Keys to the Kingdom for Believers

Keys to the Kingdom for BELIEVERS

When learning how a car operates, we learn that a key turns the ignition, oil must be at an adequate level in the motor and gas is required to turn over the engine so that it may run, then one must release the break and/or put it in drive and press on the gas pedal.  These instructions may not necessarily be together or presented in that precise order within your car's manual, yet we know these things must come together for the car to work properly and get you from point A to B.

Likewise, the Bible has instructions for the whole of human history divided into 'dispensations' where there were varying requirements for salvation.
 

So many well-meaning Christians stop too soon in the message of salvation - stopping at a prayer or a simple verbal confession.  Ever hear that your profession of faith was all you need to be saved?  The justification of this statement is that no one can profess Jesus as Lord unless he is born from above - meaning that you have already had your spiritual rebirth.  

 

But this was not how the early Christians birthed believers into the church.  No, this was changed later on - centuries later and has progressed down this road ever since and pervades all modern 'Christian' churches today, and not just evangelical ones.  This teaching comes from, among other places, Romans 10, an epistle to the church at Rome.  It is important to know that this is a letter and that it was to a church because the church are the born-again believers in Christ.  This portion of the letter discusses the belief of Israel who would not accept Christ as the Messiah.  If they would but confess, they would receive salvation because it would indicate that the hardness of their hearts had changed and turned toward God.  That is true repentance!  And 'be saved' or 'unto salvation' is a future event that would then follow their belief and repentance.  No one is saved prior to repentance, but there is the possibility to believe, repent and then receive the Holy Spirit followed lastly by water baptism where we take on the name of Jesus and die in Christ (Romans 6:6-9 - which comes before Romans 10...).  Romans 10 also continues regarding the need for belief first, but in order to believe, one must hear the gospel and in order to hear the gospel, one must have a preacher... this is the teaching.  It always works in this order:  instruction, then correction - all in gentleness and in love.

Here are some encyclopedic references for your consideration:

Britannica Encyclopedia, 11th Edition, Volume 3, page 365 – Baptism was changed from the name of Jesus to words Father, Son & Holy Ghost in 2nd Century. Canney Encyclopedia of Religion, page 53 – The early church baptized in the name of the Lord Jesus until the second century.
Hastings Encyclopedia of Religion, Volume 2 – Christian baptism was administered using the words, "in the name of Jesus." page 377. Baptism was always in the name of Jesus until time of Justin Martyr, page 389.
Catholic Encyclopedia, Volume 2, page 263 – Here the authors acknowledged that the baptismal formula was changed by their church.
Schaff – Herzog Religious Encyclopedia, Volume 1, page 435 – The New Testament knows only the baptism in the name of Jesus.
Hastings Dictionary of Bible, page 88 – It must be acknowledged that the three fold name of Matthew 28:19 does not appear to have been used by the primitive church, but rather in the name of Jesus, Jesus Christ or Lord Jesus. 
http://www.upcbaypoint.com/Articles2/early_church_baptism.html (a GREAT link which includes Biblical references as well to Baptisms in the Bible - not a single one performed in titles, all in Jesus' name!)

Or how many stop at water baptism stating it's an outward sign of what's happened already inside?  If that were true then was the Ethiopian Eunuch sufficiently baptized?  The Scriptures do not indicate there were any witnesses - maybe there was an entourage with this Eunuch since he was in the Queen's service, but his presence was not of any official nature, he had come to worship when Philip found him.  Philip confirmed the man's belief first and then, thanks to his belief, agreed to baptize him.  Baptism is for believers - but belief alone is not sufficient for the Scriptures tell us that if we believe that's good, but even devils believe (James 2:19 - and this one goes so far as to say they believe in ONE God).  But what did you do with your belief?  Ready to put it into action? Remember, faith without works is dead.  (James 2:14-26)

Still not convinced?  How about the preaching and obedience of the Apostle Peter who had already had a revelation of Christ when Jesus asked the Disciples who do you say I am?  And yet his journey into salvation was not complete and he preached the first sermon of the Church age (after the 120 received the indwelling Holy Spirit in the upper room - that power and fire baptism promised to them):  http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Acts+2&version=NKJV

Or other Disciples who were not in Jerusalem on the Day of Pentecost?  They were specifically asked - have you received the Holy Spirit since you believed?  They answered no and were both baptized and received the Holy Spirit with the evidence of speaking in tongues:  http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=acts+19%3A1-10&version=NKJV

 

Notice, too, their urgency and immediacy with obedience to the fullness of the instructions they received - there was no time gap from their belief/acceptance of the gospel message and their obedience to the instructions being made into disciples - receiving the fullness of salvation receiving both authority and power through Jesus Christ, our Lord and Savior!

Folks, this is the full message of the Gospel concerning salvation.  Less is simply less.  Now, who wants more of God?

#Salvation, #WholeGospel , #Acts2:38