Baptism is not JUST a symbol. Who taught you that?Well, I believe it is a symbol. Conversion/the new birth occurs before the symbol of baptism, which is as a confession of one's already existing faith. Acts 2.41-42.
I am now going to post on another thread, probably.
It wasn’t from the Bible.
Let’s look at the verses you posted.
Acts 2:41-42 Then they that gladly received his word were baptized: and the same day there were added unto them about three thousand souls. And they continued stedfastly in the apostles' doctrine and fellowship, and in breaking of bread, and in prayers.
The text says that those that received his word were baptized.
What did Peter say in the couple of preceding verses...
Acts 2:37-40 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? 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. For the promise is unto you, and to your children, and to all that are afar off, even as many as the Lord our God shall call. And with many other words did he testify and exhort, saying, Save yourselves from this untoward generation.
So, when it says they gladly received his word, how much of his word did they receive? Some of it or ALL. Who would take the position that these individuals received only a portion of Peters word. That is absurd and ludicrous. These people received ALL of Peters word and were obedient to it and were saved only AFTER they had obeyed ALL Peter had to say.
It is the same with Cornelius. The Bible says that Cornelius would receive WORDS by which he and his household would be saved. Acts 11.
How many words did Cornelius hear to save him? Just a couple or was it the whole message he was responsible for? Only the corrupt would pick out a select few and disregard the rest.
Acts 10:48 And he commanded them to be baptized in the name of the Lord. Then prayed they him to tarry certain days.
I guess Cornelius could just disregard these words. He could if he would have been a baptist.