Don’t Gamble with Your Soul
(About Salvation)
(By David Christie, Pastor)
(all scripture from KJV)
There are so many Churches, and so many beliefs… Which one is right?
This is a good question, considering the contrasts of many various beliefs systems and doctrines embraced today between so many Christian groups. Have you ever wondered why there is so much division and debating among Christians ?
Because of the value of the soul, Salvation is the foundation of the faith and is ALWAYS an issue.
The Bible asks us in Amos 3:3 – Can two walk together except they be agreed? The Bible alone is our sole source for salvation. There are so many man-made doctrines and creeds that have taken away and added to the original true and saving Gospel of Jesus Christ. Many churches have watered down and perverted the truth so much, that only a sincere and hungry heart that will be willing to take off the blinders of tradition and denominational dogmas or creeds and to be able to find full Bible salvation.
Blessed are they which do hunger and thirst after righteousness: for they shall be filled. (Matthew 5:6).
Many denominations teach that John 3:16 is all that is necessary to acquire salvation ….
(For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life).
This verse is commonly misquoted by many mainstream Christian groups, the most common of which is the word SHOULD (which means in all probability- not an absolute) is substituted (in many new translations) with the word SHALL (which is an absolute). This error twists the scripture to give the hearers the message that “Who ever believes in him Shall not perish, but have everlasting life.” This implies that if you believe in Him ---- YOU'RE GOING TO HEAVEN !!
This is where some of the modern easy-believe-ism doctrines have originated.
Many professing Christian groups promote the doctrine of “Just Believing," as a way to receive salvation. If believing was the only necessary requirement, then, by looking at James 2:19, we could assume that the devils (demons) are saved !! (19)”Thou believest that there is one God; thou doest well: the devils also believe, and tremble.” Of course it is absurd to imply that devils (demons) could be saved, therefore we can see that more than believing is required.
We must not only believe in the fact that Jesus Christ forgives sins, and gives eternal life, but we must also understand and obey the gospel (good news) and have it applied to our life.
The gospel is explained:
1Corinthians 15:1- 4:
(1) Moreover brethren, I declare unto you the gospel which I preached unto you, which also ye have received, and wherein ye stand;(2) By which also ye are saved, if ye keep in memory what I preached unto you, unless ye have believed in vain.(3) For I delivered unto you first of all that which I also received, how that Christ died for our sins according to the scriptures; (4) And that he was buried, and that he rose again the third day according to the scriptures.
The gospel of salvation is the Death, the Burial, and the Resurrection of Jesus Christ. We must have the gospel applied to our lives as confirmed in
Romans 6:3-5:
(3) Know ye not, that so many of us as were baptized into Jesus Christ were baptized into his death? (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 the newness of life. (5) For if we have been planted together in the likeness of his death, we shall be also in the likeness of his resurrection:
Let it be understood - belief in Jesus Christ is absolutely essential for salvation !!
In John 7:38, 39 the Lord Jesus Christ himself stated :(38) He that believeth on me as the scripture hath said, out of his belly shall flow rivers of living water. (39) (But this spake he of the Spirit, which they that believe on him should receive: for the Holy Ghost was not yet given: because that Jesus was not yet glorified.)
Jesus was not glorified until Calvary and the Holy Ghost was not given until the day of Pentecost !!
Believing is a good starting place and, simply stated, if you truly believe as the scripture has said - you will be obedient to the Bible, and also search the scriptures to find the answer to the question in Acts 2:37—Now when they heard this, they were pricked in their heart,(they felt conviction) and said unto Peter and the rest of the apostles, Men and brethren, what shall we do?
(What shall we do to be forgiven and obtain full salvation?)
In the next verse, Acts 2:38, is Apostle Peter’s answer to this fundamental yet crucial foundational question:
Then Peter said unto them, Repent, and be baptized everyone of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins, and ye shall receive the gift of the Holy Ghost.
According to the Bible, after Peter finished preaching on the Day of Pentecost 3000 souls were added unto the Church (Acts 2:41).
You will not find ANY other message in the entire Bible that produces results like this.
