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I want us to look at an example of conversion found in the book of Acts. We know we can rely
on what took place as being God-ordained because the inspired apostle Paul brought about the
conversion, and we have an inspired account of it written by Luke. And many of the Corinthians
hearing, believed, and were baptized (Acts 18:8).
What was preached by Paul? We know what he preached because he later wrote to the Corinthians and reminded them that he had preached the gospel to them (1 Cor. 15:1-4; 1 Cor. 2:2). The gospel was preached because the Lord had given the Great Commission (Mk. 16:15-16), and the gospel is God's power to save (Rom. 1:16). Anything other than the gospel was to be rejected (Gal. 1:6-9). Those who fail to obey the gospel are lost (2 Thess. 1:7-9). We learn that the Corinthians heard — they listened with honest hearts to what Paul preached. Some people are not willing to listen when the gospel is preached. Jesus spoke of some who would not listen for fear they would be converted (Matt. 13:15). Paul wrote of some who, ...received not the love of the truth, that they might be saved (2 Thess. 2:10). We are commanded to hear (Matt. 17:5; Heb. 1:1-2; Acts 3:32). One cannot have faith without hearing... the word of God (Rom. 10:17). Jesus prayed, "Neither pray I for these alone, but for them also, which shall believe on me through their word" (Jn. 17:20). And John wrote, "But these things are written, that ye might believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God; and that believing ye might have life through his name" (John 20:31). Hearing the gospel is absolutely essential to believing. The people at Corinth heard and believed. One cannot be saved without faith (Heb. 11:6). Jesus said, "If ye believe not that I am he, ye shall die in your sins (Jn. 8:24). He had said earlier that one dying in sin could not go where He was going — to heaven (Jn. 8:21). As important as faith is, faith alone will save no one (Jas. 2:24). Words could not be plainer, yet there are those who contend that faith only will save. One who believes is not yet a child of God (Jn. 1:11-12). We are told that, "...faith without works is dead (Jas. 2:20). The Corinthians were baptized. In New Testament days people were baptized immediately. Baptism was not delayedput off until some other time. We read of people being baptized the same day, same hour, straightway. In baptism, one receives the remission of sins, (Acts 2:38), the washing away of sins (Acts 22:16), and one is saved (Mk. 16:16). Peter wrote that, "baptism doth also now save us" (1 Pet. 3:21). Baptism changes one's relationship. Baptism puts one into Christ (Gal. 3:27). We are baptized into the one body (1 Cor. 12:13), and baptism is the water part of the new birth (Jn. 3:5). Scriptural baptism is a burial in water (Rom. 6:3-4; Col. 2:12). When the Corinthians heard, believed and were baptized, the church of Christ was formed at Corinth. We know this is true because the Lord adds the saved to His church (Acts 2:47). Paul later wrote two letters to the church at Corinth (1 Cor. 1:2; 2 Cor. 1:1). These people did not have to join anything — the Lord did the adding. They became part of the church that Christ purchased with His own blood (Acts 20:28). It also needs to be emphasized that the Lord has but one church. Jesus promised to build only His church (Matt. 16:18). There is one body (Eph. 4:4), and that one body is the church (Eph. 1:22-23; Col. 1:18). There is but one fold (Jn. 10:16). Division is condemned (Rom. 16:17-18; 1 Cor. 1:10-13). Have you heard, believed, and then been baptized as the Corinthians were? If not, why not? This is what it will take for you to be saved from your past sins. Then, after you have heard, believed and been baptized you must live a life faithful to Christ in order to have a crown of life (Rev. 2:10; 2 Tim. 4:6-8). |