It is also our responsibility as Chrsitians to help restore one who has fallen away.

Galatians 6:1 ASV
(1)  Brethren, even if a man be overtaken in any trespass, ye who are spiritual, restore such a one in a spirit of gentleness; looking to thyself, lest thou also be tempted.



James 5:19-20 ASV
(19)  My brethren, if any among you err from the truth, and one convert him;
(20)  let him know, that he who converteth a sinner from the error of his way shall save a soul from death, and shall cover a multitude of sins.

1 John 1:6-10 ASV
(6)  If we say that we have fellowship with him and walk in the darkness, we lie, and do not the truth:
(7)  but if we walk in the light, as he is in the light, we have fellowship one with another, and the blood of Jesus his Son cleanseth us from all sin.
(  If we say that we have no sin, we deceive ourselves, and the truth is not in us.
(9)  If we confess our sins, he is faithful and righteous to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.
(10)  If we say that we have not sinned, we make him a liar, and his word is not in us.


We must remember that we are to "walk in the light"  It is not enough to say "I believe"  and then be done with it.  We must continue to walk in the light.  When we do stumble and sin, as all have and do, we need to repent and ask for forgivenness as noted above in verse 9.  We must be obedient! 

1 John 2:1-5 ASV
(1)  My little children, these things write I unto you that ye may not sin. And if any man sin, we have an Advocate with the Father, Jesus Christ the righteous:
(2)  and he is the propitiation for our sins; and not for ours only, but also for the whole world.
(3)  And hereby we know that we know him, if we keep his commandments.
(4)  He that saith, I know him, and keepeth not his commandments, is a liar, and the truth is not in him;
(5)  but whoso keepeth his word, in him verily hath the love of God been perfected. Hereby we know that we are in him:

[Ephesians 4:11 ASV]

I do disagree with some churches use of the term "pastor" in reference to their preacher.

There are 3 verses in the NT that include the word "pastor"(in various forms).  These are
Ephesians 4:11 ASV
(11)  And he gave some to be apostles; and some, prophets; and some, evangelists; and some, pastors and teachers;
Acts 20:28 ASV
(28)  Take heed unto yourselves, and to all the flock, in which the Holy Spirit hath made you bishops, to feed the church of the Lord which he purchased with his own blood.
1 Peter 5:1-2 ASV
(1)  The elders among you I exhort, who am a fellow-elder, and a witness of the sufferings of Christ, who am also a partaker of the glory that shall be revealed:
(2)  Tend the flock of God which is among you, exercising the oversight, not of constraint, but willingly, according to the will of God; nor yet for filthy lucre, but of a ready mind;

IN Ephesians 4, Paul is discussing the various roles that Christ placed in the church.  "Pastors and teachers" are to serve in the church.  This identifies a single group. Pastors, or shephards, as they care for the flock, are also to teach.

In Acts 20, Paul refers here to pastors. This time he uses the verb form of the word. It is translated "to feed" in the ASV or "to care for" in the ESV. Pastors feed, tend and protect the church.  Whatever a shepherd would do for his flock, likewise the pastors are to do for the church.  The church here is referred to as a "flock"

In 1 Peter 5, Paul encourages them to "tend the flock of God..."   The word "tend" is again the Greek poimaino that means to "act as a shepherd"

Paul refers to those who are to "take heed...to all the flock"  in Acts 20, as "bishops" or "overseers".  Peter in 1 Pet 5, tells those to "act like shepherds" as they "oversee the flock of God". The term hereused for these is "elders". These 2(bishop and elder) are also used interchangebly in Titus 1:5-6.

These 3 terms elder, bishop, pastor, are used to refer to the same service in the church.  They describe a man who is older and an experienced Christian(elder), a decision maker, manager of church affairs and leader(bishop)  and one who watches over the spiritual needs of the flock(pastor).

When we look at other scriptures we know that bishops/pastors/elders, must meet scriptural qualifications. (1 Timothy 3:1-7; Titus 1:5-9)  They serve in a plurality over a congregation.

If we consider these scriptures carefully we can note that all pastors are ministers or servants. But not all ministers are pastors. 
There are examples of preachers being pastors/elders. Peter was a preacher and an elder.  (1 Pet. 5:1)  Paul likewise noted that there may be elders who "labor in the word and in teaching" (1 Tim 5:17)  But there are cases where preachers serve in congregations in conjunction with pastors/elders such as Timothy and Titus. 

I believe the NT shows that there are to be a plurality of elders/pastors serving over a single, autonomous congregation.

