Are You a Christian? Are You Saved? Are You SURE?

If you died today, would you go to be with God?

Let’s ask some questions and read God’s own answers in the Bible.

Scripture quotations are taken from the New King James Version.

What should you hear first?

Romans 1:16 … the gospel [good news about Jesus Christ] is God’s power for salvation …

1 Corinthians 15:3-4 For what I received I passed on to you first of all: that Christ died for our sins according to the Scriptures, that he was buried, and that he was raised on the third day according to the Scriptures.

Why do you need to be saved?

Romans 3:23 for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God,

Revelation 20:12 And I saw the dead, small and great, standing before God, and books were opened. And another book was opened, which is the Book of Life. And the dead were judged according to their works, by the things which were written in the books.

What is sin?

Mark 7:21-22 For from within, out of men’s hearts, come evil thoughts, sexual immorality, theft, murder, adultery, greed, malice, deceit, lewdness, envy, slander, arrogance and folly. 

What will happen to unforgiven sinners?

2 Thessalonians 1:9 They will be punished with everlasting destruction and shut out from the presence of the Lord and from the majesty of his power …

Matt 13:42 … [they will] throw them into the fiery furnace.  In that place there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth.

What has Jesus Christ done for you? Why?

Romans 5:6-10 You see, at just the right time, when we were still powerless, Christ died for the ungodly. Very rarely will anyone die for a righteous man, though for a good man someone might possibly dare to die. But God demonstrates his own love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us. Since we have now been justified by his blood, how much more shall we be saved from God’s wrath through him! For if, when we were God’s enemies, we were reconciled to him through the death of his Son, how much more, having been reconciled, shall we be saved through his life!

2 Corinthians 5:21 God made him who had no sin to be sin for us, so that in him we might become the righteousness of God.

What must you do to receive God’s free gift?

You must hear this good news.

Romans 10:14  How, then, can they call on the one they have not believed in? And how can they believe in the one of whom they have not heard? And how can they hear without someone preaching to them?

You must believe this good news.

John 8:24  I told you that you would die in your sins; if you do not believe that I am the one I claim to be, you will indeed die in your sins.

Acts 16:30-31 He then brought them out and asked, “Sirs, what must I do to be saved?”  They replied, “Believe in the Lord Jesus, and you will be saved—you and your household.”

You must be convicted of the sin in your life.

Acts 2:37 When the people heard this, they were cut to the heart and said to Peter and the other apostles, “Brothers, what shall we do?”

2 Corinthians 7:10 Godly sorrow brings repentance that leads to salvation and leaves no regret, but worldly sorrow brings death.

You must repent of (surrender and renounce) your sins.

Acts 2:38 Peter replied, “Repent and be baptized, every one of you, in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins. And you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit.

Acts 3:19 Repent, then, and turn to God, so that your sins may be wiped out, that times of refreshing may come from the Lord.

You must confess Christ before others.

Romans 10:9-10 That if you confess with your mouth, “Jesus is Lord,” and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved. For it is with your heart that you believe and are justified, and it is with your mouth that you confess and are saved.

1 Timothy 6:12 Fight the good fight of the faith. Take hold of the eternal life to which you were called when you made your good confession in the presence of many witnesses.

Matthew 16:15-16 “But what about you?” he asked. “Who do you say I am?” Simon Peter answered, “You are the Christ, the Son of the living God.”

You must be baptized (immersed in water) for the forgiveness of your sins.

Acts 2:38 (see above).

John 3:5 Jesus answered, “Most assuredly, I say to you, unless one is born of water and the Spirit, he cannot enter the kingdom of God.”

Romans 6:3-4 Or don’t you know that all of us who were baptized into Christ Jesus were baptized into his death? We were therefore buried with him through baptism into death in order that, just as Christ was raised from the dead through the glory of the Father, we too may live a new life.

Mark 16:15-16  He said to them, “Go into all the world and preach the good news to all creation. Whoever believes and is baptized will be saved, but whoever does not believe will be condemned.

Acts 22:16  And now what are you waiting for? Get up, be baptized and wash your sins away, calling on his name.

What happens then?

God saves you.

Titus 3:4-7 But when the kindness and love of God our Savior appeared, he saved us, not because of righteous things we had done, but because of his mercy. He saved us through the washing of rebirth and renewal by the Holy Spirit, whom he poured out on us generously through Jesus Christ our Savior, so that, having been justified by his grace, we might become heirs having the hope of eternal life.

