Acts2:38

James Melton, Acts 2:38, Satan's favorite Bible Verse. Thehe Zwinglian views of baptism claimed that it was not necessary. But, this was in the context of the Catholic infant baptism which in Zwingli's mind meant baptismal regeneration. To Zwingli baptism was valid only to the faithful. If, therefore, you read of a historical character saying that BAPTISM IS NOT REQUIRED it is almost always applied to infants who can

See First Peter Chapter Three.

Note: this is a quick review as requested. I may clean it up in time but we review the major false teachings.

The same false theology which rejects baptism also absolutely repudiates PREACHERS going out and preaching to the either damned or saved--The Great Commission was to baptize believers for salvation. See Believer's Baptism which is Pagan Baptism. Information also about Zwingli who invented te view James Melton is defending.

If the Great Commission "baptism" is not for Gentiles then neither is the command to "go."

See how GETTING IN BED with Billy Graham gets in bed with Calvinistic "some created to go to hell" view. He preaches ANOTHER CHRIST AND ANOTHER GOSPEL AND ANOTHER BAPTISM.

Rubel Shelly denying the Abraham-Obedience connection in Galatians.

Most efforts to refute the clear statements about baptism by Jesus and Peter and most of church history have failed. A recent survey lamented the view that large numbers of Baptists believed that baptism was nessary to be saved. The evidence is that they demand IMMEDIATE baptism while THE FAITH ONLY view demands a long period of works and striving to prove that one has faith.

Mark Moore states that:

"Huldrych Zwingli (who defined faith only in 1525) stands in the third position behind Luther and Calvin in the trilogy of Protestant reformers. Yet in some ways his influence is even more important than the other two.

That is certainly true in the area of "faith only." He was clearly the first to espouse the view that the sacraments of baptism and the Eucharist had nothing to do with salvation. If these two sacraments are reinterpreted, suddenly the church is very different than it once was.

The assertion of this paper is that Zwingli was the key figure for introducing a brand new thought into Christendom, namely, "faith only." That is quite a claim! However, it is a claim that Zwingli himself makes. He said, "In this matter of baptism -- if I may be pardoned for saying it -- I can only conclude that all the doctors have been in error from the time of the apostles. . . . All the doctors have ascribed to the water a power which it does not have and the holy apostles did not teach."[iii]

"From the Bible, which Zwingli had placed in their hands, they had deduced the most marvellous doctrines, much more radical than Zwingli's and questioning even the authority of the state. Zwingli persecuted them mercilessly with imprisonment, torture, banishment and death; their leader Felix Manz was drowned." CEncyclopedia

Fred's Facts 8 and Fred's Facts 9 In 1523 Zwingli repudiated the biblical consensus view of Baptism and originated what came to be known as the "Reformed view of Baptism." He wrote, "In this matter of Baptism, all the doctors [theologians] have been in error from the time of the Apostles. . . . For all the doctors [theologians] have ascribed to the water a power which it does not have and the holy apostles did not teach." "The fathers were in error . . . because they thought that the water itself effects cleansing and salvation."

"Zwingli's last sentence is an exaggeration. None of the Church leaders in the early centuries of the Church claimed there was anything "MAGIC" about the baptismal waters themselves. They all agreed that God alone cleanses and saves us by the Blood of Christ WHILE the Baptism is taking place. But Zwingli chose to believe otherwise.

MARTIN LUTHER the author of Sola Fide:

But as our would-be wise, new spirits assert that faith alone saves, and that works and external things avail nothing, we answer:

It is true, indeed, that nothing in us is of any avail but faith, as we shall hear still further. But these blind guides are unwilling to see this, namely,

that faith must have something which it believes, that is, of which it takes hold, and upon which it stands and rests.

See Rubel Shelly endorsing Billy Graham and more Zwinglian heresy.

BAPTIST BAPTISM REST SOLELY ON HULDRYCH ZWINGLI WHO CORRECTED 1500 YEARS OF CHURCH HISTORY.

> A church is a group which has held its view en toto from the beginning.

> A sect or heresy is someone who CHANGES that view declaring that "everyone but me is wrong."

> Therefore, the very latter day repudiation of the direct command of Jesus and the universal understanding of baptism from the beginning may qualify the new sect as a cult.

I have rearranged some of James Melton's paragraphs to make a logical flow of specific PARTS. He quotes some proof-texts REFERENCES but does not quote the text or look at the context or parallel passages which show that BELIEF means to TAKE HOLD OF or RECEIVE. BELIEVERS in Acts are BAPTIZED BELIEVERS.

James Melton calls Acts 2:38 which fulfills exactly what Jesus command him:

"Rather than ignore Acts 2:38 by quoting "our favorite verses" instead, it is more appropriate to face this popular verse of scripture and see if the cultists are right in what they claim it teaches.

"In spite of this obvious truth, the cultists remain steadfast in their heresy, insisting that Acts 2:38 sets forth water baptism as a requirement for salvation. Thus, this verse of scripture has become Satan's favorite Bible verse. In fact, many are trusting water baptism alone for the salvation of their souls! Indeed, Satan has deceived multitudes by his perversion of Acts 2:38.

It is not informed to believe that people TRUST WATER BAPTISM ALONE for the salvation of their souls when all of the evidence points out that it is the human act of baptism where we REQUEST the remission of sins which only Go can grant. Infant baptizers probably believe in unconsious regeneration. Others believe in faith regeneration. The worst believe that God ordained some to burn in hell from eternity. Therefore, they are fearful not to "interfere" God's pick of the litter.

If God cannot put His means of dispensing grace in the HUMAN ACT how can one believe that God can put His total Being into the HUMAN FLESH of Jesus Christ? God is SPIRIT and we are FLESH. Therefore, all communication with the SPIRIT God is through the human WORD and written WORD. All that we do as believers remains in the physical realm or in the human spirit or mind: we do not ascend up to the Spirit realm. Therefore, it was pure Grace which caused God to provide a means for INDIVIDUAL CHOICE.

Here is what Jame's Melton calls SATAN'S FAVORITE BIBLE VERSE.

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? Acts 2:37

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

BAPTIST BAPTISM preaches TWO BAPTISMS: one for the Jews and another based on FAITH ONLY for the Gentiles.

The verse is Satanic in Jame's view because the Commission was ONLY to the Jews and only Jews were involved on the day of Pentecost. But, follow Jame's advice and read the context:

> I create the fruit of the lips; Peace, peace to him that is far off, and to him that is near, saith the Lord; and I will heal him. Isa 57:19

> For the promise is unto you (Jews), and to your children (Jews), and to all that are afar off (Gentiles), even as many as the Lord our God shall call. Acts 2:39

Paul define the Gentiles as those afar off while the Jews were nigh:

> And that he might reconcile both unto God in one body by the cross, having slain the enmity thereby: Eph 2:16

And came and preached peace to you (Ephesians) which were afar off, and to them that were nigh (Jews). Eph 2:17

For through him we both have access by one Spirit unto the Father. Eph 2:18

> Paul always went to the synagogues to preach to the Jews first. Only when they turned violent did he turn to the Gentiles. Therefore, Paul did not have TWO BAPTISMS to preach.

Paul as an apostle had the primary mission to preach the gospel. He then could get out of town and allow the new church to baptize its own members. Nevertheless, when Paul preach to those afar off they were baptized if they believed.

You will notice that INDIVIDUALS were pricked in their heart and INDIVIDUALS as of "men and brethren" what must WE do. We might ask how we might register to vote, but each individual receives the answer. No one can register for the lateness of the GROUP.

A fundamental false view is that Peter's gospel was superceded by Paul's gospel.

James Melton wrote that this command was only to the Jews. This false teaching is not in the Bible. What is its source? Zwingli gave birth to the Baptist church which did not exist before. Sure, people called themselves BAPTISTS because they baptized people old enough to believe and who believed that Christ ordained baptism as the time and place to dispense His grace. There could not have been "baptists" before because their form of baptism did not exist.

Peter says that it was to everyone. Why did Peter say that? Why, because he heard Jesus final command where Jesus said it. And Jesus said it because He as Spirit of Christ prophesied one gospel to ALL NATIONS.

The common question was WHAT MUST WE (I) DO?

"Repent every one of you FOR the remission of sins."

> Do these sinfull people repent BECAUSE their sins are forgiven? NO!

"Be baptized (Each of you) for the remission of sins."

> Are they baptized BECAUSE their sins are remitted? Of course not.

The washing of water is never a symbol that the dirt is already removed because one had faith in their faith rather than washing.

Washing of water is the time and place where we ask God to sprinkle our hearts while our bodies are washed.

> Does God ever SPRINKLE one's heart from sin simply because they believe? No.

"FOR" here means that we are BAPTIZED in order to ENTER INTO the remission of sins.

