So what ?
It isn't a work of the Law, and that is what Paul wrote against.
The false prophets have usurped Paul's teachings, and added everything the Lord commanded must be done for salvation to it.
You teach salvation by works when the Bible says we are not saved by works in general. (Romans 4:2-6; 11:6; Galatians 2:16; Ephesians 2:8,9; Philippians 3:9; Titus 3:5; 2 Timothy 1:9) Works salvation is no salvation at all and all you can say is so what?
Back to sinless obedience and love for the Creator who ded to free me from sinning.
1 John 1:8 - f we
say that
we have no sin, we deceive ourselves, and the truth is not in us. Those who claim sinless perfection are suffering from a terminal case of self-righteousness.
Corrct, not the works of the Law...circumcision, dietary rules, feast keeping, sabbath keeping, priesthoods, tithing, etc.
Not the works of the Law..circumcision, dietary rules, feast keeping, sabbath keeping, priesthoods, tithing AND also includes the moral aspect of the law which involves loving God and our neighbor as ourselves (Leviticus 19:18; Deuteronomy 6:5; Matthew 22:37-40; James 2:15-16) so you cannot dissect good works from the law. God imputes righteousness apart from works (Romans 4:6) saved by grace through faith, not works (Ephesians 2:8,9) not by works of righteousness which we have done but according to His mercy He saved us (Titus 3:5) God saved us saved us and called us with a holy calling, not according to our works. (2 Timothy 1:9)
How is that blood apllied to the repentant?
By "immersion" into Christ at His death. (Rom 6:3-7, Gal 5:24)
Water baptism in the name of Jesus Christ is the means of that "imersion".
Through repentance/believing in Him/faith. (Acts 3:19; 5:31; 10:43; 15:7-9; 26:18; Romans 3:24-26 etc..)
It is a reality, and by faith, it washes away past sins when done in the name of Jesus Christ. (Acts 2:38, Acts 22:16)
It also destroyes the old man so the new creature can be raised with Christ to walk in newness of life. (Rom 6:6, Gal 5:24)
You continue to confuse the reality (Spirit baptism) with the picture of the reality (water baptism).
Acts 2:38 must be read alongside verses like (
Luke 24:47;
Acts 3:19;
5:31;
10:43-47;
11:17,
18;
13:38-39;
15:7-9;
16:31;
26:18) where
forgiveness is explicitly tied to
repentance/belief/faith and not water baptism.
In
Acts 22:16, the cleansing happens
as he calls on Christ, not by the water itself. The water is
symbolic; the appeal to Christ’s name is the saving act.
Romans 10:13 - For whoever
calls on the name of the Lord shall be saved. *Hermeneutics.
The remission of sins has three applications: 1. Literally, by the blood of Christ - Matthew 26:28 2. Experientially, by faith in Christ - Acts 26:18 3. Figuratively, by water baptism - Acts 22:16
Excellent article on
Acts 22:16 -
WHAT IS TRUTH: Acts 22:16--Baptism Essential for Salvation?
Regarding what ?
He laid hands on them so they would receive the Holy Ghost.
Why is the laying on of hands before receiving the Holy Spirit found in certain cases but not in every case of conversion?
He did so after he water baptized them in the name of Jesus Christ for the remisison of any sins committed since they wre washed of sin at their John's baptism unto repentnce.
The baptim done in the name of Jesus Christ also provide for the destuction of their old man, (with the affections and lusts), and their rebirth from God's seed.
Baptismal regeneration is a false gospel.
Via baptism in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of past sins, and into Christ, they are reborn of God. (Rom 6:3-7)
Destroyed, then raised with Christ to walk in newness of life. (Rom 6:6, 4)
Again, a symbol is not the reality but is a picture of the reality. You are trying to turn a symbol into a savior.
Amen.
Sinners have not been reborn of God's seed, as His seed cannot bring forth liars, thieves, adulterers, or murderers.
1 Peter 1:23 - having been born again, not of corruptible seed but incorruptible,
through the word of God which lives and abides forever. The word "water" is used in the Bible as an
emblem of the word of God, and in such uses it is
associated with cleansing or washing. (
John 15:3;
Ephesians 5:26) When we are born again, the Holy Spirit begets new life, and we are said to become "partakers of the divine nature." (
2 Peter 1:4) The new birth is brought to pass through "incorruptible seed, by
the word of God, which lives and abides forever" (
I Peter 1:23) and the Holy Spirit accomplishes the washing of regeneration. (
Titus 3:5)