He-Loves-Us Salvation Club

Acts 11:16-18
Then remembered I the word of the Lord, how that he said, John indeed baptized with water; but ye shall be baptized with the Holy Ghost. Forasmuch then as God gave them the like gift as he did unto us, who believed on the Lord Jesus Christ; what was I, that I could withstand God? When they heard these things, they held their peace, and glorified God, saying, Then hath God also to the Gentiles granted repentance unto life.

I made a statement the other day about an episode of the "Little Rascals" and their He-Man Woman Haters club. As I was studying the scriptures this morning, God put this in my studies. Now you remember the club right? Spanky was their fearless leader but he wanted Alfalfa to be the president of the club. He said that no one hated women more than his buddy Alfalfa. But we know this wasn't true. Alfalfa was in love with Darla, dear sweet delightful Darla. When the others found out about this love he had they wanted him removed from the club and wanted justice.

Well if you were to take the time this morning to go back and read the whole chapter of Acts 11 you could see this same scenario. Peter had been with the Gentiles and his Jewish friends wanted to know what in the world he was doing with them. How could he have had fellowship with such a people like the Gentiles? Peter begins to explain what happened when he preached unto them. He said when he preached unto them about Jesus that the Holy Ghost fell on them just like it had fallen upon Peter and the others in the beginning.

Then read again what Peter said, "Then remembered I the word of the Lord,..." He recalled the words of Jesus. Jesus told them that John baptized with water, but ye shall be baptized with the Holy Ghost. When we receive Jesus Christ as our savior, through the preached word of God, we are baptized with the Holy Ghost. We receive the Holy Ghost when we believe.

Peter is basically telling his friends, "How could I not let them in the club? Can I withstand God, or can I stop God?" When the Jewish believers heard this, they stopped their talk and praised God for what He has done.

Lord, I want to take the time this morning to tell you thank you for letting me in the family. Thank you for your salvation and adoption of me. Thank you Holy Ghost for in-dwelling my life every since the day I believed. I'm very proud to be a part of the He-Loves-Us Salvation Club. Been a member for twenty-two years now. How long have you been in the family?