DELIVERED AS RECEIVED: CONTINUING STEADFASTLY IN THE APOSTLES’ DOCTRINE

Trevor Ferguson

December 31, 2023

 

1^st Corinthians 15:1-4

[1] Moreover, brethren, I declare unto you the gospel which I preached unto you, which also ye have received, and wherein ye stand; [2] By which also ye are saved, if ye keep in memory what I preached unto you, unless ye have believed in vain. [3] For I delivered unto you first of all that which I also received, how that Christ died for our sins according to the scriptures; [4] And that he was buried, and that he rose again the third day according to the scriptures:

 

Acts 22:6-16 KJV

[6] And it came to pass, that, as I made my journey, and was come nigh unto Damascus about noon, suddenly there shone from heaven a great light round about me. [7] And I fell unto the ground, and heard a voice saying unto me, Saul, Saul, why persecutest thou me? [8] And I answered, Who art thou, Lord? And he said unto me, I am Jesus of Nazareth, whom thou persecutest. [9] And they that were with me saw indeed the light, and were afraid; but they heard not the voice of him that spake to me. [10] And I said, What shall I do, Lord? And the Lord said unto me, Arise, and go into Damascus; and there it shall be told thee of all things which are appointed for thee to do. [11] And when I could not see for the glory of that light, being led by the hand of them that were with me, I came into Damascus. [12] And one Ananias, a devout man according to the law, having a good report of all the Jews which dwelt there, [13] Came unto me, and stood, and said unto me, Brother Saul, receive thy sight. And the same hour I looked up upon him. [14] And he said, The God of our fathers hath chosen thee, that thou shouldest know his will, and see that Just One, and shouldest hear the voice of his mouth. [15] For thou shalt be his witness unto all men of what thou hast seen and heard. [16] And now why tarriest thou? arise, and be baptized, and wash away thy sins, calling on the name of the Lord.

 

Acts 9:17-18 NKJV

[17] And Ananias went his way and entered the house; and laying his hands on him he said, "Brother Saul, the Lord Jesus, who appeared to you on the road as you came, has sent me that you may receive your sight and be filled with the Holy Spirit." [18] Immediately there fell from his eyes something like scales, and he received his sight at once; and he arose and was baptized.

 

 INTRODUCTION

Pentecost Sunday commemorates the first outpouring of the Holy Ghost, fifty days after the resurrection of Jesus Christ. It is a very significant day in church history as it marks the formal beginning of the church age and established the basic doctrine taught in the New Testament church, the procedures observed by the apostles and the experiences received by new believers in the early church. The apostles on the day on Pentecost established the standard for New Testament salvation as consisting of repentance, water baptism in the name of Jesus and the infilling of the Holy Ghost. We note also that those who received the Holy Ghost on the day of Pentecost spoke with tongues as the Spirit gave utterance. These standards set on the day of Pentecost continue to be relevant and applicable to all receiving salvation today. Sadly, a large proportion of Christians today, no longer adhere to these standards, and as such many are left in a precarious state, not having received the full experience of New Testament salvation. We give God thanks today for the Oneness Pentecostal churches which continue to teach and preach as the apostles did, thus ensuring that people everywhere have an opportunity to experience water baptism in the name of Jesus and the infilling of the Holy Ghost.

 

Some have argued that the experiences of Acts 2 were specific to the Apostles and necessary only to initiate the church age and therefore not required for believers in subsequent periods. We must however refer to Acts 2:39, which clearly teaches that the promised was not limited to that generation, but to all whom the Lord will call. Here is the direct quotation: “For the promise is unto you, and to your children, and to all that are afar off, even as many as the Lord our God shall call." – Acts 2:39

 

Today’s message is premised upon the statement made by Paul in 1^st Corinthians 15:3-4:

 

“For I delivered unto you first of all that which I also received, how that Christ died for our sins according to the scriptures; [4] And that he was buried, and that he rose again the third day according to the scriptures.”

