What makes the church of Christ different from all other Christian churches? Acapella singing? Before the 19th century – all churches started with acapella - Ephesians 5:19; Colossians 3:16; Deuteronomy 4:2; Revelation 21:18-19; Acts 15:28,29
The Lord’s Table every 1st day of the week? Catholics everyday – Anglicans, Lutherans, most evangelical faiths celebrate sporadically, 1 Corinthians 11:20,26; Acts 20:7; Hebrews 12:22;
Baptism – so many have gone with baby baptisms, or outward sign of inward grace. Teaching salvation before baptism, already received the Holy Spirit.
Baptism is the source of our difference but it is the result of baptism that makes us so different. First we need to understand Repentance – changing one’s mind or thinking to turn to spiritual thinking from physical thinking. Convicted by Holy Spirit - John 16:8; 3:5; Acts 2:37; 7:54; 8:36
Baptism – what all takes place at a baptism:
1. Forgiveness of sins – John the Baptist taught this in Mark 1:4; But not enough Acts 19:2-6; Luke 3:16; Ephesians 4:4-6; Contacting the blood of Christ Hebrews 9:11-14; 1 John 1:7; What can wash away my sins? Acts 22:16
2. Circumcision of the heart – Colossians 2:10-12; Romans 2:29; 2 Corinthians 3:14-18; Philippians 3:3; Ezra 6:26; 2 Corinthians 5:17; new creature.
3. Receive the indwelling of the Holy Spirit at baptism – Acts 2:38; Romans 8:9; 1 John 2:26-27; 1 Corinthians 6:29; Acts 5:32
4. Added to the church, the kingdom – Acts 2:47; Colossians 1:13; 1 Peter 2:9; Ephesians 1:5; adoption
It is having the indwelling of the Holy Spirit that makes us different from all the rest. You cannot receive Him, without being baptized for the forgiveness of sins, then you receive the gift of the Holy Spirit. What does the Holy Spirit do for us?
1. Intercedes for us – Romans 8:26
2. Guides us – John 16:14-15; James 1:5; 1 Corinthians 2:11-16; Hebrews 11:6
3. Renews us – Titus 3:5; Romans 12:2; Ephesians 4:23; Colossians 3:10; 1 Thessalonians 4:7-8
But wait – I didn’t remember all this when I was baptized, in fact it took years for me to understand the Holy Spirit dwells within and guides into all truth. 2 Peter 1:12-15; 3:14-18; 1 John 5:13
3 Warnings – concerning the Holy Spirit now that you know:
1. Do not resist – Acts 7:51; Stiff necked refusing the yoke Isaiah 63:10-11; Matthew 11:30; Psalm 78:8; Romans 2:5
2. Do not grieve – Ephesians 4:30; James 4:5
3. Do not quench – 1 Thessalonians 5:19-20
It is believing the Holy Spirit works within us, to help us learn and grow in Christ, renewed daily all this gives us strength to carry on, to fight the good fight, God can’t do any more for us than He is already doing right now. Jn.15:5; God gives the best to you, the Holy Spirit, question is do you work with the Holy Spirit, so you can give your best to God?
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