Last Sabbath with "Opening for the Church," we began a study of God's church in the book of Acts. But we can go no farther without considering the necessity of the baptism of the Holy Spirit.

Jesus spoke of it. It is found in all four of the gospels. John's baptism of repentance is linked to the baptism of the Holy Spirit.

At the very beginning of the New Testament we learn about the baptism of the Holy Spirit. It is portrayed as a future event. Matthew 3:5-12:

God Sends Leaders with Commands

As a consequence of the COVID-19 virus, we are adapting to concerns about pandemic. In many places the holding of worship events has been suspended. And now might be one of the best times to revisit God's plan for church. "All who believe are to be gathered into one church" (Acts of the Apostles, p. 28).

Open your Bible to the book of Acts. We begin in chapter one.

We live in a world of sin. Living in a world of sin is not supposed to be easy.

Jesus' disciples asked Him, What will be the sign of Your coming and of the end of the age?

Matthew 24:6-8 is part of Jesus' answer:

One longstanding error plaguing human understanding is the idea of the immortal soul. Seventh-day Adventists studying the Bible learned that man is a whole. He does not have a soul, he is a soul.

Christians are enthralled with Jesus. We love Him. He is merciful, kind, accepting, gracious, glorious, and relatable. He is God. He is also one of us. We are not gods but He came down to us to give us life. Talk about mysteries!

We come together with a purpose. We want to share what Jesus is like--who Jesus is--with others. In doing that we rub up against each other. Sometimes the sparks are good; sometimes off-putting.

Let's place two texts side-by-side--Titus 2:11-15 and 2 Peter 2:18-21:

First, Titus 2:11-15:

Do you want to have your prayers answered? How often we come to God with unjustified expectations.

We come anticipating that He will bless what we claim we did for Him. But James' warning should cause us to question ourselves. Conditions are laid down for us:

Let him ask in faith, with no doubting, for he who doubts is like a wave of the sea driven and tossed by the wind. For let not that man suppose that he will receive anything from the Lord (James 1:6-8).