John 3:16

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Bingo

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"Cause and effect shall have conflicting consequences with few exceptions. I can only
share from this side of the 'glass' of real time experience in the now. It has been witnessed
through the ages of mankind attempting to interpret the Bible. I have no intentions of
attempting to interpret Scripture, it is in the eye of the beholder. This I declare, never doubt
( Luke 3: 22...John 1: 7 ).......'Praise God'
 

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Wansvic

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Paul recieved the baptisim of the Holy Spirit by the laying of hands.. There is no record of him being water baptized..

Acts 9: KJV
17 "And Ananias went his way, and entered into the house; and putting his hands on him said, Brother Saul, the Lord, even Jesus, that appeared unto thee in the way as thou camest, hath sent me, that thou mightest receive thy sight, and be filled with the Holy Ghost. {18} And immediately there fell from his eyes as it had been scales: and he received sight forthwith, and arose, and was baptized."
Verse 13 below references the scripture you quote above. Then it goes on to show in verse 16 that he was water baptized as well:

Acts 22:13-16
Came unto me, and stood, and said unto me, Brother Saul, receive thy sight. And the same hour I looked up upon him.

And he said, The God of our fathers hath chosen thee, that thou shouldest know his will, and see that Just One, and shouldest hear the voice of his mouth.

For thou shalt be his witness unto all men of what thou hast seen and heard.

And now why tarriest thou? arise, and be baptized, and wash away thy sins, calling on the name of the Lord.
 

Wansvic

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He was baptized means he was already baptized simply by having Ananias Hands placed upon his and recieving the Holy Spirit..

The Baptizin of Jesus was always going to be different to the baptisim of John the baptist.. The Bible clearly says that they are different.. Water bpatisim was just a OT symbolic representation of the real thing that would come when the Messiah Jesus came to establish His Church..

Matthew 3: KJV
11"I indeed baptize you with water unto repentance: but he that cometh after me is mightier than I, whose shoes I am not worthy to bear: he shall baptize you with the Holy Ghost, and with fire:"

Paul recieved the Holy Ghost when Ananias layed His hands upon Him..
The New Testament mandates both water and Holy Ghost baptisms. (Acts 2:38-41, 8:12-18, 8:35-40, 10:44-48, 16:28-33, 19:1-6, 22:16)
Paul himself expresses this in Acts 19:2-6:
(Paul) "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.
And he said unto them, Unto what then were ye baptized? And they said, Unto John's baptism.
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.
When they heard this, they were baptized in the name of the Lord Jesus.

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

Wansvic

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We know from the bible that all concepts within its pages correlate perfectly. When one rightly divides the word of truth the end result is a completely formed picture. When concepts are misunderstood a fragmented picture is the result and confusion arises.

If one accepts that belief alone in Jesus is the single factor in God’s salvation plan then Peter’s instructions on the Day of Pentecost are in conflict with that formed idea.

However, believing in Jesus as the messiah and following the instructions given on the Day of Pentecost connect with one another. There is no conflict:

The crowd gathered on the Day of Pentecost believed Apostle Peter when he told them that Jesus whom they crucified was the Lord and messiah. (Acts 2:37) Peter goes on to provide instructions regarding man’s obligations to the New Testament Covenant as set forth by God. (Acts 2:38) Another crucial point communicated by Peter: “And with many other words did he testify and exhort, saying, Save yourselves from this untoward generation.” (Acts 2:40)

After Peter says SAVE yourselves, those present accept the full message and get baptized:

“Then they that gladly received his word were baptized: and the same day there were added unto them about three thousand souls. And they continued stedfastly in the apostles' doctrine and fellowship, and in breaking of bread, and in prayers.” (Acts 2:40-42)

Keep in mind that Peter is nothing more than the first vessel God chose to advise man of what they must do. Afterward, the other apostles and all people throughout history unto today are merely willing vessels that speak God's message to the world.
 

