Be Ready to Give an Answer…Be Ready to Give an Answer…

I Peter 3:15 “But sanctify the Lord God in I Peter 3:15 “But sanctify the Lord God in your hearts, and always be ready to give an your hearts, and always be ready to give an answer to everyone who asks you a reasonanswer to everyone who asks you a reasonfor the hope that is in you, with meekness for the hope that is in you, with meekness and fear.”and fear.”

Concerning the Authenticity of the Concerning the Authenticity of the Bible Bible

II Timothy 3:16-17 “All Scripture is given by II Timothy 3:16-17 “All Scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness, that the man of God may be righteousness, that the man of God may be complete, thoroughly equipped for every good complete, thoroughly equipped for every good work.”work.”

John 17:17 "Sanctify them by Your truth. Your John 17:17 "Sanctify them by Your truth. Your word is truth.”word is truth.”

To Show the Bible as a Complete To Show the Bible as a Complete GuideGuide

II Timothy 3:17 “…that the man of God may be II Timothy 3:17 “…that the man of God may be complete, thoroughly equipped for every good complete, thoroughly equipped for every good work.”work.”

II Peter 1:3 “…His divine power has given to II Peter 1:3 “…His divine power has given to us all things that pertain to life and godliness, us all things that pertain to life and godliness, through the knowledge of Him who called us through the knowledge of Him who called us by glory and virtue.”by glory and virtue.”

To Show the Bible as a Complete To Show the Bible as a Complete GuideGuide

Galatians 1:6-9 “I marvel that you are turning away so Galatians 1:6-9 “I marvel that you are turning away so soon from Him who called you in the grace of Christ, soon from Him who called you in the grace of Christ, to a different gospel, which is not another; but there to a different gospel, which is not another; but there are some who trouble you and want to pervert the are some who trouble you and want to pervert the gospel of Christ. But even if we, or an angel from gospel of Christ. But even if we, or an angel from heaven, preach any other gospel to you than what heaven, preach any other gospel to you than what we have preached to you, let him be accursed. As|we have preached to you, let him be accursed. As|we have said before, so now I say again, if anyone we have said before, so now I say again, if anyone preaches any other gospel to you than what you have preaches any other gospel to you than what you have received, let him be accursed.”received, let him be accursed.”

To Show that the Bible Must Be To Show that the Bible Must Be ObeyedObeyed

Luke 6:46-49 "But why do you call Me 'Lord, Lord,' and Luke 6:46-49 "But why do you call Me 'Lord, Lord,' and do not do the things which I say? Whoever comes to do not do the things which I say? Whoever comes to Me, and hears My sayings and does them, I will show Me, and hears My sayings and does them, I will show you whom he is like: He is like a man building a house, you whom he is like: He is like a man building a house, who dug deep and laid the foundation on the rock. And who dug deep and laid the foundation on the rock. And when the flood arose, the stream beat vehemently when the flood arose, the stream beat vehemently against that house, and could not shake it, for it was against that house, and could not shake it, for it was founded on the rock. But he who heard and did nothing founded on the rock. But he who heard and did nothing is like a man who built a house on the earth without a is like a man who built a house on the earth without a foundation, against which the stream beat vehemently; foundation, against which the stream beat vehemently; and immediately it fell. And the ruin of that house was and immediately it fell. And the ruin of that house was great."great."

To Show that the Bible Must Be To Show that the Bible Must Be ObeyedObeyed

Luke 10:16 “He who hears you hears Me, he who Luke 10:16 “He who hears you hears Me, he who rejects you rejects Me, and he who rejects Me rejects rejects you rejects Me, and he who rejects Me rejects Him who sent Me.”Him who sent Me.”

II Thess. 3:14 “And if anyone does not obey our word II Thess. 3:14 “And if anyone does not obey our word in this epistle, note that person and do not keep in this epistle, note that person and do not keep company with him, that he may be ashamed.”company with him, that he may be ashamed.”

To Show that the New Testament is To Show that the New Testament is our Authorityour Authority

Romans 7:4-6 “Therefore, my brethren, you also have Romans 7:4-6 “Therefore, my brethren, you also have become dead to the law through the body of Christ, become dead to the law through the body of Christ, that you may be married to another--to Him who was that you may be married to another--to Him who was raised from the dead, that we should bear fruit to raised from the dead, that we should bear fruit to God. For when we were in the flesh, the sinful God. For when we were in the flesh, the sinful passions which were aroused by the law were at work passions which were aroused by the law were at work in our members to bear fruit to death. But now we in our members to bear fruit to death. But now we have been delivered from the law, having died to have been delivered from the law, having died to what we were held by, so that we should serve in the what we were held by, so that we should serve in the newness of the Spirit and not in the oldness of the newness of the Spirit and not in the oldness of the letter.”letter.”