 

a. Every local church has only one commander. There’s no such thing as plurality of elders.

Titus 1:5 ASV
(5)  For this cause left I thee in Crete, that thou shouldest set in order the things that were wanting, and appoint elders in every city, as I gave thee charge;

Acts 11:30 KJVR
(30)  Which also they did, and sent it to the elders by the hands of Barnabas and Saul.

Acts 14:23 ASV
(23)  And when they had appointed for them elders in every church, and had prayed with fasting, they commended them to the Lord, on whom they had believed.

1 Timothy 5:17 ASV
(17)  Let the elders that rule well be counted worthy of double honor, especially those who labor in the word and in teaching.


 These verses, plus others, all show a plurality of elders in each congregation. 

to Satisfied mind:

It seems that I owe you an appology if you feel that I have decided to "pick and choose" verses to fit my
personal opinions! Please investigate into some of my others posts, and you will quickly see that this is not
at all what I portray!

I chose Rom 10:13 specifically because of the verses that preceed . Rom 10:9-10 to be more precise.
I most strongly advocate repentance, submission to the spirit, verbally calling upon the mighty name of
Jesus, and all the other points you brought into question!

The dificulty is that we can not , due to time and space, completely present our full doctine each time a point
is being made. I was simply attempting to address the question, not present a disortation of faith!

respectfully yours in Yeshua ha machiach:

Rev. Joseph E. Barnhouse Sr.  (ravenloche)

Apology accepted, although not needed!     I know it is hard(for me anyway) to adequetly express myself and what I believe the Bible teaches in a way that is thorough, but not condecesing, judgemental or mean spirited via these message boards.  I guess sometimes I try to condense somethings and, then leave something out and it may come across to you or others the same way as picking and choosing.  I do enjoy these discussions! 

One thing I do not understand about JW's is that they believe that only 144,000 are going to heaven, based on a literal reading of Revelation 7 and 14 which obviously employs figurative language here.  But besides that, if only 144,000 are in heaven then why are they trying so hard to convert people to their faith?  I would imagine that of all the people that have died throughout history, over 144,000 would be in Heaven therefore their "witnessing" is in vain.  How can people fall prey to such nonsense that clearly contradicts what the scriptures say?

[So Saul died for his trespass which he committed against Jehovah]

Remember what happened to King Saul?

1 Samuel 28:8-10 ASV
(  And Saul disguised himself, and put on other raiment, and went, he and two men with him, and they came to the woman by night: and he said, Divine unto me, I pray thee, by the familiar spirit, and bring me up whomsoever I shall name unto thee.
(9)  And the woman said unto him, Behold, thou knowest what Saul hath done, how he hath cut off those that have familiar spirits, and the wizards, out of the land: wherefore then layest thou a snare for my life, to cause me to die?
(10)  And Saul sware to her by Jehovah, saying, As Jehovah liveth, there shall no punishment happen to thee for this thing.

1 Chronicles 10:13 ASV
(13)  So Saul died for his trespass which he committed against Jehovah, because of the word of Jehovah, which he kept not; and also for that he asked counsel of one that had a familiar spirit, to inquire thereby,


Leviticus 19:31 ASV
(31)  Turn ye not unto them that have familiar spirits, nor unto the wizards; seek them not out, to be defiled by them: I am Jehovah your God.

Leviticus 20:6 ASV
(6)  And the soul that turneth unto them that have familiar spirits, and unto the wizards, to play the harlot after them, I will even set my face against that soul, and will cut him off from among his people.

[Be thou faithful unto death, and I will give thee the crown of life.]

So...once baptized allways saved???

If we are faithful.

Revelation 2:10 ASV
(10)  Fear not the things which thou art about to suffer: behold, the devil is about to cast some of you into prison, that ye may be tried; and ye shall have tribulation ten days. Be thou faithful unto death, and I will give thee the crown of life.

1 John 1:7 ASV
(7)  but if we walk in the light, as he is in the light, we have fellowship one with another, and the blood of Jesus his Son cleanseth us from all sin.

1 John 1:9 ASV
(9)  If we confess our sins, he is faithful and righteous to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.

1 John 2:1-3 ASV
(1)  My little children, these things write I unto you that ye may not sin. And if any man sin, we have an Advocate with the Father, Jesus Christ the righteous:
(2)  and he is the propitiation for our sins; and not for ours only, but also for the whole world.
(3)  And hereby we know that we know him, if we keep his commandments.