The sins of a "nations" makes no sense: individuals sinned and individuals must repent and every one must be baptized for the remission of sins. This was not a Jewish or national sermon but:

And he said unto them, Go ye into all the world, and preach the gospel to every creature. Mk 16:15

He that believeth and is baptized shall be saved; but he that believeth not shall be damned. Mk 16:16

He cannot be baptized if he DOES NOT believe and is therefore CONDEMNED ALREADY.

He cannot minimize baptism without "rejecting the counsel of God for his life."

It seems that James Melton has identified BOTH the command of Jesus and the understanding of Peter and the practice believed ALMOST UNIVERSALLY until about AD 1500) as, Satan's Favorite Verse. Is that safe?

Lets go back to Abraham. Because of the musical idolatry at Mount Sinai, God removed the Book of The Covenant of Grace and imposed the Law of Moses as HARD BONDAGE. Animal sacrifices were to pay for their own sins of the body. Therefore, there was nothing in the LAW OF WORKS "ADDED BECAUSE OF TRANSGRESSION" which could or was intended to justify.

Paul will leapfrog the MOSAIC period which was the Israelite's choice to give up grace and accept a law. God turned them over to worship the starry hosts which included Saturn whose Chaldee number is 666. During this FALL FROM GRACE both Jew and Gentile were judged on the basis of their own right living and the practice of social justice. The LAW of Moses "hangs" on loving God and loving mankind but it must be enforced for a lawless majority. When Paul discusses baptism in Galatians 3 he connects it as the ACT of accepting the promised grace by baptism as their act of faith.

Faith versus Works is the same as

The Christian Faith System versus the Mosaic Law-- enforced system.

Obedience to a direct command of God is NEVER a work of human merit.

Refusing to obey a direct command OR to minimize it is to put more faith in a supposed "predestination" to be proven by SIGNS than the clear statement of Jesus. Baptism by faith without trying to "get by without it" is based 100% on faith that Jesus Christ was not a liar by commanding water baptism.

"WORKS" means that one WORKS to put GOD in DEBT in order to receive a WAGE for which he can BOAST. Many Calvinists go through intensive works and suffering of the Law before "Christ" comes and dies for them personally. Rather than trust, this puts God under obligation to GIVE A SIGN that one has been predestined. Baptism simply TRUSTS the already-finished work of Christ. "Believer's baptism" depends on a FUTURE work of Christ.

For if Abraham were justified by works, he hath whereof to glory; but not before God. Rom 4:2

For what saith the scripture? Abraham believed God, and it was counted unto him for righteousness. Rom 4:3
Now to him that worketh is the reward not reckoned of grace, but of debt. Rom 4:4

But to him that worketh not (the LAW), but believeth on him that justifieth the ungodly, his faith is counted for righteousness. Rom 4:5

In distorted Calvinism FAITH is normally the PRODUCT of human WORKS to force God to give them a supernatural sign that He predestinated them and therefore OWES them Salvation. And they too often BOAST about their selection to heaven as a birthright.

God approved Abraham's FAITH because true faith means the same as OBEDIENCE. God did not remove the requirement to obey the righteous laws of God which were NOT RELATED to the Law of Moses. For instance, God defines HOW Abraham was justified BY FAITH hundreds of years before the Law of Moses "which was not good."

And I will make thy seed to multiply as the stars of heaven, and will give unto thy seed all these countries; and in thy seed shall all the nations of the earth be blessed; Gen 26:4

Because that Abraham obeyed my voice, and kept my charge, my commandments, my statutes, and my laws. Gen 26:5

Therefore, WORK is never defined as KEEPING GOD'S COMMANDS. Work is the WORKS of the law of which circumcision became a WORK OF MERIT. A work of merit is also pleading with God to give them the sign. These signs are often induced by manipulation of the nerve endings.

> For in Jesus Christ neither circumcision availeth any thing, nor uncircumcision; but faith which worketh by love. Ga.5:6
> Circumcision is nothing, and uncircumcision is nothing but the keeping of the commandments of God. 1Co.7:19
> For in Christ Jesus neither circumcision availeth any thing, nor uncircumcision, but a new creature. Ga.6:15

> No one is said to become a new creature or experience a new birth by faith only.

Those who believe that Acts 2:38 is a favorite verse of God are the only ones who are baptized as a REQUEST for the free grace of God. You don't work to earn something for which you request as a gift.

Which sometime were disobedient, when once the longsuffering of God waited in the days of Noah, while the ark was a preparing, wherein few, that is, eight souls were saved by water. 1 Pet 3:20

The like figure whereunto even baptism doth also now save us (not the putting away of the filth of the flesh, but the REQUEST FOR A good conscience toward God,) by the resurrection of Jesus Christ: 1 Pet 3:21

The same Peter who heard Jesus command belief followed by baptism and commanded believers on the day of Pentecost to repent and be baptized is the same Peter who says that BAPTISM NOW SAVES US. Reject that at your peril: call it Satan's favorite verse and you speak against the Spirit of Christ Who continued to guide Peter.

But the sinners were DROWNED by the waters of the flood and not saved by them. That is true because baptism destroys the SINFUL part by "drowing" it in the water. Adam as the new generation DID NOT GET WET. In the same way, by turning our old nature over to death and grave the NEW MAN or new generation or a new, holy spirit DOES NOT GET WET. God does the inner cleaning but only when we leave the old "sinner" outside to die.

But, isn't this the "holy spirit" baptism? Only in the sense that God gives or overwhelms us with a NEW holy spirit of our own.

Elect according to the foreknowledge of God the Father, through sanctification of the Spirit, unto obedience and sprinkling of the blood of Jesus Christ: Grace unto you, and peace, be multiplied. 1Pe.1:2

It is OUR spirit which needs to be sanctified. As baptism in 1 Peter 3:21 is the time and place where we REQUEST the sprinkling of the blood on the inner man or spirit, Paul keeps us from DENYING that this is WATER BAPTISM rather than "holy spirit baptism" in the sense of a third God person giving us supernatural powers:

Let us draw near with a true heart in full assurance of faith,

having our hearts sprinkled from an evil conscience, and our bodies washed with pure water. Heb 10:22

ARE THERE TWO CHRISTIAN DISPENSATIONS?

False doctrine is normally validated by inventing added doctrine because the false doctrine of FAITH ONLY has no legs to stand on. Those who call Acts 2:38 Satan's favorite verse CONFESS that both Jesus and Peter meant what they commanded. How then can one support FAITH ONLY? The favorite way has been to falsely teach that Peter lived under a JEWISH DISPENSATION and Paul lived under a GENTILE DISPENSATION. Therefore, there is not one but two gospels.

Here is the way a NEW, NEW COVENANT has been invented out of thin air to make everyone believe that Acts 2:38 must have been put into Peter's mind by Satang:

> There is the Old Covenant
> The New Covenant to the Jews [salvation AFTER baptism] an to the Gentiles until 1525.
> The New Covenant to the Gentiles [salvation BEFORE baptism] which began by confession of its inventer.

We have noted that Zwingli claimed that he invented that theory in 1525. He further said that ALL of the doctors were wrong before Zwingli. Now, do we trust the clear statements of Jesus and Peter and Paul or do we trust Zwingli who certainly had a high view of his UNIQUE view of FAITH ONLY?

This view is used to prove that those who follow Acts 2:38 are cults speaking SATAN'S FAVORITE VERSE. Furthermore, the view is injected to claim that AFTER the death of Christ there WAS a distinction between Jews and Gentiles. This makes the death of Christ WITHOUT MERIT.

James Melton: Another factor which is commonly ignored is the JEWISH factor. Every person in Acts 2 is a Mosaic law observing Old Testament Jew. In fact, they are all gathered together to observe a JEWISH FEAST called Pentecost (verse 1). A fair reading of the whole chapter (especially verses 4, 14, and 36) will clearly reveal that no Gentiles (non Jews) are present. Since this involves Jews, it involves a NATION (verse 36!!), not individuals.

No one asked, "What must I do to be saved?" The question asked concerned the NATION of Israel:

"Men and brethren, what shall we do?" (verse 37) Not, "What shall I do," but rather, "What shall WE do?"

All of those commissioned to GO and PREACH as vocational preachers were Jews also. One can bet that Baptist preachers don't want to use the RULE OF EXCLUSION on that one!

First, let's look at Acts 2:14 as the proof that only Jews were present;

But Peter, standing up with the eleven, lifted up his voice, and said unto them, Ye men of Judaea, and all ye that dwell at Jerusalem, be this known unto you, and hearken to my words: Acts 2:14

But look at Acts 2:10

Phrygia, and Pamphylia, in Egypt, and in the parts of Libya about Cyrene, and strangers of Rome, Jews and proselytes, Acts 2:10

Proselytes are not national Jews!

