EXAMPLES OF CONVERSIONS
1. The products we buy often come with instructions.
2. Something as simple as tube of toothpaste has lots of directions.
3. Larger items often have pieces of paper with step-by-step instructions and diagrams.
THERE ARE A LOT OF PEOPLE, PRESUMABLY AT LEAST A FEW IN THIS ASSEMBLY, WHO ARE INCLINED TO NOT FOLLOW INSTRUCTIONS FROM MANUFACTURERS.
a) Information booklets are cast aside and people try to put things together on their own.
b) Sometimes this works and sometimes it doesn’t.
2) In some respects the Bible is like an instruction manual.
3) Many of the stories in this book are like verbal pictures to help guide us to g.
4) One of the common verbal pictures contained in the scriptures is how to become a Christian.
5) In several places we are given examples of how people were saved.
6) In the book of Acts there are at least nine accounts of people turning to God.
a) As we prepare for a campaign it is good to remind ourselves of where these accounts are.
b) It is also useful to quickly study them so we will be better prepared for our campaign.
7) On the sheets that were distributed you have the same references that I have.
8) Our first text is found in Acts 2.
a)
Acts
b)
The people of
c) They were religious. Previous generations had received teaching directly from Moses.
d) It was the Israelites who received the 10 commandments.
9) Acts 2 introduces us to people who were very devout when it came to God but they were unsaved.
10) These Jews knew about the true God and worshipped Him but they were not saved.
a) The Hebrew people began to listen to the preaching.
b) They soon realized their religion would not save them.
c) Because they believed the message they asked a question: verse 37 – READ.
11) The final four words in this verse are among the most important we can ever ask or say.
12) If we want to God in the way He has directed, what must we do?
a) In our country people answer this question in a variety of ways.
b) Go to the t.v. set and put hands on it. Send an organization some money.
c) Say a prayer. Recite certain words. Wait for a special feeling, vision, or sign from God.
d) All these answers are given, but not one of them is found in God’s word.
13) In fact, the God’s answer to this question is seldom heard by people in the world.
14) Here is what Gods’ people told the people after they asked their question – verse 38 – READ.
15) An inspired preacher said, repent, be baptized, and after baptism there would be blessings from God.
16) This is a simple plan and it is a plan that all can obey.
17) Acts
18) Those who obeyed “received the word” (verse 41).
a) In the Bible people must receive God’s word.
b) They must hear it, love it, and want to obey it.
c) Those who want to do what is right will repent (change their ways).
d) They will also be united in Jesus Christ by baptism.
SOMEONE MIGHT SAY THIS IS ONLY ONE PASSAGE. WHAT ABOUT THE OTHER CONVERSIONS IN THE BOOK OF ACTS?
a) This is an excellent question.
b) We want to see if there is consistency in the scriptures when it comes to conversions.
c) In the world people affirm there are different ways to become a Christian.
d) Moments ago I listed some of the ways people say they were saved.
2) Bearing this in mind let’s go to our next example: Acts 8.
3) There are two conversions in this chapter.
4) The first is in verses 4-24; the second is in verses 26-39.
a) The first part of the chapter says Christians were scattered from their homes.
b) As they went into the world they began to teach the gospel.
c) The first passage to read is verse 5 – READ.
5) This text is important because it shows how God reached the unsaved.
6) God didn’t send a special feeling, dream, vision, or sign.
7) A man “proclaimed” Christ.
8)
Rom.
9) In Acts 8 the Word of God was spoken and the people, just like Rom. 10:17 says, developed faith.
10) The preacher didn’t have a New Testament like we have so he also performed “signs” (6b).
a) The people “gave heed” to what was said. Does the text tell us anything else?
b) Luke could have said they were very interested and were saved.
c) Let’s skip to verse 12 – READ.
11) Those who believed were baptized.
12) This is consistent with Acts 2.
13) There believers were told to repent and be baptized.
14) In
Mk.
15) In all three passages belief and baptism go hand in hand.
16) In
Acts
17) A fellow who was involved with the magical arts believed and was baptized.
18) The preacher who did the teaching did a great job.
a) Eventually it was time to move elsewhere.
b) Starting with verse 26 we find that he was directed to a desert area.
c) The preacher met a man who had been at “worship” (verse 27).
d) This man was reading from the Old Testament.
