Believing Must Be The First Step, Right?

[Anchor Of Hope]

Because Jesus preached the Gospel to many people and they believed and were saved.

The condition for salvation is to believe (obey) the Gospel of Jesus Christ.

Those by the wayside are the ones who hear; then the devil comes and takes away the word out of their hearts, lest they should believe and be saved. Luke 8:12

• lest they should believe and be saved

By your claim the day of Pentecost with the baptism with the Holy Spirit and speaking in tongues is the only evidence of salvation.

The Apostles were born again when they believed the gospel message and began following Him.

So Jesus said to them again, “Peace to you! As the Father has sent Me, I also send you.” And when He had said this, He breathed on them, and said to them, “Receive the Holy Spirit.
John 20:21-22

You quoted John 20:21-22 correctly. However, at that time, they did not receive the Holy Ghost because Jesus had not yet been glorified. That is why the Lord told His disciples in Acts 1:4-5:

4 And, being assembled together with them, commanded them that they should not depart from Jerusalem, but wait for the promise of the Father, which, saith he, ye have heard of me.
5 For John truly baptized with water; but ye shall be baptized with the Holy Ghost not many days hence.​

If they had received the Holy Ghost when the Lord breathed on them, He would not have commanded them to wait in Jerusalem for the promise.

Then, the Lord Jesus told them why they must receive the Holy Ghost in Acts 1:8:

But ye shall receive power, after that the Holy Ghost is come upon you: and ye shall be witnesses unto me both in Jerusalem, and in all Judaea, and in Samaria, and unto the uttermost part of the earth.​

So, they waited in Jerusalem for approximately ten days. There were about 120 people in that upper room—Mary, the mother of Jesus, was there, and I am sure Nicodemus was there as well. These people were in prayer, seeking God, when the Holy Ghost came.

Acts 2:1-4 records the first time the Holy Ghost was poured out.

How do I know the Holy Ghost had not yet been given?

John 7:37-39 says:

37 In the last day, that great day of the feast, Jesus stood and cried, saying, If any man thirst, let him come unto me, and drink.
38 He that believeth on me, as the scripture hath said, out of his belly shall flow rivers of living water.
39 (But this spake he of the Spirit, which they that believe on him should receive: for the Holy Ghost was not yet given; because that Jesus was not yet glorified.)​

Why do you not know how to study the Scriptures? I know why—because you have never been taught the proper way.

The Gospel of Jesus Christ is the divine testimony of His birth, life, ministry, death, burial, and resurrection.

The Book of Acts is an account of:

• The birth of the Church,
• The ministry of the Apostles.
• The doctrine of the Apostles concerning our salvation,
• The Plan of Salvation (Acts 2:38), where Apostle Peter laid the foundation upon which the Church is to be built, The Lord made it so simple "He put the whole plan of Salvation in one Scripture" Acts 2:38

Acts 10 records the moment when the Gentiles received salvation. Because until the Day of Pentecost, Salvation was of the Jews.

The Epistles were letters written to the churches for:

1. Instruction
2. Reproof
3. Correction
4. Guidance

These letters were written to churches whose members had already repented of their sins, been baptized in water in the name of Jesus Christ, and, in most cases, received the gift of the Holy Ghost.

The Book of Revelation is a book of prophecy.

Most people today have adopted doctrines from the Epistles (such as, just say you Believe in Jesus Christ now you are saved) (such as, We are saved by Faith not by works and established them as the foundation of modern churches. However, they wrongly claim that these doctrines alone teach the way to be saved, while they reject the message of repentance, baptism in Jesus' name, and the infilling of the Holy Ghost (Acts 2:38).

Those who claim, "All you have to do is say, 'I believe,' and now I am saved," have been deceived.
Many will find out in due time that they have embraced half-truths—and, by doing so, have been deceived.
But, if we study the Scripture correctly we can put everything in it's proper place and perspective.

 

[Anchor Of Hope]

Do you deny that salvation is a work of God from start to finish? Do you deny that justification is by grace alone through faith alone in Christ alone?