Peter preached to the collective "we" as a group but the "I" had to respond. Not all of the "we" were baptized.

Paul was not preaching but refuting the Jew's claim that the apostles were drunken street preachers.

I don't know how a NATION asks a question. Undoubtedly some murmuring went on and someone spoke up as asked the question. Nations cannot hear, believe or be baptized.

John thought that Jesus came as a SINGLE LIGHT to light every born person.

John could just as easily say that he that BELIEVES is therefore A SON of God. But, Paul said that FAITH gives one the POWER to become. That means FUTURE TENSE.

That was the true Light, which lighteth every man that cometh into the world. John 1:9

He was in the world, and the world was made by him, and the world knew him not. John 1:10

He came unto his own, and his own received him not. John 1:11

> But as many as received him, to them gave he power to become the sons of God,
> even to them that believe on his name: John 1:12

Believe here is parallel to RECEIVING Christ as Son of God. Receive in the Greek is:

Lambano (g2983) lam-ban'-o; ... to take... to act., to get hold of..

And when he had received meat, he was strengthened. Then was Saul certain days with the disciples which were at Damascus. Ac.9:19

He first BELIEVED in the mind but FAITH ONLY cannot avail. Believing in the meat gave him power to TAKE HOLD of or RECEIVE the food and eat it.

Therefore, to BELIEVE is to RECEIVE which is to GET HOLD OF and do with it what believing demands.

Which were born (generated), not of blood, nor of the will of the flesh, nor of the will of man, but of God. John 1:13

And the Word was made flesh, and dwelt among us, (and we beheld his glory, the glory as of the only begotten of the Father,) full of grace and truth. John 1:14

The prophecy was to ALL NATIONS.

James Melton: Acts 2 presents a NATION of people who come to realize that they have murdered their blessed Messiah and they're asking what THEY must do. It's a question concerning NATIONAL salvation. Isaiah 66:8 says, ". . . shall a nation be born at once? for as soon as Zion travailed, she brought forth her children." The "nation" is Israel! Romans 11:26 says, "And so all Israel shall be saved: as it is written, There shall come out of Sion the Deliverer, and shall turn away ungodliness from Jacob." Acts 2:38 is dealing with NATIONAL salvation. The Messianic Kingdom is still available to the Jews (until Acts 7:60 when they kill Stephen), so national salvation remains an issue until then.

All who mocked and crucified Jesus were forgiven because He prayed for them before He died:

And when they were come to the place, which is called Calvary, there they crucified him, and the malefactors, one on the right hand, and the other on the left. Luke 23:33

Then said Jesus, Father, forgive them; for they know not what they do. And they parted his raiment, and cast lots. Luke 23:34

Therefore, unless the prayer of Jesus was not heard, those implicated in His murder were ALREADY forgiven long before Baptism. Therefore, baptism is more than the remission of a collective national guilt. Baptism removes the sinful nature and gives one A new or holy spirit. This clear consciousness opens the eyes to see the kingdom which exists within the believer.

Many of those listening to Peter were from Gentile nations, they would return to the Gentile nations, Jerusalem would be destroyed and the nation would cease to exist as indeed they already lived under Gentile rule. Preaching to the Gentiles would happen all over the nations of the Dispora by Jewish converts.

Therefore, baptism was to clean their spirit of spiritual blindness which is caused by sin such as minimizing the specific words of Jesus Christ.

Peter's most important promise that only at Baptism did they call upon God specificially in connection with receiving A holy spirit. The same Peter restated this core fact in 1 Peter 3:21. Only at water baptism are we promised A clear conscience. Only by asking God to wash away our sins are we free of guilt so that we can SEE AFAR:

Suneidesis (g4893) soon-i'-day-sis; from a prol. form of 4894; co- perception, i.e. moral consciousness; - conscience.

That meas A holy spirit so that we can hear God through His Word:

Suneido (g4894) soon-i'-do; from 4862 and 1492; to see completely; used (like its prim.) only in two past tenses, respectively mean. to understand or become aware, and to be conscious or (clandestinely) informed of: - consider, know, be privy, be ware of.

The baptized believers came to be about 5,000 and the city during festivals may have had more than a million people. When they were baptized it was NOT back into fellowship with the Jewish nations--soon to be scattered--but into the KINGDOM OF CHRIST which was a HEAVENLY KINGDOM within each one.

The quoted Isaiah 66:8 has 66:19 attached to it which says;

And I will set a sign among them, and I will send those that escape of them unto the nations, to Tarshish, Pul, and Lud, that draw the bow, to Tubal and Javan, to the isles afar off, that have not heard my fame, neither have seen my glory; and they shall declare my glory among the Gentiles. Isa 66:19

Hear the word of the Lord, O ye nations, and declare it in the isles afar off, and say, He that scattered Israel will gather him, and keep him, as a shepherd doth his flock. Jer 31:10

All people were God's people: the Jews were chosen for a SPECIAL PURPOSE and utterly failed because they substituted FAITH in their system for OBEDIENCE to the Word of God.

Behold, God is my salvation; I will trust, and not be afraid: for the Lord JEHOVAH is my strength and my song; he also is become my salvation. Isaiah 12:2

Therefore with joy shall ye draw water out of the wells of salvation. Isaiah 12:3

And in that day shall ye say, Praise the Lord, call upon his name, declare his doings among the people, make mention that his name is exalted. Isaiah 12:4

For the kingdom is the Lords: and he is the governor among the nations. Psa 22:28

Those who had the Word of God were the EVANGELISTS; the GENTILES were the audience of that preaching.

Gowy (h1471) go'ee; rarely (short.) goy go'-ee; appar. from the same root as 1465 (in the sense of massing); a foreign nation; hence a Gentile; also (fig.) a troop of animals, or a flight of locusts: - Gentile, heathen, nation, people

Romans 11:26 also has other verses connected to it:

For if thou wert cut out of the olive tree which is wild by nature, and wert graffed contrary to nature into a good olive tree: how much more shall these, which be the natural branches, be graffed into their own olive tree? Rom 11:24

For I would not, brethren, that ye should be ignorant of this mystery, lest ye should be wise in your own conceits, that blindness in part is happened to Israel, until the fulness of the Gentiles be come in. Rom 11:25

And so all Israel shall be saved: as it is written, There shall come out of Sion the Deliverer, and shall turn away ungodliness from Jacob: Rom 11:26

All Israel is not all Jews. The new nation born on Pentecost was the nation of Israel because it was the promise made by Christ the Spirit to Abraham. Israel means "he will rule as God."

The PROMISE was to all nations

James Melton: The Bible says the gospel is to go to the Jew FIRST (Rom. 1:16), so they are the FIRST to receive the gospel in the book of Acts (chapter 2), but they are not the last to receive it. Acts doesn't end with chapter 2, so we should be cautious of anyone who develops their doctrine in Acts 2 while practically ignoring the next 26 chapters! If God didn't stop in Acts 2, then why does anyone else? Could it be that the later chapters in Acts contain information which the cultists want hidden from us? Could it be that there are other scriptures in Acts which do not agree with the wording of Acts 2:38? Could it be that Peter himself, the one preaching in Acts 2:38, says something different when speaking to individual Gentiles like you and me? One only has to read Acts chapter 10 to get the answer. Peter is preaching again in Acts 10, except only to individual Gentiles, and something very interesting occurs.

The very last words recorded of Jesus:

The DIRECT STATEMENT of Jesus shows that the SAME GOSPEL was to be preached to ALL CREATURES.

But ye shall receive power, after that the Holy Ghost is come upon you: and ye shall be witnesses unto me both

in Jerusalem, and
in all Judaea, and
in Samaria, and
unto the uttermost part of the earth. Ac.1:8

Most of the apostles did not remain in Jerusalem but went to Babylon, India and other places north and south. They received the same instructions used on the day of Pentecost and departed to the uttermost parts of the earth or the ends of the earth.

The UTTERMOST part of the world is:

Eschatos (g2078) es'-khat-os; a superl. prob. from 2192 (in the sense of contiguity); farthest, final (of place or time): - ends of, last, latter end, lowest, uttermost.

The UTTERMOST part of the world meant Gentiles:

For so hath the Lord commanded us, saying, I have set thee to be a light of the Gentiles, that thou shouldest be for salvation unto the ends of the earth (Eschatos g2078). Ac.13:47

Paul's command was not new: Jesus had given it to the Jews to begin at Pentecost.

The Gentiles:

Ethnos (g1484) eth'-nos; prob. from 1486; a race (as of the same habit), i.e. a tribe; spec. a foreign (non-Jewish) one (usually by impl. pagan): - Gentile, heathen, nation, people.

