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Your understanding of the fulfillment of John's water baptism with the spiritual baptism by Jesus.
Is also correct and the book of Acts is not a place in the scripture to develop doctrine on baptism.
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It is not surprising that the Book of Acts is so misunderstood. Churches have pretty much directed attention to the epistles at the expense of the Acts of the Apostles. The epistles do not instruct how to be born again they provide insight as to what is and is not acceptable behavior from born again believers. The problem is teaching proper behavior to people before they have even experienced the NT rebirth is putting the cart before the horse.
The book of Acts IS the place in scripture where the doctrine of water baptism is expanded upon and revealed as an essential element of the NT rebirth. Jesus prophesied concerning this,
"Thus it is written, and thus it behoved Christ to suffer, and to rise from the dead the third day: And that repentance and remission of sins should be preached in his name among all nations, beginning at Jerusalem. (Luke 24: 46-47)
What Jesus prophesied began where He said it would: The message commanding repentance and remission of sin to be preached in His name was presented to the Jews in Jerusalem on the Day of Pentecost. No one was instructed to be baptized in the name of Jesus until this time.
"Repent and be baptized EVERYONE of you in the Name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sin, and you shall receive the gift of the Holy Ghost." (Acts 2:38)
Again, as prophesied by Jesus, the same message was carried to those of other nations. (Acts 8:12-18; 10:43-48; 19:1-7) The accounts referenced confirm the same message pertains to all those living since Jesus' death, burial and resurrection. To suggest otherwise is foolish. Especially since scripture clearly states that it was upon being baptized that those who believed Peter's message were added to the church/body of Christ.
Acts 2:39-42
"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.
(
No doubt, He is still calling sinners and will do so until Jesus returns)
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.
And they continued stedfastly in the apostles' doctrine..."
The Acts of the Apostles reveal those who believe and obey God will receive what He promises; they become born again of the water and the Spirit. This is what is meant by being saved
THROUGH faith. (Eph. 2:8) One step of faith leads to another, and another. "For I am not ashamed of the gospel of Christ:
for it is the power of God unto salvation to every one that believeth; to the Jew first, and also to the Greek. For
therein is the righteousness of God revealed from faith to faith: as it is written, The just shall live by faith." Rom 1:16-17
Being born again is not the end of one's journey it is just the beginning. As one of Paul's letters instructs the born again believer is to work out their own salvation with fear and trembling. (Php 2:12) Paul also made it clear that he had to keep his flesh in submission least after preaching to others he end up being a cast away. (1 Cor. 9:27)
The Book of Acts outlines how believers receive the NT rebirth. And it pertains to all those living until Jesus returns. Every believer must have their sins washed away in obedience to God's command of water baptism in the name of Jesus, (Acts 2:38, 22:16) receive the indwelling presence of the Holy Ghost, (Acts 2:4, 8:12-18, 10:43-48, 9:17-18, Rom. 8:9) confess Jesus to others, (Rom. 10:9) and maintain their faith in Jesus enduring trials until the end of their lives or until Jesu returns. (Matt. 24:13, Mark 13:13)
