Baptism is a command of God
for forgiveness of sins in order to obtain salvation
and
receive the gift of the Holy Spirit
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The internet has a lot of web sites that deny baptism is for the forgiveness of sin and that the Holy Spirit is received before baptism.
There seems to be no reason for that except that a lot of people do not want to believe it.
Baptism scriptures are 'explained' to make them say something other than the way they are written.
There is a multitude of methods that are technical and usually 'believable' trying to show that the scriptures do not mean what they say.
This is a violation of the scriptures and simply makes no sense.
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Next are some verses addressing what scriptures mean and some 'explanations' that are not necessary.
Obviously there are a multitude of 'explanations' that are not addressed here but all would have the same results.
For further information in each, click on the Green Links.
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The first time baptism for remission of sins is commanded
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The bible says:
repent and be baptized FOR the remission of sins
Critics say:
we want the word FOR to mean BECAUSE OF - meaning sins have been forgiven before baptism
Acts 2:38
Acts 2:38
Then Peter said to them, “Repent, and let every one of you be baptized in the name of Jesus Christ for the
remission of sins; and you shall receive the gift of the Holy Spirit.
Click on the scripture to see it from the bible
is the best scripture to show baptism is for the forgiveness of sins where
we see, for the first time, requirements for salvation.
There is no reference to sins having been forgiven before baptism.
There needs to be no 'explanation' about what the scripture means;
it says what it means and means what it says.
The bible does not specifically say when the church came into existence, but according to Acts chapter 2,
both the church Jesus built and baptism for the forgiveness of sins are recorded for the first time.
Matthew 16:18
Matthew 16:18
And I also say to you that you are Peter, and on this rock I will build My church, and the gates of Hades shall not prevail against it.
Click on the scripture to see it from the bible
Jesus said he would build his church
Acts 1:4-8
Acts 1:4-8
4 And being assembled together with them, He commanded them not to depart from Jerusalem, but to wait for the Promise of the Father,
“which,” He said, “you have heard from Me;
5 for John truly baptized with water, but you shall be baptized with the Holy Spirit not many days from now.”
6 Therefore, when they had come together, they asked Him, saying, “Lord, will You at this time restore the kingdom to Israel?”
7 And He said to them, “It is not for you to know times or seasons which the Father has put in His own authority.
8 But you shall receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you; and you shall be witnesses to Me in Jerusalem,
and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the end of the earth.”
Click to see it from the bible
Before He ascended, Jesus told the disciples to wait in Jerusalem until the Holy Spirit has come upon them
Acts 2:1-4
Acts 2:1-4
1 When the Day of Pentecost had fully come, they were all with one accord in one place.
2 And suddenly there came a sound from heaven, as of a rushing mighty wind, and it filled the whole house where they were sitting.
3 Then there appeared to them divided tongues, as of fire, and one sat upon each of them.
4 And they were all filled with the Holy Spirit and began to speak with other tongues, as the Spirit gave them utterance.
Click to see it from the bible
This promise was fulfilled in Acts 2 when the Day of Pentecost had fully come
Acts 2:37-47
Acts 2:37,38,47
37
Now when they heard this, they were cut to the heart, and said to Peter and the rest of the apostles, “Men and brethren, what shall we do?”
38 Then Peter said to them, “Repent, and let every one of you be baptized in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins;
and you shall receive the gift of the Holy Spirit.
...
47 praising God and having favor with all the people. And the Lord added to the church daily those who were being saved.
Click on the scripture to see 2:37-47 from the bible
The disciples who were saved by repentance and baptism were added to the church:
‣ Peter's sermon convinced the Men of Judea and all who dwell in Jerusalem that they had
crucified the son of God
‣ The result was they asked the question “Men and brethren, what shall we do?”
‣ The answer was repent, and let every one of you be baptized in the name of Jesus Christ
for the remission of sins and you shall receive the gift of the Holy Spirit
‣ The Lord added to the church daily those who were being saved, showing that the church
was now established
Please note verse 38 makes it clear they were to repent and be baptized FOR the remission of sins.
There is a lot of teaching today that baptism is BECAUSE OF sins already forgiven, which cannot be proved.
This is the first time in the history of the church that baptism is commanded for forgiveness of sins.
This is the first time in the history of the church the gift of the Holy Spirit was received.
This verse is important being the first to specify baptism for the forgiveness of sins
and the gift of the Holy Spirit.
Other baptism verses deal with other actions leading up to baptism with no need to specify
the forgiveness of sin and the gift of the Holy Spirit again.
This is important to remember as you progress through this page.
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The Holy Spirit was given two times and not associated with baptism
This was when the church became available for both Jews and Gentiles to enter, after being baptized
Acts 2:1-4
Acts 2:1-4
When the Day of Pentecost had fully come, they were all with one accord in one place.
