After The Passion By Larry Schoonover, Puyallup, WA In the next few days and weeks, millions of viewers will watch the recently produced movie by Mel Gibson entitled, “The Passion of the Christ” and walk away with the lingering question, “What do I do now?”  Recent observations of people who were given the opportunity to preview the film before it’s actual release date reported crowd responses to be unmatched to any other seen before.

If you are among those who are asking yourself this same question, then I encourage you to read through this document in its entirety.

The Passion of the Christ reveals the gospel in graphic form. This vivid portrayal of the Death, Burial and Resurrection of Christ was what the apostle Paul declared to be, “The Gospel” in I Corinthians 15:1-4. Where many people are in question today, is how the gospel is to be applied to our own lives to ensure all God’s redemptive power through faith in the shed blood of Christ on Calvary.

Any student of the Old Testament Tabernacle would recognize the types and patterns that pointed to this once and final blood sacrifice for the redemption of the sins of mankind. The Brazen Altar, the Laver of Water and the Holy of Holies (Exodus 30) were all a shadow of the gospel (death, burial and resurrection) of the New Testament. This plan of God was for the atonement of sin (to appease or placate) until full redemption would be given by Christ on Calvary.

This is God’s perfect plan from the beginning and not an alternate plan due to man’s inability to abstain from sin. He was the Lamb slain from the foundation of the world. (Revelations 13:8)

In Luke 24:46-47 we can read where Jesus told His disciples He would have to suffer and rise from the dead three days later. He went on to say that, “Repentance and remission of sins should be preached in his name among all nations, beginning at Jerusalem.” We can read the documented account of this in Acts chapter two. One notable portion of this is where the apostle Peter declared the gospel (death, burial and resurrection) to Jews who were there in Jerusalem at the Feast of Pentecost. When Peter concluded, those who heard him were greatly impacted. “Now when they heard this, they were pricked in their heart, and said unto Peter and to the rest of the apostles, Men and brethren, what shall we do?” Acts 2:37

This same question lingers in the minds of many who have seen The Passion of the Christ. To them I would say, the answer remains the same. Peter exclaimed the way to apply the gospel (death, burial and resurrection) was through repentance, baptism by immersion in water in the name of Jesus Christ and by receiving God’s gift of the Holy Ghost.

This was stated plainly in Acts 2:38 “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.”

James warned us to not be hearers of the word only, but to be doers of the word, which requires action. (James 1:22)

This message of redemption for every believer was consistently ministered through the New Testament to the Jews first (Acts 2), the Samaritans second (Acts 8) and thirdly the Gentiles (Acts 10). In each case the message of redemption was to apply the death, burial and resurrection through repentance, baptism and receiving the Holy Ghost.

The apostle Paul wrote to the church at Rome and explained this very fact in the sixth chapter.

Rom 6:1-4
1 What shall we say then? Shall we continue in sin, that grace may abound?
2 God forbid. How shall we, that are dead to sin, live any longer therein?
3 Know ye not, that so many of us as were baptized into Jesus Christ were baptized into his death?
4 Therefore we are buried with him by baptism into death: that like as Christ was raised up from the dead by the glory of the Father, even so we also should walk in newness of life.

The Samaritans
Philip went down to Samaria and declared unto them the gospel of Christ (death, burial and resurrection)

Acts 8:12
12 But when they believed Philip preaching the things concerning the kingdom of God, and the name of Jesus Christ, they were baptized, both men and women.
Acts 8:17
17 Then laid they their hands on them, and they received the Holy Ghost.

The Gentiles
Peter was commanded by the Lord to go with men to Cornelius house who was a Gentile. He too shared the gospel with them and the response was the same.

Acts 10:43-48
43 To him give all the prophets witness, that through his name whosoever believeth in him shall receive remission of sins.
44 While Peter yet spake these words, the Holy Ghost fell on all them which heard the word.
45 And they of the circumcision which believed were astonished, as many as came with Peter, because that on the Gentiles also was poured out the gift of the Holy Ghost.
46 For they heard them speak with tongues, and magnify God. Then answered Peter,
47 Can any man forbid water, that these should not be baptized, which have received the Holy Ghost as well as we?
48 And he commanded them to be baptized in the name of the Lord. Then prayed they him to tarry certain days.

It is not the Lord’s will for us to be confused in the matter of believing and obeying the gospel. God’s redemptive plan goes out to all who will hear, believe and obey.

Rom 10:12-16
12 For there is no difference between the Jew and the Greek: for the same Lord over all is rich unto all that call upon him.
13 For whosoever shall call upon the name of the Lord shall be saved.
14 How then shall they call on him in whom they have not believed? and how shall they believe in him of whom they have not heard? and how shall they hear without a preacher?
15 And how shall they preach, except they be sent? as it is written, How beautiful are the feet of them that preach the gospel of peace, and bring glad tidings of good things!
16 But they have not all obeyed the gospel. For Esaias saith, Lord, who hath believed our report?

Exposure to the message of the Gospel demands a response on the part of every hearer. Hopefully after reviewing this article you know the answer. If you would like more questions answered, please contact us by email at larry@southsound.org 

To order the DVD of this message being taught by Pastor Larry Schoonover, visit our internet website: http://www.newlife-apostolic.com/passion 

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