JESUS WARNS NIGERIANS AGAIN

Tuesday, February 23
The Night Jesus Spoke To Me - Charly Boy Writes Another Epic Piece
Charles Oputa, popularly known as Charly Boy shared the divine dream he had last night in an encounter with the Lord Jesus.
Claiming that Jesus sent him to all Nigerians in this exciting piece. Read below.
I had a divine dream last night, and Jesus has sent me with this message to you.
It was clear to see that our Lord and Saviour is deeply worried about His Nigerian Creation.
He had instructed me to tell you all, that Nigerians should NOT substitute prayers for hard work. The whole of chapter 2 of the Book of James corroborates this, especially verses 18, 20 and 26. It says faith (prayers, night vigils etc) without (hard) work is dead. No be me talk am o, na the same Bible wey una dey carry.
It was clear in the vision I had last night that Jesus is not happy with Nigerians. Most Nigerians now live in the church 24/7 from Monday to Monday, wives have abandoned their husbands for night vigils, everyone is praying for miracles and miracles and more miracles. It’s either this or for God to strike their enemies dead and all those who steal their luck.
Jesus is so very upset with Nigerians’ prayer requests and shopping list, always calling His Name for the most trivial matters, things that would come to them naturally without sweat were they not a lazy and an unthinking bunch.
The one that really gets to Him, as He told me, is when some evil men and women parade themselves as God’s messengers deceive their congregation for their own personal aggrandisement, promising heaven, money, husbands, children and wives. Titus chapter 1:10 talks about this.
Fellow Nigerians, Jesus wants His good name back! Naijas have so bastardized the name. He wants Naijas to put the creative and entrepreneurial mind He gave them to work and stop chasing quick fixes. He wants an upgrading of our work ethic.
He wants to see genuine love for our neighbour’s, not lip or eye service kinda love.
He had asked me to warn those in leadership to be mindful of where they are stirring the country to or face His wrath. He said this present administration has just a few good people in it but they must stand firm before they become polluted. Jesus said I should tell them that He’s giving them till the end of this year to make a meaningful impact otherwise….
In case you’re wondering (like am still dazed myself) why its me Jesus should be talking to when we have the likes of Adeboyes, T,B Joshua, Pastor Kris Okotie, etc. Well, I was surprised too, and as if He read off my bewildered thoughts of “Why Me” on my face, He just gave me this hard look and asked me to go to work at once, calling my attention to Matthew 7:21-23. Go and read it to see what it says.
As a matter of fact, at some point my thought was…does He want me to start a church, why is He entrusting this duty to me, abi Him want me to begin preach? Of course it’s Jesus now; so He knew what I was thinking and replied my inner thought saying as far as He’s concerned, I already have a church, a mega congregation of youth and families that I touch with my messages, that in case I don’t know, I am already preaching and this is why He came to me because He reckons that I have the platform He can use to get the word to the people.
Who then am I not to run the errand of Jesus? So I got up, and began to put pen to paper.
I’m not sure I have successfully communicated the disgust and disdain Jesus expressed when He spoke to me last night but am only hoping that this my gentle appeal to you all goes into the very fibre of your beings like a two-edged sword, and cause a true change of heart and attitude in all and sundry.

Jos Plateau Affairs: ALHAJI SALEH BAYERI AGAIN

Jos Plateau Affairs: ALHAJI SALEH BAYERI AGAIN

JESUS COMMISSIONS CHARLY BOY

GOD IS QUIETLY RAISING APOSTLES TO OPEN THE EYES OF "CHURCH-GOERS" WHO SERVE MEN DOING RELIGION RATHER THAN GOD'S KINGDOM WORK. WE WELLCOME CHARLY BOY INTO GOD'S ARMY.

