Month: July 2024

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REPENT AND BE BAPTIZED / ACTS 2:38

Start Your Day Right Devotion

(KJV) 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.

REPENT AND BE BAPTIZED / ACTS 2:38

Admitting and turning form sin, accepting God’s forgiveness, and being baptized in water are the conditions Peter states here for receiving the gift of the Holy Spirit. However, Peter’s call for his hearers to be baptized in water before receiving the promise of the Father (Acts 1:4, 8) must not be viewed as an absolute requirement for spiritual salvation or the infilling and empowerment with the Spirit. True repentance and faith are the conditions for receiving forgiveness and spiritual salvation (Mark 16:16, where Jesus describes water baptism in connection with salvation, but clearly states that believing – or refusing to believe – in Him determines whether a person will be spiritually saved or condemned). Also, baptism in the Spirit is not an automatic result of water baptism (Romans 6:4).

  1. In this situation, Peter required water baptism prior to receiving the promise of the Spirit because in the minds of his Jewish listeners, the custom of baptism was taken for granted as being involved in any decision to turn from one’s own way and follow God’s way. Water baptism did not precede the baptism in the Spirit, however, in the instances recorded in Acts 9:17-18 (the apostle Paul) and Acts 10:44-48 (those in Cornelius’ house).
  2. Each believer, after turning from his or her own sinful way and accepting Jesus Christ by faith, must “receive” (Galatians 3:14) a personal baptism in the Spirit. This is not a requirement for salvation, but throughout the book of Acts the gift of the Spirit was something that individuals consciously desired, received and applied (Acts 1:4, 14; 4:31; 8:14-17; 19:2-6). The only possible exception to the rule in the New Testament was the case of Cornelius (Acts 10:44-48). We must not consider the baptism in the Spirit as a gift automatically provided to a Christian apart from a conscious desire to receive it.

Bible Study Tools I Use

  • NIV Bible
  • King James Bible
  • www. biblegateway.com
  • Map Pencils
  • College Ruled Spiral Notebook
  • Ballpoint Pens

Some links may be affiliated. By purchasing an item from an affiliate link, I receive a small commission – but you are not charged more or less by clicking or purchasing through the link. Thank you for supporting me!

Some of our Post That Might Interest You, All Out of the Current Book / Chapter

  1. FOR YOU AND YOUR CHILDREN AND FOR ALL / ACTS 2:39
  2. WORSHIPING … AND FASTING / ACTS 13:2
  3. KEPT BY THE HOLY SPIRIT FROM PREACHING / ACTS 16:6
  4. GUIDED BY GRACE HOME
Thank you for taking the time to read my article.
Blessings,
Margarita & Stace
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SALT OF THE EARTH / MATTHEW 5:13

Start Your Day Right Devotion

(KJV) Matthew 5:13
Ye are the salt of the earth: but if the salt have lost his savour, wherewith shall it be salted? it is thenceforth good for nothing, but to be cast out, and to be trodden under foot of men.

SALT OF THE EARTH / MATTHEW 5:13

Jesus’ followers could easily relate to the properties and benefits of salt as described in Jesus’ metaphor (symbolic comparison, figure of speech).

  1. Salt seasons and flavors food, just as Christians should enhance and favorably influence the people and society around them. Salt is a preservative, just as Christians and the church should resist moral corruption and decay, preserving a godly influence on the culture. In addition, salt has healing properties, just as Christ’s followers must help bring healing to people who are hurting physically, emotionally and spiritually. Salt also creates thirst, just as Christians – through their good example – should create spiritual thirst or desire in others to know more about God.
  2. Individual Christians and churches that lose these qualities will become spiritually “lukewarm” (unconcerned, unresponsive, lazy; Revelation 3:15, 16), a condition that suppresses or destroys the activity and power of the Holy Spirit. Without the power and presence of the Holy Spirit. Without the power and presence of the Holy Spirit, churches will completely lose their effectiveness and will be rejected and “thrown out” by God.
  3. As a result, these Christians who are not seasoned with salt will be “trampled by men,” which means they will end up giving in to the ways and values of an ungodly society. Taking this path will bring destruction in the end (Deuteronomy 28:13, 43, 48; Judges 2:20-22).