Repentance is for you !! Being baptized in the Name of Jesus Christ is
for you !! Receiving the Holy Ghost is also for you !!
In Acts 2:39 we read that this promise (the Holy Ghost) is for everyone.
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.
The context of Peter’s sermon in Acts chapter 2, beginning in verse 14, explained how they put God Almighty Himself, who was made manifest to us in flesh, to a cruel death by crucifixion. These were Jewish men (verse 22-Ye men of Israel) and Men of God, but were missing the identity and revelation of Jesus Christ…
1 Timothy 3:16 says, “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.”
It also needs to be understood the significance of why Peter was the one who was chosen to preach this glorious gospel message of salvation to the New Testament Church on the Day of Pentecost...,
In Matthew 16:18, 19- Jesus said,(18) “And I say 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 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.”
Jesus gave Peter the Keys of the kingdom!!
This salvation experience is one that can be backed up with the Bible, and can be witnessed with the same evidence in an individuals’ life today by the initial evidence of speaking in other tongues.
Romans 8:9 states that if you have NOT the Spirit (Holy Ghost) of Christ,
you’re NONE of His !!
While Jesus Christ was still upon the Earth, after His crucifixion and His resurrection, but before His ascension up into heaven,
Jesus opened the Apostle's understanding as recorded in St. Luke Chapter 24, Jesus' last words were:
(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 in the city of Jerusalem, until ye be endued with power from on high.
One hundred and twenty believers went to an upper room in Jerusalem and tarried (waited) with much prayer as instructed to by Jesus Christ. History says this prayer meeting lasted ten days. They were waiting, and praying for the PROMISE (The Holy Ghost). Acts2:3-4 says, (3) “And there appeared unto them cloven tongues as of fire and it filled all the house where they were sitting.(4) And they were all filled with the Holy Ghost, and begin to speak with other tongues, as the Spirit gave them utterance.”
Acts 1:14 tells us that even Mary, the mother of Jesus was praying in that upper room.
These all continued with one accord in prayer and supplication, with the women, and Mary the mother of Jesus, and with his brethren.Those that were praying in that Upper Room were already believers, followers, and disciples of Jesus Christ.
Those present in that Upper Room were already believers in Jesus Christ, but still needed more: they needed to be BORN AGAIN as stated in John 3:3: 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. John 3:5: 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.
Acts 1:1-4
1 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.
After this awesome experience of God pouring out His Spirit upon all that were praying in that Upper Room, the disciples and other believers came out of that Upper Room speaking in tongues !!
There were those who mocked them, saying that they were full of new wine !!
Then Peter told the crowd in Acts 2:15-18:
(15) For these are not drunken, as ye suppose, seeing it is but the third hour of the day.(16) But this is that which was spoken by the prophet Joel;(17) And it shall come to pass in the last days, saith God, I will pour out of my Spirit upon all flesh: and your sons and your daughters shall prophesy, and your young men shall see visions, and your old men shall dream dreams:(18) And on my servants and on my handmaidens I will pour out in those days of my Spirit; and they shall prophesy:
Don't be fooled....Don't Gamble With Your Soul !!
This experience empowered Jesus's Apostles to preach and teach with the boldness, power, and authority that literally changed the world, and it is still needed today!
Neither God, nor His gospel has changed.
Hebrews 13:8: Jesus Christ the same yesterday, and today, and for ever.
Man has changed the original and only saving gospel of Jesus Christ.
Galatians 1:8-9: (8) But though we, or an angel from heaven, preach any other gospel unto you than that which we have preached unto you, let him be accursed.(9)As we said before, so say I now again, If any man preach any other gospel unto you than ye have received, let him be accursed.
As we read earlier, Peter had the keys of the kingdom, given by Jesus himself.
Peter was chosen to preach this glorious salvation message on the day of Pentecost (not a denomination), but a Jewish feast of the harvest, 50 days after Easter or the resurrection).