Charles Oputa, popularly known as Charly Boy, shared a divine dream in which he had an encounter with the Lord Jesus. Claiming that Jesus sent him to all Nigerians in this exciting piece. "I had a divine dream last night, and Jesus has sent me with this message to you. It was clear to see that our Lord and Saviour is deeply worried about His Nigerian Creation.

"He instructed me to tell you all, that Nigerians should NOT substitute prayers for hard work. The whole of chapter 2 of the Book of James corroborates this, especially verses 18, 20 and 26. It says faith (prayers, night vigils etc) without (hard) work is dead. No be me talk am o, na the same Bible wey una dey carry.

"It was clear in the vision I had last night that Jesus is not happy with Nigerians. Most Nigerians now live in the church 24/7 from Monday to Monday, wives have abandoned their husbands for night vigils, everyone is praying for miracles and miracles and more miracles. It’s either this or for God to strike their enemies dead and all those who steal their luck. "Jesus is so very upset with Nigerians’ prayer requests and shopping list, always calling His Name for the most trivial matters, things that would come to them naturally without sweat were they not a lazy and an unthinking bunch.

"The one that really gets to Him, as He told me, is when some evil men and women parade themselves as God’s messengers, deceive their congregation for their own personal aggrandizement, promising heaven, money, husbands, children and wives. Titus chapter 1:10 talks about this.

"Fellow Nigerians, Jesus wants His good name back! Naijas have so bastardized the name. He wants Naijas to put the creative and entrepreneurial mind He gave them to work and stop chasing quick fixes. He wants an upgrading of our work ethic. He wants to see genuine love for our neighbour’s, not lip or eye service kinda love. 

"He had asked me to warn those in leadership to be mindful of where they are steering the country to or face His wrath. He said this present administration has just a few good people in it but they must stand firm before they become polluted. Jesus said I should tell them that He’s giving them till the end of this year to make a meaningful impact otherwise….

"In case you’re wondering (like am still dazed myself) why its me Jesus should be talking to when we have the likes of Adeboye, T. B. Joshua, Pastor Chris Okotie, etc. Well, I was surprised too, and as if He read off my bewildered thoughts of “Why me” on my face, He just gave me this hard look and asked me to go to work at once, calling my attention to Matthew 7:21-23. Go and read it to see what it says.

"As a matter of fact, at some point my thought was…does He want me to start a church, why is He entrusting this duty to me, abi Him want me to begin preach? Of course it’s Jesus now; so He knew what I was thinking and replied my inner thought saying as far as He’s concerned, I already have a church, a mega congregation of youth and families that I touch with my messages, that in case I don’t know, I am already preaching and this is why He came to me because He reckons that I have the platform He can use to get the word to the people. Who then am I not to run the errand of Jesus? So I got up, and began to put pen to paper.

"I’m not sure I have successfully communicated the disgust and disdain Jesus expressed when He spoke to me last night but am only hoping that this my gentle appeal to you all goes into the very fibre of your beings like a two-edged sword, and cause a true change of heart and attitude in all and sundry."

THE KINGDOM OF GOD

THE KINGDOM OF GOD

Introduction

Jesus Christ taught about the Kingdom more than any other subject. The terms “Kingdom of God” and “Kingdom of Heaven” are only found in the New Testament. In the NKJ version of the Bible the former term is found 70 times in 10 different books while the later appears 33 times in the book of Matthew alone. In Luke 4:43, Jesus said He must preach the good news of the Kingdom because that is the reason God sent Him to earth. In Matthew 9:35 Jesus went about teaching and preaching the gospel of the Kingdom. In Matthew 6:33 Jesus commands us to seek after the Kingdom above all else. We should therefore make the Kingdom the central focus of our Christian lives. Think of this Kingdom as any other kingdom – an empire that has a supreme being heading it who must be venerated, it has loyal subjects, a reward and a punishment system, a security system, a regeneration system, an economic system, resources, and of course, a binding constitution.

