God’s Got a Way

Thos.Thompson 01-24-08

thywordlightsmyway.blogspot.com

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*All scripture is King James Version, scripture quotations are italicized.*

Many people claim that “their way” is “the” way to heaven. In order to achieve a place in heaven, you must go through their plan, follow their program, sing their songs, or walk their path. It can be very confusing when confronted with the many –“this is the way to get to heaven”- messages, but rest assured we can know the one and only way that God has established. No one has exclusive access to this plan, but it is freely accessible through God’s Word.

There are many people in this day, who will say “this is the way” or that they have an exclusive insight on the way to heaven. Our sole resource for salvation doctrine is the Word of God. No one is qualified to add or detract from His divine plan. The Bible is clear that we rely on the word of the Lord for the message of salvation.

Hebrews 2:1-3

Therefore we ought to give the more earnest heed to the things which we have heard, lest at any time we should let them slip.

For if the word spoken by angels was stedfast, and every transgression and disobedience received a just recompence of reward;

How shall we escape, if we neglect so great salvation; which at the first began to be spoken by the Lord, and was confirmed unto us by them that heard him;

Here we see that Jesus taught salvation, and that the things He taught, were taught to us by those that were eye and ear witnesses. So to discover the plan of salvation we will turn to the ones that heard Him. The four accounts that we have of Jesus’ life were written by Matthew, Mark, Luke and John. Their accounts of His life are how we know what He did and what He said while He walked on this earth.

The purpose of Jesus’ incarnation was to bring redemption and salvation to mankind. He likened himself to the door to get into the sheepfold, and He excluded any other means of entry.

John 10:1-11

Verily, verily, I say unto you, He that entereth not by the door into the sheepfold, but climbeth up some other way, the same is a thief and a robber.

But he that entereth in by the door is the shepherd of the sheep.

To him the porter openeth; and the sheep hear his voice: and he calleth his own sheep by name, and leadeth them out.

And when he putteth forth his own sheep, he goeth before them, and the sheep follow him: for they know his voice.

And a stranger will they not follow, but will flee from him: for they know not the voice of strangers.

This parable spake Jesus unto them: but they understood not what things they were which he spake unto them.

Then said Jesus unto them again, Verily, verily, I say unto you, I am the door of the sheep.

All that ever came before me are thieves and robbers: but the sheep did not hear them.

I am the door: by me if any man enter in, he shall be saved, and shall go in and out, and find pasture.

The thief cometh not, but for to steal, and to kill, and to destroy: I am come that they might have life, and that they might have it more abundantly.

I am the good shepherd: the good shepherd giveth his life for the sheep.

There is only door to the sheepfold and Jesus is that Door. He provided no other means of salvation; He is the only way of redemption to God. There is an old spiritual song that says “God’s got a way that you can’t go over, God’s got a way that you can’t go under, God’s got a way that you can’t go around; you must come in at the Door.” The Door we must all enter if we would obtain salvation is Jesus Christ.

John 14:5-6

Thomas saith unto him, Lord, we know not whither thou goest; and how can we know the way?

Jesus saith unto him, I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by me.

Jesus is the only way to be redeemed from our fallen state. There is no other truth that the truth of Jesus. There is no other means of obtaining life eternal than Jesus Christ.

John 5:39

Search the scriptures; for in them ye think ye have eternal life: and they are they which testify of me.

All of the Old Testament points to the coming of Jesus for the purpose of the redemption of man. As Jesus pointed out to the Jews as they sought to slay Him.

Matthew 16: 15-19

He saith unto them, But whom say ye that I am?

And Simon Peter answered and said, Thou art the Christ, the Son of the living God.

And Jesus answered and said unto him, Blessed art thou, Simon Bar-jo-na: for flesh and blood hath not revealed it unto thee, but my Father which is in heaven.

And I say also unto thee, That thou art Peter, and upon this rock I will build my church; and the gates of hell shall not prevail against it. And I will give unto thee the keys of the kingdom of heaven: and whatsoever thou shalt bind on earth shall be bound in heaven: and whatsoever thou shalt loose on earth shall be loosed in heaven.

