Believe, Now What? (Part 2)
By Don Vess
Philippians 2:4-8 (AMP)
Do not merely look out for your own personal interests, but also for the interests of others. 5 Have this same attitude in yourselves which was in Christ Jesus [look to Him as your example in selfless humility], 6 who, although He existed in the form and unchanging essence of God [as One with Him, possessing the fullness of all the divine attributes—the entire nature of deity], did not regard equality with God a thing to be grasped or asserted [as if He did not already possess it or was afraid of losing it]; 7 but emptied Himself [without renouncing or diminishing His deity, but only temporarily giving up the outward expression of divine equality and His rightful dignity] by assuming the form of a bond-servant, and being made in the likeness of men [He became completely human but was without sin, being fully God and fully man]. 8 After He was found in [terms of His] outward appearance as a man [for a divinely-appointed time], He humbled Himself [still further] by becoming obedient [to the Father] to the point of death—even death on a cross.
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Obedient (Grk: Hupakouo)
• Hupo – “
• Akouo – “I
Together, these form the idea of hearing under authority—listening to a superior and carrying out their instructions.
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We see two examples of obedience in that passage:
1.
2.
John immediately recognized the Lordship of Jesus when he saw Him coming to be baptized. He said,
“He who is coming after me is mightier than I, whose sandals I am not worthy or fit to take off or carry. He will baptize you with the Holy Spirit and with Fire.”
Jesus exemplified His obedience to His Father by being baptized. Why? Because it showed those around Him that He was listening to, and submitted to, the will of the One who sent Him.
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Jesus commanded those who believe to be baptized. This is clearly demonstrated in the New Testament.
Matthew 28:18–20 (AMP)
Jesus came up and said to them, “All authority (all power of absolute rule) in heaven and on earth has been given to Me. 19 Go therefore and make disciples of all the nations [help the people to learn of Me, believe in Me, and obey My words], baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, 20 teaching them to observe everything that I have commanded you; and lo, I am with you always [remaining with you perpetually—regardless of circumstance, and on every occasion], even to the end of the age.”
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We hear the word “mandate” a lot, especially in political contexts. What does it mean?
Mandate:
1. An authoritative
2. An authorization to
So, Jesus’ command to every believer is a clear mandate to:
1. Be
2. Be
3.
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Today is Resurrection Day!
It is fitting that we follow our Master in obedience to His command to be baptized—first in water baptism, and also in the baptism of the Holy Spirit.
John 20:19–22 records this:
That Sunday evening (the day Jesus was resurrected), the disciples were meeting behind locked doors because they were afraid of the Jewish leaders. Suddenly, Jesus was standing there among them! “Shalom… Peace be with you,” He said. As He spoke, He showed them the wounds in His hands and His side. They were filled with joy when they saw the Lord! Again, He said, “Shalom… Peace be with you! As the Father has sent [apostello: to send or thrust forth], so I am sending you.” Then He breathed [pneuma] on them and said, “Receive the Holy Spirit.”
Note: This is the moment the disciples received the Holy Spirit—they were born again. Just as Adam didn’t come alive until God breathed into him, we are not born again until God breathes the breath of Zoe (life) into us.
Mark 16:11–20 (AMP) confirms this with another account of the same event.
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Scripture clearly teaches at least two baptisms commanded for believers:
• One for affirmation and confirmation of the inward work of the Spirit.
• One for power and anointing to carry out the Great Commission.
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Acts 2 (Day of Pentecost):
Believers were all baptized in the Holy Spirit, speaking in tongues. Peter explained this as the fulfillment of the prophecy of Joel.
Acts 2:37–39 (AMP):
“Now when they heard this they were stung to the heart, and they said to Peter and the rest of the apostles, ‘Brethren, what shall we do?’ Peter answered, ‘Repent (change your views and purpose to accept the will of God) and be baptized, every one of you, in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of sins; and you shall receive the gift of the Holy Spirit.’”
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- Baptism in the Holy
Acts 1:4–8 (NLT):
Jesus commanded them not to leave Jerusalem until they received the promised gift.
“John baptized with water, but in just a few days you will be baptized with the Holy Spirit… You will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes upon you, and you will be My witnesses…”
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Further examples of these two baptisms appear throughout Acts:
• Acts 8:12–20 – In Samaria, believers were water baptized after Philip preached. Later, Peter and John laid hands on them, and they received the Holy Spirit.
• Acts 9 – Saul was filled with the Holy Spirit and later baptized. (1 Cor. 14:18 confirms he spoke in tongues.)
• Acts 18–19 – Apollos knew only John’s baptism. Paul later found believers in Ephesus who had not received the Holy Spirit. He explained, baptized them, laid hands on them, and they received the Holy Spirit, speaking in tongues and prophesying.
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Now, ask yourself:
1. Who is the Lord and Master we are to listen to and obey?
• Answer:
2. What two very clear commands did Jesus give to those who believe?
• Be
• Be
Then what?
• GO! Make
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Today, we are ready to baptize in water.
If you have not been baptized, or were baptized without understanding its meaning, sign up and prepare to follow the Lord in obedience.
For others, we can schedule a later date, Lord willing.
But you don’t have to wait to be baptized in the Holy Spirit—that can happen right now.
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If you’ve already been baptized in water and in the Holy Spirit, but have fallen short in becoming or making disciples, we can help!
We offer:
• Impact School of Ministry
• Connect Groups
• Sunday School
• Awana
• Children’s Church
• Youth Ministry
Maybe God is calling you to serve Him practically. We need:
• Children’s Teachers – See Pastor Becki
• Ushers – See Ronnie Williams
• Church Cleaning Volunteers – Every Friday
There are plenty of ways to serve the Lord by serving His people.
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We can offer all these things, but it really comes down to one thing:
Simple Obedience.