You become a Christian, a disciple.

Acts 11:26 The disciples were called Christians first at Antioch.

1 Peter 4:16  However, if you suffer as a Christian, do not be ashamed, but praise God that you bear that name.

You become a child of God.

Romans 8:16-17 The Spirit himself testifies with our spirit that we are God’s children. Now if we are children, then we are heirs—heirs of God and co-heirs with Christ …

God forgives your sins.

Ephesians 4:32 Be kind and compassionate to one another, forgiving each other, just as in Christ God forgave you.

God gives you the gift of the Holy Spirit.

1 Corinthians 3:16  Don’t you know that you yourselves are God’s temple and that God’s Spirit lives in you?

God adds you to His church.

Acts 2:41, 47 Those who accepted his message were baptized, and about three thousand were added to their number that day … And the Lord added to their number daily those who were being saved.

You go on your way rejoicing.

Acts 8:39 When they came up out of the water, the Spirit of the Lord suddenly took Philip away, and the eunuch did not see him again, but went on his way rejoicing.

What must you do from that time forward?

You serve Him faithfully, until He comes.

1 John 1:7 If we walk in the light, as He is in the light, we have fellowship with one another, and the blood of Jesus His Son cleanses us from all sin.

Acts 2:42 And they devoted themselves to the apostles’ teaching and the fellowship, to the breaking of bread and the prayers.

Hebrews 10:25 … not forsaking the assembling of ourselves together, as is the manner of some, but exhorting one another, so much the more as you see the Day approaching.

Revelation 2:10 Be faithful unto death, and I will give you the crown of life.

What are you waiting for?

How can I help?

Once Saved ... Then Lost

There are many Scriptures that describe the security we have in Christ, as we keep the faith and walk in His light. These include Rom 8:31-39; Phil 1:6; and John 10:28-29. All of these indicate that God is greater than any outside threat to our salvation. No external force can overpower Him and destroy us against our will. How encouraging and reassuring that is!

However, many have taken these and other passages to mean that one who is once saved can never be lost, even if he abandons the faith and rejects the Lord! They may argue either [1] that such a person was never saved to begin with, or [2] that the person’s apostasy is temporary or not a threat to their salvation. Some say the Bible’s warnings are only intended to distinguish the truly saved from the never saved.

Where did these ideas originate? Ultimately they began with the teaching of Calvinism and Reformed Theology. This doctrine holds that the saved have been pre-selected by God and that their salvation has been predetermined since eternity. It presents faith itself as a sovereign gift of God, which He could never retract. It says that, as a result, it is impossible for one to lose his or her faith or her salvation. After all, how could God guarantee to save someone, no matter what, then plant faith in them through irresistible grace, and then ultimately allow them to be lost? To the Calvinist this is unthinkable, because to him it contradicts the sovereignty of God.

So, if you are studying with a person who believes in "once saved, always saved," be aware that this doctrine is fundamental and beyond dispute for many who have accepted it. When you show Scripture indicating that a person once saved can later be lost, your friend may think you are teaching salvation by works. 

The Bible does not teach salvation by works, but it does teach salvation by faith! The implication is that, if one abandons the faith, or rejects faith and makes it shipwreck (see 1 Tim 1:19-20), that person is no longer saved by faith.

The Bible itself has a beautiful balance of two truths. One is that we are saved by the grace of God through faith, and not by our own works. The other is that we must continue in faith in order to remain connected to God’s grace that saves. All are free to have faith. All are free to reject faith. All are free to move from unbelief to faith, and from faith back to unbelief.

Note the two concepts here.

1 John 1:7 but if we walk in the Light as He Himself is in the Light, we have fellowship with one another, and the blood of Jesus His Son cleanses us from all sin. 8 If we say that we have no sin, we are deceiving ourselves and the truth is not in us. 9 If we confess our sins, He is faithful and righteous to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness. 10 If we say that we have not sinned, we make Him a liar and His word is not in us.

And again here.

2 Tim 2:11 It is a trustworthy statement: For if we died with Him, we will also live with Him; 12 If we endure, we will also reign with Him; If we deny Him, He also will deny us; 13 If we are faithless, He remains faithful, for He cannot deny Himself.

