“What you have learned and received and heard and seen in me—practice these things, and the God of peace will be with you.” (Philippians 4.9, ESV)¹

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¹Though Jesus has all authority (Matt. 28.18), He has delegated authority to His apostles and commanded us to listen to and obey them. To begin with, Jesus prayed that people would believe in Him through their [the apostles’] word (John 17.20). Further, He told His apostles, “Whoever receives you receives me, and whoever receives me receives him who sent me” (Matt. 10.40, ESV) and “The one who hears you hears me, and the one who rejects you rejects me, and the one who rejects me rejects him who sent me” (Luke 10.16, ESV) and finally, “if anyone will not receive you or listen to your words, shake off the dust from your feet when you leave that house or town” (Matt. 10.14, ESV).

Hence, we are to follow the “apostles’ doctrine (teachings)” (Acts 2.42). However, we must understand that their teachings (that must be obeyed) came from Jesus (Matt. 10.19-20; John 14.26; 16.13, 1 Cor. 2.10-13, 16; 1 Cor. 14.37; 1 Thess. 2.13; etc.).

Simply put, “We [the apostles] are from God. Whoever knows God listens to us; whoever is not from God does not listen to us. By this we know the Spirit of truth and the spirit of error” (1 John 4.6, ESV).

Not only are we to obey them, but we are to imitate (follow) the example of the apostles as well. Paul said, “Be imitators of me, as I am of Christ” (1 Cor. 11.1, ESV).

Are you listening to and obeying the apostles of Jesus Christ? Are you following their faith? God included these things in His word for our learning! Only when we practice these things will the God of peace be with us!

E-mail Bryan Garlock or text 903.308.4905 if you’re interested in learning more about the apostles’ doctrine!

“And it shall come to pass that everyone who calls upon the name of the Lord shall be saved.” (Acts 2.21, ESV).¹

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¹Before Jesus left this earth, He told the apostles that “repentance and remission of sins should be preached in His name to all nations…” (Luke 24.47, NKJV).

Therefore, on the day of Pentecost Peter told everyone that they needed to prepare for the coming judgment by “calling on the name of the Lord”. There is a misunderstanding in the religious world about this statement. What exactly did he mean?

After preaching the death, burial, and resurrection of Jesus Christ, Peter told the convicted murderers (Acts 2.36-37), “Repent and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins…” (Acts 2.38, ESV). Obviously, Peter did not preach anything different in verse 38 than he did in verse 21. Both require the same authority, the name of Jesus Christ, and both end with the same result, salvation.

When the Jews asked what they must do (Acts 2.37), Peter explained by inspiration exactly what he meant. Therefore, it must be understood that to “call on the name of the Lord” to be saved is explained by “Repent and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins....”

No wonder Saul was later told, “And now why do you wait? Rise and be baptized and wash away your sins, calling on his name” (Acts 22.16, ESV).

Have you called on the name of the Lord to be saved? It is not a verbal calling (as in a “sinner’s prayer” – which has no Scriptural support), but a calling on the Lord in baptism for the forgiveness of sins (cf. 1 Peter 3.21; Heb. 10.22). If you’re interested in learning more about what is required to be saved, e-mail Bryan Garlock or text 903.308.4905.

Romans 15.30, "I appeal to you, brothers, by our Lord Jesus Christ and by the love of the Spirit, to strive together with me in your prayers to God on my behalf..."¹

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¹If there is one thing we can learn about the apostle Paul it is that he was a man of prayer (Rom. 1.8-10; 10.1; 1 Cor. 1.4-9; Eph. 1.15-23; 3.14-21; Col. 1.9; 2 Tim. 1.3, etc.). While he certianly prayed for himself (2 Cor. 12.7-9, etc.), much of his prayers were spent praying for the growth of the saints, for the Kingdom of Christ, and for the spread of the gospel. However, there is one thing in particlur that stands out about Paul: he solicited prayers on his own behalf (Eph. 6.19; Phil. 1.19; 1 Thess. 5.25; 2 Thess. 3.2; Philemon 1.22, etc.). As one reads the many letters that he wrote both Christians and local churches, he pressed upon them to remember him in their prayers, both night and day. Here is an inspired man who is an appointed apostle of Jesus Christ and to whom Jesus commands us to listen who is requesting the prayers of the saints. This shows us that Paul was not above anyone nor was he above asking for help. Further, it demonstrates his trust in prayer, his confidence in the prayers of the saints, and his dependence upon God.

What about us? Are we praying for others? Are we soliciting the prayers of others? If the apostle Paul needed prayer, surely we can all acknowledge that we need it too! If you're interested in learning more about God's word please contact Bryan Garlock or text 903.308.4905.