The Kingdom of God versus the Kingdom of Heaven

Bible scholars have argued for centuries whether the Kingdom of God and the Kingdom of heaven refer to different things or the same thing. The problem has arisen by the interchanging usage of the terms in the scriptures.  

While speaking to the rich, young ruler in Matthew 19:23, Jesus used the two terms interchangeably. Again, while narrating this discourse, the other three gospels use the two terms without observing any particular protocol. Compare Matthew 11:11-12 with Luke 7:28; Matthew 13:11with Mark 4:11 and Luke 8:10; Matthew 13:24 with Mark 4:26; Matthew 13:31 with Mark 4:30 and Luke 13:18; Matthew 13:33 with Luke 13:20; Matthew 18:3 with Mark 10:14 and Luke 18:16; and Matthew 22:2 with Luke 13:29.

Dake’s Annotated Bible suggests that the two refer to different things. It says that the Kingdom of God refers to God’s entire Kingship structure and possession, while the Kingdom of heaven refers to only its earthly components. That is, the Kingdom of heaven is subsumed in the Kingdom of God.

Another view claims that the two terms have different doctrinal connotations. It suggests that the Kingdom of God refers to God’s eternal spiritual kingdom while the Kingdom of Heaven refers to a futuristic physical kingdom on earth with its capital city in Jerusalem in which Jesus Christ will reign for one millennium (1,000 years) immediately after the seven-year Tribulation period.

Which school of thought is right and which one is wrong is not important. The important thing is for each of us to make sure that we part of God’s Kingdom and to live our daily lives with Kingdom understanding, knowledge, vision and purpose. Jesus’ mission on earth was to bring God’s Kingdom to us, to enable us to enter it and to enable us to live according to Kingdom principles.

The Bible teaches that the Kingdom of God is what Jesus was born for. He taught that only righteous people would see the kingdom. We can qualify to enter the Kingdom of God only while on earth. Jesus compared the Kingdom of God to many things on earth using in parables so that we may be fully informed about it. Jesus also sent His 12 disciples to preach the Kingdom and heal the sick in Luke 9:2. Apostle Paul preached, taught and disputed with unbelievers about the Kingdom of God in Acts 19:8; 20:25; 28:23, 31). Philip likewise preached the Kingdom of God (Acts 8:12). The Kingdom of God cannot be seen physically because it lives inside believers (Luke 17:20, 21).

How we can become members of God’s Kingdom

If Jesus Christ came to give us the Kingdom and he taught about it more than anything else, then the scriptures must be replete with information on it, including how to enter it. Yet many Christians have closed the eyes of their understanding and prefer to violate the scriptures.

We call Jesus’ final instructions to His disciples, “The Great Commission” (Matthew 28:18-20). In these verses Jesus commanded His disciples to preach the gospel of the Kingdom of God to all men and to baptize all those who hear, believe and act on the message. Mark 16:16 also says that baptism is part of the actions a believer must take. Romans 10:9 & 10 teach that believers need to confess Jesus as Lord. The grace of God is involved according to Ephesians 2:8. Faith in the message must also be exercised according to Romans 10:17 and Hebrews 11:6. All these are necessary ingredients for those who would like to enter the Kingdom of God. One must hear the message, believe it, confess Jesus as Lord and Saviour in faith and act on it by submitting to water baptism.

The importance of water baptism in the process of entry into the Kingdom of God should be emphasised. Jesus said we can only enter by the water (baptism) and by the blood (His death and resurrection).  “Verily, verily, I say unto thee, Except a man be born of water and of the Spirit, he cannot enter into the kingdom of God” (John 3:5). Jesus too came by the water and the blood (1 John 5:6). Water baptism is therefore essential part of the process of salvation, yet too many of Christians do not accept this. They think baptism is a just a simple formality that does not take us to heaven.