Now let’s follow up on this second truth, that those who begin with faith may then abandon that faith and be lost. Here are Scriptures that clearly teach the possibility of a once-saved person later becoming eternally lost.

Mark 4:17 “and they have no root in themselves, and so endure only for a time. Afterward, when tribulation or persecution arises for the word’s sake, immediately they fall away.”

John 15:2 “Every branch in Me that does not bear fruit He takes away; and every branch that bears fruit He prunes, that it may bear more fruit.”

I Cor 6:9 Do you not know that the unrighteous will not inherit the kingdom of God? Do not be deceived. Neither fornicators, nor idolaters, nor adulterers, nor homosexuals, nor sodomites,

1 Cor 10:5 But with most of them God was not well pleased, for their bodies were scattered in the wilderness.

1 Cor 10: 11-12 Now all these things happened to them as examples, and they were written for our admonition, upon whom the ends of the ages have come. 12 Therefore let him who thinks he stands take heed lest he fall.

Gal 5:4 You have become estranged from Christ, you who attempt to be justified by law; you have fallen from grace.

Gal 5:21 envy, murders, drunkenness, revelries, and the like; of which I tell you beforehand, just as I also told you in time past, that those who practice such things will not inherit the kingdom of God.

Gal 6:1 Brethren, if a man is overtaken in any trespass, you who are spiritual restore such a one in a spirit of gentleness, considering yourself lest you also be tempted.

Col 1:23 if indeed you continue in the faith firmly established and steadfast, and not moved away from the hope of the gospel that you have heard, which was proclaimed in all creation under heaven, and of which I, Paul, was made a minister.

Heb 2:1 Therefore we must give the more earnest heed to the things we have heard, lest we drift away.

Heb 3:6 but Christ as a Son over His own house, whose house we are if we hold fast the confidence and the rejoicing of the hope firm to the end.

Heb 3:12-14 Beware, brethren, lest there be in any of you an evil heart of unbelief in departing from the living God; 13 but exhort one another daily, while it is called “Today,” lest any of you be hardened through the deceitfulness of sin. 14 For we have become partakers of Christ if we hold the beginning of our confidence steadfast to the end,

Heb 4:1 Therefore, since a promise remains of entering His rest, let us fear lest any of you seem to have come short of it.

Heb 4:11 Let us therefore be diligent to enter that rest, lest anyone fall according to the same example of disobedience.

Heb 6:4-6 For it is impossible for those who were once enlightened, and have tasted the heavenly gift, and have become partakers of the Holy Spirit, 5 and have tasted the good word of God and the powers of the age to come, 6 if they fall away, to renew them again to repentance, since they cruciöl again for themselves the Son of God, and put Him to an open shame.

Heb 10:26-31 For if we sin willfully after we have received the knowledge of the truth, there no longer remains a sacrifice for sins, 27 but a certain fearful expectation of judgment, and fiery indignation which will devour the adversaries. 28 Anyone who has rejected Moses’ law dies without mercy on the testimony of two or three witnesses. 29 Of how much worse punishment, do you suppose, will he be thought worthy who has trampled the Son of God underfoot, counted the blood of the covenant by which he was sanctified a common thing, and insulted the Spirit of grace? 30 For we know Him who said, “Vengeance is Mine, I will repay,” says the Lord. And again, “The LORD will judge His people. “ 31 It is a fearful thing to fall into the hands of the living God.

Heb 10:36 For you have need of endurance, so that after you have done the will of God, you may receive the promise:

James 5:19-20 Brethren, if anyone among you wanders from the truth, and someone turns him back, 20 let him know that he who turns a sinner from the error of his way .will save a soul from death and cover a multitude of sins.

2 Pet 2:20-21 For if, after they have escaped the pollutions of the world through the knowledge of the Lord and Savior Jesus Christ, they are again entangled in them and overcome, the latter end is worse for them than the beginning. 21 For it would have been better for them not to have known the way of righteousness, than having known it, to turn from the holy commandment delivered to them.

2 Pet 3:17 You therefore, beloved, since you know this beforehand, beware lest you also fall from your own steadfastness, being led away with the error of the wicked;

Rev 2:10 “Do not fear any of those things which you are about to suffer. Indeed, the devil is about to throw some of you into prison, that you may be tested, and you will have tribulation ten days. Be faithful until death, and I will give you the crown of life."

