Then they that gladly received his word were baptized: and the same day there were added unto them about three thousand souls. Acts 2:41
Do you recognize the three steps listed in our text? You should. Although these three steps were taken by some three thousand people almost two thousand years ago, they are still the three steps that every Christian must take today. It is true that only the first step – gladly receiving the Gospel – is an absolute to get us to Heaven. But the other two steps – baptism and reception to the Assembly of the Lord’s people – are absolutes for us to be obedient and victorious followers of Christ until we reach Heaven.
Gladly receiving the word – what a lovely way to describe our salvation. Some of us neglected and rejected the Gospel for years before we were saved. The message was meaningless to us until the Holy Spirit brought us to repentance and faith in Christ. We gladly received the word. And do so today.
The first big step after salvation is baptism, and it displays the new Christian’s desire to be obedient to our Lord, and to be identified with Him. It is an ordinance that every Christian should greet as gladly as the Gospel message. So too should be the desire to be an active part of the local company of believers gathered to His Name. There are many reasons why Hebrews 10:25 instructs us not to forsake the assembling of ourselves together, including obedience to our Lord and love for His people.
Three primary steps for every true believer; are we still glad about taking them all? -Jim MacIntosh
Here is the link to the video of this message: https://youtu.be/vNHlARayps4