The book of Acts contains many incidents of belief immediately followed by baptism by full immersion in water. Infant baptism and water sprinkling practised by some Christians are not found in the scriptures. The Holy Spirit’s infilling of believers happens only after water baptism. Jesus Himself was only given the Holy Spirit after He submitted himself for water baptism by John the Baptist. Same goes for all human beings.     

Once we have been brought into the Kingdom of God, we are expected to live and act as citizens at all times. Luke 9:62 says those who enter the Kingdom of God but do not practice Kingdom principles are not fit for it.

The message for now

Kingdom understanding and Kingdom consciousness are at low ebb in the church today. Christians today are instead submerged and pre-occupied with routine church activities. Christians today work more for the physical growth of their church organisations rather than for the spiritual growth of the Kingdom.

But, thank God, there is a fresh awakening by God’s mercy. Individual Christians all over the world are questioning many traditional church doctrines and practices and are deciding to go back to the practice of what the scriptures say only. Some have left mainline denominations and are fellowshipping in home churches or other para-church organisation. God is also raising apostles and prophets to champion this revival. Don’t be left out. Feel free to contact us if you are so led though our office address, email address and phone numbers supplied in this newsletter.

PIIMA, piimaprays@gmail.com, 20/02/2016

SERMON OUTLINE: DO CLOTHES MATTER?

DO CLOTHES MATTER?
Gen. 3:
10  And he said, I heard thy voice in the garden, and I was afraid, because I was naked; and I hid myself.
 11  And he said, Who told thee that thou wast naked? Hast thou eaten of the tree, whereof I commanded thee that thou shouldest not eat?
 21  Unto Adam also and to his wife did the LORD God make coats of skins, and clothed them.

PROVERBS 7
 10  And, behold, there met him a woman with the attire of an harlot, and subtil of heart.

1 COR. 11
14  Doth not even nature itself teach you, that, if a man have long hair, it is a shame unto him?
 15  But if a woman have long hair, it is a glory to her: for her hair is given her for a covering. note
 16  But if any man seem to be contentious, we have no such custom,

1 PETER 3
 3  Whose adorning let it not be that outward adorning of plaiting the hair, and of wearing of gold, or of putting on of apparel;
 4  But let it be the hidden man of the heart, in that which is not corruptible, even the ornament of a meek and quiet spirit, which is in the sight of God of great price.

WHAT SHOULD WE PUT ON?
1 Cor. 15:53-54 corruption must put on incorruption then death would have been swallowed up in victory.
Gal 3:27 those baptised into Christ have put on immortality
Eph. 4:24-25 put on the new man which is created in righteousness and holiness
Eph. 6:11-18 put on the whole armour so that you can fight the fight of faith successfully - helmet of salvation, breastplate of righteousness, sword of the word, feet covered with the gospel at all times, shield of faith.
Col. 3:10-17 put on the new man who is renewed in knowledge, in the image of the Creator Christ, holy and beloved, bowels of mercy, kindness, humbleness of mind, meekness, longsuffering.

BAPTISM ABANDONED

Without exception, television and radio evangelists will preach the gospel of salvation, make an altar call and then tell those who responded that they are now born again, period. But this procedure has left out a most vital part of the salvation process - water baptism.
The Bible clearly teaches that water baptism by full immersion MUST IMMEDIATELY follow conversion. Reading through the Book of Acts confirms this. Even Jesus Christ who never sinned and the most improbable person to need water baptism, needed to be baptised. Jesus said it is required to meet God's demand. When Jesus did it God sent the Holy Spirit to infill Him and authorise Him for ministry.
It is not different for us. We need to be water baptised in order to fulfil all righteousness so that we can be filled with the Holy Spirit and empowered for God's work. All who receive Jesus as Lord and Saviour need to be told that they should ask to be baptised. Television and radio evangelists do a great disservice to the gospel when they don't mention the baptism part.
John the Baptist said Jesus would baptise believers with the Holy Spirit and with power. Peter told the 3,000 believers on the day of Pentecost to repent and be baptised. In the Great Commission Jesus commanded, "Preach to all nations. Those who believe, baptise them. Thereafter, teach them". So why is the church so careless about Bible instructions? Why have we abandoned water baptism? 