Life's Journey - Guest Post from Jim Parrow

This post was written by our brother and friend Jim Parrow, who presented it recently to the Keller church of Christ. Jim is not only a fine man; he is a native New Yorker and a very capable speaker. Thank you, brother! Note: this post appears unedited, just as Jim gave it.

LIFE’S JOURNEY

What was started after the French had given up on a project they began in 1881 and was restarted by John Findlay Wallace in 1904, then handed off to John Frank Stevens in 1905, completed under George Washington Goethals between 1905 -1914?

48 miles long

110 feet wide

37 feet deep

Displaced 211 million cubic yards of earth

Took 10 years to build – Once the US took over the project

Cost $375 Million dollars and 25,000 lives 1881 -1914

Connects the Atlantic Ocean and the Pacific Ocean

Via 3 UP LOCKS & 3 DOWN LOCKS

Connected through the 164 SQ MILE manmade GATUN lake

Now used by more than 15,000 ships per year

Construction was through very dense jungle

Swarming with venomous snakes, insects, and spiders

Exposing workers to mosquitos carrying Malaria and Yellow fever and a host of tropical diseases.

Workers were dying at the rate of 200 per month.

The project required the construction of housing, cafeterias, hotels, water systems, sewage systems, repair shops, warehouses, and a railway ALL IN ADDITION TO THE Project itself.

Years of arguments, disputes, claims, counter claims, accusations and a flood of criticism overwhelmed all the Engineers in Charge but especially Col Goethals. He never let the obstacles or criticism sway him from the completing the monumental and very difficult task before him.

Oh yes - the project is known as the Panama Canal

Helped to shorten a war that the critics could not have foreseen in 1914

while enhancing world trade and reducing a 67 day journey to 8 hours.

We can turn to Genesis 5:32 through 10:1 and find another overwhelming project that was put before a man to accomplish facing odds and challenges we cannot comprehend, and at the time, unlike the Panama Canal, for no apparent reason to every ones understanding, except of course for Noah. Do ya think Noah would be criticized???

At the age of 500, he was assigned his civilization saving task. I’m only 69 and I already have lower back problems, hurt when I carry in the groceries, along with a host of other issues, so I can’t begin to imagine what Noah must have felt like at his age doing such tremendous manual labor, let alone the mental challenges he would face.

Vs 5 of Gen 6 tells us “The Lord saw how great the wickedness of the human race had become on the earth and that every inclination of the thoughts of the human heart was only evil all the time.”

In Vs 7 he went on to say – “I will wipe from the face of the earth the human race I have created and with them the animals, birds, and creatures that move along the ground” – but Vs 8 “Noah found favor in the eyes of the Lord”.

Ch 6 vs 9 / Ch 7 vs 4 outlines the specific instructions of WHAT he was to build, HOW he was to build it, WHAT would be permitted to go into it, and HOW he would need to provide for the survival of the precious cargo and VS 5 tells us Noah “DID ALL THE LORD HAD COMMANDED HIM”!

At 600 years of age the floodwaters came. Noah, his wife , Shem, Ham and Japheth and their wives entered the ark and after 150 days, God sent a wind Ch 8 vs 1and “the water receded”.

On the 601st year on the 2nd month on the 27th day the land was once again dry and God told Noah to come out of the ark. Ch 8 vs 13-15

Ch 9 then goes on to tell us about God’s covenant with Noah and via the rainbow in the sky declares unto Noah God will never flood the earth again.

Noah lived to see God’s plan move forward until at the age of 950 years he died. Noah never allowed the difficulty of the task, or his obvious critics to sway him from him completeing his God’s task – God’s Way.

We know that George Goethals lived with 10 years of critics who kept telling him he was a fool, the project could never be done, it was not worth the time and money and lives, and on and on.

We do not read the specific of the Critics that must have berated Noah as he and his family followed God’s commands, but I believe it is logical to believe that building a huge boat in the middle of dry land with no water in sight could not have been accomplished without a century of criticism and ridicule.

Those who do not know God will always criticize those who do and though we live in the world we must refuse to be a part of the world.

2 Peter 2:5 – goes right back to Noah – “And spared not the world, but saved Noah the eighth person, A PREACHER OF RIGHTEOUSNESS. Bringing in the flood upon the world of the ungodly.”