That's because you are keeping your eyes closed. John was not talking to just the Apostles in these verses. Again you need to read and study the Bible.


Luk 3:16  John answered, saying unto them all, I indeed baptize you with water; but one mightier than I cometh, the latchet of whose shoes I am not worthy to unloose: he shall baptize you with the Holy Ghost and with fire:
Luk 3:17  Whose fan is in his hand, and he will throughly purge his floor, and will gather the wheat into his garner; but the chaff he will burn with fire unquenchable.

This is not talking of baptism in water as it quite plainly says "not the putting away of the filth of the flesh".

1Pe 3:21  The like figure whereunto even baptism doth also now save us (not the putting away of the filth of the flesh, but the answer of a good conscience toward God,) by the resurrection of Jesus Christ:

And the following verses again are not in regards to the Apostles.

Rom 5:5  And hope maketh not ashamed; because the love of God is shed abroad in our hearts by the Holy Ghost which is given unto us.


1Co 6:19  What? know ye not that your body is the temple of the Holy Ghost which is in you, which ye have of God, and ye are not your own?

In regards to 1 Peter 3:21, you need to go back to the preceding verse to get the full context. 

1 Peter 3:20-22 ASV
(20)  that aforetime were disobedient, when the longsuffering of God waited in the days of Noah, while the ark was a preparing, wherein few, that is, eight souls, were saved through water:
(21)  which also after a true likeness doth now save you, even baptism, not the putting away of the filth of the flesh, but the interrogation of a good conscience toward God, through the resurrection of Jesus Christ;
(22)  who is on the right hand of God, having gone into heaven; angels and authorities and powers being made subject unto him.

Noah was saved through water as we are saved through baptism as we are buried with him and resurrected to wealk in a newness of life.

from Coffman's commentary on it.

It was the water of the flood which washed away the filth of that evil generation; and it is the water of Christian baptism that, in a figure, washes away the sins of Christians (Acts 22:16). There is a variation in the figure here, which Peter pointed out; namely, that, whereas it was actual filth that was washed away by the flood, it is moral and spiritual filth which are washed away in baptism. The former affected the flesh and not the conscience; the latter affected the conscience but not the flesh.

That's because you are keeping your eyes closed. John was not talking to just the Apostles in these verses. Again you need to read and study the Bible.


Luk 3:16  John answered, saying unto them all, I indeed baptize you with water; but one mightier than I cometh, the latchet of whose shoes I am not worthy to unloose: he shall baptize you with the Holy Ghost and with fire:
Luk 3:17  Whose fan is in his hand, and he will throughly purge his floor, and will gather the wheat into his garner; but the chaff he will burn with fire unquenchable.

This is not talking of baptism in water as it quite plainly says "not the putting away of the filth of the flesh".

1Pe 3:21  The like figure whereunto even baptism doth also now save us (not the putting away of the filth of the flesh, but the answer of a good conscience toward God,) by the resurrection of Jesus Christ:

And the following verses again are not in regards to the Apostles.

Rom 5:5  And hope maketh not ashamed; because the love of God is shed abroad in our hearts by the Holy Ghost which is given unto us.


1Co 6:19  What? know ye not that your body is the temple of the Holy Ghost which is in you, which ye have of God, and ye are not your own?

Yes we receive an indwelling of the Holy Spirit when we are saved, but we are not baptized with the Holy Spirit

[does not involve water, dunking, sprinkling, etc., yet there is no Salvation without the Baptism with the Holy Spirit. The Apostle Paul was given the revelations of the CROSS and all that the CROSS meant by GOD. The Apostle Paul bluntly teaches there is only one Baptism and God did not send him to Baptize with water. The Baptism you are talking about is by men with water, and the Baptism that the Apostle Paul talked about was done by THE HOLY SPIRIT OF GOD.]

Hello 1Tim and Satisfied Mind,

I'm going to give you just one thought, and maybe the two of you can argue this out. I'll be interested to see how you wish to handle this Bible fact.

1 - Baptism with the Holy Spirit does not involve water, dunking, sprinkling, etc., yet there is no Salvation without the Baptism with the Holy Spirit. The Apostle Paul was given the revelations of the CROSS and all that the CROSS meant by GOD. The Apostle Paul bluntly teaches there is only one Baptism and God did not send him to Baptize with water. The Baptism you are talking about is by men with water, and the Baptism that the Apostle Paul talked about was done by THE HOLY SPIRIT OF GOD.