WATERED DOWN WATER BAPTISM

Introduction

The Lord Jesus instituted two sacraments for the New Testament church – the Holy Communion and water baptism. While the Holy Communion is complied with in the main, except for some church denominations that have placed unnecessary conditions for participation in it, the practice of water baptism is being taught and carried out in such a manner that its significance has been lost.

The Doctrine of Water Baptism is one of the important doctrines in the Bible, yet we have relegated it to an inconsequential thing and rendered it of minor spiritual significance.  This is most unfortunate. This article is intended to show the proper place of water baptism in Christianity in the hope we will make amends where we have been in error.

Water baptism was taught and practiced in the New Testament only. In the Old Testament, baptism was observed only in types and shadows. The Bible teaches that some of the events that took place before the death and resurrection of Jesus Christ and before the coming of the Holy Spirit on the day of Pentecost, were foreshadows of the real things, the antitype, that would take place in New Testament church: “Now all these things happened unto them for ensamples: and they are written for our admonition, upon whom the ends of the world are come”. (1 Cor. 10:11). “For the law having a shadow of the good things to come and not the very image of the things” (Hebrews 10:1a).

The Doctrine of Baptism

Apostle Paul included “baptisms” among the six elementary doctrines of Christ in Hebrews 6:1-2. “Therefore leaving the principles of the doctrine of Christ, let us go on unto perfection; not laying again the foundation of repentance from dead works, and of faith toward God. Of the doctrine of baptisms, and of laying on of hands, and of resurrection of the dead, and of eternal judgment.”

Notice that baptism here is in the plural form. This is because there are different types of baptism taught and/or practised in the Bible. For example, 1 Cor. 10:2 talks of some people being “baptised unto Moses in the cloud and in the sea”; Acts 19:4 says that John “baptized with baptism of repentance”; Jesus said in Matthew 20:22, “Are ye able to drink of the cup that I shall drink of, and to be baptized with the baptism that I am baptized with?” Our discussion, however, shall be limited to the baptism that forms part of the Great Commission in Mathew 28:19 where Jesus commanded His disciples saying, “Go ye therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost.”

The word baptism in Matthew 28:19 is not a translation but a transliteration of the Greek word “baptizo”. The root meaning of the word was derived from the action of immersing a vessel completely in a fluid, especially water, with the aim of filling it up in order to draw out a full measure. Sprinkling adults with water or baptising infants, therefore, do not qualify as water baptism and are not even taught in the Bible.           

Jesus told Nicodemus, “Verily, verily, I say unto thee, Except a man be born again, he cannot see the kingdom of God.” (John 3:3). And again, “Verily, verily, I say unto thee, Except a man be born of water and of the Spirit, he cannot enter into the kingdom of God.” (John 3:5). The water here refers to water baptism. By this scripture, Jesus, taught that entry into the Kingdom of God, that is, salvation, is achieved via water baptism and the Holy Spirit.

But doesn’t Eph. 2:8 teach that we are saved by the grace of God through faith only? May be so, but remember that James 2:19-26 also teaches faith must be accompanied by works. Faith without works is dead. Faith must be proved by some works. Abraham believed God but had to prove it by offering his son, Isaac. Rahab the prostitute believed in the God of the Israelites but had to prove her faith in Him by taking action to ensure the safe exit of the twelve Israeli spies.

Though Romans 10:9-10 says that belief with the heart and confession with the mouth leads to salvation, some action to prove this faith is required. Hebrews 11:6 says that we cannot please God without faith, but some works would have to accompany that faith according to James. Submitting to the sacrament of water baptism is the work required by God from a believer to prove his faith in Jesus Christ for salvation. Remember that we earlier established that Jesus said entry into the Kingdom of God must be by water and the Spirit.    