I don't deny Faith, Faith is the beginning our our Journey to Christ, But Faith without works id DEAD. Repentance, Baptism in the Name of Jesus Christ, and the Infilling of the Holy Ghost is the Born-Again Experience. And Faith is the beginning of this Journey.

 

[Free]

I don't deny Faith, Faith is the beginning our our Journey to Christ,

What do you mean by "our Journey to Christ"?

But Faith without works id DEAD.

It is, but do you agree that our works don't justify (in the sense of salvation) us before God? Do you not believe we are justified by grace alone, through faith alone, in Christ alone?

Repentance, Baptism in the Name of Jesus Christ, and the Infilling of the Holy Ghost is the Born-Again Experience. And Faith is the beginning of this Journey.

As I stated earlier, belief and repentance go hand-in-hand; you cannot have one without the other. Baptism doesn't save anyone and every believer receives the Holy Spirit when they are justified (declared righteous). That is "the Born-Again Experience," wouldn't you agree?

 

[Anchor Of Hope]

What do you mean by "our Journey to Christ"?


It is, but do you agree that our works don't justify (in the sense of salvation) us before God? Do you not believe we are justified by grace alone, through faith alone, in Christ alone?


As I stated earlier, belief and repentance go hand-in-hand; you cannot have one without the other. Baptism doesn't save anyone and every believer receives the Holy Spirit when they are justified (declared righteous). That is "the Born-Again Experience," wouldn't you agree?

Our Journey to Christ I will answer with Scripture: Luke 13:23-24 and Matthew 7:13-14
Then said one unto him, Lord, are there few that be saved? And he said unto them,
Strive to enter in at the strait gate: for many, I say unto you, will seek to enter in, and shall not be able. Matthew 7:13-14 gives a little more detail what the Lord was saying in Luke. Matthew 7:13-14
13 Enter ye in at the strait gate: for wide is the gate, and broad is the way, that leadeth to destruction, and many there be which go in thereat:
14 Because strait is the gate, and narrow is the way, which leadeth unto life, and few there be that find it.

The Christian life begins with faith. Through faith, I will obey the foundational message Peter preached on the Day of Pentecost. When the people asked him and the rest of the apostles in Acts 2:37, "Men and brethren, what shall we do?"—Peter gave them the answer in verse 38, providing the remedy for their dilemma. He said, "Repent, and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins, and ye shall receive the gift of the Holy Ghost."

My friend, this is the beginning of our Christian journey.

As for what you said about baptism not saving us—I don’t think Peter presented it as a mere suggestion. He placed it alongside repentance and the infilling of the Holy Ghost, emphasizing its necessity just as he did with the other elements of salvation.

 

[Free]

Our Journey to Christ I will answer with Scripture: Luke 13:23-24 and Matthew 7:13-14
Then said one unto him, Lord, are there few that be saved? And he said unto them,
Strive to enter in at the strait gate: for many, I say unto you, will seek to enter in, and shall not be able. Matthew 7:13-14 gives a little more detail what the Lord was saying in Luke. Matthew 7:13-14
13 Enter ye in at the strait gate: for wide is the gate, and broad is the way, that leadeth to destruction, and many there be which go in thereat:
14 Because strait is the gate, and narrow is the way, which leadeth unto life, and few there be that find it.

That doesn't really help. Do you know that the Bible speaks of salvation using three different terms--justification, sanctification, and glorification--to represent a past event, an ongoing reality, and a future fulfillment? I don't to what you believe those verses refer to and so I can't figure out what you mean by "our Journey to Christ."

The Christian life begins with faith. Through faith, I will obey the foundational message Peter preached on the Day of Pentecost. When the people asked him and the rest of the apostles in Acts 2:37, "Men and brethren, what shall we do?"—Peter gave them the answer in verse 38, providing the remedy for their dilemma. He said, "Repent, and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins, and ye shall receive the gift of the Holy Ghost."

My friend, this is the beginning of our Christian journey.

