Paul's Conversion

  • Christian Chat is a moderated online Christian community allowing Christians around the world to fellowship with each other in real time chat via webcam, voice, and text, with the Christian Chat app. You can also start or participate in a Bible-based discussion here in the Christian Chat Forums, where members can also share with each other their own videos, pictures, or favorite Christian music.

    If you are a Christian and need encouragement and fellowship, we're here for you! If you are not a Christian but interested in knowing more about Jesus our Lord, you're also welcome! Want to know what the Bible says, and how you can apply it to your life? Join us!

    To make new Christian friends now around the world, click here to join Christian Chat.
S

SophieT

Guest
My point was Paul's experience can be seen as a parallel to Peter's initial message given to the Jews at Pentecost, to the Gentiles, and the Samaritans.

Number one, Paul acknowledged Jesus was Lord. He obeyed Jesus instructions and went to Ananias in order to see what was required of him. This shows a willingness to change direction and turn to God. He receives the Holy Ghost and gets baptized in the name of the Lord Jesus in order for his sins to be washed away.
and my point is you are off the charts teaching extra-biblical additions that serve no one, but can possibly hurt and confuse those who are young in Christ
 
S

SophieT

Guest
I don't know how anyone can say I am adding a personal interpretation when the scripture presented specifically says, Why wait? Arise and be baptized and wash away thy sins calling on the name of the Lord.

Are you suggesting that the scripture does not say that?
well I'm not anyone; I am just someone

I understand you do not see what you post as a personal understanding because you align yourself with others who are just as convinced of the same error you pursue as are you

I am not suggesting anything. I am outright, straight on, no fooling and absolutely serious, telling you that you are wrong

like you don't know LOL! :rolleyes: :sneaky:
 
S

SophieT

Guest
To even suggest I think I am the Holy Spirit is really low. A messenger is someone who carries a message to others. Nothing more. We should all be doing that according to Jesus. (Matt. 28:19)
LOL! you are so funny today.

Furthermore the born again believer has been indwelt by the Holy Ghost. And according to scripture the Holy Ghost has the ability to teach us all things and prompts us how we should answer others.
yes and sadly, too many think that means they are perfect and can never be wrong.

but let's have an understanding here. you believe that about yourself, but everyone else is wrong...unless they follow in your error

that, is more than a little hypocritical.

you do not own scripture. you are wrong
 

BillG

Senior Member
Feb 15, 2017
9,022
4,441
113
Both are required, see James' comment about the righteousness of Abraham:

James 2:19-23
"You say you have faith, for you believe that there is one God. Good for you! Even the demons believe this, and they tremble in terror. 20 How foolish! Can't you see that faith without good deeds is useless?

21 Don't you remember that our ancestor Abraham was shown to be right with God by his actions when he offered his son Isaac on the altar? 22 You see, his faith and his actions worked together. His actions made his faith complete. 23 And so it happened just as the Scriptures say: "Abraham believed God, and God counted him as righteous because of his faith."24 So you see, we are shown to be right with God by what we do, not by faith alone." New Living Translation ®
Oh sorry didn't realise Abraham was baptised to be saved.
So now we see Abraham was saved by his works.
Therefore baptism is a work we have to do.
Therefore we are saved by works now.

Deary deary me.

If you are going to quote scripture beyond the scripture you already quoted make sure it harmonisese.

Very foolish indeed.

James never said Abraham was saved.
 

BillG

Senior Member
Feb 15, 2017
9,022
4,441
113
Both are required, see James' comment about the righteousness of Abraham:

James 2:19-23
"You say you have faith, for you believe that there is one God. Good for you! Even the demons believe this, and they tremble in terror. 20 How foolish! Can't you see that faith without good deeds is useless?

21 Don't you remember that our ancestor Abraham was shown to be right with God by his actions when he offered his son Isaac on the altar? 22 You see, his faith and his actions worked together. His actions made his faith complete. 23 And so it happened just as the Scriptures say: "Abraham believed God, and God counted him as righteous because of his faith."24 So you see, we are shown to be right with God by what we do, not by faith alone." New Living Translation ®
Oh sorry didn't realise Abraham was baptised to be saved.
So now we see Abraham was saved by his works.
Therefore baptism is a work we have to do.
Therefore we are saved by works now.

Deary deary me.
 