In the book of Acts, every case of belief in Jesus Christ, without exception, was followed by water baptism immediately. The 3,000 persons who believed on the day of Pentecost were immediately baptised. Paul was baptised in Damascus by Ananias on the third day after Jesus arrested him. Philip preached to many people, including Simon the sorcerer, who believed and were baptised immediately. Immediately the Ethiopian Eunuch believed, he asked Philip to baptise him in a nearby river. Jesus Himself insisted that John the Baptist should baptise Him. Does this not suggest that water baptism is an integral and necessary part of the New Testament salvation process?

When Peter preached on the day of Pentecost and 3,000 people were convicted of their sinful ways, they asked him what they must do next. His replied, “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 Spirit” (Acts 2:37-38). Repentance must be followed by water baptism in order for God to forgive sins and send the promised Holy Spirit.

The Great Commission Is To Preach, Baptize and Teach

We have titled Jesus’ last instructions to His disciples before He ascended into heaven the Great Commission. While Matthew’s account simply says those who believe the gospel should be baptised, Mark’s rendition says those who believe and are baptised shall be saved. (Mark 16:16). Mark makes baptism a condition for salvation. The instructions are to preach, baptise believers and then teach them. However, many churches insist on teaching first (for up to one year in some cases, and even pass some written and oral examination) before water baptism is administered on a believer. Why these churches choose to violate the scriptures is surprising.  

Baptised Into Jesus Christ

Romans 6:3 says we are “baptised into Jesus Christ” while Gal. 3:27 says we have put on Christ because we have been “baptised into Christ”. 1 Cor. 12:13 says “we are all baptised into the one body”. Though a fellow human being dips us into the water, at the moment of being dipped, the Holy Spirit carries out a spiritual operation of regeneration in our souls and places us in the body of Christ. Therefore, the actions of the man baptising us is not what births us into the body of Christ but the unseen spiritual work done by God while we are inside the water. We thus become one body and one Spirit with Christ. That is why in Christ there is no tribe or race or gender or slave of free or rich or poor. There is only “one body, one Spirit, one hope, one Lord, one faith, one baptism” (Ephesians 4:4-5)  

Warning About Church Tradition

Though Church traditions and rules have their advantages, the Bible warns about those of them that may have been couched along the lines of human philosophy and the traditions of men and not the teachings of Christ. “Beware lest any man spoil you through philosophy and vain deceit, after the tradition of men, after the rudiments of the world, and not after Christ.” (Col. 2:8).

The Doctrine of Baptism as taught today by many churches has left out a lot of important elements. To preach salvation without recommending immediate baptism for for hearers who believers, or to teach that baptism does not save us or take us into heaven, or to teach that baptism is done just to fulfil all righteousness, or to conduct water baptism only once or twice in a year where people have been accepting Christ every week, or to sprinkle believers with water, is to water down water baptism.  

Physical Circumcision versus Spiritual Circumcision

“In whom also ye are circumcised with the circumcision made without hands, in putting off the body of the sins of the flesh by the circumcision of Christ: Buried with him in baptism, wherein also ye are risen with him through the faith of the operation of God, who hath raised him from the dead. And you, being dead in your sins and the uncircumcision of your flesh, hath he quickened together with him, having forgiven you all trespasses”. (Col. 2:11-13)

We are told in these verses that entering the body of Christ is through spiritual circumcision. This spiritual operation is carried out by God Himself. As we subject ourselves to water baptism due to our faith in Christ, God does it. From being spiritually dead in sins and not physically circumcised, through this spiritual operation, God forgives us our sins and changes our sinful nature into a righteous one.

Physical circumcision was required when a Gentile converted to Judaism under the old Abrahamic covenant (See Esther. 8:17; Acts 13:43). The new and superior covenant in the blood of Jesus, abolished that Old Testament practice, which was a type and a shadow of the real thing we now have in Christ. That type and shadow has been replaced by the anti-type, which is water baptism as evidence of faith in Christ. The comparison of water baptism with physical circumcision is a biblical truth not understood by many Bible scholars.