Now, here is the question that you can argue about. If the Apostle Paul was telling the truth and there is only ONE BAPTISM, which one would you choose and why:  1) Baptism by men with water; 2) Baptism by the HOLY SPIRIT OF GOD without water? I'll give you a hint to help you get started. The Bible makes it abundantly clear that no man was ever saved by works, by obeying the Law, or being Baptized with water. In fact, there have been hosts of people down through the ages who were Baptized with water and were never saved. This should give you a lively discussion that I hope you enjoy.

Love In Christ,
Tom

Ephesians 4:1 NASB  Therefore I, the prisoner of the Lord, implore you to walk in a manner worthy of the calling with which you have been called,
Ephesians 4:2 NASB  with all humility and gentleness, with patience, showing tolerance for one another in love,
Ephesians 4:3 NASB  being diligent to preserve the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace.
Ephesians 4:4 NASB  There is one body and one Spirit, just as also you were called in one hope of your calling;
Ephesians 4:5 NASB  one Lord, one faith, one baptism,
Ephesians 4:6 NASB  one God and Father of all who is over all and through all and in all.

I do not find where one saved by the baptism of the Holy Spirit. 

The scriptures tell us that the Baptism of the Holy Spirit was promised to the Apostles only

John 14:26(spoken right before the crucifixion)
John 15:26(spoken before crucifixion)
John 16:7, 13(spoken before crucifixion)]
Luke 24:49(after crucifixion, before ascension)
Acts 1:5-8(after crucifixion, before ascension)

It is not promised to anyone else in the Bible

The context of Acts 1:26 ; 2:1-4 ; and 2:6-8 ; 2:14; 2:37 shows only Apostles received

The purpose of it was to guide the Apostles into all Truth (John 14:26)

To confirm the Apostles and the message as being from God(Heb. 2:3-4)

To facilitate the spread of the Gospel(Acts 2:9-11)

If people today received it there would be the same results today as then.
There would be doctrinal unity(Eph. 4:4-6)
If so, what would be the purpose?   We have the Bible.  What would it accomplish or prove, that the proper use of scriptures accomplish and prove?

So to answer your question I believe there is only one baptism.  Immersion, in water, for the remission of sins.

I have seen no one in the Bible who was baptized into Christ, that was not saved.  Those that were baptized by John obviously were not baptized into Christ, as he had not died yet.

Also, Jesus Christ himself says in Mark
Mark 16:16 ASV
(16)  He that believeth and is baptized shall be saved; but he that disbelieveth shall be condemned.

IMO...

The Acts 22 reference should be read as, "...wash your sins away calling on His name".  The prepositional phrase "by calling on His name" modifies the action "wash".  Being baptized is a seperate thought and action, prompted by the faith allready present, wich compells the believer from inside to obey.  It is not our behavior of obediance that demonstrates faith, but the compelling force within that does.  Since we are no longer under law, we are not bound to obey, but as believers we are compelled to.  Same behavior, different reasons for it.

I think you have added a word "by"  that is not there.  I totally agree that getting baptized is prompted by the faith already present.  But it is all of the things combined,  belief, repentance, confession, and being baptized that cements that faith and obedience to the Lord. 

[Blotting out the handwriting of ordinances that was against us, which was contrary to us, and took it out of the way, nailing it to his cross;]

Galatians 3:22-25 ASV
(22)  But the scriptures shut up all things under sin, that the promise by faith in Jesus Christ might be given to them that believe.
(23)  But before faith came, we were kept in ward under the law, shut up unto the faith which should afterwards be revealed.
(24)  So that the law is become our tutor to bring us unto Christ, that we might be justified by faith.
(25)  But now that faith is come, we are no longer under a tutor.


The law was not perfect. It was to help guide people to the more perfect sacrifice.  It as the verses note above a "tutor" If the law were perfect we would not have needed a Saviour.

Hebrews 7:11 KJVR
(11)  If therefore perfection were by the Levitical priesthood, (for under it the people received the law,) what further need was there that another priest should rise after the order of Melchizedek, and not be called after the order of Aaron?

Hebrews 7:22-24 KJVR
(22)  By so much was Jesus made a surety of a better testament.
(23)  And they truly were many priests, because they were not suffered to continue by reason of death:
(24)  But this man, because he continueth ever, hath an unchangeable priesthood.

The Old Law was written for our learning.

Romans 15:4 KJVR
(4)  For whatsoever things were written aforetime were written for our learning, that we through patience and comfort of the Scriptures might have hope.