Jesus said that Great Commission was to EVERY CREATURE

And he said unto them, Go ye into all the world, and preach the gospel to every creature. Mark 16:15 (creature does not mean Jews)

He that believeth and is baptized shall be saved; but he that believeth not shall be damned. Mark 16:16

So then, after the Lord had spoken unto them, he was received up into heaven, and sat on the right hand of God. Mk.16:19

> Eis or into does not mean that Jesus was received BECAUSE of heaven.

Point One: Jesus preached only ONE faith and ONE baptism which included the Gentiles.

Point Two: The first preaching on the day of Pentecost was to ALL CREATURES. The fact that preaching began at a Jewish festival is simply the fact that the gospel HAS to begin somewhere: Jerusalem, Judae and to the uttermost parts of the world.

Point Three: Salvation resulted when believers repented and were baptism. Who could doubt that they would not have baptized a Gentile?

Point Four: Jesus said nothing about a WE OR A NATIONAL SALVATION. HE that believes and is baptized.

Point Five: following Melton's theory Jesus didn't authorize baptism for SHES.

NO! Acts 2:38 is dealing with ALL NATIONS.

However, the Bible says that after FAITH CAME, everyone is under the same system of faith. Again we quote:

And the scripture, foreseeing that God would justify the heathen through faith, preached before the gospel unto Abraham, saying, In thee shall all nations be blessed. Gal 3:8

Ethnos (g1484) eth'-nos; prob. from 1486; a race (as of the same habit), i.e. a tribe; spec. a foreign (non-Jewish) one (usually by impl. pagan): - Gentile, heathen, nation, people.

Of Faith:

So then they which be of faith are blessed with faithful Abraham. Gal 3:9

Of the works of THE Law:

For as many as are of the works of the law are under the curse: for it is written, Cursed is every one that continueth not in all things which are written in the book of the law to do them. Gal 3:10

The FAITH of Abraham did not exclude the obedience of faith which began as God's Law in the garden of Eden:

And I will make thy seed to multiply as the stars of heaven, and will give unto thy seed all these countries; and in thy seed shall all the nations of the earth be blessed; Gen 26:4

Because that Abraham obeyed my voice, and kept my charge, my commandments, my statutes, and my laws. Gen 26:5

Baptism is of faith: it is the grandest gift of Grace one can imagine.

Abraham was justified when he OBEYED the commands and laws of God.
This is the meaning of justification by FAITH rather than the law of Moses.
Baptism is not a WORK of the Law of Moses and therefore is not a human work.

Christ hath redeemed us from the curse of the law, being made a curse for us: for it is written, Cursed is every one that hangeth on a tree: Gal 3:13

Abraham WAS NOT a Jew:

That the blessing of Abraham might come on the Gentiles through Jesus Christ; that we might receive the promise of the Spirit through faith. Gal 3:14

> Eis or on does not mean blessing BECAUSE of the Gentiles.

Eis (g1519) ice; a prim. prep.; to or into (indicating the point reached or entered), of place, time, or (fig.) purpose (result, etc.); .. expressing motion (lit. or fig.).

Click for studies of EIS: Number One, Number Two, Number Three

People could not be justified by the law (works) because:

Now to Abraham and his seed were the promises made. He saith not, And to seeds, as of many; but as of one, And to thy seed, which is Christ. Gal 3:16

Why could people not be justified by law (works)?

Wherefore then serveth the law? It was added because of transgressions, till the seed should come to whom the promise was made; and it was ordained by angels in the hand of a mediator. Gal 3:19

The FAITH ONLY error in total opposition to GRACE of the FAITH SYSTEM is based on identifying obedience to Christ as LEGALISM. But the law (works) was a system of HARD BONDAGE and not a system of REST in Jesus Christ.

Wherefore the law was our schoolmaster to bring us unto Christ, that we might be justified by faith Gal 3:24

But after that faith is come, we are no longer under a schoolmaster. Gal 3:25

For ye are all the children of God by faith in Christ Jesus. Gal 3:26
For as many of you as have been baptized into Christ have put on Christ. Gal 3:27

> Eis or into does not mean BECAUSE of:

We are children of God, not by our own works, but by faith in the finished work of Jesus. "By faith" to Paul meant "For those who have been baptized." Even then, FAITH as a work does not replace faith leading us to baptism. It is not faith in faith which saves.

Baptism does not rest on one's personal power to believe. It rests on the faith that as Jesus was resurrected we also might be made alive for now and for eternity. There is no FAITH ONLY connection with eternal life.

> Faith only does not picture or identify with the crucifixion of Christ.

> Faith only cannot be FAITH OF THE OPERATION OF GOD unless one puts their body into a FORM of Christ's burial and the POWER of God to resurrect us because He resurrected Jesus.

If James Melton is correct, just when did the RESPECT OF PERSONS by God begin and end? In relationship to BAPTISM Paul said:

Christ hath redeemed us from the curse of the law, being made a curse for us: for it is written, Cursed is every one that hangeth on a tree: Gal 3:13

That the blessing of Abraham might come on the Gentiles through Jesus Christ; that we might receive the promise of the Spirit through faith. Gal 3:14

There is neither Jew nor Greek, there is neither bond nor free, there is neither male nor female: for ye are all one in Christ Jesus. Gal 3:28

And if ye be Christs, then are ye Abrahams seed, and heirs according to the promise. Gal 3:29

Baptized Jews at Pentecost were not FORGIVEN JEWS. Rather, they leapfrogged the Law and became ABRAHAM'S SEED or they would not have belonged to Christ Who was THE seed of Abraham.

Did God respect the Jews and command Baptism in order to identify with Jesus? Then did He treat the Gentiles differently by NOT requiring them to be baptized. Where exactly is that remote hint found?

Abraham was justified:

Because that Abraham obeyed my voice, and kept my charge, my commandments, my statutes, and my laws. Gen 26:5

Therefore, those who become spiritual Israelites are justified by faith WHEN they obey the direct commands of Jesusl

Paul does not speak of WORKS versus GRACE but "the Law of Moses" versus "the system of faith" or the Gospel. The Law was added because of transgression and could not save. Therefore, by GRACE Jesus provided a way to have our sins remitted so that we can BOLDLY COME INTO HIS PRESENCE.

Paul discounts the period of THE JEWS and leapfrogs back to Abraham.

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The Faith of Abraham	The Fall - Law of Moses - Monarchy	The Christian System

The Limited Commission of the 12 to the Jews

These twelve (Jews) Jesus sent forth, and commanded them, saying, Go not into the way of the Gentiles, and into any city of the Samaritans enter ye not: Matthew 10:5

But go rather to the lost sheep of the house of Israel. Matt 10:6

And as ye go, preach, saying, The kingdom of heaven is at hand. Matt 10:7

Heal the sick, cleanse the lepers, raise the dead, cast out devils: freely ye have received, freely give. Matt 10:8

Provide neither gold, nor silver, nor brass in your purses, Matt 10:9

The commission of the 70 allowed them to take their "begging bag" into which they could collect handouts of food or possibley money. But this does not authorize evangelism as a profession.

Jesus specificially commanded that after Pentecost and Acts 2:38 they were to go to both Jews and Gentiles.

The Jews were baptized with John's Baptism and their sins were forgiven.

And all the people that heard him, and the publicans, justified God, being baptized with the baptism of John. Luke 7:29

But the Pharisees and lawyers rejected the counsel of God against themselves, being not baptized of him. Luke 7:30

And one of the Pharisees desired him that he would eat with him. And he went into the Pharisees house, and sat down to meat. Luke 7:36

> Eis or into does not mean that he went "BECAUSE the Pharisee house."

Before Pentecost the Jews were commanded to REPENT and then BE BAPTIZED. Refusing to be baptized was fatal because it REJECTED THE COUNSEL OF GOD FOR THEIR LIVES.

Christian baptism has the added component of giving A holy spirit or A clear conscience. Why then would not REJECTING baptism still reject the command of God?

There is no FAITH ONLY way to get a new, holy spirit.

The Spirit would not speak the Word of Christ until Jesus returned as the COMFORTER (John 14:18)

He that believeth on me, as the scripture hath said, out of his belly shall flow rivers of living water. John 7:38

(But this spake he of the Spirit, which they that believe on him should receive: for the Holy Ghost was not yet given; because that Jesus was not yet glorified.) Jn.7:39

The gift of A holy spirit is connected to faith AND baptism.

WHO knows Whom was baptized at Pentecost?

Acts 2:10 says that there were STRANGERS, JEWS and PROSELYTES.

(For all the Athenians, and strangers which were there, spent their time in nothing else, but either to tell or to hear some new thing.) Ac.17:21

STRANGERS really means all that MADE THEIR home in Jerusalem and that included MANY Gentiles. Proselytes did not become proselytes without water baptism and CALLING ON THE NAME of God. Gentiles ceased to be reall strangers when Jesus died on the cross for Gentile sins.

