Angelina said:
Baptism for remission of sins is the baptism of repentance. This is John's baptism which was a shadow...It was Peter who said that and not Paul. Peter was speaking directly to the devout Jews from every Nation under Heaven. Acts 2:5
Acts 1
5 For John baptized with water,but in a few days you will be baptized with the Holy Spirit.”
The baptism that Peter and the Apostles underwent, was the Baptism of the Holy Spirit. They did not undergo a water baptism.
The Gentiles were being baptized with the Holy Spirit before they were baptized by water as well. The Holy Spirit is a sign that one is saved. The Holy Spirit is the guarantee of our redemption.
There is no other requirement for salvation other than "confess and believe." this is done by faith and you shall receive the gift of the Holy Spirit. Act 2:38
Matthew 28
16 Then the eleven disciples went to Galilee, to the mountain where Jesus had told them to go. 17 When they saw him, they worshiped him; but some doubted. 18 Then Jesus came to them and said, “All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. 19 Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, 20 and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age.”
BTW: Paul was not a member of the Eleven at this time. His ministry to the Gentiles had not began yet. I suggest that this baptism may possibly be one of repentance which was commissioned toward the Jews from all Nations under the heavens. Acts 2:5
If salvation required more than what Jesus did for us on the cross, then we are basically saying that his perfect, sinless sacrifice was not enough. :huh:
Shalom!!!
Oops. I think I must have been tired. It was Peter sorry. :/ lolz.
Peter was following the great Commission that Jesus laid out.
Cornelius was NOT a Jew, yet Peter baptised him and his whole family! Baptism isn't just for the Jews. It's for the Gentiles as well.
Act 10:44 While Peter yet spake these words, the Holy Ghost fell on all them which heard the word.
Act 10:45 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.
Act 10:46 For they heard them speak with tongues, and magnify God. Then answered Peter,
Act 10:47 Can any man forbid water, that these should not be baptized, which have received the Holy Ghost as well as we?
Act 10:48 And he commanded them to be baptized in the name of the Lord. Then prayed they him to tarry certain days.
Jesus' commission:
Mat 28:19 Go ye therefore, and teach
all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost:
Mat 28:20 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.
I could also use the one from Mark, which you know very well. But I don't think that's necessary. Jesus' instructions were to teach ALL nations, BAPTISING them in THE NAME of the Father, Son, and Holy Ghost.
This is not the baptism of the Holy Ghost, because man cannot do that. This is full-water immersion, and it's as relevant today as it was back then.
And if we move down a verse, we find that not only were they to baptise, but they were to TEACH THEM TO OBSERVE (follow) ALL things thart Jesus had commanded them. What had Jesus just commanded? To baptise in his name!
Now you make mention of Paul. Let me pull up this verse about Paul and what he had to do with baptism.
Act 19:3 And he said unto them, Unto what then were ye baptized? And they said, Unto John's baptism.
Act 19:4 Then said Paul, John verily baptized with the baptism of repentance, saying unto the people, that they should believe on him which should come after him, that is, on Christ Jesus.
Act 19:5 When they heard this, they were baptized in the name of the Lord Jesus.
Act 19:6 And when Paul had laid his hands upon them, the Holy Ghost came on them; and they spake with tongues, and prophesied.
I pose this question to the audience, if CONFESSION OF FAITH is ALL we need to be saved, then why did Paul, upon hearing that they had NOT been baptised in Jesus' name, immediately compel them to be baptised?
You reasoning at the end is wrong. JESUS made a way for us to be saved. But we won't get saved just by sitting on our backsides hoping we'll be saved. Here's a short analogy.
A man was drifting out at sea on a piece of wreckage after his ship went down. Day after day he prayed for God to deliver him.
One day, a submarine passed by, and offered to give him a life. "Swim over!" They said.
"No!" said the man, "God is going to save me!"
By and by, a ship came past, and said, "Swim over!"
"No!" said the man, "God is going to save me!"
Eventually, he got depressed, and cried out, "God! I've prayed and prayed, why am I still floating out here?"
God said, "You fool, I sent a boat and a submarine."
God's provided salvation. But he wants to see how much we actually trust him. REAL faith, says, "I believe you, Jesus, and I know that if I follow your commandments, that I will be saved." It's amazing how something so simple as baptism, has so many people kicking against the pricks. Dear friends, what is so hard about it?
I constantly hear, "Oh, but that's completely unnecessary."
Yep. Well so was dipping in the disgusting, muddy, smelly Jordan river, but it was the ONLY way that Naaman would have ever been healed. Oh, did I mention, he had to do it seven times?! What!? How pointless!!! We all laugh at him and point the finger, saying, "How foolish. It's so simple!" when we ourselves do the EXACT same thing.
The history book of the early church, Acts, outlines time and time again how one is saved. To look elsewhere and ignore Acts is madness.