What Kind of Believer are You?

Rooted in Jesus

New Ransom Jesus Church

Pastor Brandon Richardson

November 12, 2022

What Kind of Believer Are You?

Understanding the Two Types of Believers

There is a Believer and then there is the ‘Holy Spirit Filled Believer.’  We should strive to be the later.  In America their are believers all around.  Devoted individuals who would even dare to give their life for Christ.  They are believers  who thoroughly enjoy being in the presence of God, while enjoying even the fellowship of other positive like minded people.  We find some people resemble the 12 men Paul baptized (*Acts 19:1-7); They were disciples, Believers, and baptized, but were not saved.  Apostle Paul then made sure these 12 men went from being Believers, to being Holy Spirit Filled Believers, by re-baptizing them in the name of Jesus Christ, according to Acts 2:38; and praying for them to receive the gift of the Holy Spirit.  I truly believe if these 12 men were in America and were disciples, believers, and baptized, the religious world would deem them as “Christians” and heaven bound.  As we see, this is not how Paul handled this encounter.

The word Christian started as a derogatory term in Antioch (*Acts 11:26).  Christian was the name given to the disciples that assemble together in Antioch when Barnabas and Saul taught the people in that city for one year.  In America, the name Christian is a word that has come to mean “I am a believer in Jesus,” when a more fitting and common defining of this word means to be Christ-like.  A believer in Jesus does not necessarily mean your lifestyle of sin has changed. You can be a believer but still full of iniquity.

The passage *Luke 13:23-28 shows us that some individuals thought they were in good standing with God because they had eaten with him,  drunk with him, been around his presence, and listened to him teach in their streets (v26).  Jesus tells them I do not know you because you are a worker of iniquity (vs 26).  Iniquity is an important word here because it means premeditated sin; or sin that is not repented of.  We all will make mistakes at times but our shortfalls are not premeditated and thought out. God knew that as we are converted to holiness we will still make mistakes; reference below (*1 John 1:9).  Because a person goes to a church and devoted to God in prayer, fasting, and service do not mistaken this for salvation.

So what kind of believer are you? Are you just a Believer or have you obeyed *Acts 2:38 to be a Holy Spirit Filled Believer?

BELIEVERS GO TO HELL, HOLY SPIRIT FILLED BELIEVERS GO TO HEAVEN

*Reference Scripture

• Acts 19:1-7 KJV “And it came to pass, that, while Apollos was at Corinth, Paul having passed through the upper coasts came to Ephesus: and finding certain disciples, [2] He said unto them, Have ye received the Holy Ghost since ye believed? And they said unto him, We have not so much as heard whether there be any Holy Ghost. [3] And he said unto them, Unto what then were ye baptized? And they said, Unto John's baptism. [4] Then said Paul, John verily baptized with the baptism of repentance, saying unto the people, that they should believe on him which should come after him, that is, on Christ Jesus. [5] When they heard this, they were baptized in the name of the Lord Jesus. [6] And when Paul had laid his hands upon them, the Holy Ghost came on them; and they spake with tongues, and prophesied. [7] And all the men were about twelve.”

• Acts 11:26 KJV “And when he had found him, he brought him unto Antioch. And it came to pass, that a whole year they assembled themselves with the church, and taught much people. And the disciples were called Christians first in Antioch.

• Luke 13:23-28 KJV Then said one unto him, Lord, are there few that be saved? And he said unto them, [24] Strive to enter in at the strait gate: for many, I say unto you, will seek to enter in, and shall not be able. [25] When once the master of the house is risen up, and hath shut to the door, and ye begin to stand without, and to knock at the door, saying, Lord, Lord, open unto us; and he shall answer and say unto you, I know you not whence ye are: [26] Then shall ye begin to say, We have eaten and drunk in thy presence, and thou hast taught in our streets. [27] But he shall say, I tell you, I know you not whence ye are; depart from me, all ye workers of iniquity. [28] There shall be weeping and gnashing of teeth, when ye shall see Abraham, and Isaac, and Jacob, and all the prophets, in the kingdom of God, and you yourselves thrust out.

• 1 John 1:9 KJV “If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.”

• Acts 2:38 KJV “Then Peter said unto them, Repent, and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins, and ye shall receive the gift of the Holy Ghost.”