To Show that the New Testament is To Show that the New Testament is our Authorityour Authority

Galatians 5:2-4 Galatians 5:2-4 “ “Indeed I, Paul, say to you that if you Indeed I, Paul, say to you that if you become circumcised, Christ will profit you nothing. become circumcised, Christ will profit you nothing. And I testify again to every man who becomes And I testify again to every man who becomes circumcised that he is a debtor to keep the whole law. circumcised that he is a debtor to keep the whole law. You have become estranged from Christ, you who You have become estranged from Christ, you who attempt to be justified by law; you have fallen from attempt to be justified by law; you have fallen from grace.”grace.”

To Show that the New Testament is To Show that the New Testament is our Authorityour Authority

Hebrews 10:9-10 “Then He said, "Behold, I have come Hebrews 10:9-10 “Then He said, "Behold, I have come to do Your will, O God." He takes away the first that to do Your will, O God." He takes away the first that He may establish the second. By that will we have He may establish the second. By that will we have been sanctified through the offering of the body of been sanctified through the offering of the body of Jesus Christ once for all.”Jesus Christ once for all.”

Why We Should Respond to the Why We Should Respond to the GospelGospel

Romans 3:23 Romans 3:23 “F “For all have sinned and fall short of or all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God.”the glory of God.”

I John 3:4 “I John 3:4 “Whoever commits sin also commits Whoever commits sin also commits lawlessness, and sin is lawlessness.”lawlessness, and sin is lawlessness.”

Romans 6:23 “Romans 6:23 “For the wages of sin is death, but the For the wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord.”gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord.”

Knowing I am a Sinner, Where do I Begin?Knowing I am a Sinner, Where do I Begin?

Obey God!Obey God!

James 1:21-22 “Therefore lay aside all filthiness and James 1:21-22 “Therefore lay aside all filthiness and overflow of wickedness, and receive with meekness the overflow of wickedness, and receive with meekness the implanted word, which is able to save your souls. But be implanted word, which is able to save your souls. But be doers of the word, and not hearers only, deceiving doers of the word, and not hearers only, deceiving yourselves.”yourselves.”

I Peter 1:22-25 Since you have purified your souls in obeying I Peter 1:22-25 Since you have purified your souls in obeying the truth through the Spirit in sincere love of the brethren, the truth through the Spirit in sincere love of the brethren, love one another fervently with a pure heart, having been love one another fervently with a pure heart, having been born again, not of corruptible seed but incorruptible, born again, not of corruptible seed but incorruptible, through the word of God which lives and abides forever, through the word of God which lives and abides forever, because "All flesh is as grass, And all the glory of man as because "All flesh is as grass, And all the glory of man as the flower of the grass. The grass withers, And its flower the flower of the grass. The grass withers, And its flower falls away, But the word of the Lord endures forever." falls away, But the word of the Lord endures forever." Now this is the word which by the gospel was preached Now this is the word which by the gospel was preached to you.”to you.”

Obey God!Obey God!

Romans 6:17-18 “But God be thanked that though you Romans 6:17-18 “But God be thanked that though you were slaves of sin, yet you obeyed from the heart that were slaves of sin, yet you obeyed from the heart that form of doctrine to which you were delivered. And form of doctrine to which you were delivered. And having been set free from sin, you became slaves of having been set free from sin, you became slaves of righteousness.”righteousness.”

Matthew 7:21 "Not everyone who says to Me, 'Lord, Matthew 7:21 "Not everyone who says to Me, 'Lord, Lord,' shall enter the kingdom of heaven, but he who Lord,' shall enter the kingdom of heaven, but he who does the will of My Father in heaven.”does the will of My Father in heaven.”

What Must I do Next?What Must I do Next?

Believe God!Believe God!John 6:28-29 “Then they said to Him, "What shall we do, John 6:28-29 “Then they said to Him, "What shall we do,

that we may work the works of God?“ Jesus answered and that we may work the works of God?“ Jesus answered and said to them, "This is the work of God, that you believe in said to them, "This is the work of God, that you believe in Him whom He sent."Him whom He sent."

Romans 1:16-17 “For I am not ashamed of the gospel of Romans 1:16-17 “For I am not ashamed of the gospel of Christ, for it is the power of God to salvation for everyone Christ, for it is the power of God to salvation for everyone who believes, for the Jew first and also for the Greek. For who believes, for the Jew first and also for the Greek. For in it the righteousness of God is revealed from faith to in it the righteousness of God is revealed from faith to faith; as it is written, "The just shall live by faith.“faith; as it is written, "The just shall live by faith.“

After I Believe What Must I Do?After I Believe What Must I Do?