2 And suddenly there came a sound from heaven, as of a rushing mighty wind, and it filled the whole house where they were sitting.
3 Then there appeared to them divided tongues, as of fire, and one sat upon each of them.
4 And they were all filled with the Holy Spirit and began to speak with other tongues, as the Spirit gave them utterance.
Click to see it from the bible
First for the Jews on the day of Pentecost
Acts 10:44-46
Acts 10:44-46
When the Day of Pentecost had fully come, they were all with one accord in one place.
44 While Peter was still speaking these words, the Holy Spirit fell upon all those who heard the word.
45 And those of the circumcision who believed were astonished, as many as came with Peter,
because the gift of the Holy Spirit had been poured out on the Gentiles also.
46 For they heard them speak with tongues and magnify God.
Click to see it from the bible
Second for Cornelius and the gentiles when they were meeting with Peter
Those who came with Peter were astonished as the Gentiles were admitted into the church in the same way
as the Jews were admitted on the day of Pentecost
Further information
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Luke 23:39-43
Luke 23:39-43
39 Then one of the criminals who were hanged blasphemed Him, saying, “If You are the Christ, save Yourself and us.”
40 But the other, answering, rebuked him, saying, “Do you not even fear God, seeing you are under the same condemnation?
41 And we indeed justly, for we receive the due reward of our deeds; but this Man has done nothing wrong.”
42 Then he said to Jesus, “Lord, remember me when You come into Your kingdom.”
43 And Jesus said to him, “Assuredly, I say to you, today you will be with Me in Paradise.”
Click on the scripture to see more from the bible
Was the thief on the cross baptized?
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The bible says:
the scriptures say nothing about the thief being baptized or not
Critics say:
the thief was not baptized therefore baptism is not necessary
The thief on the cross is often used by many people who claim that baptism is not necessary to be saved.
They will say something like "Since the thief was not baptized yet he was saved, then I also can be saved without baptism."
Using the Thief as an example of baptism does not prove baptism is unnecessary
‣ There is no way to know if the thief was baptized or not
‣ It is possible that he was - Jerusalem, all Judea, and all the region around the Jordan went out to see him
‣ Jesus had the power to forgive sins and the power to give eternal life
‣ The old covenant, the law of Moses, was still in effect
‣ Baptism under the old covenant is not the same as baptism under the new covenant
‣ Baptism under the new covenant did not become effective until 50 days after the thief died
Therefore, it makes no difference if the thief was baptized or not for Jesus to save him.
Jesus had the power to save when He determined it was necessary.
Further information
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The bible says:
be baptized, and wash away your sins, calling on the name of the Lord
Critics say:
Paul was already saved at the time Christ appeared to him, so baptism is not needed to wash away sins
This has given many people trouble understanding what the scriptures say.
They want to say that being baptized is not for the forgiveness of sins because it does not wash away sins.
Saul is told to do three things:
be baptized
wash away your sins
calling on the name of the Lord
He is told to be baptized first, then the other two would come sometime after he was baptized.
Neither is applied at the time of baptism,
Saul received remission of sins and the gift of the Holy Spirit first.
Baptism here cannot mean something different than Acts 2:38 or any other scripture;
baptism is for the remission of sins.
What is washing away our sins?
This is what Jesus does for us after we are baptized and our sins are forgiven.
Then it becomes a process of making sure we do not commit new sins.
If we do, and repent for those sins, Jesus will wash those sins away.
Many scriptures teach us the cleansing from sin is from the death and resurrection of Jesus.
Further information
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What is calling on the name of the Lord?
This is seeking God's presence, His help and worshiping Him.
God promises to save those who, in faith, call upon His name.
Further information
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Summary:
Once we have been baptized our sins are forgiven.
Then it becomes a process of making sure we do not commit new sins.
If we do, and repent for those sins, Jesus will wash those sins away.
We must continue to call upon the name of the lord, seeking His presence, His help and worshiping Him.
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In addition there are some disagreements about the Holy Spirit.
This page does address this since it is a major problem to 'unravel" by its self.
I include a brief overview only for information.
Acts 9:17
Acts 9:17
And Ananias went his way and entered the house; and laying his hands on him he said,
“Brother Saul, the Lord Jesus, who appeared to you on the road as you came,
has sent me that you may receive your sight and be filled with the Holy Spirit.”
Click on the scripture to see it from the bible
It is claimed that Saul received the Holy Spirit before he was baptized
because Ananias told him that he may receive his sight and be filled with the Holy Spirit.
As outlined throughout this web page, when baptism is performed the Holy Spirit is given as a gift at the time of and with baptism.
There is no reason that receiving the Holy Spirit before baptism was intended.
