THE MESSAGE OF
God’s plan of salvation is outlined in Acts 2:38 which says, "Repent and be baptized every one of you in the name of the Lord Jesus Christ for the remission of sins and ye shall receive the gift of the Holy Ghost."
When a person repents, they are making the choice to turn their life around. They no longer desire to follow the sinful ways of the world, but rather, they desire to live an obedient life to the Lord Jesus Christ. Jesus said in Luke 13:3, "… except ye repent, ye shall likewise perish." Repentance is symbolic of DEATH, or the dying out to the old life of sin.
After one repents the next act of obedience is to be baptized in water in the Name of Jesus Christ. Many today say that it is not necessary to be baptized but the Bible tells us to repent and be baptized. The scripture says that it is for the remission, or forgiveness of sins. God washes away your sins and will never remember them against you anymore. What an awesome thing to be able to throw away the heavy load of sin and guilt that has accumulated in your life! Water baptism is symbolic of BURIAL of the old man (the old you). Consider what Romans 6:4-6 says, "Therefore we are buried with him by baptism into death: that like as Christ was raised from the dead by the glory of the Father, even so we also should walk in newness of life. For if we have been planted together in the likeness of his death, we shall be also in the likeness of his resurrection: Knowing this, that our old man is crucified with him, that the body of sin might be destroyed, that henceforth we should not serve sin."
The next thing Acts 2:38 tells us is that we will be filled with the Holy Ghost which is accompanied by the initial evidence of speaking in other tongues. This is the Spirit of God coming to live inside your spirit (inner man, heart). The baptism of the Holy Ghost is symbolic of RESURRECTION unto a new life. With the indwelling presence of God in your spirit, you are more than able to overcome the pressures of life because with it comes power. Acts 1:8 says, "But ye shall receive power, after that the Holy Ghost is come upon you: and ye shall be witnesses unto me …" The Holy Ghost gives us the power to serve God and be witnesses for Him.
Through repentance, baptism, and receiving the gift of the Holy Ghost, we are symbolically re-enacting Christ’s death, burial, and resurrection.
Written by: Craig R. Cordle
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