BillG

Senior Member
Feb 15, 2017
9,022
4,441
113
LOL! you are so funny today.



yes and sadly, too many think that means they are perfect and can never be wrong.

but let's have an understanding here. you believe that about yourself, but everyone else is wrong...unless they follow in your error

that, is more than a little hypocritical.

you do not own scripture. you are wrong
I'm sure Jesus talks about false teachers.
 
S

SophieT

Guest
I'm sure Jesus talks about false teachers.
He's actually mentioned a few to me....like most of the teachers on tv, which there seems to be an unending supply of in the US

yeah Jesus talked about false teachers! and exposed them.
 
S

SophieT

Guest
Oh sorry didn't realise Abraham was baptised to be saved.
possibly he fell down a well when one was being dug at an encampment

and no Lassie to help him get out

this water baptism is ridiculous already
 

BillG

Senior Member
Feb 15, 2017
9,022
4,441
113
Do
He's actually mentioned a few to me....like most of the teachers on tv, which there seems to be an unending supply of in the US

yeah Jesus talked about false teachers! and exposed them.
Don't have that over here.
Could access it via my cable TV.

Don't bother though.
I would rather give my money to my local church
 
S

SophieT

Guest
Do

Don't have that over here.
Could access it via my cable TV.

Don't bother though.
I would rather give my money to my local church

I watch one or two once in awhile

the stations are included in our tv package

money is better spent elsewhere for sure...they are like beggars constantly asking for money
 

Wansvic

Well-known member
Nov 27, 2018
5,247
1,104
113
Hello Wansvic,

Well, I would remind you of the thief on the cross who could not come down to be baptized or do anything at all, except have faith, which alone brought him into the kingdom of God. I would also mention Cornelius' household, who while Peter was still speaking the gospel them, the Spirit fell upon them and they spoke in languages and prophesied and that without being baptized, performing works, being under the law, etc. For Peter said later that God cleansed their hearts by faith.

By the way, the scripture does not say that Jesus directly told Ananias to have Paul Baptized. Below is what the Lord said:

"Get up!” the Lord told him. “Go to the house of Judas on Straight Street and ask for a man from Tarsus named Saul, for he is praying. In a vision he has seen a man named Ananias come and place his hands on him to restore his sight.

"So Ananias went to the house, and when he arrived, he placed his hands on Saul. “Brother Saul,” he said, “the Lord Jesus, who appeared to you on the road as you were coming here, has sent me so that you may see again and be filled with the Holy Spirit.”

Therefore, the "it shall be told thee what you must do" was for Ananias to place his hands on Saul so that he could receive his sight and to receive the Holy Spirit. Paul's being Baptized was/is a public proclamation of his faith in Christ, but it does not save a person. Don't get me wrong, since the word of God says for us to be Baptized, then we should. However, if someone received Christ and living a life of faith, but was never baptized, I don't believe that would keep them from receiving eternal life.
Many fail to accept that the thief was not obligated to follow God's NT mandate. He died under the Old Testament. The command to be baptized in the name of the Lord Jesus for the remission of sin began on the Day of Pentecost after the Holy Ghost was given. John introduced water baptism, and the need for it to be done in Jesus' name began after the NT officially began.

As for Cornelius and the others, Peter's statement that he would not withstand God after seeing God fill the Gentiles with the Holy Ghost speaks volumes. The record makes it apparent that Peter knew the group still had to be water baptized in Jesus' name. Neither one was optional.

Your statement that the "it shall be told thee what you must do" was for Ananias to place his hands on Saul... Is faulty. Jesus actually told Saul/Paul to go to Damascus and it shall be told thee (Saul/Paul) what YOU must do.

Acts 9:6
And he (Saul/Paul) trembling and astonished said, Lord, what wilt thou have me to do? And the Lord said unto him, Arise, and go into the city, and it shall be told thee what thou must do.


Ananias told Paul what he must do and that was "And now why tarriest thou? arise, and be baptized, and wash away thy sins, calling on the name of the Lord." Acts 22:16


So your reference that Paul received the Holy Ghost is definitely true. But you, as well as others, refuse to accept what Acts 22:16 specially states. Ananias told Paul he was to do something and that was, to be baptized and wash away thy sins calling on the name of the Lord. Therefore, per Ananias statement, Paul was not being baptized as a public proclamation.
 