Deade

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“Then they that gladly received his word were baptized: and the same day there were added unto them about three thousand souls. And they continued stedfastly in the apostles' doctrine and fellowship, and in breaking of bread, and in prayers.” (Acts 2:40-42)

Keep in mind that Peter is nothing more than the first vessel God chose to advise man of what they must do. Afterward, the other apostles and all people throughout history unto today are merely willing vessels that speak God's message to the world.
All I can say about this subject is, when I got saved the Holy Spirit immediately made plans for my water baptism. So, by example, I can say that it is an important step. So important, God had me seek it in a very methodical way. You can see that if you read my "Coming to Jesus" blog. HERE
 

mailmandan

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It logically follows that we get water baptized after we believe, but if someone is on their death bed and cannot get baptized before death, they are still saved because they BELIEVED (John 3:18; Acts 10:43; Romans 1:16) which is in harmony with Mark 16:16(b)..but he who does not believe will be condemned. *NOWHERE does the Bible say "water baptized or condemned."

Certainly, water baptism is an important act of obedience. Any one professing to believe/trust in Jesus as the ALL-sufficient means of their salvation and yet refusing to be water baptized is of questionable sincerity. It's unthinkable that anyone who truly believes the gospel would refuse to be water baptized. I could not wait to get water baptized after my conversion and I cannot think of one Christian that I know who has refused to be water baptized after their conversion.

Baptism would have no meaning without Christ’s death, burial and resurrection, but Christ’s death, burial and resurrection would still have meaning, even if there were no baptism. In other words, Christ’s death is the substance and baptism is the sign/symbol/picture. Without the substance there would be no sign/symbol/picture.

Baptism put it in it's proper place, subsequent to salvation through faith in Christ as all rites and works must be. Baptism is for believers, and believers are already saved the moment that they place their faith (belief, trust, reliance) in Jesus Christ alone for salvation. The Bible says we are saved by grace through faith, not by rites or religious works, or good works (Ephesians 2:8,9; Titus 3:5; 2 Timothy 1:9). This does not remove good works/acts of obedience (including water baptism) from the Christian life, it just puts them in their proper place, subsequent to regeneration and salvation.
 

mailmandan

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Many profess that one need only believe in Jesus to receive everlasting life and quote the following scripture as evidence: “For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life.” John 3:16
Those who don't believe misinterpret John 3:16 and "add works" to believing as the means of securing salvation.

The following scriptures prove that there is more to believing than a mental acknowledgment of Jesus as the Messiah:
“Not every one that saith unto me, Lord, Lord, shall enter into the kingdom of heaven; but he that doeth the will of my Father which is in heaven.” Matt 7:21
John 6:40 - For my Father’s will is that everyone who looks to the Son and believes in him shall have eternal life, and I will raise them up at the last day.

There is a difference between doing God's will "in order to become saved," as we see in John 3:16 and John 6:40 and doing God's will "after" we have been saved, as we see below:

1 Thessalonians 5:14 - Now we exhort you, brethren, warn those who are unruly, comfort the fainthearted, uphold the weak, be patient with all. 15 See that no one renders evil for evil to anyone, but always pursue what is good both for yourselves and for all. 16 Rejoice always, 17 pray without ceasing, 18 in everything give thanks; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you.
 

Wansvic

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Those who don't believe misinterpret John 3:16 and "add works" to believing as the means of securing salvation.

John 6:40 - For my Father’s will is that everyone who looks to the Son and believes in him shall have eternal life, and I will raise them up at the last day.

There is a difference between doing God's will "in order to become saved," as we see in John 3:16 and John 6:40 and doing God's will "after" we have been saved, as we see below:

1 Thessalonians 5:14 - Now we exhort you, brethren, warn those who are unruly, comfort the fainthearted, uphold the weak, be patient with all. 15 See that no one renders evil for evil to anyone, but always pursue what is good both for yourselves and for all. 16 Rejoice always, 17 pray without ceasing, 18 in everything give thanks; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you.
Believing in Jesus requires both accepting the truth about Him and responding in obedience to Him. Upon doing so the door is open to eternal life.
 

