Following Instruction

God gave instructions to Ananias to go to a man named Saul of Tarsus at the house of Judas (Acts 9:10-11). Ananias was reluctant having known of the persecution by this man against the church and he said to God, “Then Ananias answered, Lord, I have heard by many of this man, how much evil he hath done to thy saints at Jerusalem” (Acts 9:13). However, Ananias followed the instructions God had given him, went to the house of Judas, found Saul and baptized him.

In the following chapter we have Peter, given instructions to go to the house of Cornelius. God had to give Peter a brief lesson before going. Remember he had a vision while in a trance, and a great sheet descended, “Wherein were all manner of fourfooted beasts of the earth, and wild beasts, and creeping things, and fowls of the air. And there came a voice to him, Rise, Peter; kill, and eat” (Acts 10:12-13). Like Ananias, Peter objected by saying, “I have never eaten anything common or unclean” (Acts 10:14). However, Peter followed instructions and went to the house of Cornelius, taught him and baptized him.

Do we follow instructions?
What about this instruction, “Go ye therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost: Teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I have commanded you: and, lo, I am with you alway, even unto the end of the world. Amen” (Mt. 28:19-20). The way Mark records this great commission statement is, “As you go, preach the gospel.” In other words, as you and I go about our daily activities teach others the gospel.

What about this instruction, “I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that ye present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable unto God, which is your reasonable service. And be not conformed to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God” (Rom. 12:1-2). Do we present our lives a living sacrifice? Do we obey the instruction not to be conformed to this world?

What about this instruction, “Speaking to yourselves in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing and making melody in your heart to the Lord” (Eph. 5:19). Some members of the church try to give God arguments as to why they should use instruments in worship. As Ananias and Peter followed God’s instruction to obey His will, men today must abandon the idea of the use of the instrument in worship and follow God’s instruction.

What about this instruction, “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” (Acts 2:38). Men say, “God I want to be saved by faith only.” God says, hear (Rom. 10:17), believe (Heb. 11:6), repent, (Lk. 13:3), confess (Rom. 10:9-10), be baptized for remission of sins (Acts 2:38). Will we follow God’s instructions?

When we follow God’s instructions men are saved, but when we follow man’s instruction men are lost.