Basic Salvation Sermon - Pastor Steve Winter

This is my text that I used for tonight's 9/04/2004 sermon
It should be available in audio format at
http://www.pentecostal.biz/audio

Salvation. All churches claim to have it, but if we look at what they are teaching we see that many of them have starkly different requirements for salvation. Can two groups of people saying opposite things both be right? If two groups are teaching opposite things then at least one and possibly both of them are wrong. What is a person to do to secure true Biblical salvation?

I believe that the safest path would be to simply obey what the Apostles preached and practiced, to obey the Bible.

Now I know the devil has a lot of his PR folks teaching that the Bible is so complicated that you cannot know it so you might as well not try. If you fall for that then he gotcha!

Isaiah 35:8 And an highway shall be there, and a way, and it shall be called The way of holiness; the unclean shall not pass over it; but it shall be for those: the wayfaring men, though fools, shall not err therein.

God did not give his Word to confuse or alienate people. He gave it to show us the way and give us true light and understanding.

Psalms 119:105 NUN. Thy word is a lamp unto my feet, and a light unto my path.

If we want true salvation then we must look at what was taught by Jesus Christ, then preached upon His authority by Peter, and then practiced by the apostles consistently. If we do that then we see two essential elements that make up the Christian new birth.

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.

Those essential elements are: WATER and SPIRIT. We should take note that a grown man was told by God manifest in the flesh that he had to be born of water and that he had to be born of the Spirit.

Hebrews 5:9 And being made perfect, he became the author of eternal salvation unto all them that obey him;

I believe it is important that we remember who was being addressed and why by Jesus. Jesus told a grown man that he still needed to be born of water and of Spirit. We who are "Apostolic" or in other words teach what the Apostles taught know that the "birth of water" is Jesus Name water baptism.

Gal 3:27 For as many of you as have been baptized into Christ have put on Christ.

The devil's PR folks who fight against the importance of Jesus Name baptism are not being honest with you or themselves.

Mark 16:16 He that believeth and is baptized shall be saved; but he that believeth not shall be damned.

Yet even with that verse we still have the devil's crowd deceiving souls. Look at that verse. Is it telling you to do one thing or two things? I will give you a hint, please carefully note God's choice of words when he said the word "and".

Let me try to really break this down. If mama sends you to go to the store and says to buy eggs and milk does that mean that she only wants eggs?

We know that Jesus gave Peter the keys to the kingdom of God. Why reject what Peter did with those keys. I have actually had some of the more ignorant of the devil's PR guys try to teach people that Peter disobeyed Jesus. He said something like, "Well I will take Jesus's words over Peter's any day." as he was trying to justify his defiance of the Bible. The devil sure is fishing for fools in this hour.

If we can't trust the Apostles we have a big problem. Just who do the devil's PR guys think it was that kept track of what Jesus said? Do they really think people are stupid enough to believe that Jesus just penned in the red words Himself?

Speaking of the devil's servants, I feel I should point out something here. Note that the Word of God does not teach tolerance towards ministers of Satan.

2 Cor 11:12 But what I do, that I will do, that I may cut off occasion from them which desire occasion; that wherein they glory, they may be found even as we.
13 For such are false apostles, deceitful workers, transforming themselves into the apostles of Christ.
14 And no marvel; for Satan himself is transformed into an angel of light.
15 Therefore it is no great thing if his ministers also be transformed as the ministers of righteousness; whose end shall be according to their works.

Notice also what role that Satan's crew will try to play. They will pretend to be teaching righteousness. Let's get back to talking about Peter and Jesus.

Matthew 16:18 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.

How can the devil's servants figure that people will be so stupid that they think they can somehow reject Peter's teachings because their modern Satanic preacher knows Jesus better? Satan's boys are really fishing for fools these days.

