I HAVE A CONFESSION TO MAKE …

                         

[Basics of Christianity #4]                                             

ACTS 24:1-14a                                                   

Pastor Rick Jackson

I. I CONFESS TO WORSHIPPING BY THE BOOK! [v. 14]

1. Salvation by the Book [4:12, Romans 10:9]

That if thou shalt confess with thy mouth the Lord Jesus, and shalt believe in thine heart that God hath raised him from the dead, thou shalt be saved.

2. Submission by the Book [Acts 2:41]

Then they that gladly received his word were baptized: and the same day there were added unto them about three thousand souls.

Acts 8:12 But when they believed Philip preaching the things concerning the kingdom of God, and the name of Jesus Christ, they were baptized, both men and women.

Acts 18:8 And Crispus, the chief ruler of the synagogue, believed on the Lord with all his house; and many of the Corinthians hearing believed, and were baptized.

3. Services by the Book [Acts 1:14]

These all continued with one accord in prayer and supplication, with the women, and Mary the mother of Jesus, and with his brethren.

Acts 2:42 And they continued stedfastly in the apostles doctrine and fellowship, and in breaking of bread, and in prayers.

Acts 15:35 Paul also and Barnabas continued in Antioch, teaching and preaching the word of the Lord, with many others also.

Acts 19:10 And this continued by the space of two years; so that all they which dwelt in Asia heard the word of the Lord Jesus, both Jews and Greeks.

II. I CONFESS TO BELIEVING BY THE BOOK [v. 15]

1. I Believe in the Hope of Life After Death [v. 15, Acts 23:6]

But when Paul perceived that the one part were Sadducees, and the other Pharisees, he cried out in the council, Men and brethren, I am a Pharisee, the son of a Pharisee: of the hope and resurrection of the dead I am called in question.

Acts 24:15 And have hope toward God, which they themselves also allow, that there shall be a resurrection of the dead, both of the just and unjust.

Acts 26:6 And now I stand and am judged for the hope of the promise made of God unto our fathers:

2. I Believe in Heaven for the Saved [v. 15, Colossians 1:5]

For the hope which is laid up for you in heaven, whereof ye heard before in the word of the truth of the gospel;

3. I Believe in Hell for the Lost [v. 15, 2 Thessalonians 1:7-9]

And to you who are troubled rest with us, when the Lord Jesus shall be revealed from heaven with his mighty angels, In flaming fire taking vengeance on them that know not God, and that obey not the gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ: Who shall be punished with everlasting destruction from the presence of the Lord, and from the glory of his power;

III. I CONFESS TO LIVING BY THE BOOK [v. 16]

1. By Choice [v. 16a, Joshua 24:15]

And if it seem evil unto you to serve the LORD, choose you this day whom ye will serve; whether the gods which your fathers served that were on the other side of the flood, or the gods of the Amorites, in whose land ye dwell: but as for me and my house, we will serve the LORD.

1 Kings 18:21 And Elijah came unto all the people, and said, How long halt ye between two opinions? if the LORD be God, follow him: but if Baal, then follow him. And the people answered him not a word.

2. Before God [v. 16b, Philippians 1:10]

That ye may approve things that are excellent; that ye may be sincere and without offence till the day of Christ;

3. Before Men [v. 16c, 1 Corinthians 10:32]

Give none offence, neither to the Jews, nor to the Gentiles, nor to the church of God: