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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. |
Bible Question:
Rowqdy, Can you please quote the scripture that says that I can not be saved and have eternal life if I have not been baptized. In my years in bible college I must of missed that one.... prayon |
Bible Answer: Prayon, dear friend You already know there's no such verse in the Bible. One has to study the ways of God and then study the ways of the devil. For the simplest display of that contrast, we must go back to the Garden of Eden. There God told Adam and Eve they could eat of anything in the Garden EXCEPT for the fruit from the Tree of Life and the Tree of Knowledge. In such a scenario, God assumes since He is the Creator and we are the Created that we know how to respond and indeed Adam and Eve did obey. That is, they did so until Satan entered the picture and inserted one single word and of course that was NOT. He lied and deceived Adam, and most specifically Eve in that he said they would NOT die in spite of what God said. Remember, up until that point, Adam and Eve hadn't even looked at that fruit as there was no question but simple obedience. But when Satan put doubt in their minds, that's when they looked and saw the fruit "looked good for food." Now in the same respect, we like Adam and Eve are given certain guidelines to follow to become a child of God as clearly stated in my posts. Then the devil enters the picture and "re-interprets" the Gospel message in man's mind so much so that he actually deceives himself into believing God will accept him in spite of its not being complete obedience. In this scenario, Satan puts doubt into the minds of men and we think "What's the sense of being dunked in a tub of water? How can that possibly save me from my sins?" Whole generations are brought up on this re-interpreted Gospel so that young people are motivated to follow their parents or their mentors and develop their own theology. Thus the way of man, we (all of us, me included) are inclined to want to have things go our own way, it's the way we're brought up as humans. We all want to leave our mark on the world, to show our descendents where we lived, how we lived and why we did the things we did. But in our most sober moment, i.e. on our deathbed, we begin to think "Did I do the things I did for my glory or for God's Glory? Am I actually going to be ready to meet my maker and endure the Judgment Bar of God?" No, I'm afraid I can't quote you a verse that's going to satisfy your request. I can only refer you to the facts of the previous few posts and the scriptures in support thereof. Have you ever thought about Noah and his predicament? He went through a 100 years plus of ridicule, simply obeying his God in building a huge boat, many miles from deep water. I'm sure he was probably tempted and thought "Lord, wonder if I do NOT build this boat. Won't you find another way to save me and my family?" Just a thought for you to consider. I'm sure to the whole world, other than his family, Noah's boat seemed just as silly as baptism does to you. Sorry, but I do hope you'll reconsider your position in light of ALL of what God says on this matter. He'll certainly remind you on Judgment Day. God bless you, my friend. Keep studying and praying. Rowdy |