Anyway, back to our topic of salvation. Peter preached the "Apostolic" salvation on the Day of Pentecost and the Apostles adhered to it from then on. That is where we get the concept "Apostolic Pentecostal". It is really very simple. Those who are preaching the Pentecostal message that the Apostles preached are ta da, "Apostolic Pentecostal". I know there are liars who claim to be who aren't preaching the original message but why would we be surprised that Satan's crew would lie? Is he not the father of it? Jesus said to some people:

John 8:44 Ye are of your father the devil, and the lusts of your father ye will do. He was a murderer from the beginning, and abode not in the truth, because there is no truth in him. When he speaketh a lie, he speaketh of his own: for he is a liar, and the father of it.

So we don't need to be surprised when the devil's servants lie, OK?

Back to our salvation topic. We have established that one can't reject Peter without rejecting the one who gave Peter the keys to the kingdom of heaven. So let's have a look at what Peter taught.

Acts 2:36 Therefore let all the house of Israel know assuredly, that God hath made that same Jesus, whom ye have crucified, both Lord and Christ.
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?
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.
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.

How can someone in their wildest imagination think that they are among the "called of God" when they reject the Acts 2:38 salvation that Peter preached on the authority of the Lord Jesus Christ?

Let me also point out something else here. We see that baptism is to be done in Jesus Name. Monotheists have no problem with that, but Satan's polytheistic PR guys really stumble on that and so often expose themselves that they truly are polytheistic and really are teaching three god squad members. Something else to consider is that when people receive the Holy Ghost, they speak with other tongues.

I know a lot of people fight against this because the devil's PR guys have found that the best way to keep people from seeking the baptism of the Holy Ghost is to convince them they already have it and then just hold them by their pride. But why would someone desiring and claiming a true Biblical experience be so adamantly against such a basic Bible principle.

Acts 2:4 And they were all filled with the Holy Ghost, and began to speak with other tongues, as the Spirit gave them utterance.

Acts 19:6 And when Paul had laid his hands upon them, the Holy Ghost came on them; and they spake with tongues, and prophesied

I have heard the devil's PR guys teaching that Paul didn't believe in tongues, but Paul said:

1 Corinthians 14:18 I thank my God, I speak with tongues more than ye all:

There are examples in the Bible where people received the Holy Ghost before they were baptised in Jesus Name. There are also other examples where people were baptised in Jesus Name before they received the Holy Ghost.

Looking back, Jesus did not say that the order of the birth of water and birth of spirit was important.

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.

Whenever either ingredient of the Christian New Birth was missing, the apostles IMMEDIATELY added the missing one. If a person was baptized in Jesus Name then the Apostles prayed for them to receive the Holy Spirit. (that also proves that people don't automatically receive the Holy Ghost when they "believe" as some of Satan's PR guys teach. When people received the Holy Ghost with the evidence of speaking in tongues, the Apostles immediately baptized them in Jesus Name.

Acts 8:12 But when they believed Philip preaching the things concerning the kingdom of God, and the name of Jesus Christ, they were baptized, both men and women.
13 Then Simon himself believed also: and when he was baptized, he continued with Philip, and wondered, beholding the miracles and signs which were done.
14 ¶ Now when the apostles which were at Jerusalem heard that Samaria had received the word of God, they sent unto them Peter and John:
15 Who, when they were come down, prayed for them, that they might receive the Holy Ghost:
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.

Note how they had been baptized.

Acts 10:44 ¶ While Peter yet spake these words, the Holy Ghost fell on all them which heard the word.
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.

So how did the Apostles know that Gentiles had received the same Holy Ghost they had? Now think about all this. Why would anyone who really loved God and the Bible fight so hard against basic Bible doctrines? Well, it is because they have become quite comfortable listening to Satan's sugar coated lies and Satan just uses their pride like strings to play with them like puppets.

Those who had even been baptised personally by John the Baptist were re-baptised in Jesus name for the remission of their sins. John's baptism was only for a temporary period of time. Jesus Name baptism does remit sins by the POWER of the shed blood of God.

Acts 19:1 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.
7 And all the men were about twelve.