 

The key clause here is: “I delivered unto you first of all that which I also received.” This statement refers to the oral tradition of the early church where the teachings of Jesus and the Apostles were carefully memorized and handed down from one generation to another to correctly preserve the essential doctrines and occurrences in the early church. In addition to the oral tradition, the teachings of Jesus and the Apostles was later written in manuscripts, which were also carefully copied and handed down through the generations. The gospel message therefore has been accurately preserved and handed down to us today, so that we too can hand it down to the next generation.

 

EXPOSITION

Let us look at the passages in a bit more detail. In these initial verses of 1^st Corinthians 15, Paul is establishing that the gospel he preached to the Corinthians is the same as the one he himself received when he became a part on the church. Paul takes time to outline the basic gospel message, but he does not give details of the new birth process, because the Corinthians would have already received salvation and the doctrinal dispute at the time was more about the resurrection of Jesus Christ rather than concerning baptism or the infilling of the Holy Ghost. We note also that Paul had already addressed the issues related to the operation of tongues in the church in chapters 12-14 and therefore it was not necessary to clarify this again in chapter 15. To get a clear documentation of the salvation that Paul received, we need therefore to visit the book of Acts and look at the accounts of Paul’s conversion, as given in his own words in Acts 22 and as reported by Luke in Acts 9.

 

Let us look first at Acts 22. Here Luke records Paul’s first defense as he spoke to the Jews and Roman soldiers. He had been taken by the Jews on an accusation that he brought a gentile into the temple and would have probably been killed by the Jews, had he not been rescued by the Roman soldiers. Paul used this opportunity to share his testimony with both the Jews and Romans gathered at this hearing. He recounted how he was a Jew, born in Tarsus and previously persecuted the church. He recounted how while on his way to Damascus to arrest the early Christians he had an encounter with Jesus which changed his life.

 

While on his journey he was struck by a bright light and heard a voice saying unto him, Saul, Saul, why persecutes thou me? Paul responded: Who art thou Lord? The response that Paul heard is critical to our understanding of the Godhead. Paul, a monotheistic Jew, recognizing that he had been struck by a light from heaven, asked who art thou Lord, and received the answer, I am Jesus! One can only imagine how shocked Paul was! This encounter provides strong evidence for the resurrection and deity of Jesus Christ, i.e., Jesus Christ is the manifestation of God in the flesh, rose from the dead, ascended into heaven, and now has dominion in heaven and in the earth.

 

Going back to the text, we see in verse 10 that when Paul asked what he should do, he was instructed to make his way to Damascus and there he would be told what he should do. We note here the critical role of human messengers in bringing the gospel message. Paul could have been told then and there what he needed to do in order to be saved, but the Lord instead gave him instructions to go to Damascus and sent Ananias to instruct Paul on the message of salvation. It is important to note also that if the Lord Jesus was concerned that the disciples would give Paul the wrong message, He would not have entrusted Ananias to bring the message to Paul. Note also that when Cornelius prayed and needed instructions for salvation, He sent Peter to him. It is clear therefore that God had great confidence in the message of salvation preached by the disciples.

 

Now what was the message of salvation Paul received? Let us look at verses 12-16 of Acts 22:

 

“[12] And one Ananias, a devout man according to the law, having a good report of all the Jews which dwelt there, [13] Came unto me, and stood, and said unto me, Brother Saul, receive thy sight. And the same hour I looked up upon him. [14] And he said, The God of our fathers hath chosen thee, that thou shouldest know his will, and see that Just One, and shouldest hear the voice of his mouth. [15] For thou shalt be his witness unto all men of what thou hast seen and heard. [16] And now why tarriest thou? arise, and be baptized, and wash away thy sins, calling on the name of the Lord.”

 

We can supplement this with details from the original account of this experience in Acts 9, reading verses 17 and 18:

 

“[17] And Ananias went his way, and entered into the house; and putting his hands on him said, Brother Saul, the Lord, even Jesus, that appeared unto thee in the way as thou camest, hath sent me, that thou mightest receive thy sight, and be filled with the Holy Ghost. [18] And immediately there fell from his eyes as it had been scales: and he received sight forthwith, and arose, and was baptized.”

