I do not understand how you do not get what I am saying. (I think you really do)
We are commanded to "repent and be baptized" -
We are commanded to Confess
Of course all this comes from belief.
When we obey these commands we are put IN Christ - then we receive the Holy Spirit not before or by any other means (and this does not mean we can perform miracles - not the baptism of the Holy Spirit in the sense the Bible uses that term.)
If you do not want to accept it no one can make you.
The Bible is clear.
Now if you would answer this for me.
Is water baptism the way the Jews in Acts 2 were added to the church according to Acts 2:38,47? no mention of water but the Holy Spirit does appear in those verses...hmmm...
Do we have to be added to the church? yes
Rom 8:1 implies we are must be IN Christ in order to be saved.
How do we get IN Christ? by being baptized by His holy Spirit and being given a NEW heart and New spirit and being born again by allow the living water of His love to fill our hearts and the Seed of His Word and Spirit to grow and bear fruit.
When and how exactly did Saul wash away his sins according to 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.’
yep Saul who is later called Paul was baptized with the Holy Spirit...
New King James Version (NKJV)
Acts 9
The Damascus Road: Saul Converted
1 Then Saul, still breathing threats and murder against the disciples of the Lord, went to the high priest 2 and asked letters from him to the synagogues of Damascus, so that if he found any who were of the Way, whether men or women, he might bring them bound to Jerusalem.
3 As he journeyed he came near Damascus, and suddenly a light shone around him from heaven. 4 Then he fell to the ground, and heard a voice saying to him, “Saul, Saul, why are you persecuting Me?”
5 And he said, “Who are You, Lord?”
Then the Lord said, “I am Jesus, whom you are persecuting.[a] It is hard for you to kick against the goads.”
6 So he, trembling and astonished, said, “Lord, what do You want me to do?”
Then the Lord said to him, “Arise and go into the city, and you will be told what you must do.”
7 And the men who journeyed with him stood speechless, hearing a voice but seeing no one. 8 Then Saul arose from the ground, and when his eyes were opened he saw no one. But they led him by the hand and brought him into Damascus. 9 And he was three days without sight, and neither ate nor drank.
Ananias Baptizes Saul
10 Now there was a certain disciple at Damascus named Ananias; and to him the Lord said in a vision, “Ananias.”
And he said, “Here I am, Lord.”
11 So the Lord said to him, “Arise and go to the street called Straight, and inquire at the house of Judas for one called Saul of Tarsus, for behold, he is praying. 12 And in a vision he has seen a man named Ananias coming in and putting his hand on him, so that he might receive his sight.”
13 Then Ananias answered, “Lord, I have heard from many about this man, how much harm he has done to Your saints in Jerusalem. 14 And here he has authority from the chief priests to bind all who call on Your name.”
15 But the Lord said to him, “Go, for he is a chosen vessel of Mine to bear My name before Gentiles, kings, and the children of Israel. 16 For I will show him how many things he must suffer for My name’s sake.”
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.
any mention of water? "and be filled with the Holy Spirit" seems to me to correspond with "and was baptized" kind of like "that you may receive your sight" goes with "he received his sight at once"
call me simple minded but that is how I read the text right there is baptism by the Holy Spirit....
Did Peter not understand that Baptism does not save when he stated "baptism doth also now save us" I Pet 3:21? he is referring to the baptism of the Holy Spirit which joins the body of Christ as One.
If I refuse to not to repent will I still be saved? nope
If I refuse no to confess Christ will I still be saved? nope
If I refuse to be baptized in water will I still be saved? yep, its not the water its the HOLY SPIRIT that saves and that people must be baptized with. Salvation is a work of GOD not men.
Was Acts 2:38 "repent and be baptized" a command or a suggestion? command its just baptism of the HOLY SPIRIT not of just water that is commanded.
Cronjecj feel free to answer if you want.