Bible Study Tools I Use

  • NIV Bible
  • King James Bible
  • www. biblegateway.com
  • Map Pencils
  • College Ruled Spiral Notebook
  • Ballpoint Pens

Some links may be affiliated. By purchasing an item from an affiliate link, I receive a small commission – but you are not charged more or less by clicking or purchasing through the link. Thank you for supporting me!

Some of our Post That Might Interest You, All Out of the Current Book / Chapter

  1. YOU ARE WORTH MORE / MATTHEW 10:31
  2. GUIDED BY GRACE HOME
Thank you for taking the time to read my article.
Blessings,
Margarita & Stace
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GUIDED BY GRACE HOME
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FOR YOU AND YOUR CHILDREN AND FOR ALL / ACTS 2:39

Start Your Day Right Devotion

(KJV) Acts 2:39
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.

FOR YOU AND YOUR CHILDREN AND FOR ALL / ACTS 2:39

The promise of the baptism in the Holy Spirit was not just for those present on the day of Pentecost (Acts 2:4), but for all who would accept and follow Christ throughout this age: “for you” (Peter’s audience); “your children”) the next generation); “for all who are far off” (all generations to come).

  1. The baptism in the Spirit and the power it provides was not a once-for-all occurrence in the church’s history. It did not cease with Pentecost (Acts 2:38; 8:15; 9:17; 10:44-46; 19:6), nor did it end with the apostolic age (with Christ’s first followers and the early church pioneers). Some people think that this powerful experience, with the evidence of speaking in tongues, was only as a sign to help get the first church started. But the purpose was not just to get people’s attention or prove God’s power. Jesus said the Spirit would provide His followers with ongoing power and guidance in spreading His message (John 16:13). This purpose is just as relevant today because we still need the full empowerment of the Spirit to carry on the church’s mission.
  2. It is the right of every Christion to seek, expect and experience the same baptism in the Spirit that was promised and given to the New Testament Christians (Acts 1:4, 8; Joel 2:28; Matthew 3:11; Luke 24:49).

Bible Study Tools I Use

  • NIV Bible
  • King James Bible
  • www. biblegateway.com
  • Map Pencils
  • College Ruled Spiral Notebook
  • Ballpoint Pens

Some links may be affiliated. By purchasing an item from an affiliate link, I receive a small commission – but you are not charged more or less by clicking or purchasing through the link. Thank you for supporting me!

Some of our Post That Might Interest You, All Out of the Current Book / Chapter

  1. WORSHIPING … AND FASTING / ACTS 13:2
  2. KEPT BY THE HOLY SPIRIT FROM PREACHING / ACTS 16:6
  3. GUIDED BY GRACE HOME
Thank you for taking the time to read my article.
Blessings,
Margarita & Stace
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GUIDED BY GRACE HOME
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PROTECT YOU FROM THE EVIL ONE / 2 THESSALONIANS 3:3

START YOUR DAY RIGHT DEVOTION

(KJV) 2 Thessalonians 3:3
But the Lord is faithful, who shall stablish you, and keep you from evil.

PROTECT YOU FROM THE EVIL ONE / 2 THESSALONIANS 3:3

When God’s people pray in truth and with a burning passion, they can be assured that God will protect them from Satan. God will strengthen them to face any temptation that may come against them (1 Corinthians 10:13; Hebrews 2:18) and will protect them from demonic powers (Ephesians 6:12).

Bible Study Tools I Use

  • NIV Bible
  • King James Bible
  • www. biblegateway.com
  • Map Pencils
  • College Ruled Spiral Notebook
  • Ballpoint Pens

Some links may be affiliated. By purchasing an item from an affiliate link, I receive a small commission – but you are not charged more or less by clicking or purchasing through the link. Thank you for supporting me!

Some of our Post That Might Interest You, All Out of the Current Book / Chapter

  1. GUIDED BY GRACE ABOUT
Thank you for taking the time to read my article.
Blessings,
Margarita & Stace
Tweet
GUIDED BY GRACE HOME