> "At the latter ceremony two disciples of the wise stood by to tell him more of the light and heavy commandments. When he came up after the immersion, those assembled addressed him saying: 'Unto whom has thou given thyself? blessed art thou, thou hast given thyself to God; the world was created for the sake of Israel, and only Israelites are called the children of God... After his baptism he was considered (reckoned to be dead and now alive) to be a new man, 'a little child newly born'; a new name was given him." (Int Std Bible Ency, Proselyte).

> "The effect of this baptism was held to be complete regeneration; he was born anew. He was called a little child just born, the child of one day. All his sins were remitted because God cannot punish sins committed before he was born." (Barclay, William, Romans, p. 84)

Jesus Christ paid all debts on the cross. Therefore, there was nothing the murderers of Jesus had to do that Gentile sinners did not have to do. Paul says that the difference between Jews and Gentile strangers was destroyed AT THE CROSS.

Wherefore remember, that ye being in time past Gentiles in the flesh, who are called Uncircumcision by that which is called the Circumcision in the flesh made by hands; Eph 2:11

That at that time ye were without Christ, being aliens from the commonwealth of Israel, and strangers from the covenants of promise, having no hope, and without God in the world: Ep.2:12

But now, in Christ Jesus, ye who sometimes were far off are made nigh by the blood of Christ. Eph 2:13

For he is our peace, who hath made both one, and hath broken down the middle wall of partition between us; Eph 2:14

Having abolished in his flesh the enmity, even the law of commandments contained in ordinances; for to make in himself of twain one new man, so making peace; Eph 2:15

And that he might reconcile both unto God in one body by the cross, having slain the enmity thereby: Eph 2:16

And came and preached peace to you which were afar off, and to them that were nigh. Eph 2:17

For through him we both have access by one Spirit unto the Father. Eph 2:18

1. Of Baptism at Pentecost: For the promise is unto you (Jews), and to your children (Jews), and to all that are afar off (Gentiles), even as many as the Lord our God shall call. Acts 2:39

2. "One spirit" does not speak of a person but the same mental or mind set. Two who are opposed are of one spirit when they agree.

3. Isn't claiming that Jesus had TWO faiths and TWO baptism denying that the Jews CEASED to be Jews in a national sense BY THE CROSS?

4. There could not be "one spirit" or sameness for Jew and Gentile Ephesians speaks of baptism for "spiritual circumcision" required for both.

So, the same Paul defines how "identity" or the same spirit and spiritual circumcision is at the time and place of the one baptism.

And ye are complete in him, which is the head of all principality and power: Col 2:10

In whom also ye are circumcised with the circumcision made without hands, in putting off the body of the sins of the flesh by the circumcision of Christ: Col 2:11

Buried with him in baptism, wherein also ye are risen with him through the faith of the operation of God, who hath raised him from the dead. Col 2:12

And you, being dead in your sins and the uncircumcision of your flesh, hath he quickened together with him, having forgiven you all trespasses; Col 2:13

Being quickened means that we have a NEW or A holy spirit.

> Faith only never asks for the spiritual circumcision available only in baptism.

When Peter preached he told them what Paul will say in different ways.

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

For the promise is unto you (Jews), and to your children (Jews), and to all that are afar off (Gentiles), even as many as the Lord our God shall call. Acts 2:39

Paul used the same Scripture Peter used:

For the scripture saith, Whosoever believeth on him shall not be ashamed. Romans 10: 11

For there is no difference between the Jew and the Greek: for the same Lord over all is rich unto all that call upon him. Romans 10: 12 (There are not two gospels)

For whosoever shall call upon the name of the Lord

shall be saved. Romans 10: 13

Calling upon the Name is only at the time and place of baptism as we will prove.

And now why tarriest thou? arise, and

be baptized, and wash away thy sins,
calling on the name of the Lord. Acts 22:16

After Pentecost, those baptized with John's Baptism must receive Christian Baptism.

He said unto them, Have ye received the Holy Ghost since ye believed? And they said unto him, We have not so much as heard whether there be any Holy Ghost. Acts 19:2

And he said unto them, Unto what then were ye baptized? And they said, Unto Johns baptism. Acts 19:3

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. Acts 19:4
> When they heard this, they were baptized in the name of the Lord Jesus. Acts 19:5

Tongues were only in the presence of an apostle. It was to MARK or identify them as the only official spokespersons for God's Word:

And when Paul had laid his hands upon them, the Holy Ghost came on them; and they spake with tongues, and prophesied. Acts 19:6

Tongues were the 70 minor dialects of the area.

The prophecies was that Messiah would come for ALL NATIONS (Gentiles included) because the JEWISH distinction was artificial. Their claim to fame is that God selected them to evangelize and they became the example of sin and death.

For instance, Abraham, and not the law, is the model of the Christian system. Abraham was justified by FAITHFUL OBEDIENCE without the Law of Moses because he lived Before the law of Moses. Neither Abraham nor any of the ISRAELITES were Jews. Moses was not a Jew. Therefore, to whom does God come?

There never was more than ONE TYPE OF PEOPLE. Jesus adopted the Israelites and wanted to make them be His evangelists to bless the world. They never did.

Who are Israelites; to whom pertaineth the adoption, and the glory, and the covenants, and the giving of the law, and the service of God, and the promises; Romans 9:4

Whose are the fathers, and of whom as concerning the flesh Christ came, who is over all, God blessed for ever. Amen. Romans 9:5

Not as though the word of God hath taken none effect. For they are not all Israel, which are of Israel: Romans 9:6

Neither, because they are the seed of Abraham, are they all children: but, In Isaac shall thy seed be called. Romans 9:7

That is, They which are the children of the flesh, these are not the children of God: but the children of the promise are counted for the seed. Romans 9:8

Christ died only once and shed His blood only once for all people, past, present and future:

Then said he, Lo, I come to do thy will, O God. He taketh away the first, that he may establish the second. Heb 10:9

No one was baptized until Jesus had ESTABLISHED THE SECOND. That means that the Law was nailed to the cross. That means that on Pentecost all were baptized into CHRISTIAN BAPTISM. Therefore, there is NO DIFFERENCE between Jewish salvation and Gentile salvation. The PROPHECY was that Jerusalem began a SINGLE process which would flow out to the Gentiles without modification:

And said unto them, Thus it is written, and thus it behoved Christ to suffer, and to rise from the dead the third day: Luke 24:46

And that repentance and remission of sins should be preached in his name among all nations, beginning at Jerusalem. Lu.24:47

Ethnos (g1484) eth'-nos; prob. from 1486; a race (as of the same habit), i.e. a tribe; spec. a foreign (non-Jewish) one (usually by impl. pagan): - Gentile, heathen, nation, people.

And ye are witnesses of these things Luke 24:48

And, behold, I send the promise of my Father upon you: but tarry ye in the city of Jerusalem, until ye be endued with power from on high. Luke 24:49

They tarried in Jerusalem and many WENT INTO the world as recorded only in secular history.

Saul's persecution scattered Philip into Samaria which was the next step of the ONE PLAN to preach the ONE GOSPEL:

Philip preached among the Samaritans who were not true Jews by blood.

But when they believed Philip preaching the things concerning the kingdom of God, and the name of Jesus Christ, they were baptized, both men and women. Acts 8:12

Then Simon himself believed also: and when he was baptized, he continued with Philip, and wondered, beholding the miracles and signs which were done. Acts 8:13

It was not possible for others to be supernaturally aided in continuing to spread the ONE GOSPEL without help from God:

Now when the apostles which were at Jerusalem heard that Samaria had received the word of God, they sent unto them Peter and John: Acts 8:14

Who, when they were come down, prayed for them, that they might receive the Holy Ghost: Acts 8:15

Receiving the Word is shorthand for saying that they had the POWER to be baptized and they WERE baptized.

The Apostles returned to Jerusalem but preached to the Samaritans along the way knowing that they were not pure Jews:

And they, when they had testified and preached the word of the Lord, returned to Jerusalem, and preached the gospel in many villages of the Samaritans. Acts 8:25

Philip was sent to Baptize the Ethiopian eunuch who was a GENTILE by birth.

He WAS NOT a national Jew. People of all nations often lived under the Laws of the Jews although they were not either Jews nor proselytes.

And he arose and went: and, behold, a man of Ethiopia, an eunuch of great authority under Candace queen of the Ethiopians, who had the charge of all her treasure, and had come to Jerusalem for to worship, Acts 8:27

Then Philip opened his mouth, and began at the same scripture, and preached unto him Jesus. Acts 8:35

You HAVE NOT preached Jesus unless some asks to be baptized if they believe.