Where is God's grace in all of this? Do you understand that there is no faith without repentance nor repentance without faith?

As for what you said about baptism not saving us—I don’t think Peter presented it as a mere suggestion. He placed it alongside repentance and the infilling of the Holy Ghost, emphasizing its necessity just as he did with the other elements of salvation.

No, baptism isn't a mere suggestion, but it isn't necessary for justification. It is something Christians must do out of obedience to Christ. He also never mentioned the infilling of the Holy Spirit as necessary for justification. Every believer has the Holy Spirit come and dwell in them when they are justified, that is, when they first repent and put their faith in Christ.

 

[Whatever]

The thief on the cross was before the Church Dispensation began. Which is a total different discussion

There is no Church "ekklēsia" dispensation that began.

This is the Christian martyr Stephen speaking:
Acts 7:38 This is he, that was in the church "ekklēsia" in the wilderness with the angel which spake to him in the mount Sina, and with our fathers: who received the lively oracles to give unto us:

 

[follower]

Believing must be the first step , right ?

No.
I'm remembering Jesus did not tell someone "you must believe".
He told them "You must be born again ; not by the choice nor the will of man, nor of blood, nor of the flesh; but by the Will of the Father in heaven. "

No one is admitted without being born again.
No one can make themself born again.

 

[JLB]

You quoted John 20:21-22 correctly. However, at that time, they did not receive the Holy Ghost because Jesus had not yet been glorified. That is why the Lord told His disciples in Acts 1:4-5:

So we just chalk it up to yet another failure of Jesus Christ.

Sending out the unsaved as Apostles.

So Jesus said to them again, “Peace to you! As the Father has sent Me, I also send you.” And when He had said this, He breathed on them, and said to them, “Receive the Holy Spirit. If you forgive the sins of any, they are forgiven them; if you retain the sins of any, they are retained.” John 20: 21-23

 

[JLB]

I don't deny Faith, Faith is the beginning our our Journey to Christ, But Faith without works id DEAD. Repentance, Baptism in the Name of Jesus Christ, and the Infilling of the Holy Ghost is the Born-Again Experience. And Faith is the beginning of this Journey.

Ahhh. Something I can agree with.

In this you greatly rejoice, though now for a little while, if need be, you have been grieved by various trials, that the genuineness of your faith, being much more precious than gold that perishes, though it is tested by fire, may be found to praise, honor, and glory at the revelation of Jesus Christ, whom having not seen you love. Though now you do not see Him, yet believing, you rejoice with joy inexpressible and full of glory, receiving the end of your faith—the salvation of your souls.
1 Peter 1:6-9

• receiving the end of your faith—the salvation of your souls.

The end result of faith for salvation through Jesus Christ is the salvation of our souls.


To put it another way… if you still have faith for salvation the you obviously don’t have the actual salvation but you have the substance of the salvation you are hoping for, and the evidence of the salvation you have not seen; that you have not yet obtained.

Paul says it this way -

For we were saved in this hope, but hope that is seen is not hope; for why does one still hope for what he sees? But if we hope for what we do not see, we eagerly wait for it with perseverance. Romans 8:24-25

• But if we hope for what we do not see, we eagerly wait for it with perseverance.

 

[hawkman]

No.

What must I do . We are plainly told in this passage of scripture . Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ .

Acts 16:31 Context​

28But Paul cried with a loud voice, saying, Do thyself no harm: for we are all here. 29Then he called for a light, and sprang in, and came trembling, and fell down before Paul and Silas, 30And brought them out, and said, Sirs, what must I do to be saved? 31And they said, Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ, and thou shalt be saved, and thy house. 32And they spake unto him the word of the Lord, and to all that were in his house. 33And he took them the same hour of the night, and washed their stripes; and was baptized, he and all his, straightway. 34And when he had brought them into his house, he set meat before them, and rejoiced, believing in God with all his house.