Acts 10:44-46
Acts 10:44-46
44 While Peter was still speaking these words, the Holy Spirit fell upon all those who heard the word.
45 And those of the circumcision who believed were astonished, as many as came with Peter,
because the gift of the Holy Spirit had been poured out on the Gentiles also.
46 For they heard them speak with tongues and magnify God.
Click on the scripture to see it from the bible
Another argument is the Holy Spirit fell upon Cornelius and the gentiles as He fell on the Jews the day of Pentecost.
Those who came with Peter were astonished as the Gentiles were admitted into the church in the same way
as the Jews were admitted on the day of Pentecost.
It was a one time action of the Holy Spirit in the first century.
Ephesians. 4:5
Ephesians. 4:5
one Lord, one faith, one baptism;
Click on the scripture to see it from the bible
Paul wrote to the Ephesians there was only “one baptism”.
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The bible says:
he who believes and is baptized will be saved
Critics say:
this verse proves baptism is not necessary.
Jesus said "Go into all the world and preach the gospel to every creature".
Then He says there are two things necessary to be saved:
"He who believes
and
is baptized"
This makes it very clear what is necessary to be saved.
This verse is 'explained' to say what it does not say by those who want to believe baptism does not save.
This is unfortunate that some will not let a verse mean what it says without the need to 'explain' what they think it means.
Belief and baptism are easy to understand without having to 'explain' their meaning.
It is sometimes 'explained' that belief and non belief are somehow tied together to negate baptism.
This is an unreasonable conclusion.
Jesus says "he who does not believe will be condemned". This should not be difficult to understand without the need to 'explain' what it means.
It is hard to image that God would give us a pattern to live by that is confusing.
Would Jesus lie when He told them to repent and be baptized?
Would He give a command that is incorrect?
Why do we work so hard to change the meaning of bible texts?
Further information
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There is another argument that violates the commandments of God on how to follow them.
This web page does not deal with this but has been noted here as 'information only'.
Mark 16:9-20 is missing from some versions and Greek manuscripts.
Some claim it was not a part of Mark’s writing and should not be includes in the bible today.
If you believe God gave us the bible via the Holy Spirit as a pattern to live by, it is unreasonable to assume this should not be included.
Without a doubt, this information is untrue and useless.
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The bible says:
whoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life
Critics say:
this verse proves belief guarantees everlasting life
It is claimed this verse teaches us that when we have faith we immediately have unconditional salvation;
i.e., eternal salvation is at the point of faith. To accept this invalid claim would make it "necessary"
to 'explain' the verses in the list below, as they do.
This verse tells us, faith is yes, but unconditional salvation is no.
It does not contain all that is necessary for salvation.
It includes belief as one part of salvation.
Faith is conditional on
1) a person maintaining their faith and
2) obedience to other commands listed below
In the religious world today it is taught that belief is only a mental acceptance
of the fact that Jesus is the Christ.
They teach belief is all that is necessary for everlasting life because John 3:16 mentions no other condition.
There are many verses in the bible that state belief in addition to other requirements is necessary for salvation.
When we quote these scriptures to some people they say "But what about John 3:16, it says nothing about baptism".
They always bring up baptism since it is the main thing they always try to refute because John 3:16 says nothing about it.
But it also says nothing about repentance, confessing Christ, trusting, loving Christ or obedience.
If all these things are not necessary because they are not specified in John 3:16,
why do other scriptures say they are necessary?
Therefore, we must conclude, there is more implied in believing, than belief in God and His Son.
A problem with understanding what John 3:16 does and does not say is that many will try to 'explain'
the meaning of many verses.
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The bible says:
for by grace you have been saved through faith
Critics say:
this proves baptism is not necessary for forgiveness of sins
Based on these scriptures,
Ephesians 2:5
Ephesians 2:5
even when we were dead in trespasses, made us alive together with Christ (by grace you have been saved),
Click on the scripture to see it from the bible
Ephesians 2:8-9
Ephesians 2:8-9
8 For by grace you have been saved through faith, and that not of yourselves; it is the gift of God,
9 not of works, lest anyone should boast.
Click on the scripture to see it from the bible
the Internet contains multiple quotes that salvation is by grace through faith in Jesus Christ, not by works, including baptism"
The next verse,
Ephesians 2:10,
Ephesians 2:10
For we are His workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand that we should walk in them.
Click on the scripture to see it from the bible
tells us God has prepared works that we should walk in.
The new testament tells us there are works of men and works of God which are commandments of God.
Salvation is by grace through faith and is obtained by doing the works of God, including baptism, and we must "walk in" them.
There are many commandments necessary before one can receive salvation.
They are defined as obedience of faith and must be completed before we receive the grace of God.
The scripture says that the grace of God is "through faith".
The grace of God is based on faith being obtained by the person receiving grace through faith.
Further information
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There are those who say these examples do not include several other salvation commands of God.
The new testament writers specify certain conditions without including them all.