1 John 2:15 – “Love not the world, neither the things that are in the world, if any man love the world, the love of the Father IS NOT IN HIM”

John 15:19 – “If ye were of the world the world would love his own: BUT because ye are not of the world, I have chosen you out of the world , therefore the world hates you”

In our schools, our jobs, our athletic teams, our business dealings our neighborhoods, our political system, the world will tempt you to cheat, steal, gossip, backstab, lie, fulfill the desires of the flesh, hate, seek revenge or look the other way when someone else does, OR FACE THE RIDUCULE, CONTEMPT AND REJECTION OF THOSE WHO DO! They may be your Boss, Co-Worker, Neighbor, Class mate, your closest friend or even a family member. The Devil does not give up! He will not stop trying to tempt you to “go along to get along”. Even when you don’t, others will claim that you do.

Matthew 11:19 claims Jesus was a glutton, a wino, friend of sinners

Mark        14:64 claims Jesus spoke blasphemy

John          8:48 - 52 that Jesus was possessed by the devil

As Children of the Almighty and Everlasting God we MUST heed the words of Romans 12:2 “Be not conformed to the world, but be ye transformed [Metamorphose – Metamorphosis – change from one thing into something else] by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what is the good and acceptable and perfect will of God”

Like a Spiritual Panama Canal – We must make our own spiritual journey from the Kingdom of the World to the Kingdom of Almighty God through a world full of even more challenges and dangers than Goethals faced.

Like Noah we must enter into our own Spiritual Ark to carry us through the crashing waves, and stormy seas that are all around us here on earth.

2 Corinthians 5:17 assures us that “. . .if any man be IN Christ [Our Spiritual Ark] he is a new creature. The Old Things [like life on earth before the flood] are passed away, behold ALL things become new [like Mankind after God directed Noah to leave the Ark.]

If you need help to face your critics, to face the challenges before you, this making your life difficult and effecting your walk with the lord, we are all here for you. These are challenges common to us all and no one in this family of God will judge you because you have fallen and need help to get back up and make yourself right with the Lord.

If we can lift you up and lighten your load

As we sing # 394 “What Will You Do with Jesus” Ask yourself - What will “I” do with Jesus? Will “I” enter in to His Ark of Salvation so “I” can make my Journey to Eternal Life Safe in His Care?

If we can help you in any way 

Come forward now as we stand and sing!   

What About the Met Church?

Photo from the Met Church's website. 
http://static1.squarespace.com/static/56b268caab48de758e6c50a3/t/56e99dcd4d088ec97ee94b06/1458367050074/music.jpg

Acts 17:11 Now these Jews were more noble than those in Thessalonica; they received the word with all eagerness, examining the Scriptures daily to see if these things were so.

Recently several people in the Dallas-Fort Worth area have asked about the teachings and practices of the “Met Church.” Such questions are important, and they deserve accurate answers. As Christians we must examine current religious teachings in the light of Scripture. By doing so we reaffirm God’s authority, learn and correct our own beliefs where needed, and speak the truth in love regarding error. We are accountable to God to stay in the Word and to challenge the church, our youth, and the religious community to do the same. 2 Tim 4:1-5

The best way to know for sure what other people think, believe, and teach is to have them speak for themselves. Without judging or questioning anyone’s heart or sincerity, we must look objectively at specific teachings and compare them to those of the Bible.

Thanks to the Internet these materials are often publicly accessible. Churches of various types publish doctrinal statements for the express purpose of making others aware of them. They want everyone to know where they stand, so that others can assess their teachings. It is important that we reference the primary sources, as we have done below, for the sake of accuracy. We must never prejudge anyone or treat anyone unfairly.

We must also remember that not every person who attends services at a particular church necessarily agrees with that group’s published beliefs. Many who attend may not even be aware of all the group’s beliefs. Be careful not to assume. Let each person speak for himself or herself.

If any leaders of the Met Church should find any inaccuracy in this post, please comment below so that this material can be corrected or clarified.

Read about the Met Church by following these links to the church’s doctrines and practices.

http://www.metchurch.com/

http://www.metchurch.com/the-met-story/

http://www.metchurch.com/what-we-believe/

http://www.metchurch.com/worship-services/

http://www.metchurch.com/staff-page/

Now let’s note various statements that are made on these web pages and then offer comments and Scriptures in italics.