Repent!Repent!Acts 17:30-31 "Truly, these times of ignorance God Acts 17:30-31 "Truly, these times of ignorance God

overlooked, but now commands all men everywhere overlooked, but now commands all men everywhere to repent, because He has appointed a day on which to repent, because He has appointed a day on which He will judge the world in righteousness by the Man He will judge the world in righteousness by the Man whom He has ordained. He has given assurance of whom He has ordained. He has given assurance of this to all by raising Him from the dead."this to all by raising Him from the dead."

Acts 3:19 "Repent therefore and be converted, that your Acts 3:19 "Repent therefore and be converted, that your sins may be blotted out, so that times of refreshing sins may be blotted out, so that times of refreshing may come from the presence of the Lord.”may come from the presence of the Lord.”

What follows Repentance?What follows Repentance?

Confess Jesus Christ!Confess Jesus Christ!Matthew 10:32-33 "Therefore whoever confesses Me Matthew 10:32-33 "Therefore whoever confesses Me

before men, him I will also confess before My Father before men, him I will also confess before My Father who is in heaven. But whoever denies Me before who is in heaven. But whoever denies Me before men, him I will also deny before My Father who is men, him I will also deny before My Father who is in heaven.”in heaven.”

Romans10:9-10 “That if you confess with your mouth Romans10:9-10 “That if you confess with your mouth the Lord Jesus and believe in your heart that God has the Lord Jesus and believe in your heart that God has raised Him from the dead, you will be saved. For with raised Him from the dead, you will be saved. For with the heart one believes unto righteousness, and with the heart one believes unto righteousness, and with the mouth confession is made unto salvation.”the mouth confession is made unto salvation.”

Confess Jesus Christ!Confess Jesus Christ!

Acts 8:36-38 “Now as they went down the road, they Acts 8:36-38 “Now as they went down the road, they came to some water. And the eunuch said, "See, here is came to some water. And the eunuch said, "See, here is water. What hinders me from being baptized?“ Then water. What hinders me from being baptized?“ Then Philip said, "If you believe with all your heart, you Philip said, "If you believe with all your heart, you may." And he answered and said, "I believe that Jesus may." And he answered and said, "I believe that Jesus Christ is the Son of God.“ So he commanded the Christ is the Son of God.“ So he commanded the chariot to stand still. And both Philip and the eunuch chariot to stand still. And both Philip and the eunuch went down into the water, and he baptized him.”went down into the water, and he baptized him.”

After We Confess Jesus What Must We Do?After We Confess Jesus What Must We Do?

Be Baptized!Be Baptized!

Mark 16:15-16 “And He said to them, "Go into all the Mark 16:15-16 “And He said to them, "Go into all the world and preach the gospel to every creature. He world and preach the gospel to every creature. He who believes and is baptized will be saved; but he who believes and is baptized will be saved; but he who does not believe will be condemned.”who does not believe will be condemned.”

Acts 2:37-38 “Now when they heard this, they were Acts 2:37-38 “Now when they heard this, they were cut to the heart, and said to Peter and the rest of the cut to the heart, and said to Peter and the rest of the apostles, “Men and brethren, what shall we do?” apostles, “Men and brethren, what shall we do?” Then Peter said to them, “Repent, and let every one Then Peter said to them, “Repent, and let every one of you be baptized in the name of Jesus Christ for the of you be baptized in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins; and you shall receive the gift of the remission of sins; and you shall receive the gift of the Holy Spirit.” Holy Spirit.”

What does Baptism Accomplish?What does Baptism Accomplish?Mark 16:16 "He who believes and is baptized will be Mark 16:16 "He who believes and is baptized will be

saved; but he who does not believe will be saved; but he who does not believe will be condemned.”condemned.”

Acts 2:38 “Then Peter said to them, "Repent, and let Acts 2:38 “Then Peter said to them, "Repent, and let every one of you be baptized in the name of Jesus every one of you be baptized in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins; and you shall receive Christ for the remission of sins; and you shall receive the gift of the Holy Spirit.”the gift of the Holy Spirit.”

Acts 22:16 “And now why are you waiting? Arise and Acts 22:16 “And now why are you waiting? Arise and be baptized, and wash away your sins, calling on the be baptized, and wash away your sins, calling on the name of the Lord.”name of the Lord.”

