Peter replied, “Repent and be baptized, every one of you, in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins. And you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit.
(Acts 2:38 NIV)
Are you a Believer in Jesus Christ? Are you a Follower of Jesus Christ? When you hear truth, do you believe it, and act on it?
Many people want God to follow them. They want to lead God. They want to tell God what they want. Jesus Christ is Lord God Almighty. God tells us what He wants. We have the privilege of following and knowing Him.
Some people ask if they have to believe, repent, be baptized and be filled with the Holy Spirit? They ask if they can just believe. They ask, “How few steps can I take and still miss hell?”
Why are you asking the question of how little you can do to obey God? If you don’t really believe, then you won’t want to repent and get rid of sin. You won’t want to pursue knowing God. If you don’t want to obey Jesus Christ, you won’t want to be baptized. If you don’t want to get rid of sin, you won’t want the Holy Spirit’s power to live a life that pleases God. You won’t want the Holy Spirit to make you into a new person that cares about other people and wants them to love God.
If you believe God is the greatest treasure, then you will pursue God. You will want to know God. You will want to repent of your sin, because it displeases God. You will want to be forgiven. You will want to be baptized to show your community that you are a follower of Jesus Christ. You will realize you need the help of the Holy Spirit to live a life that pleases God. You will seek the Holy Spirit’s help to get rid of sin in your life. You will want the Holy Spirit’s help to impact other people for Jesus Christ.
Do you think God is Great? Is He powerful and mighty? Is God the greatest treasure?
God believes He is the greatest treasure, do you?
Do you think God’s way of living is best? Do you want to live a life that pleases God?
God thinks His way is best, do you?
Do you want to be in love with God? Do you want your thoughts to be focused on knowing and pleasing Him? Do you want to enjoy being with Him? Do you want to talk with Him?
It is God’s desire, is it yours?
Do you want power in your life to change yourself and impact others?
It is God’s desire, is it yours?
Are you a believer in Jesus Christ?
Adapted from “The Holy Spirit, Part 3”, by Francis Chan 8/26/2007.
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