 

So, from these two passages we see clearly that the message of salvation Paul received was baptism in the name of Jesus and the infilling of the Holy Ghost! We acknowledge that neither of these accounts mentioned speaking in tongues, but that can be resolved by referring to 1^st Corinthians 14:17, where Paul indicated that he spoke with often. Further evidence is provided in Acts 19, where Paul asked the disciples of John at Ephesus if they had received the Holy Ghost when they believed. After learning that they had only received John’s baptism, he instructed them to be baptized in the name of the Lord Jesus and laid hands on them to receive the Holy Ghost. When Paul had laid his hands on them, they received the Holy Ghost, spoke with tongues, and prophesied. It is clear that Paul was in no way surprised that the disciples of John at Ephesus spoke with tongues when they received the Holy Ghost. No doubt he had the same experienced with he was baptized in Jesus’ name as instructed by Ananias.

We see then that Paul received the message of salvation which included baptism in Jesus’ name and the infilling of the Holy Ghost, which was accompanied by speaking in tongues. He preached this same message to the disciples of John at Ephesus and given his statement in 1^st Corinthians 15 was careful to deliver the message carefully, just as he had received it. Today we continue that tradition, carefully delivering the message of salvation, just as we have received it.

 

Many today can know hundreds of people who can testify that they went to a Pentecostal altar, sought for and received the Holy Ghost. Across Jamaica, several thousands can testify of this experience! Across the globe, millions can testify to this experience! We can say like Peter, in 2^nd Peter 1:16 – we have not followed cunningly devised fables - but we are eyewitnesses of the power of God and the outpouring of the Holy Ghost.

 

The baptism of the Holy Ghost is not a made-up experience, baptism in the name of Jesus in not a new teaching! This is the standard message of New Testament salvation, established on the day of Pentecost, preached by all the Apostles, preached by Paul as he expanded the reach of the church and carefully handed down to the next generation of believers. We acknowledge that other baptismal formulas were introduced in subsequent centuries but claims to equivalence are at best on shaky grounds. The only message of salvation preached in the New Testament church was baptism in the name of Jesus and the infilling of the Holy Ghost. Most biblical scholars acknowledge that the proper interpretation on Matthew 28:19 requires a Christological formula and therefore the disciples correctly followed Jesus’ command by baptizing in the name of Jesus. We are therefore confident the message of salvation was correctly taught and carefully handed down by the Apostles and leaders of the early church. This same message has been canonized in the Bible and is available to all who will read and follow its instructions.

        

APPLICATION & CONCLUSION

So, we conclude that the message of salvation received and delivered by Paul and the apostles is the same message received and delivered in the Oneness Pentecostal church today – i.e., repentance, water baptism in the name of Jesus Christ and the baptism of the Holy Ghost, accompanied by speaking in tongues as the Spirit gives utterance. As Paul was careful to deliver the message exactly as received, let us carefully pass this on to all believers, and especially to the next generation. I implore all within the hearing of my voice to accept this message of salvation. If you have not yet had this wonderful experience, today is the best day to do so, repent of your sins, ask for baptism in the name of Jesus and God will fill you with his precious Holy Ghost.

THE GOOD NEWS OF SALVATION

Trevor Ferguson

December 24, 2023

 

Matthew 1:18-25 KJV

[18] Now the birth of Jesus Christ was on this wise: When as his mother Mary was espoused to Joseph, before they came together, she was found with child of the Holy Ghost.

[19] Then Joseph her husband, being a just man, and not willing to make her a publick example, was minded to put her away privily.

[20] But while he thought on these things, behold, the angel of the Lord appeared unto him in a dream, saying, Joseph, thou son of David, fear not to take unto thee Mary thy wife: for that which is conceived in her is of the Holy Ghost.

[21] And she shall bring forth a son, and thou shalt call his name JESUS: for he shall save his people from their sins.

[22] Now all this was done, that it might be fulfilled which was spoken of the Lord by the prophet, saying,

[23] Behold, a virgin shall be with child, and shall bring forth a son, and they shall call his name Emmanuel, which being interpreted is, God with us.

[24] Then Joseph being raised from sleep did as the angel of the Lord had bidden him, and took unto him his wife:

[25] And knew her not till she had brought forth her firstborn son: and he called his name JESUS.

 

Luke 2:6-11 KJV

[6] And so it was, that, while they were there, the days were accomplished that she should be delivered.