S

SophieT

Guest
THE PURPOSE OF WATER BAPTISM

If salvation is by grace, then it is, as Ephesians 2:8-9 says – not of works. This means that salvation from God is a gracious gift received by faith. There is nothing needed in addition to faith, in order to be saved. So, when someone teaches that anything in addition to faith is necessary to qualify someone for salvation, including water baptism, they are preaching different Gospel! (2Cor. 11:4; Galatians 1:6) This is called Baptismal Regeneration. It is the idea that it is water baptism which actually saves someone.

Paul paints a picture of water baptism in Romans 6. In this passage, he describes a believer being identified with Christ in His death by being buried into the water. Paul says that just as Jesus was killed on the Cross then buried in His tomb, when the believer is baptised they are dying to their old way of life, and putting their life of sin to death. But as Jesus was raised from the dead, the believer is raised up from the water.

BAPTISM AS A COVENANT CEREMONY

The link between sealing a covenant and the act of water baptism is made by Paul in Colossians 2. He argues against circumcision by teaching that it was the sign of the Old Covenant. He goes on to say that it is water baptism which is the sealing of the New Covenant. A common type of a covenant was where two parties joined together in an exclusive life-long partnership. They gave each other the right to each other’s property and things. They exchanged symbols of their agreement to defend each other by an exchange of branded weapons (weapons identified as belonging to the other party). They blended their names. They publically pledged their devotion to each other. And they made an incision in their flesh from which they could let their blood mingle as a symbol of their union.

When we come to Christ, we enter into a commitment to have a relationship with Him. This commitment is converted into a covenant when we are baptised. In this sense, Water Baptism is more than symbolic, and without being sacerdotal (the mediating magic of a priest), it is sacramental. A sacrament is the term given for something that is –

(i) rich in symbolism;

(ii) ties together the past, the present, and the future; and

(iii) conveys a spiritual reality from Christ.

Water Baptism is indeed rich in symbolism as described in Romans 6:1-4 (the picture of the believer identifying with Christ’s death, burial, and resurrection). It ties the past, present and future together by remembering Christ’s death (the past), celebrating the present (the new convert is being baptised now). And baptism looks to the future hope of our physical resurrection.

.
 

BillG

Senior Member
Feb 15, 2017
9,022
4,441
113
Many fail to accept that the thief was not obligated to follow God's NT mandate. He died under the Old Testament. The command to be baptized in the name of the Lord Jesus for the remission of sin began on the Day of Pentecost after the Holy Ghost was given. John introduced water baptism, and the need for it to be done in Jesus' name began after the NT officially began.

As for Cornelius and the others, Peter's statement that he would not withstand God after seeing God fill the Gentiles with the Holy Ghost speaks volumes. The record makes it apparent that Peter knew the group still had to be water baptized in Jesus' name. Neither one was optional.

Your statement that the "it shall be told thee what you must do" was for Ananias to place his hands on Saul... Is faulty. Jesus actually told Saul/Paul to go to Damascus and it shall be told thee (Saul/Paul) what YOU must do.

Acts 9:6
And he (Saul/Paul) trembling and astonished said, Lord, what wilt thou have me to do? And the Lord said unto him, Arise, and go into the city, and it shall be told thee what thou must do.


Ananias told Paul what he must do and that was "And now why tarriest thou? arise, and be baptized, and wash away thy sins, calling on the name of the Lord." Acts 22:16


So your reference that Paul received the Holy Ghost is definitely true. But you, as well as others, refuse to accept what Acts 22:16 specially states. Ananias told Paul he was to do something and that was, to be baptized and wash away thy sins calling on the name of the Lord. Therefore, per Ananias statement, Paul was not being baptized as a public proclamation.
Acts 9:17-19
17 And Ananias went his way and entered the house; and laying his hands on him he said, “Brother Saul, the Lord Jesus, who appeared to you on the road as you came, has sent me that you may receive your sight and be filled with the Holy Spirit.” 18 Immediately there fell from his eyes something like scales, and he received his sight at once; and he arose and was baptized.
19 So when he had received food, he was strengthened. Then Saul spent some days with the disciples at Damascus.

Acts 22:16
16 And now why are you waiting? Arise and be baptized, and wash away your sins, calling on the name of the Lord.’

Firstly Ananias never said in Acts 9:17-19 for remission of sins.

That is your bent "Remission if sins" that saves us.
Secondly he doesn't use remission of sins either in Acts 22:16.

So where is remission?
What is the difference for wash away your sins?
 

Ahwatukee

Senior Member
Mar 12, 2015
11,159
2,375
113
Many fail to accept that the thief was not obligated to follow God's NT mandate. He died under the Old Testament.
No He did not die under the OT! He died as one receiving Christ.