OUR STORY
http://www.metchurch.com/the-met-story/

Bill Ramsey: “The Met began in my heart in 1987 when I felt God was calling me to minister to people who, in the past, would have never entered a church. I wanted to reach people through an energetic service with contemporary music and practical messages that people could apply to their every day lives. At that time I was the Senior Pastor at First Baptist Church of Fort Worth, and I knew God was calling me to a new vision and adventure. So, on August 11, 1996, I launched Metroport Cities Fellowship (The Met) in the auditorium of Carroll High School in Southlake. Our vision was to reach people living in the Alliance corridor, which developers were calling the Metroport area.” 

“The Met ministers to over 3000 people each week and over 6000 people call The Met their church home.”

The Met was begun by founding pastor and now Senior Pastor Bill Ramsey, who was formerly the Senior Pastor at First Baptist Church of Fort Worth. He felt God calling him (in an undefined way) to minister to the unchurched. He currently leads the executive team at the Met Church.

STAFF
http://www.metchurch.com/staff-page/

There is no overall description of the church’s leadership on this page, but there are references to various teams, executives, and staff members. These include “pastors” – both male and female – over various areas. One woman is the Executive Adult Pastor. Another woman leads as the children’s pastor. A third woman is the Worship Director. I could not find any references to elders, deacons, or evangelists, at least not using those biblical terms.

I did not see any reference to the Bible’s teachings on male spiritual leadership in 1 Tim 3:2 or Tit 1:5-6. Nor did I see any mention of the Bible’s teachings on women’s roles given in 1 Tim 2:11-15 or 1 Cor 14:33-35.

SALVATION
http://www.metchurch.com/what-we-believe/

“We believe salvation is a sovereign gift of God and is received by man through personal faith in Jesus Christ and His sacrifice for sin. We believe man is justified by grace through faith apart from works (Acts 13:38-39; Romans 6:23; Ephesians 1:4-5 & 2:8-10). We believe all true believers elect of God, once saved, are kept secure in Christ forever (Romans 8:1, 29-30; John 10:27-30).”

The Met’s statement does not mention repentance or baptism as necessary expressions of faith for the forgiveness of sins. See Acts 2:38; Rom 6:1-4.

The words “sovereign gift of God … elect of God … once saved … kept secure in Christ forever” identify the belief that one who has come to Christ cannot choose at any future point to leave the faith, fall away, and be lost. He or she does not have the free will to do so. This belief has its roots in Calvinism. See Heb 6:4-6.

THE ORDINANCES OF BAPTISM AND THE LORD’S SUPPER
http://www.metchurch.com/what-we-believe/

“We believe Christ instituted the ordinances of baptism by immersion and the Lord’s Supper, both of which are to be observed by believers until He returns (Matthew 28:19-20; I Corinthians 11:23-26). We believe by water baptism a believer is publicly identified with his Savior and that infants of believing parents may be dedicated to the Lord but should not be baptized until they can personally articulate their faith and the purpose of baptism. We believe the Lord’s Supper is a memorial of Christ’s death, the elements being symbols of His body and blood. We believe every Christian has a right to partake of the elements of the Lord’s Supper but that participation must always be preceded by solemn self-examination.”

The Met’s statement declares the purpose of baptism by immersion to be one’s public identification with one’s Savior. No specific Scripture is noted in support of this idea. In the Scripture that is noted – Matt 28:19-20 – Jesus Himself says that baptism is a necessary step for one to be made a disciple. The New Testament also teaches that baptism is “into Christ” and “into His death” (Rom 6:1-4) and that by it one is “clothed with Christ” (Gal 3:26-27). Saul of Tarsus was told to “Get up and be baptized, and wash away your sins, calling on the name of the Lord” (Acts 22:16).

On the matter of baptism also note this:

THE PERSON AND WORK OF THE HOLY SPIRIT
http://www.metchurch.com/what-we-believe/

“We believe God the Holy Spirit is a person who restrains evil in the world and convicts men of sin. He also regenerates those who receive Christ as Savior, baptizes them into the Church, the Body of Christ, indwells them permanently, seals them unto the day of redemption, bestows spiritual gifts on each one, and fills those yielded to Him (John 16:7-11; John 3:8; I Corinthians 12:4-11,13; Ephesians 4:30; 5:18).”