The Church is built on the Rock of the revelation of Jesus. The Church is comprised of the true believers who have been redeemed by Jesus Christ. Peter’s testimony concerning the deity of Jesus Christ is the Rock upon whom the Church is built; therefore, the Church built by Jesus, is built on Jesus. Jesus gave to Peter the “Keys of the Kingdom”, namely He showed Peter how we must enter the Door of Salvation.

The disciples heard the Great Commission; they confirmed it by obeying it.

Matthew 28:19

Go ye therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost.

Jesus told His disciples to baptize in the name of the Father, and of the Son and of the Holy Ghost; in the Greek the word translated ‘name’ is ONOMA which is in the singular case. This word gives importance to the confession of a name, so to be baptized into a name means to be baptized into the faith or confession of that person and to be identified with His character and purpose. Jesus did not say to repeat the titles Father, Son and Holy Ghost, but rather to baptize “in the name of” the Father, and of the Son and of the Holy Ghost. Jesus is the name of the Son, He said I am come in my Father’s name, and it is clear in Romans that the Holy Ghost is the spirit of Jesus Christ, so when we baptize it is imperative that we do it in THE NAME!

John 5:43

I am come in my Father‘s name, and ye receive me not: if another shall come in his own name, him ye will receive.

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.

Romans 8:9

But ye are not in the flesh, but in the Spirit, if so be that the Spirit of God dwell in you. Now if any man have not the Spirit of Christ, he is none of his.

Peter, who had the keys to the kingdom, heard what Jesus said in Matthew 28:19.

Mark 16:15-16

And he said unto them, Go ye into all the world, and preach the gospel to every creature.

He that believeth and is baptized shall be saved; but he that believeth not shall be damned.

There are some that say because Jesus said only “he that believeth not shall be damned”, and didn’t say ‘he that believeth not and is not baptized shall be damned’, that makes baptism non-essential. That is like saying “if you want an apple and pay for it, you can have it, but if you don’t want an apple and you don’t pay for it you can’t have it”. It goes without saying, if you don’t want an apple, you’re not going to pay for it. If you don’t believe in Jesus Christ, it goes without saying; you are ipso facto not going to get baptized in His name. Peter understood the importance of baptism; in his first letter he said,

1 Peter 3:21

The like figure whereunto even baptism doth also now save us (not the putting away of the filth of the flesh, but the answer of a good conscience toward God,) by the resurrection of Jesus Christ:

Peter took note of Jesus words.

Luke 24:45-49

Then opened he their understanding, that they might understand the scriptures,

And said unto them, Thus it is written, and thus it behoved Christ to suffer, and to rise from the dead the third day:

And that repentance and remission of sins should be preached in his name among all nations, beginning at Jerusalem.

And ye are witnesses of these things.

And, behold, I send the promise of my Father upon you; but tarry ye in the city of Jerusalem, until ye be endued with power from on high.

Jesus said “that repentance and remission of sins should be preached in his name”, and that the disciples would receive “power from on high”, this referring to the Holy Ghost.

Peter heard the words of Jesus in Matthew 28:19, he was paying attention to what Jesus said in Mark 16:15-18, he took Jesus’ teaching in Luke 24:45-49 to heart, and Jesus gave to Peter, by His teachings, the Keys to the Kingdom.

Peter learned the lessons as Jesus instructed him.

Act 2:1-4

And when the day of Pentecost was fully come, they were all with one accord in one place.

And suddenly there came a sound from heaven as of a rushing mighty wind, and it filled all the house where they were sitting.

And there appeared unto them cloven tongues like as of fire, and it sat upon each of them.

And they were all filled with the Holy Ghost, and began to speak with other tongues, as the Spirit gave them utterance.