And as they went on their way, they came unto a certain water: and the eunuch said, See, here is water; what doth hinder me to be baptized? Acts 8:36

And Philip said, If thou believest with all thine heart, thou mayest. And he answered and said, I believe that Jesus Christ is the Son of God. Acts 8:37

Unbelievers are in a state of the lost already. However, Faith gives one the power and authority to be baptized IN ORDER TO be saved.

And he said unto them, Go ye into all the world, and preach the gospel to every creature. Mark 16:15

He that believeth and is baptized shall be saved; but he that believeth not shall be damned. Mark 16:16

By his faith the Eunuch had the POWER to salvation. Just as at Pentecost, Philip preached the same Jesus, the same Faith and the same baptism because the Eunuch WAS NOT HINDERED:

And he commanded the chariot to stand still: and they went down both into the water, both Philip and the eunuch; and he baptized him. Acts 8:38

And when they were come up out of the water, the Spirit of the Lord caught away Philip, that the eunuch saw him no more: and he went on his way rejoicing. Acts 8:39

Same Philip from Pentecost, same gospel to a Gentile. New spirit of rejoicing when he did not have when he JUST BELIEVED.

Most of those baptized at Pentecost returned to their homes and continued to preach the same gospel so that Christianity spread throughout the world before missionaries were sent out from Jerusalem

Faith only does not remit sins.

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? Acts 2:37

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

To him give all the prophets witness, that through his name whosoever believeth in him shall receive remission of sins. Ac.10:43

Acts 2:38 shall receive is FUTURE TENSE

Acts 10:43 shall receive is FUTURE TENSE

THE faith which Paul preached was the same FAITH which Peter preached.

Paul was an apostle and Jesus the Spirit promised to guide him into further truth as it was needed.

And I went up by revelation, and communicated unto them that gospel which I preach among the Gentiles, but privately to them which were of reputation, lest by any means I should run, or had run, in vain. Gal 2:2

But contrariwise, when they saw that the gospel of the uncircumcision was committed unto me, as the gospel of the circumcision was unto Peter; Gal 2:7

(For he that wrought effectually in Peter to the apostleship of the circumcision, the same was mighty in me toward the Gentiles:) Gal 2:8

This does not mean two gospels.

In fact, when Peter, James, and John, who were known as the pillars of the church, saw how greatly God had used me in winning the Gentiles, just as Peter had been blessed so greatly in his preaching to the Jews-

for the same God gave us each our special gifts-they shook hands with Barnabas and me and encouraged us to keep right on with our preaching to the Gentiles while they continued their work with the Jews. Gal 2:7

THE faith which Paul preached was the same FAITH which he attempted to destroy: can anything better refute the BAPTIST added dispensation?

But they had heard only, That he which persecuted us in times past now preacheth the faith which once he destroyed. Galatians 1:23

Paul DID NOT PREACH a Different Faith!

So, as much as in me is, I am ready to preach the gospel to you that are at Rome also. Romans 1:15

For I am not ashamed of the gospel of Christ: for it is the power (dynamite) of God unto salvation to every one that believeth; to the Jew first, and also to the Greek. Romans 1:16

For therein is the righteousness of God revealed from faith to faith: as it is written, The just shall live by faith. Romans 1:17

Paul often went to the synagogue because "that's where the people were." When he usually failed because the Jews rejected Christ, he turned to the Gentiles. At times on the same day. Therefore, Paul preached the SAME gospel to both Jew and Gentile throughout his life.

For if he that cometh preacheth another Jesus, whom we have not preached, or if ye receive another spirit, which ye have not received, or another gospel, which ye have not accepted, ye might well bear with him. 2 Cor 11:4

For I suppose I was not a whit behind the very chiefest apostles. 2 Cor 11:5

Baptists preach a different Jesus Whose once for all times is not adequate. As the Mass demands the daily death of Jesus Christ, "Believer's baptism" demands that Jesus die for ME personally.

Faith Only is the principle BY WHICH people must live continually but faith only does not ask God to regenerate our spirits.

CONCLUSION: THE PROPHECY WAS THAT MESSIAH WOULD COME TO REDEEM ALL PEOPLE. HE DID NOT REDEEM THE JEWS IN ONE WAY AND GENTILES IN ANOTHER. IN BOTH GROUPS THE REMISSION OF SINS IS ATTACHED ONLY TO BAPTISM.

ACTS 2:38

James Melton: "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)

The above verse of scripture is a favorite among many religious groups. One can hear it several times on Sunday morning radio programs, as well as from the pulpits of numerous groups, and it can be found in much religious literature. The verse is a favorite because, on the surface, it seemingly states that one must be baptized in order to be saved, and without baptism one is not saved. So, those who believe that water baptism is essential for salvation make it a regular habit of using Acts 2:38 as scriptural support.

The problem is that Acts 2:38 isn't the only verse in the Bible which deals with salvation. While many claim to "speak where the scriptures speak and remain silent where the scriptures are silent," they practically ignore most of the New Testament teaching on salvation.

This is clear from what follows Acts 7. In Acts 8, an individual from Africa is saved (before baptism).

But when they believed Philip preaching the things concerning the kingdom of God, and the name of Jesus Christ, they were baptized, both men and women. Acts 8:12

Then Simon himself believed also: and when he was baptized, he continued with Philip, and wondered, beholding the miracles and signs which were done. Acts 13

The enuch was a disciple of the Word of God. Here is some of what he heard:

Yet it pleased the Lord to bruise him; he hath put him to grief: when thou shalt make his soul an offering for sin, he shall see his seed, he shall prolong his days, and the pleasure of the Lord shall prosper in his hand. Isaiah 53:10

He shall see of the travail of his soul, and shall be satisfied: by his knowledge shall my righteous servant justify many; for he shall bear their iniquities. Isaiah 53:11

> FAITH ONLY does not bear iniquities or remit sins.

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

Therefore will I divide him a portion with the great, and he shall divide the spoil with the strong; because he hath poured out his soul unto death: and he was numbered with the transgressors: and he bare the sin of many, and made intercession for the transgressors. Isaiah 53:12

For thou shalt break forth on the right hand and on the left; and thy seed shall inherit the Gentiles, and make the desolate cities to be inhabited. Isaiah 54:3

The response to the GOSPEL was to want to be baptized.

> FAITH ONLY does not take away iniquities. Only lack of FAITH hinders one from being baptized.

If you are hindered from obeying Acts 2:38 then you do not have the faith defined by the Great Commission.

And as they went on their way, they came unto a certain water: and the eunuch said, See, here is water; what doth hinder me to be baptized? Acts 8:36

And Philip said, If thou believest with all thine heart, thou mayest (be baptized). And he answered and said, I believe that Jesus Christ is the Son of God. Acts 8: 37

Remember that Jesus made baptism a response to faith IN ORDER to be saved by the authority of the NAME:
He that believeth and is baptized shall be saved; but he that believeth not shall be damned. Mk 16:16

And he commanded the chariot to stand still: and they went down both into the water, both Philip and the eunuch; and he baptized him. Acts 8: 38

And when they were come up out of the water, the Spirit of the Lord caught away Philip, that the eunuch saw him no more: and he went on his way rejoicing. Ac 8:39

On the day of Pentecost the burden was some personal guilt for killing Jesus. However, the death of Christ was power to remit sins past, present and future. There fore, Christ died for MY sins and I stand guilty:

But those things, which God before had shewed by the mouth of all his prophets, that Christ should suffer, he hath so fulfilled. Acts 3:18

Repent ye therefore, and be converted, that your sins may be blotted out, when the times of refreshing shall come from the presence of the Lord; Acts 3:19

When one had heard, believed and confessed they had still not called upon the name of the Lord. Only in obeying what they had been taught could they identify with Christ?

Paul lists hearing, faith, repentance and confession. The only element missing is baptism. In the case of Paul Himself he understood that calling upon the Lord could not happen except at baptism

Elsewhere, calling upon the Lord was at the time and place of Obediend.

But they have

not all obeyed the gospel. For Esaias saith, Lord,
who hath believed our report? Romans 10: 16

A believer is a baptized believer.

So then faith cometh by hearing, and hearing by the word of God. Romans 10: 17

Repent ye therefore, and be converted, that your sins may be blotted out, when the times of refreshing shall come from the presence of the Lord; Acts 3:19

The extent of Paul's teaching about BAPTISM

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

For the promise is unto you (Jews), and to your children (Jews), and to all that are afar off (Gentiles), even as many as the Lord our God shall call. Acts 2:39

And with many other words did he testify and exhort, saying, Save yourselves from this untoward generation. Acts 2:40

The untoward does not speak of Jews only but all who are "warped, perverse, crooked. Generaton does not speak of the Jews only but THAT PARTICULAR GENERATION.