Peter told us clearly in Acts 2:38,:“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.” This was Peter's answer in Acts 2:38
on how we APPLY the gospel to our lives. If we really believe, then we will repent. Although believing and repentance is essential, it is only the first step of the gospel. We must die out to sin and turn from all of our wicked ways. We must then be buried by baptism in a watery grave IN THE NAME OF JESUS CHRIST. (For the REMISSION of sins) After repentance and water baptism in the Name of Jesus Christ, we must walk in the newness of life by being filled with the overcoming power of the gift of the Holy Ghost. We will know beyond a shadow of a doubt that we have received the Holy Ghost by the INITIAL sign evidenced by speaking in other tongues.
*Acts 8:16-17 (16)(For as yet he was fallen upon none of them: only they were baptized in the name of the Lord Jesus.) (17)Then laid they their hands on them, and they received the Holy Ghost.
*Acts 10:45-48 (45)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. (46)For they heard them speak with tongues, and magnify God. Then answered Peter, (47)Can any man forbid water, that these should not be baptized, which have received the Holy Ghost as well as we? (48)And he commanded them to be baptized in the name of the Lord. Then prayed they him to tarry certain days.
*Acts 19:1-6 (1)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, (2)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. (3)And he said unto them, Unto what then were ye baptized? And they said, Unto John's baptism. (4)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. (5)When they heard this, they were baptized in the name of the Lord Jesus. (6)And when Paul had laid his hands upon them, the Holy Ghost came on them; and they spake with tongues, and prophesied.
Note: the believers in Ephesus were John the Baptist’s disciples, but when they heard the words of Paul. They were then re-baptized IN THE NAME OF JESUS CHRIST. In Acts chapter 19, it was Apostle Paul who confirmed this same salvation message that Peter preached on the day of Pentecost
(the birth of The New Testament Church).
Paul preached REPENTANCE, BAPTISM IN THE NAME of JESUS CHRIST, and receiving the HOLY GHOST with the evidence of speaking in tongues, a witness of God’s supernatural power !!
In Acts 1:8 the Bible says: (8) But that ye shall receive power, after that the Holy Ghost is come upon you: and ye shall witnesses unto me both in Jerusalem, and in Judea, and in Samaria, and unto the uttermost part of the earth.
When one receives the PROMISE, the glorious gift of the Holy Ghost - they will not only witness God’s power, but also have His power to witness to others of the Holy Ghost.
Romans 8:9 states that if you have NOT the Spirit of Christ,
(which is the Holy Ghost) you’re NONE of His !!
Again, remember Jesus tells us in John 3:5: (5)Jesus answered and said unto him, Verily, verily I say unto thee, Except a man be born of the water and of the Spirit, he cannot enter into the kingdom of God.
WATER= Baptism in the NAME of Jesus Christ, Spirit= God’s Spirit / Gift of the Holy Ghost.
If you’ve never repented of your sins, you need to seek God earnestly and ask for forgiveness with a Godly sorrow, knowing without repentance, you’re hopelessly lost. be willing to turn from your sinful ways, and turn to God.
Repentance has always been the first step to God.
Luke 13:3 says, "I tell you, Nay: but, except ye repent, ye shall all likewise perish.”
After you have truly repented, you can begin to pray for the Holy Ghost.
In Acts 10:47 the Samaritans received the Holy Ghost before water baptism in Jesus’ name. The most important thing is to thoroughly Repent first, and do not withhold…. This is serious business, you cannot hide, or play games with God. Do not rush repentance. Come clean with Jesus and be completely honest with Him and obey His Word,
GOD WILL HONOR HIS WORD.
REMEMBER...
DON’T GAMBLE WITH YOUR SOUL
2 Chronicles 7:14: If my people, which are called by my name, shall humble themselves, and pray, and seek my face, and turn from their wicked ways; then will I hear from heaven, and forgive their sin, and will heal their land.
I would be pleased to help you further, in your search for truth. I would also be honored to baptize you the right way (the Bible way), “In Jesus' Name.” I certainly hope this study has helped you. If you would like help in praying for the Holy Ghost, or a further explanation of repentance or perhaps you have a need for deliverance counseling, please feel free to contact us through our Church contact information - for a FREE home Bible study, or to help you receive the New Birth that Jesus has for you, please...,
DON'T GAMBLE WITH YOUR SOUL
God Bless You, In Jesus’ Name