Jesus took the Old Law and nailed it to the cross

Colossians 2:12-14 KJVR
(12)  Buried with him in baptism, wherein also ye are risen with him through the faith of the operation of God, who hath raised him from the dead.
(13)  And you, being dead in your sins and the uncircumcision of your flesh, hath he quickened together with him, having forgiven you all trespasses;
(14)  Blotting out the handwriting of ordinances that was against us, which was contrary to us, and took it out of the way, nailing it to his cross;

Yes the Old Law is instructional and we can glean much good from it, but it is definitly not what we rest our hope on! We rest our hope in Jesus

Ephesians 2:12-16 KJVR
(12)  That at that time ye were without Christ, being aliens from the commonwealth of Israel, and strangers from the covenants of promise, having no hope, and without God in the world:
(13)  But now in Christ Jesus ye who sometimes were far off are made nigh by the blood of Christ.
(14)  For he is our peace, who hath made both one, and hath broken down the middle wall of partition between us;
(15)  Having abolished in his flesh the enmity, even the law of commandments contained in ordinances; for to make in himself of twain one new man, so making peace;
(16)  And that he might reconcile both unto God in one body by the cross, having slain the enmity thereby:

Although it was not called baptism it was still there in the Old Testament. and again in the New Testament before Jesus died on the cross:

Exo 30:20  When they go into the tabernacle of the congregation, they shall wash with water, that they die not; or when they come near to the altar to minister, to burn offering made by fire unto the LORD:

Exo 40:12  And thou shalt bring Aaron and his sons unto the door of the tabernacle of the congregation, and wash them with water.

Exo 40:30  And he set the laver between the tent of the congregation and the altar, and put water there, to wash withal.


Mar 1:4  John did baptize in the wilderness, and preach the baptism of repentance for the remission of sins.


Joh 1:33  And I knew him not: but he that sent me to baptize with water, the same said unto me, Upon whom thou shalt see the Spirit descending, and remaining on him, the same is he which baptizeth with the Holy Ghost.


Mar 1:5  And there went out unto him all the land of Judaea, and they of Jerusalem, and were all baptized of him in the river of Jordan, confessing their sins.


Mar 1:9  And it came to pass in those days, that Jesus came from Nazareth of Galilee, and was baptized of John in Jordan.

Satisfied MInd, I strongly suggest that you go back to your Bible and stucy it instead of listening to the doctrines of men. Baptism is not a requirement of salvation. As I pointed out above Salvation occurs prior to any such works. Works are not a requirement of salvation but the fruits of salvation. Those that are truly saved will desire to do good works because of their love of God, following what God has told them to do.


People who insist on baptism as a part of salvation usually quote Acts 2:38, "Repent, and let every one of you be baptized in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins." They say that if we are not "baptized . . . for the remission of sins" we cannot be forgiven.

Notice the key word repent. The basic condition is for us to agree with God that our sin is a violation of His moral law and to turn in faith to Jesus Christ. In addition, the preposition for [eis] in the phrase "for the remission of sins" does not mean "in order to [be forgiven]." Its basic meaning is "with a view toward" or "in relation to." When Jesus said the people of Nineveh "repented at [eis] the preaching of Jonah" (Lk. 11:32), He was saying they repented "with a view toward" or "in connection with" Jonah's message.

In Acts 2, therefore, Peter was telling the men of Jerusalem to repent and let themselves be baptized "with a view toward" the remission of sins. Their baptism was to be an evidence of their repentance and forgiveness, not a condition for it.

In addition, the following factors show that water baptism is not essential to salvation:

    * Abraham was forgiven before he was circumcised, apart from any rite or ceremony (Rom. 4:9-10).
    * Jesus declared people forgiven before they were baptized (Mt. 9:1-7; Lk. 7:36-50; 18:9-14; 19:1-9; Jn. 8:1-12).
    * Cornelius and his family received the Holy Spirit before baptism (Acts 10:44-48).
    * The Bible shows that forgiveness and salvation are received by faith (Jn. 3:16; Rom. 5:1; 10:1-13; Eph. 2:10).

In the light of these factors, baptism should be seen as an outward act by which we publicly identify with Christ and His church. It is not a requirement for salvation.

Good Works. "But what about works?" some people ask. "Wouldn't it be unfair for God to forgive on the basis of faith alone? Didn't James say that faith without works is dead?"

Without a doubt, good works are important to every Christian. The Bible calls for good works. But good deeds are not a condition for receiving forgiveness (see Rom. 3:27-28).