I'm remembering Jesus did not tell someone "you must believe".
He told them "You must be born again ; not by the choice nor the will of man, nor of blood, nor of the flesh; but by the Will of the Father in heaven. "

Can you give me a chapter and verse for the bold quote from the above . I can't find it .

 

[follower]

Bible Study Tools
biblestudytools.com› john › 1-13.html

John 1:13 - children born not of natural descent, nor of human...
John 1:13 children born not of natural descent, nor of human decision or a husband’s will, but born of God.... Read verse in New International Version

Biblegateway
biblegateway.com› verse › en › John 1:13
John 1:13 - Bible Gateway
Which are born not of blood, nor of the will of the flesh, nor of the will of man, but of God. ... These people didn’t become God’s children in a physical way—from a human impulse or from a husband’s desire ⌞to have a child⌟. They were born from God. ... They did not become God's children by natural means, that is, by being born as the children of a human father...

Bibleref
bibleref.com› John › 1 › John-1-13.html
What does John 1:13 mean? | BibleRef.com
CSB who were born, not of natural descent, or of the will of the flesh, or of the will of man, but of God. NLT They are reborn — not with a physical birth resulting from human passion or plan, but a birth that comes from God. KJV Which were born, not of blood, nor of the will of the flesh, ...

Woodlandhillsnashville
woodlandhillsnashville.com› new-testament › john › unless-you-are-born-from-above.html
John 2:23–3:10 Unless You Are Born from Above - Woodland Hills ...
March 7, 2022 - Next, we need to be aware of the phrase, “born again,” or as the margin and NRSV, NET, “born from above” – the Greek implies both. This should remind us of John 1:13, “…born, not of blood nor of the will of the flesh nor of the will of man, but of God.” The rebirth necessary ...

Biblehub
biblehub.com› kjv › john › 1-13.htm
John 1:13 KJV: Which were born, not of blood, nor of the will of ...
Genesis Exodus Leviticus Numbers Deuteronomy · Joshua Judges Ruth 1 Samuel 2 Samuel 1 Kings 2 Kings 1 Chronicles 2 Chronicles Ezra Nehemiah Esther

 

[hawkman]

Bible Study Tools
biblestudytools.com› john › 1-13.html

John 1:13 - children born not of natural descent, nor of human...
John 1:13 children born not of natural descent, nor of human decision or a husband’s will, but born of God.... Read verse in New International Version

Biblegateway
biblegateway.com› verse › en › John 1:13
John 1:13 - Bible Gateway
Which are born not of blood, nor of the will of the flesh, nor of the will of man, but of God. ... These people didn’t become God’s children in a physical way—from a human impulse or from a husband’s desire ⌞to have a child⌟. They were born from God. ... They did not become God's children by natural means, that is, by being born as the children of a human father...

Bibleref
bibleref.com› John › 1 › John-1-13.html
What does John 1:13 mean? | BibleRef.com
CSB who were born, not of natural descent, or of the will of the flesh, or of the will of man, but of God. NLT They are reborn — not with a physical birth resulting from human passion or plan, but a birth that comes from God. KJV Which were born, not of blood, nor of the will of the flesh, ...

Woodlandhillsnashville
woodlandhillsnashville.com› new-testament › john › unless-you-are-born-from-above.html
John 2:23–3:10 Unless You Are Born from Above - Woodland Hills ...
March 7, 2022 - Next, we need to be aware of the phrase, “born again,” or as the margin and NRSV, NET, “born from above” – the Greek implies both. This should remind us of John 1:13, “…born, not of blood nor of the will of the flesh nor of the will of man, but of God.” The rebirth necessary ...

Biblehub
biblehub.com› kjv › john › 1-13.htm
John 1:13 KJV: Which were born, not of blood, nor of the will of ...
Genesis Exodus Leviticus Numbers Deuteronomy · Joshua Judges Ruth 1 Samuel 2 Samuel 1 Kings 2 Kings 1 Chronicles 2 Chronicles Ezra Nehemiah Esther

I Still don't see your quote below . The "You must be born again " seems to be added by you .

