Journeying with Jesus

Understanding God’s Word We’re more influenced by Greek culture and thought than by HebrewWe’re more influenced by Greek culture and thought than by Hebrew Greek – separation of spiritual and physicalGreek – separation of spiritual and physical Hebrew – holistic viewHebrew – holistic view “May your whole spirit, soul and body be kept blameless at the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ” “May your whole spirit, soul and body be kept blameless at the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ” (1Thessalonians 5:23 NIVUK) “All Scripture is God-breathed and is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting and training in righteousness, so that the servant of God may be thoroughly equipped for every good work” “All Scripture is God-breathed and is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting and training in righteousness, so that the servant of God may be thoroughly equipped for every good work” (2Timothy 3:16-17 NIVUK)

Becoming a Christian Spiritual and PhysicalSpiritual and Physical Great CommissionGreat Commission “…go and make disciples of all nations, baptising them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you” “…go and make disciples of all nations, baptising them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you” (Matthew 28:19-20 NIVUK) “Very truly I tell you, no one can enter the kingdom of God unless they are born of water and the Spirit” “Very truly I tell you, no one can enter the kingdom of God unless they are born of water and the Spirit” (John 3:5 NIVUK) A church where it is recognised that salvation, baptism in water and the Holy Spirit, involvement as members of a local body of believers and on- going discipleship is key to a “normal Christian way of life”

Salvation Recognising we need Jesus’ forgivenessRecognising we need Jesus’ forgiveness Sin hurts and offends God We are not the result of what has been done to us – we are the result of the choices we’ve made God is better than we think We are worse than we think A church where it is recognised that salvation, baptism in water and the Holy Spirit, involvement as members of a local body of believers and on- going discipleship is key to a “normal Christian way of life”

Salvation Recognising we need Jesus’ forgivenessRecognising we need Jesus’ forgiveness RepentanceRepentance Change of mind and ways Confession New creations (2Corinthians 5:7) A church where it is recognised that salvation, baptism in water and the Holy Spirit, involvement as members of a local body of believers and on- going discipleship is key to a “normal Christian way of life” “If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness” “If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness” (1John 1:9 NIVUK)

Salvation Recognising we need Jesus’ forgivenessRecognising we need Jesus’ forgiveness RepentanceRepentance Change of mind and ways Confession New creations (2Corinthians 5:7) A church where it is recognised that salvation, baptism in water and the Holy Spirit, involvement as members of a local body of believers and on- going discipleship is key to a “normal Christian way of life” “If you declare with your mouth, ‘Jesus is Lord,’ and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved. For it is with your heart that you believe and are justified, and it is with your mouth that you profess your faith and are saved” “If you declare with your mouth, ‘Jesus is Lord,’ and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved. For it is with your heart that you believe and are justified, and it is with your mouth that you profess your faith and are saved” (Romans 10:9-10 NIVUK)

Salvation Recognising we need Jesus’ forgivenessRecognising we need Jesus’ forgiveness RepentanceRepentance Change of mind and ways Confession New creations (2Corinthians 5:7) Not just words but actions Living by faith Faith in Jesus not that Jesus… A church where it is recognised that salvation, baptism in water and the Holy Spirit, involvement as members of a local body of believers and on- going discipleship is key to a “normal Christian way of life” “I preached that they should repent and turn to God and demonstrate their repentance by their deeds” “I preached that they should repent and turn to God and demonstrate their repentance by their deeds” (Acts 26:20 NIVUK)

Baptism in Water There are no Christians in the Bible that weren’t baptised!There are no Christians in the Bible that weren’t baptised! “Whoever believes and is baptised will be saved” “Whoever believes and is baptised will be saved” – Jesus in Mark 16:16 Baptism is a burial for the dead (Colossians 2:12 & Romans 6:3- 4) Confirmation of repentance and faith in Jesus Identifies you with His death and resurrection A church where it is recognised that salvation, baptism in water and the Holy Spirit, involvement as members of a local body of believers and on- going discipleship is key to a “normal Christian way of life” “…this water symbolises baptism that now saves you also – not the removal of dirt from the body but the pledge of a clear conscience towards God” “…this water symbolises baptism that now saves you also – not the removal of dirt from the body but the pledge of a clear conscience towards God” (1Peter 3:21 NIVUK)

Baptism in Holy Spirit Baptisms – plural (Hebrews 6:2)Baptisms – plural (Hebrews 6:2) Enables you to live in power now and in the future Water baptism – Easter Spirit baptism – Pentecost The Holy Spirit replaces Jesus on earth! Where’s the evidence? A church where it is recognised that salvation, baptism in water and the Holy Spirit, involvement as members of a local body of believers and on- going discipleship is key to a “normal Christian way of life” “I will ask the Father, and he will give you another advocate to help you and be with you for ever – the Spirit of truth. The world cannot accept him, because it neither sees him nor knows him. But you know him, for he lives with you and will be in you” “I will ask the Father, and he will give you another advocate to help you and be with you for ever – the Spirit of truth. The world cannot accept him, because it neither sees him nor knows him. But you know him, for he lives with you and will be in you” (John 14:16-17 NIVUK)

Members of a local Church Early ChurchEarly Church Met regularly (Acts 2:46) – daily! Warned not to be absent (Hebrews 10:25) Assumed everyone would be part of a local church A church where it is recognised that salvation, baptism in water and the Holy Spirit, involvement as members of a local body of believers and on- going discipleship is key to a “normal Christian way of life” “Have confidence in your leaders and submit to their authority, because they keep watch over you as those who must give an account. Do this so that their work will be a joy, not a burden, for that would be of no benefit to you” “Have confidence in your leaders and submit to their authority, because they keep watch over you as those who must give an account. Do this so that their work will be a joy, not a burden, for that would be of no benefit to you” (Hebrews 13:17 NIVUK)

The Challenge Have we taken the first step – repented?Have we taken the first step – repented? Have we stopped there?Have we stopped there? We must understand and believe the whole GospelWe must understand and believe the whole Gospel Been baptised in water and the Spirit?Been baptised in water and the Spirit? Are we active in a local church?Are we active in a local church? Are we growing in faith by being an effective disciple?Are we growing in faith by being an effective disciple?