The Repentant Thief Crucified with Jesus

Many people are confused about the case of the thief crucified alongside Jesus who repented on the cross and Jesus told him that the two of them would be in paradise that day. We should realise that these crucifixion events took in the Old Testament era. Jesus had not yet died and the Holy Spirit had not yet been given. All dead saints then went to paradise and not heaven. Such saints include Abraham, David, Elijah, Esther, Rahab, Mary Magdalene and all the other faithful people we read about in the Old Testament up to the day of Pentecost when the church of God was born by the arrival of the Holy Spirit.

The repentant thief, therefore, couldn’t have been “baptised into the body of Christ” at that time. Baptism in the name of the Father, the Son and the Holy Spirit had not even been taught. Only John’s baptism unto repentance, which did not save but was only a preparatory step, was being practised then. The repentant thief’s soul had to go to paradise and stay there till Jesus died and went there to move him and the souls of other righteous dead to heaven. Paul said once he dies, he would be with Christ immediately and this applied today for all of us. We can therefore safely assume that paradise is empty right now.

To Fulfil All Righteousness

Jesus told John the Baptist to baptise Him, though He had no sin, in order to fulfil all righteousness (Matt. 3:15). Righteousness means right standing in the eyes of God. This means that Jesus needed to take that step before God would do the next thing – send the Holy Spirit to Him. Immediately He submitted Himself to water baptism, the Father in heaven released the Holy Spirit to Him. He then started His earthly ministry. Without getting water-baptised Jesus wouldn’t have been given the Holy Spirit by the Father and wouldn’t have been able to carry out His ministry on earth.

What about us? We definitely need water baptism in order to fulfil God’s conditions for the release of the Holy Spirit too or our salvation process would be incomplete. The Holy spirit is the power of God needed by us for the work of God on earth. No wonder, Jesus told His disciples not to start any ministry work until they had received power from heaven through the coming of the Holy Spirit (Acts 1:8). Why has the church treated this most important and direct instruction with such levity? 

Requirements For Entry Into the Kingdom of God

Is salvation by grace alone? (Eph. 2:8). Is salvation by faith alone? (Eph. 2:8; Heb. 11:6). Is salvation by belief in Jesus alone? (John 3:16; Rom. 10:9-10). Is salvation by confession alone? (Rom. 10:9-10). Is salvation by belief and baptism only? (Mark 16:16).  Is salvation by love for God and for neighbour only? (Matt. 22:37-40; 1 Pet. 4:8; 1 Cor. 13:13). Is salvation by hope alone? (Rom. 8:24-25). Is salvation by repentance alone (2 Cor. 7:10). Is salvation by calling on the name of Jesus alone? (Acts 2:21; 4:12). Is salvation by baptism alone? (1 Pet. 3:21). Is salvation by works alone? (Philippians. 2:12-13; Heb. 5:9). Is salvation by hearing the word of God alone? (Rom. 10:17). Is salvation by any of these alone? The answer is, ‘No’. We are not saved by any of these biblical salvation ingredients alone. How then is man saved? We are saved in the following four steps: (1) Hearing the gospel message of salvation and faith rising in us; (2) Believing that Jesus is the Son of God and the Saviour of mankind from sin; (3) Calling on God to forgive us our sins; and (4) Getting water-baptised.

If you have believed Jesus Christ for salvation but have not yet been water-baptised, I urge you to do so immediately. If you were water-baptised before you received Jesus as Lord and Saviour, then go and get baptised again because you have put the cart before the horse, which is of no effect. Jesus said we should be baptised after we have believed.  

Pastor James Pam, The Church that meets at BICA, Rayfield, Jos, jamespam204@yahoo.com. 08037200640.