Beyond Belief Ministries
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Beliefs
First of all it is a perpetual debate as to how one becomes "saved" or "born again". For the answers to this and other questions we will look to God's word to see what He has to say about the way in which First Century Believers were saved. For this we will visit first, the Book of Acts. In this book we find in chapter two the first recorded sermon given by Peter on the day of Pentacost. After delivering a Spirit inspired sermon the people in the crowd were "pricked in their hearts".
From the first delivery of that Divine message, it appeared that there was Divine power going with it; and thousands were brought to the obedience of faith. But neither Peter's words, nor the miracle they witnessed, could have produced such effects, had not the Holy Spirit been given. Sinners, when their eyes are opened, cannot but be pricked to the heart for sin, cannot but feel an inward uneasiness. The apostle exhorted them to repent of their sins, and openly to avow their belief in Jesus as the Messiah, by being baptized in his name. Thus professing their faith in Him, they would receive remission of their sins, and partake of the gifts and graces of the Holy Spirit. To separate from wicked people, is the only way to save ourselves from them. Those who repent of their sins, and give up themselves to Jesus Christ, must prove their sincerity by breaking off from the wicked. We must save ourselves from them; which denotes avoiding them with dread and holy fear. By God's grace three thousand persons accepted the gospel invitation. There can be no doubt that the gift of the Holy Ghost, which they all received, and from which no true believer has ever been shut out, was that Spirit of adoption, that converting, guiding, sanctifying grace, which is bestowed upon all the members of the family of our heavenly Father. Repentance and remission of sins are still preached to the chief of sinners, in the Redeemer's name; still the Holy Spirit seals the blessing on the believer's heart; still the encouraging promises are to us and our children; and still the blessings are offered to all that are afar off.
So Lets get this straight:
1. We hear the Gospel (good news) and are convicted (pierced to the heart).
2. Then, depending on how stubborn and ignorant we are, we fall to our knees and cry out to the Lord to intervene in our life. No praying Jesus into our hearts because scripture does not support that. But maybe more of a putting aside of our own will and bowing to God's. A step in the "Make yourself real to me God" direction.
3. Next we need to obey the Gospel in Acts where we are called to repent and be baptized for the remission of our sin to receive the gift of the Holy Spirit. The important point here is receiving the gift of the Holy Spirit. God's Spirit comes to live inside us to guide us and give us unimaginable power to overcome Satan and to show us what the life of a conqueror truly is. It's the POWER of the Holy Spirit that produces what we like to call Close Encounters of the God Kind....or Divine Appointments. When we tap into that which God has poured out on all flesh in these last days we become more than conquerors, we become Sons and Daughters of the Most High.....joint heirs with Christ to the Throne of Grace.
4 We must read the bible daily and pray with an understanding that God is as real as we will allow Him to be in our lives. As our faith grows, so does His power and movement in our lives.
Baptism
Fasting
Prayer