[7] And she brought forth her firstborn son, and wrapped him in swaddling clothes, and laid him in a manger; because there was no room for them in the inn.

[8] And there were in the same country shepherds abiding in the field, keeping watch over their flock by night.

[9] And, lo, the angel of the Lord came upon them, and the glory of the Lord shone round about them: and they were sore afraid.

[10] And the angel said unto them, Fear not: for, behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy, which shall be to all people.

[11] For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Saviour, which is Christ the Lord.

 

INTRODUCTION

Christmas is celebrated all over the world, and in many countries, it is the biggest holiday of the year. All over the world, people pause to celebrate this ‘most wonderful time of the year’. Christmas is universally regarded as a happy time. It’s a time to connect with family and friends, a time to share gifts, a time to enjoy meals together, a time to remember the less fortunate, a time for worship, and a time for fellowship. For many, however, Christmas is seen mainly as a time for merry making, a time to attend parties, a time for dancing, a time to imbibe alcoholic beverages, and a time ‘just having a good time’. In all these festivities, many miss the true reason for the joy associated with Christmas.  

 

The essence of the joy of Christmas is that Christmas brings good news, good news of great joy. But what is this good news? Luke 2:10-11 summarizes this well. Look at what it says: “And the angel said unto them, Fear not: for, behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy, which shall be to all people. For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Saviour, which is Christ the Lord”. So then, Christmas is good news to all people, because Jesus was born!

 

Let’s pause to point out though that the birth of Jesus was no ordinary birth. Matthew 1:23 tells us that he would be born of a virgin and that his name would be Emmanuel, meaning God with us. Now, Matthew places great emphasis on the virgin birth. Note that verse 18 states that while Joseph and Mary were engaged, she was found with child “before they came together”. Verse 25 also states that Joseph “knew her not” till she had brought forth her firstborn son. The New Living Translation makes this even clearer stating in verse 18: “But before the marriage took place, while she was still a virgin, she became pregnant through the power of the Holy Spirit”. Verse 25 states that: “he did not have sexual relations with her until her son was born”. The emphasis on the virgin birth was to point out that Jesus was the Son of God, conceived through the power of the Holy Ghost for the purpose of bringing salvation to all mankind.

 

Jesus was born to save! This is clearly stated in Matthew 1:21 and Luke 2:11. Let us look at what these verses tell us again. Matthew 1:21 “And she shall bring forth a son, and thou shalt call his name JESUS: for he shall save his people from their sins”. Luke 2:11 “For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Saviour, which is Christ the Lord”. So then, Christmas is all about the good news of salvation!

 

Today I want to use this opportunity to remind us of a few key points of the doctrine of salvation.

 

EXPOSITION

POINT #1: ALL HUMAN BEINGS ARE IN NEED OF SALVATION!

Salvation may be defined as “the deliverance from the power and effects of sin”. We need deliverance from sin because sin enslaves us, and ultimately, leads to death. Death here speaks to spiritual death (i.e., separation from God), physical death, (i.e., separation of body from spirit), and eternal death (i.e., total and final separation from God).

 

The bible emphatically states that all men are sinners. Since the fall, all humanity inherited Adams fallen state, and as such we have a penalty of death hanging over our heads. There is no exception to this fallen state. Romans 3:23 tells us that “all have sinned, and come short of the glory of God”. Romans 6:23 further states: “For the wages of sin is death; but the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord.” Paul also states in Romans that both Jews and Gentiles are guilty before God and that all must face God in judgment.  He further declares that ignorance of God’s law will not serve as an excuse, because God has revealed Himself in His creation of the world. Romans 1:20 states: “For the invisible things of him from the creation of the world are clearly seen, being understood by the things that are made, even his eternal power and Godhead; so that they are without excuse”. Psalm 19 states that “the heavens declare the glory of God and the firmament showeth His handiwork”. From this we see that there is clear evidence for God in his creation and all men have had opportunity to seek after God. Given God’s self-revelation in nature, all men stand guilty before God, and all are deserving of the penalty of death!