So with that verse 2 up there, how are Satan's PR guys still convincing people that they automatically receive the Holy Ghost when they first "believe"? Hell is going to have a big bunch of really embarrassed people, eh?

Acts 22:16 And now why tarriest thou? arise, and be baptized, and wash away thy
sins, calling on the name of the Lord.

How does a person have their sins washed away? Clearly it is by being baptized in Jesus Name which is the METHOD whereby one calls on the Name of the Lord. That is the reason that trinitarians will all die in their sins because they reject Jesus Name water baptism.

Colossians 2:12 Buried with him in baptism, wherein also ye are risen with him through the faith of the operation of God, who hath raised him from the dead.

Note the essentiality of both WATER and SPIRIT:

Romans 8:9 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.

Notice here that the Bible speaks of the Spirit of God and the Spirit of Christ as EXACTLY the same Spirit.

Mark 16:16 He that believeth and is baptized shall be saved; but he that believeth not shall be damned.

How could Jesus have been more clear regarding the essentiality of Jesus Name baptism? False-christians are simply not being honest with themselves.

James 1:22 But be ye doers of the word, and not hearers only, deceiving your own selves.

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.
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.

Remember here that Jesus was telling a grown man what he STILL needed to do in order to be saved. The grown man still had to be reborn of WATER and of the SPIRIT.

This is totally consistent with the plan of salvation that the "man with the keys to the kingdom" preached on the birthday of the New Testament Church.

Matthew 16:18 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.

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.
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.
Acts 2:40 And with many other words did he testify and exhort, saying, Save yourselves from this untoward generation.
Acts 2:41 Then they that gladly received his word were baptized: and the same day there were added [unto them] about three thousand souls.

Here is an example where the re-birth of WATER preceded the re-birth of SPIRIT

Acts 8:14 Now when the apostles which were at Jerusalem heard that Samaria had received the word of God, they sent unto them Peter and John:
Acts 8:15 Who, when they were come down, prayed for them, that they might receive the Holy Ghost:
Acts 8:16 (For as yet he was fallen upon none of them: only they were baptized in the name of the Lord Jesus.)
Acts 8:17 Then laid they [their] hands on them, and they received the Holy Ghost.

Here is one where the re-birth of SPIRIT preceded the re-birth of WATER:

Acts 10:45 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.
Acts 10:46 For they heard them speak with tongues, and magnify God. Then answered Peter
Acts 10:47 Can any man forbid water, that these should not be baptized, which have received the Holy Ghost as well as we?
Acts 10:48 And he commanded them to be baptized in the name of the Lord. Then prayed they him to tarry certain days.

Another here where the re-birth of the WATER preceded re-birth of SPIRIT.

Acts 19:1 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,
Acts 19:2 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.
Acts 19:3 And he said unto them, Unto what then were ye baptized? And they said, Unto John's baptism.
Acts 19:4 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.
Acts 19:5 When they heard [this], they were baptized in the name of the Lord Jesus.
Acts 19:6 And when Paul had laid [his] hands upon them, the Holy Ghost came on them; and they spake with tongues, and prophesied.

The apostles made sure that folks had been re-born both of the WATER and re-born of the SPIRIT, the Acts 2:38 plan of salvation that has always been adhered to by true Christianity.

2 Thessalonians 1:7 And to you who are troubled rest with us, when the Lord Jesus shall be revealed from heaven with his mighty angels,
8 In flaming fire taking vengeance on them that know not God, and that obey not the gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ:
9 Who shall be punished with everlasting destruction from the presence of the Lord, and from the glory of his power;

1 Peter 4:17 For the time is come that judgment must begin at the house of God: and if it first begin at us, what shall the end be of them that obey not the gospel of God?

Romans 10:16 But they have not all obeyed the gospel. For Esaias saith, Lord, who hath believed our report?

Galatians 3:27 For as many of you as have been baptized into Christ have put on Christ.

Pastor sTeve Winter