The command to be baptized in the name of the Lord Jesus for the remission of sin began on the Day of Pentecost after the Holy Ghost was given. John introduced water baptism, and the need for it to be done in Jesus' name began after the NT officially began.

As for Cornelius and the others, Peter's statement that he would not withstand God after seeing God fill the Gentiles with the Holy Ghost speaks volumes. The record makes it apparent that Peter knew the group still had to be water baptized in Jesus' name. Neither one was optional.

Your statement that the "it shall be told thee what you must do" was for Ananias to place his hands on Saul... Is faulty. Jesus actually told Saul/Paul to go to Damascus and it shall be told thee (Saul/Paul) what YOU must do.

Acts 9:6
And he (Saul/Paul) trembling and astonished said, Lord, what wilt thou have me to do? And the Lord said unto him, Arise, and go into the city, and it shall be told thee what thou must do.


Ananias told Paul what he must do and that was "And now why tarriest thou? arise, and be baptized, and wash away thy sins, calling on the name of the Lord." Acts 22:16

So your reference that Paul received the Holy Ghost is definitely true. But you, as well as others, refuse to accept what Acts 22:16 specially states. Ananias told Paul he was to do something and that was, to be baptized and wash away thy sins calling on the name of the Lord. Therefore, per Ananias statement, Paul was not being baptized as a public proclamation.
As I said, I have already given you the example of Cornelius' household who received the Holy Spirit and that before being baptized and that by pure faith. After that they were baptized. However, this is not something that the Lord would have us argue over. I believe that everyone should be baptized. However, I would not claim or teach to anyone that if they have not been baptized that they are not saved.
 

Blik

Senior Member
Dec 6, 2016
7,312
2,428
113
You're putting obedience before faith. Abraham believed before he was circumcised. There were plenty of other nations of that time who circumcised, who were not right with God.

The washing away of the sins is through faith in Christ (calling on the name of the Lord for forgiveness). The baptism is a demonstration of the immersion into Christ that has taken place. The Jews of that time also practiced baptism, but it was useless without saving faith (in Christ).
The Jews believed that through the giving of blood their sins would be forgiven. They believed this on faith, and although they didn't know it was Christ's blood, it still was the blood of Christ that gave them salvation. Scripture tells us that, scripture tells us there is no salvation without Christ, and they were promised the forgiveness of sin necessary for salvation.

This was based on the temple, and when Christ became a reality God allowed the temple to be destroyed, it was obsolete.
'
 
Feb 16, 2017
1,037
285
83
Jesus' death paid the penalty for the sin of all of mankind. Without Jesus' sacrifice there would be no way for anyone's personal sins to be washed away..

And its the BLOOD that you are talking about that "washes away sin".......not the city water supply.
 
Feb 16, 2017
1,037
285
83
It was Jesus who told Paul he would be told all that he was required to do. Surely you are not suggesting that Jesus did not tell Ananias what to tell Paul, are you?

Ananias didn't know about "justification by faith" or what Paul calls...."my Gospel", as Paul was not taught any of this by Christ, at that time.

So, as i said...."when you dont know something, you can't teach it".

ananias knew of John the Baptist's water baptism for JEWS, and that is what he did with Paul., as that is all he knew to do, at that time.

Notice that Jesus never water baptized anyone.
 
Feb 16, 2017
1,037
285
83
Everything you state does not change the fact that
Paul's sins were washed away
The only thing that deals with sin, yours, your mothers, or mine, or Paul's, is the Cross of Christ.
Did water die for your sins, ?
So....You try to replace the Cross with WATER., and that is a cursed CATHOLIC lie, as found here.
= This is you.. Galatians 1:8
 

Wansvic

Well-known member
Nov 27, 2018
5,247
1,104
113
Ananias didn't know about "justification by faith" or what Paul calls...."my Gospel", as Paul was not taught any of this by Christ, at that time.

So, as i said...."when you dont know something, you can't teach it".

ananias knew of John the Baptist's water baptism for JEWS, and that is what he did with Paul., as that is all he knew to do, at that time.

Notice that Jesus never water baptized anyone.
The baptism Paul received was not the baptism of John. It was water baptism in the name of the Lord. All water baptisms after Jesus' death, burial and resurrection were to be done that way. Through obedience a person is actually being identified with Jesus' death and burial.