 

Death, however, is not what God desires for man! On the contrary, God desires to have fellowship with man! The fall of man was counter to God’s ultimate plan and therefore He had to devise a way to bring man back to Himself. God had to devise a source of salvation and a way of salvation.

 

POINT #2: JESUS CHRIST IS THE SOURCE OF SALVATION

Jesus was God’s plan for salvation from the beginning of time. In Genesis 3:15, we see that at the same time that God was pronouncing judgment upon the serpent and the woman, He gave the promise of a redeemer. He stated that the seed of the woman would crush the head of the serpent and so procure redemption for Adam’s fallen race. Jesus’ birth was in fulfillment of this first great Messianic prophecy. He was the seed of the woman! According to Luke 1:35, it was the Holy Ghost which overshadowed Mary and caused the child to be conceived in her womb. As such, Jesus had both a human nature and a Divine nature. As such, he could therefore be touched with the feeling of our infirmities, and being without sin, he could be our redeemer. Jesus, the Son of God, was born to give us access to salvation. He is the source of our salvation.

 

POINT #3: JESUS IS THE WAY OF SALVATION

While the Christmas story focuses on the birth of Jesus Christ, this was only the initial step in God’s plan for salvation. Given that the penalty for sin was death, someone had to pay the price for our salvation. In order for this price to be paid, blood had to shed. Hebrews 9:22 states “And almost all things are by the law purged with blood; and without shedding of blood is no remission”. Thankfully, God had a way the to bring this to pass without our individual deaths. John 3:16 tells us that God gave his son to pay the price for our sins: “For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life”. Isaiah 53:5 states: “But he was wounded for our transgressions, he was bruised for our iniquities: the chastisement of our peace was upon him; and with his stripes we are healed”. Jesus, therefore, became the substitutionary sacrifice for human sin. It is through His death, burial, and resurrection that He purchased our salvation and now gives us access to the throne of God. 

 

Let me point out that Jesus is the only way to salvation. Jesus himself declared that He is the way the truth and the life, no one comes to the father except through him (John 14:6). The scriptures clearly show that there is only one way to God and that way is through Jesus Christ. Therefore, all of us who seek salvation must come through Jesus Christ!

 

POINT #4: JESUS IS THE ONLY NAME FOR SALVATION

In Isaiah 7:14, Isaiah declared, “Behold a virgin shall conceive and shall bear a son and shall call his name Immanuel”. Isaiah further declares in Isaiah 9:6, “For unto us a child is born, unto us a son is given … and his name shall be called Wonderful, Counselor, the mighty God, the everlasting father and the prince of peace. Matthew 1: 21 states: “And she shall bring forth a son and thou shall call his name Jesus, for he shall save his people from their sins.” Note the emphasis on “his name” in these three verses.

 

The name Jesus literally means Jehovah-Saviour, or Jehovah is Salvation. It incorporates all that the name Jehovah denotes and adds to it the attribute of salvation. Therefore, Jesus is the saving name of God; salvation comes through Jesus’ name! Acts 4:12 states: “Neither is there salvation in any other: for there is none other name under heaven given among men whereby we must be saved.” Repentance and remission of sins is preached in the name of Jesus (Luke 24:47). Baptism is correctly administered in the name of Jesus Christ (Acts 2:38). The Holy Ghost comes in the name of Jesus (John 14:26). Healing occurs in Jesus’ name (Mark 16:17-18; Acts 4:10). Deliverance comes in Jesus’ name (Luke 4:18).

 

In Philippians 2:9-11, Paul describes the name of Jesus as “a name which is above every name”: “Wherefore God also hath highly exalted him, and given him a name which is above every name: That at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, of things in heaven, and things in earth, and things under the earth; And that every tongue should confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.” Jesus is therefore the greatest revelation of the name of God. Salvation comes only through the name of Jesus!

APPLICATION & CONCLUSION

Having therefore established that all are in need of salvation and that the way of salvation is through Jesus Christ, let me remind us of the basic message of salvation in the New Testament as stated in Acts 2:38 “Then Peter said unto them, 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”. Let me encourage all today to accept this wonderful plan of salvation today. This is a free gift offered to all.  It’s the best Christmas gift you could ever get. Accept him today!