Wansvic

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It logically follows that we get water baptized after we believe, but if someone is on their death bed and cannot get baptized before death, they are still saved because they BELIEVED (John 3:18; Acts 10:43; Romans 1:16) which is in harmony with Mark 16:16(b)..but he who does not believe will be condemned. *NOWHERE does the Bible say "water baptized or condemned."

Certainly, water baptism is an important act of obedience. Any one professing to believe/trust in Jesus as the ALL-sufficient means of their salvation and yet refusing to be water baptized is of questionable sincerity. It's unthinkable that anyone who truly believes the gospel would refuse to be water baptized. I could not wait to get water baptized after my conversion and I cannot think of one Christian that I know who has refused to be water baptized after their conversion.

Baptism would have no meaning without Christ’s death, burial and resurrection, but Christ’s death, burial and resurrection would still have meaning, even if there were no baptism. In other words, Christ’s death is the substance and baptism is the sign/symbol/picture. Without the substance there would be no sign/symbol/picture.

Baptism put it in it's proper place, subsequent to salvation through faith in Christ as all rites and works must be. Baptism is for believers, and believers are already saved the moment that they place their faith (belief, trust, reliance) in Jesus Christ alone for salvation. The Bible says we are saved by grace through faith, not by rites or religious works, or good works (Ephesians 2:8,9; Titus 3:5; 2 Timothy 1:9). This does not remove good works/acts of obedience (including water baptism) from the Christian life, it just puts them in their proper place, subsequent to regeneration and salvation.
Cornelius was told by an angel to send for Peter and he would tell him what to do. (Acts 10:6)

What did Peter tell Cornelius to do?

"To him give all the prophets witness, that through his name whosoever believeth in him shall receive remission of sins.
While Peter yet spake these words, the Holy Ghost fell on all them which heard the word.
And they of the circumcision which believed were astonished, as many as came with Peter, because that on the Gentiles also was poured out the gift of the Holy Ghost.
For they heard them speak with tongues, and magnify God. Then answered Peter,

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

And he commanded them to be baptized in the name of the Lord. Then prayed they him to tarry certain days." Acts 10:43-48
 

mailmandan

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Cornelius was told by an angel to send for Peter and he would tell him what to do. (Acts 10:6)

What did Peter tell Cornelius to do?

"To him give all the prophets witness, that through his name whosoever believeth in him shall receive remission of sins.
While Peter yet spake these words, the Holy Ghost fell on all them which heard the word.
And they of the circumcision which believed were astonished, as many as came with Peter, because that on the Gentiles also was poured out the gift of the Holy Ghost.
For they heard them speak with tongues, and magnify God. Then answered Peter,

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

And he commanded them to be baptized in the name of the Lord. Then prayed they him to tarry certain days." Acts 10:43-48
Yes, he commanded them to be baptized AFTER they believed, received Holy Spirit and were saved. (Acts 10:43-48) Do you believe that only believers who are baptized “in Jesus name only” will be saved?
 

mailmandan

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Believing in Jesus requires both accepting the truth about Him and responding in obedience to Him. Upon doing so the door is open to eternal life.
So how much obedience does it take? Believing in Jesus requires accepting the truth about Him and trusting in Him as the ALL- sufficient means of our salvation. Obedience which follows his works. You are teaching salvation by faith + works.
 

Wansvic

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Yes, he commanded them to be baptized AFTER they believed, received Holy Spirit and were saved. (Acts 10:43-48) Do you believe that only believers who are baptized “in Jesus name only” will be saved?
We know that in order to be saved one's sins must be remitted. When does the bible state that sins are remitted?
 

Wansvic

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So how much obedience does it take? Believing in Jesus requires accepting the truth about Him and trusting in Him as the ALL- sufficient means of our salvation. Obedience which follows his works. You are teaching salvation by faith + works.
Notice Jesus is speaking to the church when He says He is standing at the door waiting for man to open the door. According to this scripture after man opens the door Jesus will come in to him and sup with him.

