The Gospel message and Water Baptism

Jesus preached the Kingdom of God - have you heard the message ?

Jesus preached the Kingdom of God. However,
the current and early church preached mostly
about Jesus. Is there a contradiction in this?
Did the early church get things turned around,
preaching about the messenger but neglecting
his message?
Let's go back to the four Gospels to see whether
the early church's focus on Jesus is compatible
with Jesus' own teaching. Did Jesus actually
preach about himself ?
Throughout the Sermon on the Mount, Jesus spoke with personal authority.People are
blessed or not blessed in relation to him. He set his own words on the same level as
Scripture. He said that people must not only obey the Father, but they must also
put Jesus' words into practice.

Matthew 7:21-24 "Not everyone who says to me, `Lord, Lord,' will enter the
kingdom of heaven, but only he who does the will of my Father who is in
heaven. 22 Many will say to me on that day, `Lord, Lord, did we not prophesy
in your name, and in your name drive out demons and perform many miracles?'
23 Then I will tell them plainly, `I never knew you. Away from me, you evildoers!'
24 "Therefore everyone who hears these words of mine and puts them into practice
is like a wise man who built his house on the rock.

Jesus did not begin his sermons with, "Let me tell you about how great I am." Nevertheless, in his preaching and teaching, Jesus often taught about himself. He taught that he had an extraordinary greatness, and our eternal future hinges on whether we accept him for who he is. He is the key to the kingdom. We must believe in him to be forgiven and to enter the kingdom.

Jesus' disciples didn't always understand what Jesus taught. He often chided them for being slow of heart and of little faith. They did not understand Jesus' role as Saviour until after the resurrection. They seem to have misunderstood who he was, despite all the things that he taught. And there were some things that he specifically told them to be quiet about until after his resurrection (Mark 9:9). After Jesus ascended into heaven and the Holy Spirit empowered the apostles, they understood much more about Jesus and his kingdom. They were inspired to see even more clearly that Jesus' teachings about himself were of supreme importance.

Jesus constantly spoke of God as his Father (about 120 times in John alone). Often he called him "my father" (Matthew 15:13; 18:10; Luke 2:49, etc). In one instance he addressed God by the Aramaic term "abba" (Mark 14:36) which a Jewish child would use of their dad. The Jewish scholar, Professor J. Jeremias, has drawn attention to the rarity of the word "Father" in Jewish literature as applied to God. God is rarely addressed as Father in the Old Testament and there are only a few examples of it in Palestinian Judaism during the early Christian era.

The first appearance of "my Father" is in the Middle Ages. The use of the term "abba" as a personal address to God is unknown in Jewish writings. Jews of Jesus' day would have considered it improper, indeed scandalous, for a person to use such intimate titles for God. They realised that, in speaking this way, Jesus was making himself equal with God, and so sought to kill him (John 5:16-18).

The Gospel Message - Why do I need Jesus Christ's Gift of Salvation ?

The New Testament Greek word for salvation is sozo, an all
inclusive term meaning; saved, healed, delivered, pardoned,
rescued, protected, preserved, made whole, cured, set free, and
restored.

It's not religion, and is much more than having your sins forgiven.

When we receive Jesus as Lord, all that he is becomes ours. He brings His righteousness, His redemption, His health, His wisdom, His holiness, and His life.

It is for everyone, it's free, and you can have it now.
The Bible says that Jesus was made a sacrifice for the sins of all mankind, was resurrected from the dead and is now seated on the right hand of God (Romans 8:34).
The Bible says in the directive to repent and to be baptized as the act of reconciliation towards God (Acts 2:38).
The Bible says that if we repent and are baptized we will become part of the Body of Christ -the Church (1 Corinthians 10:16), with such salvation and reconciliation being sealed by the infilling of the Holy Spirit (Ephesians 1:13).
The Bible says that the evidence of having been sealed with the Holy Spirit will be its manifestations in our lives commencing with the ability to pray to God in the Spirit, which is speaking in other tongues (1 Corinthians 14:2, Romans 8:27).
The Bible says that without faith it is impossible to please God (Hebrews 11:6) and by faith we are able to boldly claim all of the promises made by God (Hebrews 6:12), including healing and prosperity, so that we may fulfill our role as God's ambassadors and ministers of reconciliation (2 Corinthians 5:18-20)
The Bible says that in the ongoing forgiveness by God to a repentant heart and the removal of all unrighteousness (1 John 1:9).

How do I receive Jesus as my Savoir ?

My Lord and my God, have mercy upon my soul, a sinner.  I believe that Jesus Christ died on the cross and shed His blood for the forgiveness of my sins.  I believe Jesus rose again from the dead by the power of the Holy Ghost and sits on the right hand of God making intercession for me.

Come into my heart, Lord Jesus, and wash all my sins away with Your blood.  I invite you into my heart as my personal Savior.

Your Word says you'll turn no one away, and that includes me.  Therefore, I know you've heard me, and I know you've answered me, and I know I'm saved.

Thank you, Jesus, for saving my soul.

If you have prayed this prayer out loud and mean it, Never Doubt the power of prayer, Jesus has heard your cry for help. Contact us and we will help guide you on the new life road you have now chosen to walk.

Find out what Jesus said about Water Baptism.

Water Baptism - Why do I need to be Baptised as an adult ?

The word "baptism" from the Greek 'baptizo' means 'to dip, to
immerse', it means complete immersion in water.
Baptism by immersion is performed for the remission
(forgiveness) of sins, and as an indication of a believer's
repentance and commitment to turn to God.

Jesus himself set the example for His followers to be baptised by full immersion (in water), to fulfil all righteousness. (Matthew 3:13 - 15). Even though Jesus was without sin, He was doing what God required of Him. Straight after His baptism in the River Jordan, the Holy Spirit came down on Jesus like a dove, " And lo a voice from heaven, saying, This is my beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased ." (Matthew 3:17)

This is exactly the pattern established for believers today, we must be baptised and we must receive the Holy Spirit.

Jesus gave the instruction that believers should be baptised.
"Go into all the world and preach the good news to all creation, whoever believes and is baptized will be saved, but whoever does not believe will be condemned." (Mark 16:15)

When we are baptised, we identify ourselves with the death, burial and resurrection of Jesus Christ (Romans 6: 3 - 5), who died bearing our sins and paying the penalty for them in His own body (1 Peter 2:24). He was buried, taking our old life into the tomb with Him. He was raised from the dead, that He might give to us, by the power of God, a new life of peace, joy and victory over all that previously held us in bondage.

(2 Corinthians 5:17)

Many today have rejected the message of the churches, yet have never experienced Christianity. Exciting and real, Bible Christianity brings healing, security, protection, provision, and happiness.

The challenge is put to all: "And now why tarriest thou? arise, and be baptized, and wash away thy sins, calling on the name of the Lord" (Acts 22:16)

For more information on Baptism please Contact Us .

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