'Sound Doctrine'
The Everlasting Gospel
1Cor 15:1-4 Moreover, brethren, I declare to you the gospel which I preached to you, which also you received and in which you stand, by which also you are saved, if you hold fast that word which I preached to you -- unless you believed in vain. For I delivered to you first of all that which I also received: that Christ died for our sins according to the Scriptures, and that He was buried, and that He rose again the third day according to the Scriptures.
1. Christ - the Word made flesh,
2. Jesus died for our sins,
3. He was buried,
4. He was resurrected on 3rd day.
There are 3 Types of Baptisms
Luke 3:16 John answered, saying to all, "I indeed baptize you with water; but One mightier than I is coming, whose sandal strap I am not worthy to loose. He will baptize you with the Holy Spirit and fire."
1. Water Baptism by Leaders
2. Holy Spirit Baptism by Jesus
3. Fire Baptism by Jesus
John's Water Baptism
Act 19:1-6 And it happened, while Apollos was at Corinth, that Paul, having passed through the upper regions, came to Ephesus. And finding some disciples he said to them, "Did you receive the Holy Spirit when you believed?" So they said to him, "We have not so much as heard whether there is a Holy Spirit." And he said to them, "Into what then were you baptized?" So they said, "Into John's baptism." Then Paul said, "John indeed baptized with a baptism of repentance, saying to the people that they should believe on Him who would come after him, that is, on Christ Jesus." When they heard this, they were baptized in the name of the Lord Jesus. And when Paul had laid hands on them, the Holy Spirit came upon them, and they spoke with tongues and prophesied.
a) Baptism of Repentance
When Paul found that some disciples had not heard of the Holy Spirit, he knew that they were not saved for they did not have the seal of the Holy Spirit. John the Baptist taught them to believe Jesus, the Son of God as the Lamb of God and the baptism of repentance and remission of sins. John did not preach the whole gospel as he was unaware of Jesus resurrection and the promise of the Holy Spirit. Without the indwelling of the Holy Spirit, the disciples of John was not born again nor saved, since they did not believe the everlasting or true gospel of Jesus. Similarly, many so-called Christians are not saved nor born again even though they were baptized. Brethren, ensure that our children and sheep are saved by encouraging, teaching and helping them to believe the true gospel (read the apostle creed with them once in a while)
Born Again of John's Disciples
John's disciples were taught the gospel of salvation and after they had understood and believed the resurrection of Jesus and the gift of the Holy Spirit, they were saved. After being baptized in Jesus' Name (or in the name of the Father, Son and Holy Spirit), some of them manifested the gifts of the Holy Spirit.
Note - when we are saved and have the Holy Spirit dwelling in us, we can manifest the gifts of the Holy Spirit.
2. Baptism with the Holy Spirit
Please note that only our Lord can baptize us with the Holy Spirit.
3. Baptism with Fire
This will be the baptism of suffering and martyrdom where we lay down our lives, just as our Lord Jesus died for us (found in the lives of His Apostles)
Brethren, anyone who has not believed the everlasting gospel is without the Holy Spirit and is still unsaved, just like the disciples of John the Baptist