19) Modern thinking says that if people have a church, they are okay.
20) If people have some type of spiritual life, they are all right.
21) The
worshipper had gone to a place that previously had God’s approval (
22) He had worshipped the true God.
23) He was reading from the scriptures that were fairly available in that day and time.
a) In spite of all these things God did not consider him to be okay.
b) He was religious but not religiously right.
c) Because he was in error a preacher was sent to him so he could learn and obey the truth.
d) A little while ago we noted how faith comes by hearing God’s word.
e) This is also seen in this account.
f) Verse 35 – READ.
24) Today we hear a lot of claims from people who claim to “preach Christ.”
25) In Bible times preaching Christ had a consequence.
26) This is found in verse 36 – READ.
a) If we are preaching Christ to people they should ask to be baptized.
b) On the other hand those who do not preach Christ have little to say about baptism.
c) Acts 8 is also useful because it shows how baptism is to be done.
d) Both men went to the water and “into” the water (verse 38).
e) They are also described as coming “out of” the water (verse 39).
f) This non-Christian was baptized by immersion.
27) The next chapter in Acts records a another conversion and this is especially well known.
a) This story is found in more than one place but we will primarily use this account.
b) The man we know as Saul became a Christian and was renamed Paul.
c) His conversion is important because of his background.
d) An important Jewish Rabbi had taught Saul.
e) He had, shall we say, an advanced degree in theology.
f) Saul knew all about God and the people of God.
g) In spite of all his religion, God was not pleased.
28) Jesus identified himself to Saul (Acts 9:5) and then Saul asked a question – verse 6 – READ.
a) There were things Saul had to “do.”
b) Today it is not uncommon for someone to say, “You do nothing to be saved.”
c) “If we say something must be done, we dethrone Christ and mock Jesus’ death.”
29) Those who make these allegations are really saying Jesus erred.
30) Jesus himself said there were things this non-Christian had to “do.”
a) Some have alleged that Saul was already a Christian after meeting Jesus on the road.
b) This allegation is often affirmed with great zeal because of verse 7.
c) In this verse a Christian refers to him as “brother.”
31) Jews had a common natural heritage so this term was not uncommon.
32) Jews were able to use it in regard to nationality; Christians used it too.
33) Saul was definitely not a Christian because of what the parallel accounts say.
34) Acts 22:16, which is another account of this says, QUOTE.
a) Saul was still in his sins.
b) He was told to be baptized so they could be washed away.
c) This harmonizes with all the other conversions given thus far.
35) Our next place to find is Acts 16.
a) This chapter also has more than one conversion account.
b) The first is found in verses 14-15.
c)
A woman heard God’s word (and thus had faith, Rom.
d) Because of her faith and a desire to live as God will, she was “baptized.”
e) This detail occurs in the accounts again and again.
36) In verses 25-33 we read about a man who was in charge of a prison.
37) Several events occurred and the jail keeper asked a question similar to the one found in Acts 2.
38) He said, “What must I do to be saved?”
a) Verse 31 is the initial response – READ.
b) A long time ago a gospel preacher “some folks leave the jail too soon.”
c) There are people who read this verse and stop.
d) This man needed to believe but how is belief created?
39) It is created by hearing God’s word.
40) Guess what the next verse says? Let’s read it – verse 32 – READ.
41) Do we remember from Acts 8 how a man “proclaimed Christ?”
42) This was done and a non-Christian said, “I need to be baptized.”
43) What do we find in Acts 16? The same thing – verse 33 – READ.
a)
This was about
b)
If baptism is not all that important, why do it at
c) This man was a jail keeper.
d) All the prisoners were awake.
e) If baptism is not required, common sense would have said wait a few hours till daylight.
44) By word pictures the Bible affirms baptism is required and it needs to be the right one.
45) Our final reference is Acts 19:1-5.
a) People were baptized.
b) When they were asked about it they said it was not the baptism instituted by Jesus.
c) The Bible says they were dipped again.
46) Baptism is so important the conversion accounts mention it again and again.
47) It
is described as being done at an untimely hour (
48) It is said people were dipped again if it were not done the first time.
a) Baptism is not more important than faith or repentance.
b) It is however, a required step.
c) Have we taken this step and are we teaching others to take this step?
d) These are the questions we need to consider as we sing the invitation song.