Here the Met Church’s website notes that the Holy Spirit “regenerates those who receive Christ as Savior, baptizes them into the Church …” The idea seems to be that there is first a “Spirit baptism” that is separate from water. At this point one comes into the church; one is saved and sealed and cannot ever be lost. Later on there is to be a “water baptism,” to take place on the first Wednesday of the month, to identify oneself publicly with Christ (see below, under “1st Wednesday”).

The New Testament teaches that there is only one baptism (Eph 4:5) and that the one new birth (“regeneration”) involves both water and the Spirit (John 3:3-5; Tit 3:5).

THE ETERNAL STATE
http://www.metchurch.com/what-we-believe/

“We believe the souls of believers in Jesus Christ do, at death, immediately pass into His presence, and there remain in conscious bliss until the resurrection of the body at His coming for the Church, when soul and body reunited shall be associated with Him forever in glory. We believe the souls of unbelievers remain after death in constant misery in Hades until the final judgment of the Great White Throne at the close of the millennium when soul and body reunited shall be cast into the Lake of Fire, not to be annihilated, but to be punished with everlasting separation from the presence of the Lord (Luke 16:19-26; 23:43; II Corinthians 5:8; Philippians 1:23; II Thessalonians 1:7-9; Revelation 20:11-15).”

The Met’s mention of “the millennium” refers to a belief in a one-thousand-year physical reign of Christ on earth in Jerusalem.

1ST WEDNESDAY
http://www.metchurch.com/worship-services/

“First Wednesday is designed to bring our church together for corporate worship and have a special time to rejoice together through the celebration of Baptism. This is also when we come together as a church and take the Lord’s Supper and spend time in corporate and personal prayer. Every service at The Met is designed to connect you with God but at 1st Wednesday we focus less on teaching and extend the time of worship to provide an environment for you to worship God and spend more time with Him.”

The Met’s statement indicates that baptisms take place on the first Wednesday of each month. It also notes that the Lord’s Supper is observed monthly on the first Wednesday.

According to New Testament teaching, those pricked in the heart and convicted of their sins are to repent and be baptized immediately for the forgiveness of those sins. Never in Scripture was a baptism delayed, because it was considered essential and urgent. See Acts 2:36-38; 8:26-40; 10:47-48; 10:47-48; 16:30-34.

According to New Testament teaching, the church was (and is) to observe the Lord’s Supper – the breaking of bread – on the first day of the week. See Acts 20:7.

Once again, the purpose of this post is to help answer people’s questions about the Met Church by referencing that church’s own materials and responding with biblical texts and teachings. Only God’s Word is perfect. Our only goal is to understand it better and follow it more closely.

May God bless each reader as we all seek to serve the King of kings.

Are you ready to be baptized?

Gal 3:26 for in Christ Jesus you are all sons of God, through faith. 27 For as many of you as were baptized into Christ have put on Christ.

Companion post: “Baptism in the New Testament: How, Who, and Why” 
http://coryhcollins.blogspot.com/2015/05/baptism-in-new-testament-how-who-and-why.html

You’ve heard about baptism. You’ve seen others be baptized. You’ve asked yourself, “Am I ready to be baptized? What do I need to believe and understand first?” Good for you! One way to answer these questions is to study Acts 2. It describes the apostles’ preaching on the Day of Pentecost after Jesus returned to heaven. It tells how – and why – about 3,000 people were baptized that very day. You may consider this passage and answer the questions for yourself. See if you can answer “yes” to each of these.

Acts 2:22 “Men of Israel, hear these words: Jesus of Nazareth, a man attested to you by God with mighty works and wonders and signs that God did through him in your midst, as you yourselves know—

Do you believe that Jesus performed miraculous deeds, and that these deeds prove His identity as the One attested by God?

23 this Jesus, delivered up according to the definite plan and foreknowledge of God, you crucified and killed by the hands of lawless men.

Do you believe that Jesus died on the cross as part of God’s plan to save you?

Do you believe that you personally helped crucify Jesus, because of your sin?

Do you know what sin is? Do you know what YOUR sins are? Can you list the attitudes, words, and deeds in your life that the Bible describes as sin?

24 God raised him up, loosing the pangs of death, because it was not possible for him to be held by it.

Do you believe that God raised Jesus physically and bodily from the dead?

