Baptism

The command is specific. As such, the reference to household members could only mean those able to make a conscience decision to hear, believe and obey the command.

The account specifies that the Holy Ghost is what was being received when Paul laid hands on them.

Consider Paul's initial objective was to ascertain if the guys had experienced receiving the Holy Ghost yet. And the account concludes with him actually assisting in their receiving the Holy Ghost. Their speaking in tongues was the evidence that they had been indwelt.

The Apostle Peter explained it was the Holy Ghost being given on the Day of Pentecost.

Acts 2:2-4
And they were all filled with the Holy Ghost, and began to speak with other tongues, as the Spirit gave them utterance.

"This Jesus hath God raised up, whereof we all are witnesses. Therefore being by the right hand of God exalted, and having received of the Father the promise of the Holy Ghost, he hath shed forth this, which ye now see and hear." (Acts 2:33)


Acts 19:2
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 19:6
And when Paul had laid his hands upon them, the Holy Ghost came on them; and they spake with tongues, and prophesied.

Note Peter's message in Acts 2:38-39, it indicates that those who repent and submit to water baptism shall receive the gift of the Holy Ghost. It does not specifically state receiving the Holy Ghost will occur at that exact moment. However, it is a promise that it will occur.

This truth comes to light upon study of all detailed conversion accounts. In each case the promise comes to fruition, yes. But in the timing and ways that fulfill the purposes of God. I'll be happy to share how I've come to this conclusion. But for now please take a look at the scriptures that confirm what is stated in Acts 2:38-39. And, I might add according to the Bible, the truth will always be seen in at least 2-3 scriptures. (Matt. 18:16, 2 Cor. 13:1) Something that is very revealing is all of the accounts actually show the experiences occurring separate from one another.

In the case of the Samaritans, the individuals believe the gospel message and submit to water baptism in the name of Jesus. They do not receive the Holy Ghost right away. However, as promised, days later Peter and John assist them in receiving the Holy Ghost.

The Gentiles believe Peter's message about Jesus and receive the Holy Ghost right away. (Acts 15:8) Afterward they are commanded to be baptized in water in the name of Jesus.

The 12 Ephesians believe Paul's message and submit to water baptism in the name of Jesus. After obedience to that command Paul lays hands on them and they receive the Holy Ghost.



The following is in response to your comment about the name. Actually I've been referencing water baptism scriptures a lot. The emphasis on the name is seen in every detailed account where people are being baptized:
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 8:16
(For as yet he was fallen upon none of them: only they were baptized in the name of the Lord Jesus.)


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

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

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

1 Corinthians 6:11
And such were some of you: but ye are washed, but ye are sanctified, but ye are justified in the name of the Lord Jesus, AND by the Spirit of our God.

Colossians 3:17
17 And whatsoever ye do in word or deed, do all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God and the Father by him.

Oneness interpretation??? Pointing to things outside of scripture in an effort to prove or disprove what scripture clearly reveals is futile. Interpretation plays no part in this instance. There is no contradiction between Jesus' words in Matthew 28:19, and the actions of His apostles; they are in total agreement. Jesus gave the command and the apostles obeyed Him.

Faith coming by hearing, and hearing by the Word of God.

We don't have any indication that they weren't. Most households include children.

Many churches refuse to accept as valid a baptism that wasn't upon a profession of faith and/or with immersion. That's my beef.

You're reading something into the text that isn't there.

Simply because God has a usual manner in performing salvation doesn't mean He is limited to it.

Interpretation always plays a part.

The following is in response to your statement concerning, "Quibbling over the right words" This is unfortunately the problem. People don't realize the significance of obeying the command to use the name of Jesus. It matters because it was Jesus who in the flesh was crucified, died, and buried for all humanity.

Consider Paul's words:
"Know ye not, that so many of us as were baptized into Jesus Christ were baptized into his death?...
Therefore we are buried with him by baptism into death:" Rom 6:3-4

Or what about Paul's words of profound significance concerning the name:
"Is Christ divided? was Paul crucified for you? or were ye baptized in the name of Paul?" 1 Cor 1:13

Partial obedience is not enough, in fact it's disobedience. (1 Sam. 15)

The text couldn't be clearer. The individuals had to make a conscience decision to repent and be baptized. This is not something infants are capable of doing.

"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?
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.

For the promise is unto you, and to your children, and to all that are afar off, even as many as the Lord our God shall call.
And with many other words did he testify and exhort, saying, Save yourselves from this untoward generation.