"As many as I love, I rebuke and chasten: be zealous therefore, and repent.
Behold, I stand at the door, and knock: if any man hear my voice, and open the door, I will come in to him, and will sup with him, and he with me.
He that hath an ear, let him hear what the Spirit saith unto the churches.
Rev 3:19-22
 

mailmandan

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We know that in order to be saved one's sins must be remitted. When does the bible state that sins are remitted?
When one believes/places faith in Jesus Christ for salvation. (Acts 10:43; 26:18; Romans 3:24-28)
 

Wansvic

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When one believes/places faith in Jesus Christ for salvation. (Acts 10:43; 26:18; Romans 3:24-28)
The scriptures you provided did not answer my question. The following scriptures attest to when sins are remitted:

The baptism of John, whence was it? from heaven, or of men? And they reasoned with themselves, saying, If we shall say, From heaven; he will say unto us, Why did ye not then believe him?

For John came unto you in the way of righteousness, and ye believed him not: but the publicans and the harlots believed him: and ye, when ye had seen it, repented not afterward, that ye might believe him. Matt 21:25, 32

Mark 1:2-4
John did baptize in the wilderness, and preach the baptism of repentance FOR the remission of sins.

Luke 1:76-77 Speaking of John the Baptist
And thou, child, shalt be called the prophet of the Highest: for thou shalt go before the face of the Lord to prepare his ways;
To give knowledge of salvation unto his people BY the remission of their sins,

Luke 3:3
And he came into all the country about Jordan, preaching the baptism of repentance FOR the remission of sins;

Luke 24:47
And that repentance and remission of sins should be preached in his name among all nations, BEGINNING AT JERUSALEM.

Acts 2:38
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 10:43
To him give all the prophets witness, that through his name whosoever believeth in him shall receive remission of sins.

Acts 22:16 (Apostle Paul’s water baptism)
And now why tarriest thou? arise, and be baptized, and wash away thy sins, CALLING ON THE NAME of the Lord.
 

mailmandan

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The scriptures you provided did not answer my question. The following scriptures attest to when sins are remitted:
The scriptures I provided certainly did answer your question. Acts 10:43 - Of Him all the prophets bear witness that through His name everyone who believes in Him receives forgiveness of sins. *What happened to baptism?

Acts 26:18 - to open their eyes so that they may turn from darkness to light and from the dominion of Satan to God, that they may receive forgiveness of sins and an inheritance among those who have been sanctified by faith in Me. *What happened to baptism?

Romans 3:24 - Being justified freely by his grace through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus: 25 Whom God hath set forth to be a propitiation through faith in his blood, to declare his righteousness for the remission of sins that are past, through the forbearance of God; 26 To declare, I say, at this time his righteousness: that he might be just, and the justifier of the one who has faith in Jesus. 27 Where is boasting then? It is excluded. By what law? of works? Nay: but by the law of faith. 28 Therefore we conclude that a man is justified by faith without the deeds of the law. *What happened to baptism?

Also, in Acts 13:38-39, we read - Therefore let it be known to you, brethren, that through this Man is preached to you the forgiveness of sins; and by Him everyone who believes is justified from all things from which you could not be justified by the law of Moses. *What happened to baptism?

The baptism of John, whence was it? from heaven, or of men? And they reasoned with themselves, saying, If we shall say, From heaven; he will say unto us, Why did ye not then believe him?
This question placed the Pharisees in a dilemma, because they knew that John was revered by the people. They could not confirm John's ministry without condemning themselves and if they denied the legitimacy of John's ministry, they feared the response of the people.

For John came unto you in the way of righteousness, and ye believed him not: but the publicans and the harlots believed him: and ye, when ye had seen it, repented not afterward, that ye might believe him. Matt 21:25, 32
Repentance and faith result in salvation and water baptism "follows" conversion (Acts 10:43-47; 11:17,18). Acts 20:21 - testifying both to Jews and to Greeks of repentance toward God and of faith in our Lord Jesus Christ.