Then they that gladly received his word were baptized: and the same day there were added unto them about three thousand souls. Acts 2:41

And all that believed were together, and had all things common; Ac.2:44

Those who repented and were baptized were added to the group. Those who were baptized believers were identified as BELIEVERS.

Calling upon the name of the Lord is not faith or confessiion or repentance. Rather, the prophesied calling is identical to the fulfilled callling:

Qara (h7121) kaw-raw'; a prim. root [rather ident. with 7121 through the idea of accosting a person met]; to call out to i. e. prop. address by name,

Peter proves that calling on the name of the Lord is only in baptism:

And it shall come to pass, that whosoever shall call on the name of the Lord shall be saved. Acts 2:21

Then God called the people when Peter preached the gospel which, in a the sense of time, did not include baptism. Only when the people believed or had faith as a result of Peter's preaching did they ask what they must do. They had heard, believed and confessed. Yet, they lacked two elements:

Then Peter said unto them, Repent, and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ (calling upon the name of Christ) for the remission of sins, and ye shall receive the gift of the Holy Ghost. Acts 2:38

The believers on Pentecost were baptized IN THE NAME of Jesus. That means that they were calling on the name of God--Jehovah- Saves--to give them A holy spirit.

The same Peter said that calling on the name of Jesus Christ we REQUEST A clear conscience which is A holy spirit.

And corresponding to that, baptism now saves you-- not the removal of dirt from the flesh, but an appeal to God for a good conscience-- through the resurrection of Jesus Christ, 1 Peter 3:21NAS, RSV, LIv

Remission of sins is the same as being saved:

Whoever believes and is baptized will be saved, but whoever does not believe will be condemned. Mk 16:16

Faith Only does not remit sins. We have shown that a BELIEVER who has been added to the church is a BAPTIZED BELIEVER.

Faith only is never said to request God to ADD us to His ekklesia or "synagogue."

Paul linked faith to salvation. However, repeating the steps in an upward spiral, he linked calling upon the name with salvation. All of the natural elements must be present.

Again, baptism is the only place where one calls upon the name of Jesus Christ as their Savior. They were baptized, calling upon the name of the Lord. This is a parallelism: being baptized is calling upon the name of the Lord because He did the literal suffering.

THE EXAMPLE OF THE LEPER

Jesus healing the leper uses a word which indicates that the "spots leapt off." This means that he was cured of the disease of leprosy. By analogy, one might sin and get a deadly disease. The doctor HEALS the man of his physical problems. However, the man is still a sinner and not able to come before God. Therefore, Jesus told the leper to go to the priest for the remedy Moses imposed for healing spiritual or ceremonial contamination. Part of the solution was to be WASHED.

James Melton: Another error that many make with Acts 2:38 is the error of assumption. It is assumed that the word "for" must mean "in order to get." That is, being baptized "for" the remission of sins supposedly means to be baptized "in order to get" remission of sins. However, a closer look at the scriptures will reveal that this isn't the case at all.

Notice Luke 5:12-14: "And it came to pass, when he was in a certain city, behold a man full of leprosy: who seeing Jesus fell on his face, and besought him, saying, Lord, if thou wilt, thou canst make me clean. And he put forth his hand, and touched him, saying, I will: be thou clean. And immediately the leprosy departed from him. And he charged him to tell no man: but go, and shew thyself to the priest, and offer for thy cleansing, according as Moses commanded, for a testimony unto them."

Jesus made this man clean in verse 13, yet in the next verse, verse 14, Jesus tells him to go offer a sacrifice "for thy cleansing" as a "testimony." Here the word "for" cannot mean "in order to get" because he had already gotten his cleansing in verse 13! It obviously meant "because of" his cleansing. If a man goes to jail "for stealing," then he goes there "because of" the stealing that he's already done, not "in order to get" a chance to steal again.

No, Jesus healed the man of the physical leprosy. However, because the man was still under the Law Jesus commanded the man to go to the priests to become ceremonially or spiritually clean. One of the absolute necessities to being spiritually clean was to be WASHED. Therefore, the healed leper was "BAPTIZED" in order for his spiritual cleansing.

James Melton: Some like to argue that the Greek word "eis" means "in order to," but this isn't always the case. Jesus said in Matthew 12:41, "The men of Nineveh shall rise in judgment with this generation, and shall condemn it: because they repented at (eis) the preaching of Jonas; and, behold, a greater than Jonas is here." The Greek word for "at" is "eis."

Does this mean that the men of Nineveh repented "in order to get" the preaching of Jonah? No, they repented "because of" the preaching of Jonah. So, even "the Greek" doesn't demand the popular interpretation of Acts 2:38. The word "for" can be used different ways, not just one, so it is wrong to assume that it must mean "in order to get" in Acts 2:38.

The Holy Spirit used the word because and it can mean one of two things depending upon whether one is looking forward or backward:

People condemned because of repentance?
Or Repent for the purpose of condemning people?

The Greek for "because" which the Spirit had to use is:

Hoti (g3754) hot'-ee; neut. of 3748 as conj.; demonst. that (sometimes redundant); caus. because: - as concerning that, as though, because (that), for (that), how (that), (in) that, though, why.

However, the Holy Spirit used the word eis (into) to indicate entering into something such as the form of Jonah's preaching. Their act of entering was in order to fully enter.

Eis (g1519) ice; a prim. prep.; to or into (indicating the point reached or entered), of place, time, motion....

Repentance was not the end product: nor does repentance mean regeneration:

Arise, go unto Nineveh, that great city, and preach unto it the preaching that I bid thee. Jonah 3:2

And Jonah began to enter into the city a days journey, and he cried, and said, Yet forty days, and Nineveh shall be overthrown. Jonah 3:4

So the people of Nineveh believed God, and proclaimed a fast, and put on sackcloth, from the greatest of them even to the least of them. Jonah 3:5

They have believed and repented but the danger was NOT over.

BECAUSE of the preaching of Peter, or being PRICKED at the preaching of Peter the asked "what must we do." And Peter told them to repent and be baptized. They PUT ON Jesus Christ in baptism. They were clothed with Christ.

When the people repented AT or BECAUSE of Jonah's preaching they proclaimed a fast and put on sackcloth.

For word came unto the king of Nineveh, and he arose from his throne, and he laid his robe from him, and covered him with sackcloth, and sat in ashes. Jonah 3:6

And he caused it to be proclaimed and published through Nineveh by the decree of the king and his nobles, saying, Let neither man nor beast, herd nor flock, taste any thing: let them not feed, nor drink water: Jonah 3:7

But let man and beast be covered with sackcloth, and cry mightily unto God: yea, let them turn every one from his evil way, and from the violence that is in their hands. Jonah 3:8

Believer's baptism has historically resulted in the CRYING and even violence in trying to "pray through" to force God to prove that you are predestinated. Christ's death makes repentance and baptism without any FAITH-WORKS.

Who can tell if God will turn and repent, and turn away from his fierce anger, that we perish not? Jonah 3:9

And God saw their works (their actions), that they turned from their evil way; and God repented of the evil, that he had said that he would do unto them; and he did it not. Jonah 3:10

Works are:

Maaseh (h4639) mah-as-eh'; from 6213; an action (good or bad); gen. a transaction; abstr. activity; by impl. a product (spec. a poem) or (gen.) property: - act, art, / bakemeat, business, deed, do (- ing), labour, thing made, ware of making, occupation, thing offered, operation, possession, * well, ([handy-, needle-, net-]) work, (-ing, - manship), wrought.

Therefore God repented and did not destroy the city BECAUSE of their repentance which led to action.

Click to read the entire story of Jonah's preaching

The Phillipian Jailer

James Melton: The question of INDIVIDUAL salvation is asked and answered in Acts 16:30-31: ". . . Sirs, what must I do to be saved? And they said, Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ, and thou shalt be saved, and thy house." Those who fail to make this distinction are guilty of violating II Timothy 2:15 where we are told to RIGHTLY DIVIDE the word of truth.

First, we should not that RECEIVED does not mean FAITH ONLY or TRUST ONLY. Received is the Greek:

Paralambano (g3880) par-al-am-ban'-o; from 3844 and 2983; to receive near, i.e. associate with oneself (in any familiar or intimate act or relation); by anal. to assume an office; fig. to learn: - receive, take (unto, with).

And Jesus going up to Jerusalem took the twelve disciples apart in the way, and said unto them, Matthew 20:17

The Jailer RECEIVED the gospel of Christ and therefore RECEIVED His messengers. His result was to show the fruit of repentence and OBEY their direct command to be BAPTIZED. Washing their wounds did not save him or remit his sins:

And he took them the same hour of the night, and washed their stripes; and was baptized, he and all his, straightway. Acts 16:33

What did the jailer understand?