Then they that gladly received his word were baptized: and the same day there were added unto them about three thousand souls." Acts 2:37-41

Sadly that is why so many denominations exist in the world. Rather than accept and pursue what God has established in His word people preach only those things they are willing to accept.

According to Jesus everyone is going to be judged by the word. (John 12:48) God doesn't change. His word is forever settled. Man is the one that must believe and obey it.

I disagree.

I'm not talking about going outside God's word. That's what you are actually doing by reading more into scripture than is there.

Was John the Baptist saved in the womb?

“Verily I say unto you, Among them that are born of women there hath not risen a greater than John the Baptist: notwithstanding he that is least in the kingdom of heaven is greater than he. ( he wasn’t born again yet but keep reading about John )


And from the days of John the Baptist until now the kingdom of heaven suffereth violence, and the violent take it by force. For all the prophets and the law prophesied until John.

And if ye will receive it, this is Elijah , which was for to come. He that hath ears to hear, let him hear.”
‭‭Matthew‬ ‭11:11-15‬ ‭KJV‬‬

“And his disciples asked him, saying, Why then say the scribes that Elijah must first come?

And Jesus answered and said unto them, Elijah truly shall first come, and restore all things. But I say unto you, That Elijah is come already, and they knew him not, but have done unto him whatsoever they listed. ( he was beheaded for his witness of Christ )

Likewise shall also the Son of man suffer of them. Then the disciples understood that he spake unto them of John the Baptist.”
‭‭Matthew‬ ‭17:10-13‬ ‭KJV‬‬

And so John the Baptist / Elijah would be in this group

“And I saw thrones, and they sat upon them, and judgment was given unto them: and I saw the souls of them that were beheaded for the witness of Jesus, and for the word of God, and which had not worshipped the beast, neither his image, neither had received his mark upon their foreheads, or in their hands; and they lived and reigned with Christ a thousand years. But the rest of the dead lived not again until the thousand years were finished. This is the first resurrection.”
‭‭Revelation‬ ‭20:4-5‬ ‭KJV‬‬

John the Baptist died prior to the institution of the New Testament.

Those living in the NT are commanded to believe in Jesus, repent, be water baptized in the name of Jesus and receive the gift of the Holy Ghost. These elements bring about the spiritual rebirth Jesus spoke of as necessary in order to SEE and ENTER into the kingdom of God.

Salvation hasn't changed.
Genesis 4...men began to call upon the name of the Lord.
Genesis 6...Noah found grace in the sight of the Lord.
Genesis 12...Abraham believed God when God spoke...faith.
The NT made things more clear, but the truth concerning salvation hasn't changed. In the OT they anticipated a Messiah. Today we look back upon Him.

Indeed belief often is hindered by trying to interpret what’s plain o to something it isn’t it causes us to fail to believe what’s plain

This is plain

The doctrine of baptism for repentance and remission of sins is esrablisked in the beginning of the gospel

“John did baptize in the wilderness, and preach the baptism of repentance for the remission of sins. And there went out unto him all the land of Judæa, and they of Jerusalem, and were all baptized of him in the river of Jordan, confessing their sins.”
‭‭Mark‬ ‭1:4-5‬ ‭KJV‬‬

now when JESUS is baptized something different happens

“And it came to pass in those days, that Jesus came from Nazareth of Galilee, and was baptized of John in Jordan. And straightway coming up out of the water, he saw the heavens opened, and the Spirit like a dove descending upon him:

and there came a voice from heaven, saying, Thou art my beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased.”
‭‭Mark‬ ‭1:9-11‬ ‭KJV‬‬

Now after Jesus rose up and ascended to he’s en and gave his spirit as he promised to believers

“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.

For the promise is unto you, and to your children, and to all that are afar off, even as many as the Lord our God shall call.”
‭‭Acts‬ ‭2:38-39‬ ‭KJV‬‬

ashen we’re baptized in Jesus name for remission of sins when we come out of the water God is well pleased with us because our sins are washed away ( remitted ) and like Jesus baptism were promised his spirit the spirit of the son in whose name we are baptized

baotism is the simplest doctrine available but then we start interpreting the simplicity away we ask “ does anyone need baptism since were saved by grace ? Why do I need to get wet ? Baptism must be a secret doctrine I need to interpret it right it can’t just mean what God said it means …
when we’re done we have no clue what anything means because we’re looking for a complex equation but God made it plain in the gospel then just said believe what you hear

He didn't die prior to the Abrahamic covenant...God will provide Himself a Lamb.

John sure understood this...Behold, the Lamb of God which taketh away the sin of the world.

Also, see post #118.