Mark 1:2-4
John did baptize in the wilderness, and preach the baptism of repentance FOR the remission of sins.

Luke 3:3
And he came into all the country about Jordan, preaching the baptism of repentance FOR the remission of sins;
In Mark 1:4 and Luke 3:3, was this baptism of repentance (for) "in order to obtain" the remission of sins or was it (for) "in regards to/on the basis of" the remission of sins received upon repentance?

*In Matthew 3:11, we read - I baptize you with water (for) repentance.. *Was this baptism (for) "in order to obtain" repentance? OR was this baptism for "in regards to/on the basis of" repentance? Getting water baptized in order to obtain repentance makes no sense at all because repentance precedes water baptism, yet getting water baptized "in regards to/on the basis of" the remission of sins received upon repentance makes perfect sense.

Luke 24:47 - and that repentance for forgiveness of sins would be proclaimed in His name to all the nations, beginning from Jerusalem. *What happened to baptism?

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. *What happened to baptism?

Acts 5:31 - Him God has exalted to His right hand to be Prince and Savior, to give repentance to Israel and forgiveness of sins. *What happened to baptism? So faith in Jesus Christ (implied in genuine repentance) rather than water baptism brings the remission of sins.

Luke 1:76-77 Speaking of John the Baptist
And thou, child, shalt be called the prophet of the Highest: for thou shalt go before the face of the Lord to prepare his ways;
To give knowledge of salvation unto his people BY the remission of their sins,

Luke 24:47
And that repentance and remission of sins should be preached in his name among all nations, BEGINNING AT JERUSALEM.

Acts 2:38
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 10:43
To him give all the prophets witness, that through his name whosoever believeth in him shall receive remission of sins.
In Acts 2:38, "for the remission of sins" does not refer back to both clauses, "you all repent" and "each one of you be baptized," but refers only to the first. Peter is saying "repent unto the remission of your sins," the same as in Acts 3:19. The clause "each one of you be baptized" is parenthetical. This is exactly what Acts 3:19 teaches except that Peter omits the parenthesis.

*Also compare the fact that these Gentiles in Acts 10:45 received the gift of the Holy Spirit (compare with Acts 2:38 - the gift of the Holy Spirit) and this was BEFORE water baptism (Acts 10:47).

In Acts 10:43 we read ..whoever believes in Him receives remission of sins. Again, these Gentiles received the gift of the Holy Spirit - Acts 10:45 - when they believed on the Lord Jesus Christ - Acts 11:17 - (compare with Acts 16:31 - Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ and you will be saved) BEFORE water baptism - Acts 10:47. This is referred to as repentance unto life - Acts 11:18.

*So the only logical conclusion when properly harmonizing Scripture with Scripture is that faith in Jesus Christ "implied in genuine repentance" (rather than water baptism) brings the remission of sins and the gift of the Holy Spirit (Luke 24:47; Acts 2:38; 3:19; 5:31; 10:43-47; 11:17,18; 15:8,9; 16:31; 26:18). *Perfect Harmony* (y)

Acts 22:16 (Apostle Paul’s water baptism)
And now why tarriest thou? arise, and be baptized, and wash away thy sins, CALLING ON THE NAME of the Lord.
In regards to Acts 22:16, as Greek scholar AT Robertson points out, baptism here pictures the washing away of sins by the blood of Christ, but it does not literally wash away our sins, contrary to your conclusion. Jamison, Fausset, and Brown Commentary makes not of the importance of the Greek in Ananias' statement. When Ananias tells Paul to "arise, be baptized, wash away your sins, calling on the name of the Lord," the tense of the last command is literally "having called" (aorist middle participle). "Calling on [epikalesamenos] --- 'having (that is, after having) called on,' referring the confession of Christ which preceded baptism." [Jamison, Fausset, and Brown Commentary, vol. 3 pg. 160]. Kenneth Wuest picks up on this Greek nuance and translates the verse as follows: "And now, why are you delaying? Having arisen, be baptized and wash away your sins, having previously called upon His Name." (Acts 22:16, Wuest's Expanded NT).

