Prior Book | Prior Chapter | Prior Verse | Next Verse | Next Chapter | Next Book | Viewing NASB and Amplified 2015 | |
NASB | Acts 2:38 Peter said to them, "Repent, and each of you be baptized in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins; and you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit. |
AMPLIFIED 2015 | Acts 2:38 And Peter said to them, "Repent [change your old way of thinking, turn from your sinful ways, accept and follow Jesus as the Messiah] and be baptized, each of you, in the name of Jesus Christ because of the forgiveness of your sins; and you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit. |
Subject: Isn't 24 more than one? |
Bible Note: Greetings Rowdy! You wrote: "I'm only trying to be as precise as you are endeavoring to do. My whole answer in this regard is hinged on the fact nowhere in the Bible does God depict a concept of getting salvation with just simple belief without some kind of proof." Yet, you can't be precise if you don't actually listen to what these 24 verses say. :-) You also wrote: "The verses you've cited point toward that process and belief is absolutely a very necessary step in the right direction." Let's look at a couple and see if they mention anything about 'belief' being part of the process or just a first step in the right direction. Of course, one of the best places to start is Acts 16:31. Notice the context! In Acts 16:30, the jailer asks Paul, "What must I do to be saved?" Now, this is a very important question. One would think that the inspired Word of God would give a full and complete answer to this question. What was God's answer? Acts 16:31 - "They replied, 'Believe in the Lord Jesus, and you will be saved—you and your household.'" What? There is no mention of baptism being necessary for salvation? There is no mention of obeying a bunch of rules and regulations for salvation? What is going on here? The answer is stated quite plainly in response to a direct question. There is only ONE THING NECESSARY for salvation - Faith! Notice what Paul did not say! He did not say, 'Believe, be baptized, and be a good person!'. The only time baptism is mentioned is after the jailer has already believed, and thus, according to v. 30, already saved. To teach anything else is make Acts 16:31 a lie! How about another example? John 3:36 - "Whoever believes in the Son has eternal life, but whoever rejects the Son will not see life, for God’s wrath remains on him." Does this verse list any other qualification? Who has eternal life? The one who was baptized or the one who believes? Now, what about the famous, 'The devil believes' argument? First of all, one cannot take it out of context. James 2 is dealing with people 'who CLAIM to have faith' but who don't really have it. How do we know that they don't really have it? Simple, their lives do not evidence the fruit of the Spirit that Scripture clearly says will be present in the life of a real believer. James is not speaking about how to 'get saved', but about the evidence of salvation. Now, let's look at James 2:19. "You believe that there is one God. Good! Even the demons believe that—and shudder." Nowhere does this verse say that demons have 'faith' in God. It says that they believe that there IS one God. They believe in a fact. There is no mention of 'belief' in the sense of repentance or acceptance of salvation. So, I am not 'sidestepping' an important point my friend. The 'point' has no relevance to the topic. Many people 'believe' that God exists, but have never 'believed' IN HIM. Now, from the 24 verses that I posted, would you care to show me where any of them mention 'faith' being a first step? :-) Your Brother in Christ, Tim Moran |