Acts 2:38 does not say belief and confession are necessary
Mark 16:16 does not say repent and confession are necessary
Mark 22:16 does not say belief, repent and confession are necessary
John 3:16 does not say repent, confession and baptism are necessary
These people were told different commands because they were at different levels of understanding
when they asked the question “What must I do to be saved?”
The unbeliever was told to believe, Mark 16:16
The believers were told to repent, Acts 2:38
The penitent believer was told to be baptized, Acts 16:29-30
These statements have different requirements but are not contradictory, they are just part of the total requirements
In the New Testament, people were saved by following the conditions of the New Covenant which is the word of God
This group of scriptures show what the scriptures say and should not be changed or 'explained'
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Hear the word of God
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Romans 1:16
Romans 1:16
For I am not ashamed of the gospel of Christ, for it is the power of God to salvation for everyone who believes,
for the Jew first and also for the Greek.
Click on the scripture to see it from the bible
Romans 10:17
Romans 10:17
So then faith comes by hearing, and hearing by the word of God.
Click on the scripture to see it from the bible
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Believe Jesus is the son of God
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James 2:19-24
James 2:19-24
19 You believe that there is one God. You do well. Even the demons believe—and tremble!
20 But do you want to know, O foolish man, that faith without works is dead?
...
24 You see then that a man is justified by works, and not by faith only.
Click on the scripture to see it from the bible
John 8:24
John 8:24
Therefore I said to you that you will die in your sins;
for if you do not believe that I am He, you will die in your sins
Click on the scripture to see it from the bible
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Repent of your sins
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Acts 3:19
Acts 3:19
Repent therefore and be converted, that your sins may be blotted out, so that times of refreshing may come from the presence of the Lord,
Click on the scripture to see it from the bible
Acts 17:30
Acts 17:30
Truly, these times of ignorance God overlooked, but now commands all men everywhere to repent,
Click on the scripture to see it from the bible
Luke 13:3
Luke 13:3
I tell you, no; but unless you repent you will all likewise perish.
Click on the scripture to see it from the bible
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Confess that Jesus is the son of God
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Romans 10:10
Romans 10:10
For with the heart one believes unto righteousness, and with the mouth confession is made unto salvation.
Click on the scripture to see it from the bible
1 John 4:15
1 John 4:15
Whoever confesses that Jesus is the Son of God, God abides in him, and he in God.
Click on the scripture to see it from the bible
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Be baptized for forgiveness of sins
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Acts 2:38
Acts 2:38
Then Peter said to them, “Repent, and let every one of you be baptized in the name of Jesus Christ for the
remission of sins; and you shall receive the gift of the Holy Spirit.
Click on the scripture to see it from the bible
Acts 22:16
Acts 22:16
And now why are you waiting? Arise and be baptized, and wash away your sins, calling on the name of the Lord.’
Click on the scripture to see it from the bible
Mark 16:16
Mark 16:16
He who believes and is baptized will be saved; but he who does not believe will be condemned.
Click on the scripture to see it from the bible
I Peter 3:21
I Peter 3:21
The like figure whereunto even baptism doth also now save us (not the putting away of the filth of the flesh,
but the answer of a good conscience toward God,) by the resurrection of Jesus Christ:
Click on the scripture to see it from the bible
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Live faithful to Jesus Christ
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Galatians 2:20
Galatians 2:20
I have been crucified with Christ; it is no longer I who live, but Christ lives in me; and the life which I now live in the
flesh I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave Himself for me.
Click on the scripture to see it from the bible
Revelation 2:10
Revelation 2:10
Do not fear any of those things which you are about to suffer. Indeed, the devil is about to throw some of you into prison,
that you may be tested, and you will have tribulation ten days. Be faithful until death, and I will give you the crown of life.
Click on the scripture to see it from the bible
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Is baptism in water the only valid baptism?
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Psalm 119:130.
The teaching of your word gives light
so even the simple can understand.
The Bible is easy to understand. It’s just us who make things complicated.
And if you’ve had trouble understanding Scripture before, try reading it again.
And if you simply can’t understand it, come find someone who you know does and ask for their help.
If they’re any sort of mature believer, they will be eager to help you dig deeper into Scripture because they are still learning about it too.
From
alwayspeachy.wordpress.com
with their permission
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After all examples, justification, arguments, definitions and 'explanations'
are given, the scriptures remain as when they were recorded in the bible and still means what they say.
The Bible does not contradict its self.
Baptism defined in Acts 2:38 as being for the forgiveness of sins establishes how we obtain salvation.
The rest of the baptism verses throughout the new Testament provide further information
and in no way change the meaning, nor do they contradict Acts 2:38.
Would Jesus lie when He said to repent and be baptized?
Would He give a command that is incorrect?
Why do we work so hard to change the meaning of bible texts?
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