In Acts 10:43, receiving remission of sins is connected with "believes in Him" and not with baptism (Acts 10:43-47). In Acts 9, Jesus told Ananias that Paul "is a chosen vessel unto Me" (vs 15), although the apostle had not yet been baptized. Before Paul was baptized, Christ had already commissioned him to "bear [His] name before the Gentiles, and kings, and the children of Israel" (Acts 9:15); such a commission is not God’s portion for one still lost and under wrath. Before Paul’s baptism, Christ had set him aside as one who would "suffer for His name’s sake" (9:16). Can one who is a child of the devil, as all the lost are (Ephesians 2:1-3, John 8:44), really suffer for Christ’s sake? NO. God accepted Paul’s prayers before his baptism (Acts 9:11). Some may argue that God does not hear an unsaved man's prayer, quoting in this regard John 9:31 - "We know that God does not listen to sinners. He listens to the godly man who does his will." Well, Paul was a worshipper of God, calling Christ "Lord" and then setting out to do His will. All of these things characterized Paul BEFORE he was water baptized.

So, Paul had already believed in Christ when Ananias came to pray for him to receive his sight (Acts 9:17). It also should be noted that Paul at the time when Ananias prayed for him to receive his sight, he was filled with the Holy Spirit (Acts 9:17)--this was BEFORE he was water baptized (Acts 9:18). Verse 17 connects his being filled with the Spirit with the receiving of his sight. We know that he received his sight prior to his baptism.

*It's interesting that when Paul recounted this event again later in Acts (Acts 26:12-18), he did not mention Ananias or what Ananias said to him at all. Verse 18 again would confirm the idea that Paul received Christ as Savior on the road to Damascus since here Christ is telling Paul he will be a messenger for Him concerning forgiveness of sins for Gentiles as they have faith in Him. It would seem unlikely that Christ would commission Paul if Paul had not yet believed in Him and was not saved.

*No Scripture is to be interpreted in isolation from the totality of Scripture. Practically speaking, a singular and obscure verse is to be subservient to to multiple and clear verses, and not vice versa.
 

mailmandan

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Notice Jesus is speaking to the church when He says He is standing at the door waiting for man to open the door. According to this scripture after man opens the door Jesus will come in to him and sup with him.

"As many as I love, I rebuke and chasten: be zealous therefore, and repent.
Behold, I stand at the door, and knock: if any man hear my voice, and open the door, I will come in to him, and will sup with him, and he with me.
He that hath an ear, let him hear what the Spirit saith unto the churches.
Rev 3:19-22
You did not answer my question. So how much obedience does it take? How much obedience must we accomplish and "add" as a supplement to Christ's finished work of redemption in order to "help" Him save us?
 

mailmandan

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Believing in Jesus requires both accepting the truth about Him and responding in obedience to Him. Upon doing so the door is open to eternal life.
Your argument here sounds similar to what I was taught prior to my conversion while still attending the Roman Catholic church several years ago and I was recently in a discussion with a Roman Catholic who reaffirmed what I was taught from his statement below:

We ARE saved by faith - as long as you properly define "Faith". Faith is NOT simply "believing". Faith INCLUDES: Being baptized, eating His body and drinking His blood/partaking the Lord's Supper during Mass, works of mercy and charity, obeying his commandments, doing the will of the Father etc..

The argument from this Roman Catholic about faith being "defined as" and INCLUDES these works above equates to salvation by faith + works and sounds similar to your argument about salvation by faith and responding in obedience to Him.
 

Wansvic

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The scriptures I provided certainly did answer your question. Acts 10:43 - Of Him all the prophets bear witness that through His name everyone who believes in Him receives forgiveness of sins. *What happened to baptism?