"You must be born again ; not by the choice nor the will of man, nor of blood, nor of the flesh; but by the Will of the Father in heaven. "

 

[follower]

seems to be added by you .

<astonishment,surprise,bewilderment> So simple and well known, how do you not know!?
7 You should not be surprised at my saying, ‘You must be born again.’

 

[follower]

One Must Be Born Again to Enter the Kingdom
Friday 8-4-23 6th. Day Of The Weekly Cycle, AV 17 5783, 45th. Summer Day

Paul wrote that Christ is “the firstborn from the dead” (Col. 1:18), and also “the firstborn among many brethren” (Rom. 8:29). When connected, these verses show that Jesus is merely the firstborn from the dead, with many...
WalterandDebbie Thread Aug 4, 2023 Replies: 0 Forum: Bible Studies

Many examples:

Search results for query: "born again"

 

[JLB]

I'm remembering Jesus did not tell someone "you must believe".
He told them "You must be born again

The way we are born again is by believing.

Here is some context -

Jesus answered and said to him, “Most assuredly, I say to you, unless one is born again, he cannot see the kingdom of God.”
…that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have eternal life. John 3:3,15

 

[follower]

The way we are born again is by believing.

Demons believe , and are never born again ever.
Religious church goers might believe all their lives, and be told be gone on judgment day.
"the way" to be born again is not in our hands at all.

 

[Anchor Of Hope]

That doesn't really help. Do you know that the Bible speaks of salvation using three different terms--justification, sanctification, and glorification--to represent a past event, an ongoing reality, and a future fulfillment? I don't to what you believe those verses refer to and so I can't figure out what you mean by "our Journey to Christ."


Where is God's grace in all of this? Do you understand that there is no faith without repentance nor repentance without faith?


No, baptism isn't a mere suggestion, but it isn't necessary for justification. It is something Christians must do out of obedience to Christ. He also never mentioned the infilling of the Holy Spirit as necessary for justification. Every believer has the Holy Spirit come and dwell in them when they are justified, that is, when they first repent and put their faith in Christ.

Who said Baptism is not important?

 

[Anchor Of Hope]

So we just chalk it up to yet another failure of Jesus Christ.

Sending out the unsaved as Apostles.

So Jesus said to them again, “Peace to you! As the Father has sent Me, I also send you.” And when He had said this, He breathed on them, and said to them, “Receive the Holy Spirit. If you forgive the sins of any, they are forgiven them; if you retain the sins of any, they are retained.” John 20: 21-23

So we just chalk it up to yet another failure of Jesus Christ. Hmmmm? Just because you can’t understand the Holy Scripture doesn’t mean my Jesus is a failure. The failure here is the failure to communicate, the Word of God which is Spirit, and your understanding which is carnal.

 

[Anchor Of Hope]

There is no Church "ekklēsia" dispensation that began.

This is the Christian martyr Stephen speaking:
Acts 7:38 This is he, that was in the church "ekklēsia" in the wilderness with the angel which spake to him in the mount Sina, and with our fathers: who received the lively oracles to give unto us:

So, I suppose you haven’t read the Book of Acts.

 

[Anchor Of Hope]

What do you mean by "our Journey to Christ"?


It is, but do you agree that our works don't justify (in the sense of salvation) us before God? Do you not believe we are justified by grace alone, through faith alone, in Christ alone?


As I stated earlier, belief and repentance go hand-in-hand; you cannot have one without the other. Baptism doesn't save anyone and every believer receives the Holy Spirit when they are justified (declared righteous). That is "the Born-Again Experience," wouldn't you agree?

No, I don’t agree at all. 1 Peter 3:21 — the like figure Baptism doeth now save us. The Lord when being Baptized by John the Baptist, said we must do this to fulfill all Righteousness. Peter told the people on the Day of Pentecost, you must Repent and be Baptized in the Name of Jesus Christ and you shall receive the Gift of the Holy Ghost. The problem with people today is that”they think the Word of God is a Book of Suggestions. A Sad mistake.