25 For David says concerning him, “ ‘I saw the Lord always before me, for he is at my right hand that I may not be shaken; 26 therefore my heart was glad, and my tongue rejoiced; my flesh also will dwell in hope. 27 For you will not abandon my soul to Hades, or let your Holy One see corruption. 28 You have made known to me the paths of life; you will make me full of gladness with your presence.’ 29 “Brothers, I may say to you with confidence about the patriarch David that he both died and was buried, and his tomb is with us to this day. 30 Being therefore a prophet, and knowing that God had sworn with an oath to him that he would set one of his descendants on his throne, 31 he foresaw and spoke about the resurrection of the Christ, that he was not abandoned to Hades, nor did his flesh see corruption.

Do you believe that King David, 1000 years before Christ, predicted that Christ would rise?

32 This Jesus God raised up, and of that we all are witnesses.

Do you believe that Peter and the other apostles witnessed the truth of the resurrection?

33 Being therefore exalted at the right hand of God, and having received from the Father the promise of the Holy Spirit, he has poured out this that you yourselves are seeing and hearing. 34 For David did not ascend into the heavens, but he himself says, “ ‘The Lord said to my Lord, “Sit at my right hand, 35 until I make your enemies your footstool.” ’

Do you believe that Jesus ascended to heaven, and that He has been enthroned and exalted to the right hand of God?

Do you believe that all Jesus’ enemies will be overthrown and placed at His feet?

36 Let all the house of Israel therefore know for certain that God has made him both Lord and Christ, this Jesus whom you crucified.”

Do you believe for certain that Jesus is Lord – God and Master of your life and all things?

Do you believe for certain that Jesus is Christ – the promised Messiah and Savior?

37 Now when they heard this they were cut to the heart, and said to Peter and the rest of the apostles, “Brothers, what shall we do?”

Are you cut to the heart – convicted of your own sin and your part in crucifying Jesus?

Do you believe that you are lost because of your sin?

Do you believe, unless you respond to the gospel of Christ, you could die and spend eternity in hell?

Do you believe that it is urgent and absolutely essential for you to respond at once?

Are you asking, “What shall I do?”

Are you prepared to do whatever the Bible teaches you to do, at once?

38 And Peter said to them, “Repent and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins, and you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit. 39 For the promise is for you and for your children and for all who are far off, everyone whom the Lord our God calls to himself.”

Do you understand that you must both repent and be baptized for the forgiveness of your sins?

Do you believe that, unless you repent and are baptized, you have not been forgiven of your sins?

Do you understand that to repent is to turn away from sin and surrender your heart and life to the Lord?

Do you understand that to be baptized is to be immersed in water, “buried” and “raised?”

40 And with many other words he bore witness and continued to exhort them, saying, “Save yourselves from this crooked generation.”

Do you understand why Peter kept exhorting and urging them to be saved?

Do you believe that God through His Word is exhorting and urging you to be saved?

41 So those who received his word were baptized, and there were added that day about three thousand souls.

Have you received God’s Word as presented here?

Are you ready to do what they did, to be baptized?

Do you understand that, when you are baptized, God will add you to His church?

Do you realize that this is the church that belongs to Christ, that He said He would establish?

Do you understand that this is the church of Christ, as the New Testament describes it?

42 And they devoted themselves to the apostles’ teaching and the fellowship, to the breaking of bread and the prayers.

Will you devote yourself to all the worship assemblies and teaching activities of the local congregation, emphasizing these same four matters?

43 And awe came upon every soul, and many wonders and signs were being done through the apostles. 44 And all who believed were together and had all things in common. 45 And they were selling their possessions and belongings and distributing the proceeds to all, as any had need. 46 And day by day, attending the temple together and breaking bread in their homes, they received their food with glad and generous hearts, 47 praising God and having favor with all the people. And the Lord added to their number day by day those who were being saved.

Will you commit yourself to spiritual growth and active service in the local church?

Will you be a participant in the church, busy and productive in the church’s work?

Will you share with others, praise God, and seek to influence people for Him?

Do you believe that, through you, God wants to add others to the church day by day?

If, after completing this study, you are convicted of your need to repent and be baptized for the forgiveness of your sins, God bless you! Please comment below, and we will put you in touch with someone who can assist you.