When the fulfillment of Jesus promise of power from on high came, they received the Spirit of God or the Holy Ghost. The initial evidence that they received the Holy Ghost was that they spoke in other tongues, as the Spirit gave them utterance.

Acts 2:37-39

Now when they heard this, they were pricked in their heart, and said unto Peter and to the rest of the apostles, Men and brethren, what shall we do?

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.

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.

Peter, who had the Keys to the Kingdom, confirmed what Jesus had taught. He knew that the name of the Father, Son and Holy Ghost is Jesus and he said that we are to be baptized in the name of Jesus for the remission of our sins. Jesus said remission would come through His name only. Peter took out the keys and unlocked the door of Salvation: repentance, baptism in Jesus’ name, and the gift of the Holy Ghost.

Acts 4:12

Neither is there salvation in any other: for there is none other name under heaven given among men, whereby we must be saved.

There is only one name that can save us; JESUS! We can be saved because Jesus robed himself in flesh, He died on the cross of Calvary, He was buried for three days, and He rose from the dead. Paul said that this is the Gospel,

1 Corinthians 15:1-4

Moreover, brethren, I declare unto you the gospel which I preached unto you, which also ye have received, and wherein ye stand;

By which also ye are saved, if ye keep in memory what I preached unto you, unless ye have believed in vain.

For I delivered unto you first of all that which I also received, how 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:

The Gospel is the death, burial and resurrection of Jesus. We identify with His death by our repentance. We turn from sin and repudiate every sinful act that we have ever committed, determining not to live a sinful lifestyle any longer, thereby dieing to sin. We identify with His burial by our baptism in Jesus’ name; through that name invoked in baptism we have remission of sins. We are buried in the watery grave of baptism and our sins are washed away in His name. We identify with His resurrection by receiving the gift of the Holy Ghost and as Paul said it is that Spirit that will resurrect us at His second coming.

It is not enough to come part way through the Door; repentance, remission of sins through baptism in Jesus name, and the infilling of the Holy Ghost with the evidence of speaking in tongues are the necessary steps of entering the Door of Salvation.

Acts 8:14-21

Now when the apostles which were at Jerusalem heard that Samaria had received the word of God, they sent unto them Peter and John:

Who, when they were come down, prayed for them, that they might receive the Holy Ghost.

(For as yet he was fallen upon none of them: only they were baptized in the name of the Lord Jesus.)

Then laid they their hands on them, and they received the Holy Ghost.

And when Simon saw that through laying on of the apostles’ hands the Holy Ghost was given, he offered them money,

Saying, Give me also this power, that on whomsoever I lay hands, he may receive the Holy Ghost.

But Peter said unto him, Thy money perish with thee, because thou hast thought that the gift of God may be purchased with money.

Thou hast neither part nor lot in this matter: for thy heart is not right in the sight of God.

They were not through the Door until they received the Holy Ghost.

Acts 10:34-48

Then Peter opened his mouth, and said, Of a truth I perceive that God is no respecter of persons:

But in every nation he that feareth him, and worketh righteousness, is accepted with him.

The word which God sent unto the children of Israel, preaching peace by Jesus Christ: (he is Lord of all:)

That word, I say, ye know, which was published throughout all Judaea, and began from Galilee, after the baptism which John preached;

How God anointed Jesus of Nazareth with the Holy Ghost and with power: who went about doing good, and healing all that were oppressed of the devil; for God was with him.

And we are witnesses of all things which he did both in the land of the Jews, and in Jerusalem; whom they slew and hanged on a tree:

Him God raised up the third day, and shewed him openly;

Not to all the people, but unto witnesses chosen before of God, even to us, who did eat and drink with him after he rose from the dead.

And he commanded us to preach unto the people, and to testify that it is he which was ordained of God to be the Judge of quick and dead.

To him give all the prophets witness, that through his name whosoever believeth in him shall receive remission of sins.

While Peter yet spake these words, the Holy Ghost fell on all them which heard the word.

And they of the circumcision which believed were astonished, as many as came with Peter, because that on the Gentiles also was poured out the gift of the Holy Ghost.