Acts 26:18 - to open their eyes so that they may turn from darkness to light and from the dominion of Satan to God, that they may receive forgiveness of sins and an inheritance among those who have been sanctified by faith in Me. *What happened to baptism?

Romans 3:24 - Being justified freely by his grace through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus: 25 Whom God hath set forth to be a propitiation through faith in his blood, to declare his righteousness for the remission of sins that are past, through the forbearance of God; 26 To declare, I say, at this time his righteousness: that he might be just, and the justifier of the one who has faith in Jesus. 27 Where is boasting then? It is excluded. By what law? of works? Nay: but by the law of faith. 28 Therefore we conclude that a man is justified by faith without the deeds of the law. *What happened to baptism?

Also, in Acts 13:38-39, we read - Therefore let it be known to you, brethren, that through this Man is preached to you the forgiveness of sins; and by Him everyone who believes is justified from all things from which you could not be justified by the law of Moses. *What happened to baptism?

This question placed the Pharisees in a dilemma, because they knew that John was revered by the people. They could not confirm John's ministry without condemning themselves and if they denied the legitimacy of John's ministry, they feared the response of the people.

Repentance and faith result in salvation and water baptism "follows" conversion (Acts 10:43-47; 11:17,18). Acts 20:21 - testifying both to Jews and to Greeks of repentance toward God and of faith in our Lord Jesus Christ.

In Mark 1:4 and Luke 3:3, was this baptism of repentance (for) "in order to obtain" the remission of sins or was it (for) "in regards to/on the basis of" the remission of sins received upon repentance?

*In Matthew 3:11, we read - I baptize you with water (for) repentance.. *Was this baptism (for) "in order to obtain" repentance? OR was this baptism for "in regards to/on the basis of" repentance? Getting water baptized in order to obtain repentance makes no sense at all because repentance precedes water baptism, yet getting water baptized "in regards to/on the basis of" the remission of sins received upon repentance makes perfect sense.

Luke 24:47 - and that repentance for forgiveness of sins would be proclaimed in His name to all the nations, beginning from Jerusalem. *What happened to baptism?

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. *What happened to baptism?

Acts 5:31 - Him God has exalted to His right hand to be Prince and Savior, to give repentance to Israel and forgiveness of sins. *What happened to baptism? So faith in Jesus Christ (implied in genuine repentance) rather than water baptism brings the remission of sins.



In Acts 2:38, "for the remission of sins" does not refer back to both clauses, "you all repent" and "each one of you be baptized," but refers only to the first. Peter is saying "repent unto the remission of your sins," the same as in Acts 3:19. The clause "each one of you be baptized" is parenthetical. This is exactly what Acts 3:19 teaches except that Peter omits the parenthesis.

*Also compare the fact that these Gentiles in Acts 10:45 received the gift of the Holy Spirit (compare with Acts 2:38 - the gift of the Holy Spirit) and this was BEFORE water baptism (Acts 10:47).

In Acts 10:43 we read ..whoever believes in Him receives remission of sins. Again, these Gentiles received the gift of the Holy Spirit - Acts 10:45 - when they believed on the Lord Jesus Christ - Acts 11:17 - (compare with Acts 16:31 - Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ and you will be saved) BEFORE water baptism - Acts 10:47. This is referred to as repentance unto life - Acts 11:18.

*So the only logical conclusion when properly harmonizing Scripture with Scripture is that faith in Jesus Christ "implied in genuine repentance" (rather than water baptism) brings the remission of sins and the gift of the Holy Spirit (Luke 24:47; Acts 2:38; 3:19; 5:31; 10:43-47; 11:17,18; 15:8,9; 16:31; 26:18). *Perfect Harmony* (y)

