What Shall
We Do?
A question asked 2,000 years ago
that still needs an answer today
that still needs an answer today
Outreach Christian Church · Coraopolis, PA
Monday. Lunch break at a job site in Coraopolis...
Big Jim's funeral was Saturday. Fifty-two years old. Heart attack, right here on the job.
I heard. I'm sorry, Mike. You two were close.
1
Got me thinking, Dave. If that was me... where would I be right now? I'm a decent guy. I figure God grades on a curve.
Mind if I show you what God actually says about that?
2
It says ALL have sinned. Nobody gets a passing grade on their own.
Even church guys like you?
Especially me.
“For all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God.”Romans 3:23
3
Good deeds can't cancel sin, Mike, any more than being polite to the judge cancels a speeding ticket. The fine still has to be paid.
“For the wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord.”Romans 6:23
4
So God paid it Himself. Jesus, God's own Son, took the punishment we deserved on the cross.
“For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life.”John 3:16
5
But the story didn't end at the cross. Three days later, Jesus walked out of the grave, proving He is exactly who He said He is!
“...that Christ died for our sins according to the Scriptures, and that He was buried, and that He rose again the third day according to the Scriptures.”1 Corinthians 15:3-4
6
Okay. So how does a guy like me get in on that? Just say a prayer and I'm good?
Let's not guess. Let's look at what happened the very first time people asked that exact question.
7
Jerusalem, fifty days after Jesus rose. The apostle Peter stands up to preach to thousands...
Let all the house of Israel know assuredly that God has made this Jesus, whom you crucified, both Lord and Christ!Acts 2:36
8
“Now when they heard this, they were cut to the heart...” (Acts 2:37)
Men and brethren, what shall we do?
9
Repent, and let every one of you be baptized in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins; and you shall receive the gift of the Holy Spirit.Acts 2:38
Peter didn't say “wait and see” or “just say a prayer.” He told them exactly what to do.
10
“Then those who gladly received his word were baptized; and that day about three thousand souls were added to them.” (Acts 2:41)
11
Three thousand people... baptized the SAME DAY?
Same day. They didn't wait. And there's another story in Acts I love...
12
A desert road toward Gaza. God sends a preacher named Philip to one traveler: an Ethiopian official, treasurer to the queen, reading the prophet Isaiah in his chariot.
Do you understand what you are reading?
How can I, unless someone guides me?Acts 8:30-31
13
He was reading: “He was led as a sheep to the slaughter; and as a lamb before its shearer is silent, so He opened not His mouth.” (Acts 8:32; Isaiah 53:7)
The prophet is talking about Jesus! He is the Lamb who died for our sins, and God raised Him from the dead!
“Then Philip opened his mouth, and beginning at this Scripture, preached Jesus to him.”Acts 8:35
14
Now as they went down the road, they came to some water...
See, here is water. What hinders me from being baptized?
If you believe with all your heart, you may.
I believe that Jesus Christ is the Son of God!Acts 8:36-37
15
“...both Philip and the eunuch went down into the water, and he baptized him... and he went on his way rejoicing.” (Acts 8:38-39)
16
Hold on. Philip “preached Jesus” to him, and the first thing the guy asked about was WATER?
Exactly! Baptism is part of the good news about Jesus. Look at the pattern God's Word gives...
17
God's plan of salvation, straight from the New Testament:
- Hear the Word of God. “Faith comes by hearing, and hearing by the word of God.” Romans 10:17
- Believe Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God. “If you do not believe that I am He, you will die in your sins.” John 8:24
- Repent and turn from sin to God. “God... now commands all men everywhere to repent.” Acts 17:30
- Confess Jesus as Lord. “With the mouth confession is made unto salvation.” Romans 10:10
- Be Baptized (immersed) for the forgiveness of sins. “He who believes and is baptized will be saved.” Mark 16:16; Acts 2:38
- Remain Faithful and grow in Christ. “Be faithful until death, and I will give you the crown of life.” Revelation 2:10
18
But isn't getting baptized just me trying to earn it?
Not at all! Nobody can earn it. Baptism isn't our work. It's where God does HIS work: He washes away our sins and gives us His Spirit. We just trust Him and obey.
“...not by works of righteousness which we have done, but according to His mercy He saved us, through the washing of regeneration and renewing of the Holy Spirit.”Titus 3:5
19
Baptism is a picture of the gospel, and you share in it!
“Therefore we were buried with Him through baptism into death, that just as Christ was raised from the dead by the glory of the Father, even so we also should walk in newness of life.”Romans 6:4
20
I've been putting God off my whole life, Dave.
Then here's the same question God asked a man named Saul, who had put Him off too...
“And now why are you waiting? Arise and be baptized, and wash away your sins, calling on the name of the Lord.”Acts 22:16
21
Sunday morning at Outreach Christian Church...
Mike, do you believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of the living God?
I do! He's my Lord and Savior.
Then I baptize you in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit.
22
I feel... clean. Like I'm brand new!
You are, brother. Welcome to the family of God! Now let's grow together.
“Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; old things have passed away; behold, all things have become new.”2 Corinthians 5:17
23
Mike's question is YOUR question, friend. Jesus died and rose again for YOU. The answer Peter gave is still the answer today.
So... what will YOU do?
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Ready to Take the Next Step?
Want to be baptized, or just have questions? We'd love to open the Bible with you. No pressure, no judgment.
Outreach Christian Church
912 4th Ave, Coraopolis, PA 15108
Sundays at 10:00 AM
412-468-2237 · office@theoutreachcc.com
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Scripture taken from the New King James Version®. Copyright © 1982 by Thomas Nelson. Used by permission. All rights reserved.
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