For they heard them speak with tongues, and magnify God. Then answered Peter, Can any man forbid water, that these should not be baptized, which have received the Holy Ghost as well as we?

And he commanded them to be baptized in the name of the Lord. Then prayed they him to tarry certain days.

They were not through the Door until they were baptized.

Acts 19:1-6

And it came to pass, that, while Apollos was at Corinth, Paul having passed through the upper coasts came to Ephesus: and finding certain disciples,

He said unto them, Have ye received the Holy Ghost since ye believed? And they said unto him, We have not so much as heard whether there be any Holy Ghost.

And he said unto them, Unto what then were ye baptized? And they said, Unto John’s baptism.

Then said Paul, John verily baptized with the baptism of repentance, saying unto the people, that they should believe on him which should 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 his hands upon them, the Holy Ghost came on them; and they spake with tongues, and prophesied.

They had been baptized before, but not in Jesus name, so Paul rebaptized them and they received the Holy Ghost and came through the Door of Salvation.

Acts 22:12-16

And one Ananias, a devout man according to the law, having a good report of all the Jews which dwelt there,

Came unto me, and stood, and said unto me, Brother Saul, receive thy sight. And the same hour I looked up upon him.

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.

For thou shalt be his witness unto all men of what thou hast seen and heard.

And now why tarriest thou? Arise, and be baptized, and wash away thy sins, calling on the name of the Lord.

Paul had to be baptized. Meeting Jesus and talking to Him was not enough. Accepting who He is was not enough. Paul had to come in at the door.

Isaiah 30:19-21

For the people shall dwell in Zion at Jerusalem: thou shalt weep no more: he will be very gracious unto thee at the voice of thy cry; when he shall hear it, he will answer thee.

And though the Lord give you the bread of adversity, and the water of affliction, yet shall not thy teachers be removed into a corner any more, but thine eyes shall see thy teachers:

And thine ears shall hear a word behind thee, saying, This is the way, walk ye in it, when ye turn to the right hand, and when ye turn to the left.

We all need teachers in our lives. This small study is in no way an attack on anyone’s relationship with God. The purpose of this study is to expound to you the way of God more perfectly.

There are many churches in the world today, many denominations that are telling us that they have the right way, that they have the ultimate truth. The ultimate Truth is the Bible! In this study the word of God is used to discover what Jesus taught his disciples. His teaching IS the Truth. In a world full of conflicting beliefs, we can stand sure on His word.

If you have not repented of your sins, don’t hesitate.

If you have not been baptized in Jesus Name, it is a command to do so after repentance.

If you have not received the gift of the Holy Ghost with the evidence of speaking with tongues as God takes control of your life, don’t let another day go by without the precious gift of the very Spirit of Christ.

Acts 18:24-26

And a certain Jew named Apollos, born at Alexandria, an eloquent man, and mighty in the scriptures, came to Ephesus.

This man was instructed in the way of the Lord; and being fervent in the spirit, he spake and taught diligently the things of the Lord, knowing only the baptism of John.

And he began to speak boldly in the synagogue: whom when Aquila and Priscilla had heard, they took him unto them, and expounded unto him the way of God more perfectly.

Though Apollos taught the things of God and God was with him, he still had more to learn and more to know. God sent Aquila and Priscilla to show this man of God, the way of God. The Word of God does not change, but if we are not in line with His word we must change! It is futile to attempt to bend God’s way into something that is in line with our own philosophies.

Proverbs 16:25

There is a way that seemeth right unto a man, but the end thereof are the ways of death.

Our ideas, philosophies, theories and theologies will lead us astray, and will divert us from the truth of God’s Word. It may seem right to us, but if it does not agree with the Word of God, it will lead us to hell.

Hebrews 13:8

Jesus Christ the same yesterday, and to day, and for ever.

Jesus Christ is the Door to the Kingdom. You can’t go over, you can’t go under, you can’t go around the fact that you must come in at the door.