to be born into the Kingdom of God we must follow the will of God.
Nicodemus was confused. 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 again, 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 (the first birth); and that which is born of the Spirit is spirit (spiritual rebirth).7 Marvel not (don’t be surprised) that I said unto thee, Ye must be born again.
So, we are "born in sin and shapen in iniquity" Psalm 51:5. Without repentance (turn from our sins) Romans 6:6 which is spiritually crucifying our carnal (human nature) and being buried in water baptism (Romans 6:4) which is why scripture teaches to baptize by submersion (so our old self is completely buried) only then can we be resurrected just like Jesus as a new creature in Christ.
Jesus went on talking about the Holy Spirit. “The wind bloweth where it listeth, and thou hearest the sound thereof, but canst not tell whence it cometh, and whither it goeth: so is every one that is born of the Spirit.”
After we have repented, washed away our sins in baptism we are left as an empty vessel and we are now ready to receive the Holy Spirit. As we express our love and devotion to Jesus with praise and worship the Holy Spirit will fill our hearts to overflowing. Where it comes from? We don’t know. Where does it go? We don’t know. It truly feels like rivers of living water flowing from our belly just like the scripture said (John 7:38). You will begin to speak in a heavenly language you’ve not learned. The tongues is not the Holy Spirit but it is the evidence that you have received the Holy Spirit.
Why do we speak in tongues when the Holy Spirit comes in? There are mainly 2 reasons. James 2:8 says no man can tame the tongue. So when the Holy Spirit takes control of your tongue then you know you have fully surrendered to Jesus Christ. The other reason is the sound of life. When a baby born we recognize life when it begins to cry out. The same is true in the Spirit. We speak in tongues when the Spirit takes over, fills us up.
Don’t overthink the tongues. Some say it isn’t for today but they told me too late because I spoke in tongues when I received the Spirit and have seen most likely hundreds do the same!
Luke 24:45-49…45 Then opened he their understanding, that they might understand the scriptures,46 And said unto them, Thus it is written, and thus it behooved Christ to suffer, and to rise from the dead the third day:47 And that repentance and remission of sins should be preached in his name among all nations, beginning at Jerusalem.48 And ye are witnesses of these things.49 And, behold, I send the promise of my Father upon you: but tarry ye in the city of Jerusalem, until ye be endued with power from on high.
John the Baptist preached repentance and remission and even baptized Jesus. Jesus was our example of the plan of salvation. He knew no sin but was baptized. When He came out of the water the spirit, as a dove, descended upon Him and God spoke (the tongues) this is my beloved Son in whom I am well pleased. The crowd that was gathered with John witnessed Jesus’ baptism.
Jesus now says go to Jerusalem and stay there until you receive the power from on high! How exciting!
PETER THE MAN WITH THE KEYS WILL FULFILL THIS SCRIPTURE
John 20:22…21 Then said Jesus to them again, Peace be unto you: as my Father hath sent me, even so send I you.22 And when he had said this, he breathed on them, and saith unto them, Receive ye the Holy Ghost:23 Whose soever sins ye remit, they are remitted unto them; and whose soever sins ye retain, they are retained.
Note: Even though Jesus breathed the Holy Ghost on the apostles all of them (with the exception of Judas) went to Jerusalem waiting for the power to fall.
LET’S GO TO THE SCRIPTURE TO SEE IF THEY DID!
Acts 1:4-5…4 And, being assembled together with them, commanded them that they should not depart from Jerusalem, but wait for the promise of the Father, which, saith he, ye have heard of me.5 For John truly baptized with water; but ye shall be baptized with the Holy Ghost not many days hence.
Acts 1:8…8 But ye shall receive power, after that the Holy Ghost is come upon you: and ye shall be witnesses unto me both in Jerusalem, and in all Judaea, and in Samaria, and unto the uttermost part of the earth.
From the ascension they are going to Jerusalem to tarry for the PROMISE of the Father which is the HOLY GHOST!
WHO WAS IN THE UPPER ROOM PRAYING FOR THE HOLY GHOST?
Acts 1:12-15…12 Then returned they unto Jerusalem from the mount called Olivet, which is from Jerusalem a sabbath day's journey.13 And when they were come in, they went up into an upper room, where abode both Peter, and James, and John, and Andrew, Philip, and Thomas, Bartholomew, and Matthew, James the son of Alphaeus, and Simon Zelotes, and Judas the brother of James.14 These all continued with one accord in prayer and supplication, with the women, and Mary the mother of Jesus, and with his brethren.15 And in those days Peter stood up in the midst of the disciples, and said, (the number of names together were about an hundred and twenty,)
Note: All of the apostles and even the mother of Jesus was there waiting for Jesus’ promise to arrive.
WHEN AND WHAT HAPPENED WHEN THEY RECEIVED THE HOLY GHOST?
Acts 2:1-4… And when the day of Pentecost was fully come, they were all with one accord in one place.2 And suddenly there came a sound from heaven as of a rushing mighty wind, and it filled all the house where they were sitting.3 And there appeared unto them cloven tongues like as of fire, and it sat upon each of them.4 And they were all filled with the Holy Ghost, and began to speak with other tongues, as the Spirit gave them utterance.
THIS IS THE FIRST TIME RECEIVING THE INFILLING OF THE HOLY GHOST.
Acts 2:5-11…5 And there were dwelling at Jerusalem Jews, devout men, out of every nation under heaven.6 Now when this was noised abroad, the multitude came together, and were confounded, because that every man heard them speak in his own language.7 And they were all amazed and marveled, saying one to another, Behold, are not all these which speak Galilaeans?8 And how hear we every man in our own tongue, wherein we were born?9 Parthians, and Medes, and Elamites, and the dwellers in Mesopotamia, and in Judaea, and Cappadocia, in Pontus, and Asia,10 Phrygia, and Pamphylia, in Egypt, and in the parts of Libya about Cyrene, and strangers of Rome, Jews and proselytes,11 Cretes and Arabians, we do hear them speak in our tongues the wonderful works of God.
Tongues can be any language you do not know. No one can “teach” you, that would nullify the Spirit taking over.
THESE SCRIPTURES SHOW 17 NATIONS WERE GATHERED THERE
Acts 2:12…12 And they were all amazed, and were in doubt, saying one to another, What meaneth this?
THEY WERE AMAZED AT WHAT THEY HAD SEEN AND HEARD
Acts 2:13 Others mocking said, These men are full of new wine.
THE 120 IN THE UPPER ROOM WERE ACCUSED OF BEING DRUNK.
Acts 2:14-16… 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 (9am).16 But this is that which was spoken by the prophet Joel; (Joel 2:28-32)
Remember our conversation about PETER THE MAN WITH THE “KEYS”. HE STOOD UP AND BEGAN TO PREACH AND EXPLAIN WHAT WAS HAPPENING!
UNTIL THEY HEARD PETER PREACH THEY DID NOT BELIEVE THAT JESUS WAS TRULY THE CHRIST”
Acts 2:37… 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?
THEY ASKED THE QUESTION “WHAT SHALL WE DO?”
Go read Acts chapter 2.
(to be continued)
Prayer: just like in Luke 24:45 Lord open my understanding so I can understand your Holy Scriptures. If this is truly for me, fill me with your Holy Spirit! I receive it!