Ephesians 2:8-10 shows that rather than being a condition for forgiveness, good works are the fruit and evidence of a forgiven life. Those who are saved through faith become God's "workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works" (v.10).

But what about James' statement that "faith without works is dead"? James was saying that genuine faith produces good works. Christlike actions allow us to be justified, or declared right, in the eyes of those around us. It is the way we prove the reality of our faith (Jas. 2:14-26). Our good deeds are not a part of the basis of our forgiveness but a natural result of it.

To summarize: The wonderful message of the Bible is that forgiveness comes through faith alone. It is not faith plus repentance, faith plus baptism, faith plus good works, or faith plus anything!

I agree we must have faith!  For without faith it is impossible to please him(Heb 11:6)  But what kind of Faith?  An obedient one!  (Matt 7:20) How are we obedient?  By following his commands. If we love him we will keep his commandments.(John 14:15)  What are his commandments?  Believe(Mark 16:16)  Repentance(Acts 2:38)  Confessing his name(Romans 10:9-10) and being baptized(Mark 16:16; Acts 2:38) 

It is the blood of Christ that washes away are sins. I think we all agree on that.  How do we contact that blood?  Through baptism.  We are baptized into his death.  How can one arise and walk in newness of life unless they have been baptized?  We are buried with Christ in baptism.

Romans 6:1-16 ASV
(1)  What shall we say then? Shall we continue in sin, that grace may abound?
(2)  God forbid. We who died to sin, how shall we any longer live therein?
(3)  Or are ye ignorant that all we who were baptized into Christ Jesus were baptized into his death?
(4)  We were buried therefore with him through baptism unto death: that like as Christ was raised from the dead through the glory of the Father, so we also might walk in newness of life.
(5)  For if we have become united with him in the likeness of his death, we shall be also in the likeness of his resurrection;
(6)  knowing this, that our old man was crucified with him, that the body of sin might be done away, that so we should no longer be in bondage to sin;
(7)  for he that hath died is justified from sin.
(  But if we died with Christ, we believe that we shall also live with him;
(9)  knowing that Christ being raised from the dead dieth no more; death no more hath dominion over him.
(10)  For the death that he died, he died unto sin once: but the life that he liveth, he liveth unto God.
(11)  Even so reckon ye also yourselves to be dead unto sin, but alive unto God in Christ Jesus.
(12)  Let not sin therefore reign in your mortal body, that ye should obey the lusts thereof:
(13)  neither present your members unto sin as instruments of unrighteousness; but present yourselves unto God, as alive from the dead, and your members as instruments of righteousness unto God.
(14)  For sin shall not have dominion over you: for ye are not under law, but under grace.
(15)  What then? shall we sin, because we are not under law, but under grace? God forbid.
(16)  Know ye not, that to whom ye present yourselves as servants unto obedience, his servants ye are whom ye obey; whether of sin unto death, or of obedience unto righteousness?

It is not the act of baptism that saves us.  Just being "dunked" is not all there is.  It is an act of obedient faith. We must also repent of our sins. If we do not repent, we are just getting wet.  It is total submission to Christ as our Saviour. If all it took was faith, why then was Saul of Tarsus not saved on the road to Damascus?  The Lord himself told him to go into the city and he would be told what to do.(Acts 9:5-6)  He was told by Annanias to arise and be baptized and wash away thy sins calling on the name of the Lord (Acts 22:16) 

We must live as faithful Christians after being saved.(Revelation 2:10) 

I hope I have made my point a little clearer to you all.  Thanks for the discussion!  I hope I do not appear to be harsh or judgemental in any way, as I do not believe any of you have done so either.  Hopefully we can continue further discussion!

Act 10:47  Can any man forbid water, that these should not be baptized, which have received the Holy Ghost as well as we?

These individuals were saved and received the Holy Ghost before baptism in water.

As Peter began to detail the  points of the gospel to Cornelius, the supernatural power of the Holy Spirit was poured out upon this Gentile and his household. This was powerful evidence of the fact that God wanted all men to be partakers of Heaven’s blessings.

Peter therefore asked: “Can any man forbid water that these should not be immersed?” Not a solitary objection was raised. And so the Gentile centurion was commanded to be baptized (Acts 10:44-48).

It is very important to understand that the “baptism of the Holy Spirit,” as that phenomenon was initiated both in Acts 2 and 10, was not a condition for anyone’s personal salvation. It was a miraculous authentication of divinely orchestrated events – unique to those occasions. It is thus not being implemented today as a means to any person’s conversion.