R EADING THE N EXT V ERSE A CTS 20:17-38

I NTRODUCTION Many warnings about false teaching –“Beware of false prophets.” (Matthew 7:15) –Paul sounded a warning. (Acts 20:29-32)

I NTRODUCTION Must be grounded in the faith –One’s best defense is a knowledge of God’s word. (Acts 20:32) –Often error can be avoided by “reading the next verse!”

M IRACULOUS C ALLING Some wait for a “ calling ” (John 6:44) –Think of holding a magnet over metal shavings. –This puts the burden entirely on God.

J OHN 6:45 “ It is written in the prophets, 'And they shall all be taught by God.' Therefore everyone who has heard and learned from the Father comes to Me.”

M IRACULOUS C ALLING The next verse gives the “ rest of the story ” –Everyone who is “called” is first TAUGHT (John 6:45) –The calling is by the gospel. (2 Thessalonians 2:14)

S AVED B Y F AITH O NLY The jailer was told to believe (Acts 16:31) –Some are quick to point out that he wasn’t told to do anything else. –This is the result of Calvinism theology –Familiar text quoted— John 3:16

A CTS 16:32,33 “ Then they spoke the word of the Lord to him and to all who were in his house. And he took them the same hour of the night and washed their stripes. And immediately he and all his family were baptized.”

S AVED B Y F AITH O NLY The next verse gives the “ rest of the story ” –Paul had announced his subject, and he began to teach on it (Acts 16:32,33) –He was immediately baptized. (Acts 16:34)

O BEDIENCE N OT N ECESSARY Willingly accept “faith only” (Galatians 3:26) –Sometimes they are “preached into heaven” on the basis of their works –Widely believed, taught and accepted by main stream denominations

G ALATIANS 3:27 “ For as many of you as were baptized into Christ have put on Christ.”

O BEDIENCE N OT N ECESSARY The next verse gives the “ rest of the story ” –The next verse explains the type of faith that is necessary (Galatians 3:27) –Faith without works is dead! (James 2:17,18,24)

B APTISM IS B ELITTLED They say Paul didn’t baptized many (1 Corinthians 1:14) –This is supposed to prove baptism isn’t essential to one’s salvation –Paul said he was “glad” he didn’t baptize many – WHY?

1 C ORINTHIANS 1:15 “ Lest anyone should say that I had baptized in my own name. ”

B APTISM IS B ELITTLED The next verse gives the “ rest of the story ” –He wanted to keep people from following him as Paul’s disciples (1 Cor.1:15) –The one who did the baptizing wasn’t emphasized – What about Paul’s other teachings?

C ALLING D ONE BY P RAYING They say one calls on God by praying (Romans 10:13) –All one needs to do is “pray through” –This may be accompanied by other things –The “Sinner’s Prayer”

R OMANS 10:14 “ How then shall they call on Him in whom they have not believed ? And how shall they believe in Him of whom they have not heard ? And how shall they hear without a preacher ? ”

R OMANS 10:15 “ And how shall they preach unless they are sent? As it is written: "How beautiful are the feet of those who preach the gospel of peace, Who bring glad tidings of good things! ”

C ALLING D ONE BY P RAYING The next verse gives the “rest of the story” –We call on God by hearing and obeying the gospel (Romans 10:14,15) – Paul called on the Lord in baptism (Acts 22:16)

G ENERAL B ENEVOLENCE They say the church is a “Red Cross” (2 Corinthians 9:13) –They see “all men” as the world – Such conclusion would tie up all the funds collected by the churches!

2 C ORINTHIANS 9:14 “ And by their prayer for you, who long for you because of the exceeding grace of God in you. ”

G ENERAL B ENEVOLENCE The next verse gives the “rest of the story” –Church benevolence involves “saints” (Acts 11:27-30) – Those who were helped were to pray for the helpers (2 Cor.9:14; Rom.15:26,27) – Some were not helped at all! (2 Thessalonians 3:10)

C ONCLUSION Let’s handle God’s word properly Are you a child of God?