In regards to Acts 22:16, as Greek scholar AT Robertson points out, baptism here pictures the washing away of sins by the blood of Christ, but it does not literally wash away our sins, contrary to your conclusion. Jamison, Fausset, and Brown Commentary makes not of the importance of the Greek in Ananias' statement. When Ananias tells Paul to "arise, be baptized, wash away your sins, calling on the name of the Lord," the tense of the last command is literally "having called" (aorist middle participle). "Calling on [epikalesamenos] --- 'having (that is, after having) called on,' referring the confession of Christ which preceded baptism." [Jamison, Fausset, and Brown Commentary, vol. 3 pg. 160]. Kenneth Wuest picks up on this Greek nuance and translates the verse as follows: "And now, why are you delaying? Having arisen, be baptized and wash away your sins, having previously called upon His Name." (Acts 22:16, Wuest's Expanded NT).

In Acts 10:43, receiving remission of sins is connected with "believes in Him" and not with baptism (Acts 10:43-47). In Acts 9, Jesus told Ananias that Paul "is a chosen vessel unto Me" (vs 15), although the apostle had not yet been baptized. Before Paul was baptized, Christ had already commissioned him to "bear [His] name before the Gentiles, and kings, and the children of Israel" (Acts 9:15); such a commission is not God’s portion for one still lost and under wrath. Before Paul’s baptism, Christ had set him aside as one who would "suffer for His name’s sake" (9:16). Can one who is a child of the devil, as all the lost are (Ephesians 2:1-3, John 8:44), really suffer for Christ’s sake? NO. God accepted Paul’s prayers before his baptism (Acts 9:11). Some may argue that God does not hear an unsaved man's prayer, quoting in this regard John 9:31 - "We know that God does not listen to sinners. He listens to the godly man who does his will." Well, Paul was a worshipper of God, calling Christ "Lord" and then setting out to do His will. All of these things characterized Paul BEFORE he was water baptized.

So, Paul had already believed in Christ when Ananias came to pray for him to receive his sight (Acts 9:17). It also should be noted that Paul at the time when Ananias prayed for him to receive his sight, he was filled with the Holy Spirit (Acts 9:17)--this was BEFORE he was water baptized (Acts 9:18). Verse 17 connects his being filled with the Spirit with the receiving of his sight. We know that he received his sight prior to his baptism.

*It's interesting that when Paul recounted this event again later in Acts (Acts 26:12-18), he did not mention Ananias or what Ananias said to him at all. Verse 18 again would confirm the idea that Paul received Christ as Savior on the road to Damascus since here Christ is telling Paul he will be a messenger for Him concerning forgiveness of sins for Gentiles as they have faith in Him. It would seem unlikely that Christ would commission Paul if Paul had not yet believed in Him and was not saved.

*No Scripture is to be interpreted in isolation from the totality of Scripture. Practically speaking, a singular and obscure verse is to be subservient to to multiple and clear verses, and not vice versa.
Bottom line if one believes in the entire message entrusted to and introduced by John the Baptist and confirmed by Jesus concerning water baptism one will be prompted through their words to get baptized thus their sins will be remitted.

As I stated previously, scripture states that water baptism is the place where sins are remitted. We also see that the name of Jesus is required during water baptism after the death, burial and resurrection of Jesus. The need for and administration of water baptism in Jesus' name is demonstrated throughout scripture.

Mark 1:2-4
John did baptize in the wilderness, and preach the baptism of repentance FOR the remission of sins.

Luke 1:76-77 Speaking of John the Baptist
And thou, child, shalt be called the prophet of the Highest: for thou shalt go before the face of the Lord to prepare his ways;
To give knowledge of salvation unto his people BY the remission of their sins,

Luke 3:3
And he came into all the country about Jordan, preaching the baptism of repentance FOR the remission of sins;

Luke 24:47
And that repentance and remission of sins should be preached in his name among all nations, BEGINNING AT JERUSALEM.

Acts 2:38
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 10:43
To him give all the prophets witness, that through his name whosoever believeth in him shall receive remission of sins.

Acts 22:16 (Apostle Paul’s water baptism)
And now why tarriest thou? arise, and be baptized, and wash away thy sins, CALLING ON THE NAME of the Lord.