What does Baptism Accomplish?What does Baptism Accomplish?Romans 6:3-7 “Or do you not know that as many of us as Romans 6:3-7 “Or do you not know that as many of us as

were baptized into Christ Jesus were baptized into His were baptized into Christ Jesus were baptized into His death? Therefore we were buried with Him through death? Therefore we were buried with Him through baptism into death, that just as Christ was raised from the baptism into death, that just as Christ was raised from the dead by the glory of the Father, even so we also should dead by the glory of the Father, even so we also should walk in newness of life. For if we have been united walk in newness of life. For if we have been united together in the likeness of His death, certainly we also together in the likeness of His death, certainly we also shall be in the likeness of His resurrection, knowing this, shall be in the likeness of His resurrection, knowing this, that our old man was crucified with Him, that the body of that our old man was crucified with Him, that the body of sin might be done away with, that we should no longer be sin might be done away with, that we should no longer be slaves of sin. For he who has died has been freed from slaves of sin. For he who has died has been freed from sin.”sin.”

What does Baptism Accomplish?What does Baptism Accomplish?Galatians 3:26-27 “For you are all sons of God through Galatians 3:26-27 “For you are all sons of God through

faith in Christ Jesus. For as many of you as were faith in Christ Jesus. For as many of you as were baptized into Christ have put on Christ.”baptized into Christ have put on Christ.”

I Cor. 12:13 “For by one Spirit we were all baptized I Cor. 12:13 “For by one Spirit we were all baptized into one body, whether Jews or Greeks, whether into one body, whether Jews or Greeks, whether slaves or free, and have all been made to drink into slaves or free, and have all been made to drink into one Spirit.”one Spirit.”

I Peter 3:20-21 “…while the ark was being prepared, in I Peter 3:20-21 “…while the ark was being prepared, in which a few, that is, eight souls, were saved through which a few, that is, eight souls, were saved through water. There is also an antitype which now saves us--water. There is also an antitype which now saves us--baptism (not the removal of the filth of the flesh, but baptism (not the removal of the filth of the flesh, but the answer of a good conscience toward God), the answer of a good conscience toward God), through the resurrection of Jesus Christ.”through the resurrection of Jesus Christ.”

What does Baptism Accomplish?What does Baptism Accomplish?

Baptism is immersion in water which is a Baptism is immersion in water which is a symbol of the death, burial and resurrection of symbol of the death, burial and resurrection of Jesus Christ for the remission of our sins.Jesus Christ for the remission of our sins.

Baptism saves us, washes away our sins, puts us Baptism saves us, washes away our sins, puts us in Christ, adds us to the church, makes us a in Christ, adds us to the church, makes us a new creation, gives us a clear conscience and new creation, gives us a clear conscience and allows us to become children of God.allows us to become children of God.

Now that I am a Christian, what Now that I am a Christian, what Must I do?Must I do?

Remain Steadfast - Acts 2:41-42 “Remain Steadfast - Acts 2:41-42 “Then those who Then those who gladly received his word were baptized; and that day gladly received his word were baptized; and that day about three thousand souls were added to them. And about three thousand souls were added to them. And they continued steadfastly in the apostles' doctrine they continued steadfastly in the apostles' doctrine and fellowship, in the breaking of bread, and in and fellowship, in the breaking of bread, and in prayers.”prayers.”

Be Faithful - Revelation 2:10 “Be Faithful - Revelation 2:10 “Be faithful until Be faithful until death, and I will give you the crown of life.”death, and I will give you the crown of life.”

Now that I am a Christian, what Now that I am a Christian, what Must I do?Must I do?

Grow - II Peter 3:18 “But grow in the grace and Grow - II Peter 3:18 “But grow in the grace and knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. To Him be the glory both now and forever.”To Him be the glory both now and forever.”

Work - I Cor. 15:58 “Therefore, my beloved brethren, Work - I Cor. 15:58 “Therefore, my beloved brethren, be steadfast, immovable, always abounding in the be steadfast, immovable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, knowing that your labor is not in work of the Lord, knowing that your labor is not in vain in the Lord.”vain in the Lord.”

Worship - John 4:24 “God is Spirit, and those who Worship - John 4:24 “God is Spirit, and those who worship Him must worship in spirit and truth."worship Him must worship in spirit and truth."

Now that I am a Christian, what Now that I am a Christian, what Must I do?Must I do?

Build Others Up - I Thess. 5:9-11 “For God did not Build Others Up - I Thess. 5:9-11 “For God did not appoint us to wrath, but to obtain salvation through appoint us to wrath, but to obtain salvation through our Lord Jesus Christ, who died for us, that whether our Lord Jesus Christ, who died for us, that whether we wake or sleep, we should live together with Him. we wake or sleep, we should live together with Him. Therefore comfort each other and edify one another, Therefore comfort each other and edify one another, just as you also are doing.”just as you also are doing.”

Put God First - Matthew 6:33 “But seek first the Put God First - Matthew 6:33 “But seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness, and all these kingdom of God and His righteousness, and all these things shall be added to you.”things shall be added to you.”

Are You ReadyAre You Readyto Give an to Give an Answer?Answer?

By Bob Gard – Hollister, Missouri church of Christ www.hollisterchurchofchrist.org