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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. |
Subject: Baptism-What Does the Bible Teach? |
Bible Note: I'm sure I will regret saying this but.... when the people asked Peter and the apostles what must we do to be saved Acts 2:37. His reply was "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." That is fairly explicit. We in our headlong rush to overshadow any perception of “works” in the salvation process tend to ignore these initial teachings of the Apostles. What is being said here? First repent, I think all of us agree that in true salvation we must repent ‘turn away’ for our sins. I don’t think any of us believe we can live like sin itself and be really saved. So we really don’t have to much problem with the first aspect of what Peter says. To most we accept that as pretty much part of the package. Then comes Baptism, whoa you holler I’ll buy that first part but this second part requires physical activity on my part, thats works and I was saved by grace, so this can’t be right. Is that true? Many will argue yes and maybe to them it is. However Jesus told me that I loved Him I would obey His commandments. He said go make disciples. Therefore I really don’t think someone can be saved and not have a burden to make disciples. You say yes but what about the thief on the cross he was saved and he didn’t make disciples and he wasn’t baptized. That is true but he really never had the chance , however we are not on the cross and we do have a chance. Perhaps we need to be doing the things that Jesus and the apostles told us do and trust in Christ for our salvation when we aren’t able to do it. I believe you “CAN” be saved without making a disciple and without being baptized but I also believe every Christian must repent, be Baptized and be a disciple maker. You can argue with about this all day but let us look once more at the facts. Acts 2:37 37 Now when they heard this, they were cut to the heart, and said to Peter and the rest of the apostles, "Men and brethren, what shall we do?" Question asked ….. Answer given. Acts 2:38 38 Then Peter said to them, "Repent, and let every one of you be baptized in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins; and you shall receive the gift of the Holy Spirit. Slice it any way you want it seems pretty clear to me. EdB |