"[Paul and Silas] said to him, 'Believe in the Lord Jesus and you will be saved - you and all the people in your house' " (Acts 16:31).

How did he respond?

"At that hour of the night the jailer

Repented: took Paul and Silas and washed their wounds.
Baptized: Then he and all his people were baptized immediately" (Acts 16:33).

Cornelius

James Melton: In Acts 10, an individual from Europe is saved (before baptism). Why didn't these individual conversions occur before Acts 7? Because the first seven chapter of Acts deal with Israel (1:6-8; 2:36; 3:12; 4:8-10; 5:31; 6:7-14; 7:1-60).

Cornelius was a GODFEARER and already a worshipper of God and God heard his prayers. Therefore, FAITH ONLY did not excuse him from being baptized for the remission of sin and getting INTO Christ.

THERE was a certain man in Caesarea called Cornelius, a centurion of the band called the Italian band, Acts 10:1

A devout man, and one that feared God with all his house, which gave much alms to the people, and prayed to God alway. Acts 10:2

A devout person: Eusebes (g2152) yoo-seb-ace'; from 2095 and 4576; well- reverent, i.e. pious: - devout, godly.

He lodgeth with one Simon a tanner, whose house is by the sea side: he shall tell thee WHAT THEE OUGHTEST TO DO. Acts 10:6

Peter DID NOT tell him to SPEAK IN TONGUES.

When Peter was called to go tell him what HE MUST DO,

Immediately therefore I sent to thee; and thou hast well done that thou art come. Now therefore are we all here present before God, to hear all things that are COMMANDED THEE OF GOD. Acts 10:33

Speaking in tongues was always done in the arm's reach of an apostle. The SIGNS were to follow the preaching and believing. The Jews did not believe that Gentiles should be baptized. Therefore, the SIGN was speaking in tongues. The world recognized 5 languages and 70 TONGUES which were minor dialects. You will notice that the doubting Jews heard and understood Latin soldiers praising gods in a TONGUE which they had not learned. Undoubtedly the Jews understood the "tongue" to be a form of Hebrew which they COULD UNDERSTAND.

This meant to Peter that the original commission must be carried to the Gentiles because he reaches all the way back to Pentecost to recognize the SIGN of a supernatural message from God. Therefore, he asked:

Can any man forbid water, that these should not be baptized, which have received the Holy Ghost as well as we? Acts 10:47

And he commanded them to be baptized IN THE NAME OF THE LORD. Then prayed they him to tarry certain days. Acts 10:48

Some mighty things also happened to Paul but in the end he was told that WASHING AWAY OF SINS was THROUGH THE CHANNEL of the NAME of the Lord AT baptism:

And now why tarriest thou? arise, and be baptized, and wash away thy sins, CALLING ON THE NAME OF THE LORD. Acts 22:16

Click to read the entire story of Cornelius

False Charge of WATER REGENERATION

James Melton: Friend, if you have fallen for the water gospel, why not repent of your sin and trust Jesus Christ alone? Acts 10:43 says, "To him give all the prophets witness, that through his name whosoever believeth in him shall receive remission of sins." Why not believe on Christ 100% right now and quit trusting something you DO for salvation? "Therefore being justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ." (Rom. 5:1) Ephesians 2:8-9 says, "For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God: Not of works, lest any man should boast." Romans 10:9-13 says,"That if thou shalt confess with thy mouth the Lord Jesus, and shalt believe in thine heart that God hath raised him from the dead, thou shalt be saved. For with the heart man believeth unto righteousness; and with the mouth confession is made unto salvation. For the scripture saith, Whosoever believeth on him shall not be ashamed. For there is no difference between the Jew and the Greek: for the same Lord over all is rich unto all that call upon him. For whosoever shall call upon the name of the Lord shall be saved." Why not right now?

False accusation is a favorite ploy to justify REWRITING the clear meaning of the text.

"Our opponents contend for a regeneration begun and perfected before faith or baptism - a spiritual change of mind by the Holy Spirit, antecedent to either knowledge, faith, or repentance , of which infants are as susceptible as adults; and, therefore, as we contend, make the gospel of no effect.

"By way of reprisals, they would have their converts think that we go for nothing but water, and sarcastically call us the advocates of "water regeneration." They think there is something more sublime and divine in "spirit regeneration"; and therefore claim the title of orthodox." Alexander Campbell, Regeneration

"All the means of salvation are means of enjoyment, not of procurement. Birth itself is not for procuring, but for enjoying, the life possessed before birth.

"So in the analogy: - no one is to be baptized, or to be, buried with Christ;

no one is to be put under the water of regeneration for the purpose of procuring (purchasing) life,
but for the purpose of enjoying the life of which he is possessed.

"If the child is never born, all its sensitive powers and faculties can not be enjoyed; for it is after birth that these are fully developed and feasted upon all the aliments and objects of sense in nature.

Hence all that is now promised in the gospel can only be enjoyed by those who are born again and placed in the kingdom of heaven under all its influences.

Hence the philosophy of that necessity which Jesus preached: - "Unless a man be born again, be can not discern the kingdom of heaven," - unless a man be born of water and the Spirit, he can not enter into it.

"But let no man think that in the act of being born, either naturally or metaphorically, the child purchases, procures, or merits either life or its enjoyments. He is only by his birth placed in circumstances favorable to the enjoyment of life, and all that makes life a blessing. "To as many as receive him, believing in his name, be grants the privilege of being children of God, who derive their birth not from blood, nor from the desire of the flesh, nor from the will of man, but from God." (Christian System, Regeneration)

Click for Alexander Campbell repudiating baptismal regeneration.

Click for Alexander Campbell and the Christian System on regeneration.

On the contraray So-called believer's baptism demands the same real, literal presence of Christ just like the Eucharist or MASS. It is similar to pagan baptism in that the individual is totally passive and CANNOT even believe without a direct movement of God's Spirit to point out or identify one as predestinated.

Those who believed in predestination, like the Jews and later Calvinists such as the Puritans,

"were obsessed with a terror that they would not be saved.
Conversion became a central preoccupation,
a violent, tortured drama in which the sinner and his spiritual director wrestled for his soul.

Frequently the penitent had to undergo severe humiliation or experience real despair of God's grace until he appreciated his utter dependence upon God." (Karen Armstrong, A History of God, p. 283).

False Claim that Paul did not Baptize because he was not SENT to baptize.

James Melton: The fact is that Acts 2:38 is NOT the "model" plan of salvation, nor are any of the other "water verses" which the cultists use. Only by taking such verses out of their context can one teach such heresy. All of the Bible is true, not just the favorite "proof texts" of the cults. Baptism saves no one. It only serves as a testimonial picture of the death, the burial, and the resurrection of Jesus Christ AFTER one has believed on Christ (Acts 8:36-38). Paul said in I Corinthians 1:17 that ". . . Christ sent me not to baptize, but to preach the gospel: not with wisdom of words, lest the cross of Christ should be made of none effect." This "gospel" is defined by Paul in I Corinthians 15:1-4, and it does NOT include water baptism. The dying thief was not baptized, yet Jesus saved him (Luke 23:42-43), and John wrote that we are washed in the BLOOD of Christ (Rev. 1:5), not in the water. In fact, the saints in Heaven claim to have gotten there by the blood of Jesus (Rev. 5:9), not by water. By faith in the blood of Jesus Christ one is saved (Rom. 3:25). Water baptism only follows this faith as an outward step of obedience.

Paul knew that the 'preachers' had a tally sheet and a list of those who had been discipled to them rather than to Jesus Christ. You must be baptized IN SPIRIT by the Only Being Who shed His blood.

Paul's text has a context which was people thinking that they were being baptized into discipleship to the preacher:

I have planted, Apollos watered; but God gave the increase. 1Co.3:6

So then neither is he that planteth any thing, neither he that watereth; but God that giveth the increase. 1Co.3:7

Is Christ divided? was Paul crucified for you? or were ye baptized in the name of Paul? 1 Corinthians 1:13

I thank God that I baptized none of you, but Crispus and Gaius; 1 Cor. 1:14

And now why tarriest thou? arise,	(That, by the way, is what baptism pictures for us: In baptism we show that we have been saved from death and doom by the resurrection of Christ; not because our bodies are washed clean by the water
and be baptized	but because in being baptized
and wash away thy sins,	we are turning to God and
calling on the name of the Lord. Acts 22:16	asking him to cleanse our hearts from sin.) 1 Peter 3:21LIV

Then Peter said unto them, Repent,	Repent ye therefore,
and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ	and be converted
for the remission of sins,	that your sins may be blotted out,
and ye shall receive the gift of the Holy Ghost. Acts 2:38	when the times of refreshing shall come from the presence of the Lord; Acts 3:19
A holy spirit A holy spirit means that we are a new person	A new man Refreshing means that we become "a man of victory."