About

Big Apple Chapel is a New Testament based church in New York City, modeled after the pattern of the early church, with a strong emphasis on following Christ as a community of His disciples.

Services
  • Sunday - 10:30 am
  • 520 8th Ave, 16th floor
    New York, NY
  • phone: +1 (973) 837-1041
 

Sermons

BAC Sermons

The Foundation of: Baptism and Hands

1999-02-01 Hebrews 6:2a

2  Of the doctrine of baptisms, and of laying on of hands, and of resurrection of the dead, and of eternal judgment

I. Progression to Perfection requires building on the foundation through dying and serving

Perfection/Completion is God’s perfect plan to restore believers to pre-Fall glory

II. We build on our Baptism by daily dying

A. Baptism is a pledge to live with a pure conscience

1. Baptism Saves by pledging a pure conscience

1Pt 3:21... which now saves us----baptism (not the removal of the filth of the flesh, but the answer/pledge of a good conscience toward God) 4:1 Therefore,since Christ suffered for us in the flesh, arm yourselves also with the same mind, for he who has suffered in the flesh has ceased from sin, 2 that he no longer should live the rest of his time in the flesh for the lusts of men, but for the will of God.

2. Baptism is a Picture of death to desire

Rm 6:4  we were buried with Him through baptism into death...as Christ raised... we also should walk in newness of life.

Lk 9:23  Then He said to them all, "If anyone desires to come after Me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross daily, and follow Me.

1Tim 1:5 Now the purpose of the commandment is love from a pure heart, from a good conscience, and from sincere faith,

B. A Pure Conscience requires exercise and death

Acts 24:16  "This being so, I myself always strive to have a conscience without offense toward God and men.

1Pe 2:19  For this is commendable, if because of conscience toward God one endures grief, suffering wrongfully.

Rom 6:5  For if we have been united together in the likeness of His death, certainly we also shall be in the likeness of His resurrection, 6  knowing this, that our old man was crucified with Him, that the body of sin might be done away with, that we should no longer be slaves of sin.

III. We build on our empowerment by yielding and drawing

A. The HS empowers for Sanctification and Service (Rm 12:1-2)

Acts 8:17  Then they laid hands on them, and they received the Holy Spirit.

Eph 1:13  In Him you also trusted, after you heard the word of truth, the gospel of your salvation; in whom also, having believed, you were sealed with the Holy Spirit of promise,     1Co 12:13  For by one Spirit we were all baptized into one body

Ac 13:3  Then, having fasted and prayed, and laid hands on them, they sent them away.{for ministry}

2 Tim 1:6 Therefore I remind you to stir up the gift of God which is in you through the laying on of my hands.

B.  Our service is dependent upon our sanctification

Rom 6:13  And do not present your members as instruments of unrighteousness to sin, but present yourselves to God as being alive from the dead, and your members as instruments of righteousness to God. 22 But now having been set free from sin, and having become slaves of God, you have your fruit to holiness, and the end, everlasting life.

Rom 8: 13  For if you live according to the flesh you will die; but if by the Spirit you put to death the deeds of the body, you will live.

C. Our service must be dependent upon the HS

Jn 15: 4  "Abide in Me, and I in you. As the branch cannot bear fruit of itself, unless it abides in the vine, neither can you, unless you abide in Me. 5  "I am the vine, you are the branches. He who abides in Me, and I in him, bears much fruit; for without Me you can do nothing.

1Jo 2:6  He who says he abides in Him ought himself also to walk just as He walked.

1 Cor 15:10  But by the grace of God I am what I am, and His grace toward me was not in vain; but I labored more abundantly than they all, yet not I, but the grace of God which was with me.

Questions for Reflection/Discussion/Response:

1. What can you conclude abut someone who doesn’t progress in sanctification nor bear fruit in service? Can it be corrected?

2. To what do believers die daily? How do you know if someone is taking up their cross daily and following Christ?

3. How does dependence differ from just hoping and praying?  Does dependence include or exclude human effort and work?

4. Is it better to serve “in the flesh” than not at all? What are some of the telltale signs of fleshly service?

5. How will you build on your foundation this week? What will you have built by the end of the summer? Will it endure? (1Cor 3:10)