For many years I was wrong! Salvation is not a pattern found in the Book of Romans, but IS found Acts!

The Book of Romans is written to those who are already born again... "Among whom are ye also the called of Jesus Christ: To all that be in Rome, beloved of God, called to be saints: Grace to you and peace from God our Father, and the Lord Jesus Christ. First, I thank my God through Jesus Christ for you all, that your faith is spoken of throughout the whole world." (Romans 1:6-8) The first non-jewish converts were of the "house of Cornelis", (Acts 10) and they were Gentiles. When Paul wrote this letter to this church while he was in Corinth (in Greece) and sent the letter by a lady; Phoebe, who may have been is natural sister, but was indeed a sister in the LORD. The apostle Paul is was writing to address a division in the church. Acts 2:10..."strangers abroad"...were a part of the Pentecost celebration. (Gentiles and Jews) The church in Rome was already a church of believer's,and had received the baptism of the Holy Ghost. This letter from apostle Paul, begins by addressing believer's and he starts by making an emphasis on the resurrection of Jesus from the dead. (Acts 13:33-37) Our Lord Jesus Christ was raised and saw no corruption....by Whom we have received grace and apostleship to the obedience to the faith. The "obedience to the faith"...this is the "common faith" available to all nations. Jude 3 ..this common salvation...the uniform salvation...we should content for the faith that was delivered to the saints. Acts 2:1-4....this is how "the faith" started....the "common faith"..meaning this is now available to all nations...even the Romans, the Greek, and all nations. Acts 10:43-48..."to Him (Jesus) give all the prophets witness, that through His Name whosoever believeth in Him shall receive remission of sins. While Peter yet spoke these words, the Holy Ghost fell on all them which heard the word. And they which of the circumcision which believed were astonished, as came with Peter, because that on the Gentiles also was poured out the gift of the Holy Ghost. For they heard them speak with tongues, and magnify God. Then answered Peter,can any man forbid water that these should not be baptized, which have received the Holy Ghost as well as we? And he commanded them to be baptized in the Name of the LORD. Then prayed they him to tarry certain days." The church in Rome knew all about this and believed it for Paul says that they are of like faith, or or the "common faith". Romans 6:3-4...know ye not that so many of us as WERE baptized into Jesus Christ were baptized into His death? (the Roman church were already believer's and had already been baptised in the Name of the LORD JESUS) The church in Rome was a Holy Ghost filled church...(Romans 5:15, 9:1,14:17, 15:13,15:16) The book of Romans is written to a Holy Ghost filled, tongue talking, water baptised, book of Acts believers who are of the ONE COMMON FAITH. (and even this church has some problems in it) But in the past I have often made the mistake of using the "Romans road plan of salvation" to teach salvation. I admit now I was wrong. The book of Acts gives us the True Common faith that we must contend for. In the Book of Acts the church begin and it begin with power and authority. We have lost much of our power and authority for we have accepted "another way" to try to get as many "head counts" as we can under our belts...well, that may be harsh, but we can not reduce the Work of the Holy Spirit (salvation) to just some words you repeat after someone. The regenerating power, the resurrection power is of GOD, by HIS Spirit and it is only when we KNOW Him in the fullness of His glory that we can be born again.

In Romans 1:6 Paul says that they are "the called of Jesus Christ"...."the called"....in Acts 2:37 when the people heard Peter's preaching, they were "pricked in their hearts" (this is the work of the Holy Spirit...calling them) they asked..."what shall we do??" Acts 2:38 Peter answered them and said..."Repent, and be baptized evrey one of you in the Name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins, and ye shall receive the gift of the Holy Ghost." Acts 2:39 "for the promise is to you, and to your children, and to all taht are afar off, even as many as the Lord our God shall CALL." The "called" are the ones that the LORD our God shall "CALL".... The "call" of God to salvation for an individual, is not something we can assume responcibility for, it is not a simple prayer you repeated because you were crying, it is not found in a book written to Holy Ghost filled believers, but when one is "pricked in their hearts" by the Holy Spirit, and from the heart truly desires to know JESUS, they WILL call out. We can then honestly lead them, like Peter did on the Day of Pentecost; "Repent and be baptized in the Name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins" as it is outlined so clearly and simply in Acts 2:38..by Peter, on the Day of Pentecost. Now why would we make it so difficult? Could it be that the "enemy of our soul" would want to cloud our thinking in such an important matter? Would the confusion be of God ...Who IS NOT the author of confusion? Might it be then that many are being decieved to believe the Romans road salvation is all they need, yet, never truly experiencing Jesus as LORD in the fullness of His death and resurrection? It is hard to admit when we have been wrong. But for many years I was WRONG. I admit it and I repent, calling upon the LORD for mercy. To the many that I "taught" this to, I commit to the LORD JESUS that they too might come into the TRUTH that can set them free. The book of Romans is written to believer's ...it is not written to the lost. On the Day of Pentecost Peter gave a clear and detail plan of salvation. "Repent and be baptised in the Name of Jesus Christ" I pray that those who have be deceived, as I was, that they will come into the Truth in obedience to the WORD OF GOD. When Jesus gave us the "great commission" He had already revealed Himself to the disciples as Father, Son and Holy Spirit. (if you have seen me, you have seen the Father" He told Phillip. and again He would say; "wait until you receive the promise (the Holy Ghost) who the Father will send in My Name..and I will come to you"... We have One God and we know His Name. That "secret" Name, the "Name" that was not revealed until the ordained time was fulfilled. I plea with you today, repent and be baptized in the Name above any name that can be named, in the Name of the LORD; JESUS CHRIST for the remission of sins and receive the gift of the Holy Ghost. I surrender myself to HIM in every way, for He is my LORD and my God. I regret the years I spent trying to "justify" myself and the Word of God to fit what I had been taught, a deception that is robbing the Body of the authority we have in the Name of Jesus Christ. Please do not use the book of Romans to try to lead anyone to Christ...refer to the simple instructions that Peter, by inspiration of the Holy Spirit, preached the day the church begin. It is only to those whosoever the LORD shall CALL and when you fill that "prick" in your heart, REPENT and be baptised in the Name of the LORD; Jesus Christ. Walk in newness of life in HIM.