1. Kicking Against the Goads Acts 9:1-9

2. 2 “Believe and Pray” is not God’s Plan of Salvation Gospel is God’s power to save, Rom 1:16 Gospel can be understood, Jno 8:31-32 Gospel commands belief and baptism in order to be saved, Mark 16:15-16 Saul an important example, Acts 9:5-11, 18; 22:10, 16 Believing, repenting, praying sinner!

3. 3 God’s Plan of Salvation The Ethiopian, Acts 8:26-39 Pentecost, Acts 2:36-41, 47 Necessity of water baptism to be saved, Mark 16:16; 1 Peter 3:21; Hebrews 9:22; 10:10 Baptized into the death of Jesus, Romans 6:3 (Acts 22:16)

4. 4 Water Baptism “What about the thief on the cross; he wasn’t baptized, and he was saved.” Jesus forgave sins while on earth, Mark 2:5, 10; Lk. 7:48 Forgave thief before he died, Lk 23:42-43 Now He has died, been raised & exalted Commands “every creature” to “believe & be baptized” to be saved, Mk 16:15-16

5. 5 “Baptism is a work, and we are not saved by works.” Fear God and work righteousness, Acts 10:34-35 Faith is a work, John 6:28-29 Work of faith, James 2:21-24 Obedience does not “earn” grace, Luke 17:10

6. 6 “What if someone can’t be baptized or dies on the way.” God will judge righteously No comfort in disobedience, Eph 5:6; Heb 5:9 No comfort if you refuse to go, then die Reason not to delay, Acts 16:32-33; 22:16; Heb 3:7-8

7. 7 “There are so many people who believe they are Christians.” Many say they are – but not the same as being one, Matthew 7:21-23 Everyone makes a personal choice about salvation, Matthew 7:13-14 The wise will hear & obey Jesus, Matthew 7:24-27

8. 8 “What church do I have to go to in order to be baptized?” The belief that the church authorizes & sanctions baptism, Acts 8:35-38 The church does not sanction baptism, Jesus does, Matt 28:18-19; 1 Cor 1:13 Lord added the properly baptized one (saved) to His church, Acts 2:47

9. 9 The Church “So, which is the right church?” The one Jesus built, Matt 16:18 The one Jesus died for, Eph 5:25 (Acts 20:28) The one that is his body, Col 1:18 (Eph 4:4) The one Jesus saves, Eph 5:23 The one you can be baptized into, 1 Cor 12:13

10. 10 The Church “How do I find the right church?” Can visit one by one, testing each one, 1 Ths. 5:21-22 Can learn the Bible pattern and investigate the church of Christ: Origin Name Plan of salvation Worship Organization & work

11. Do Not Kick Against the Goads Satan will try to snatch the word of God from your heart, Mark 4:15 Must not delay! Acts 22:16 Immediately believe & obey Jesus to be saved, 2 Cor 6:2 (Mk 16:16)