Acts 2:38 Baptism in Jesus Name

[ibTina]

Brothers and Sisters,

I have read this thread and reflected on many things that are completely true and beautiful.

1 - The CROSS is the most precious event in human history, and many things changed. It's interesting that JESUS CHRIST did not reveal everything that his crucifixion would result in. In fact, JESUS revealed very little. JESUS CHRIST was made manifest in the flesh, Very GOD, and he was born, lived, and died under the Mosaic Law. In more ways than one, JESUS CHRIST conquered the curse of sin and death on the CROSS, and HE completed the work of Salvation most perfectly. The work of JESUS CHRIST was and is so perfect that there is NOTHING that man can add or take away from it. When JESUS CHRIST said "It is finished" on the CROSS, it was FINISHED and is the ONLY perfect Sacrifice for our sins.

2 - Our Salvation today depends on our belief in JESUS CHRIST, who HE was and is, and what HE did for us on the CROSS in our place. Our faith and trust in JESUS CHRIST is the only way for Salvation. Our Salvation in all REALITY is FAITH ALONE IN JESUS CHRIST ALONE! HE did arise from the dead on the third day and is our LIVING Lord and Saviour. Everything about SALVATION IS ALIVE FOR ETERNITY! GOD the FATHER is real and alive, GOD the SON is real and alive, GOD the HOLY SPIRIT is real and alive - YET, the THREE are ONE!

3 - At the very moment that we accept JESUS CHRIST as LORD and SAVIOUR, many beautiful things happen immediately and many other Promises of GOD are put into effect that are absolute and will be accomplished at HIS appointed time. Immediately at the moment of Salvation:

• We are TRANSLATED into the BODY OF CHRIST and become a purchased possession of JESUS CHRIST forever!
• We are Baptized by the HOLY SPIRIT OF GOD, the HOLY SPIRIT enters our hearts and stays for eternity, our hearts are SEALED WITH THE HOLY SPIRIT OF GOD as a pledge of eternal life and the many other Promises of GOD. NO power in the universe can break the SEAL WITH THE HOLY SPIRIT OF GOD. Please note "WITH" not "BY". "BY" may indicate that the HOLY SPIRIT OF GOD SEALS the heart of the new believer and leaves. "WITH" is the absolute REALITY that the HOLY SPIRIT OF GOD is the SEAL and HE stays in the heart of the new believer, actually making the heart of the believer as a TEMPLE OF THE LIVING GOD for HIS abode forever. In the absence of the HOLY SPIRIT, the person is not saved and JESUS CHRIST does NOT know that person.
• The sins of the new believer are washed away as if they had never happened. The BLOOD of JESUS CHRIST on the CROSS is the ONLY PERFECT ATONEMENT.
• A new believer is made fit through JESUS CHRIST immediately to become a child of GOD and receive the inheritance of the Saints in LIGHT. If the new believer physically dies 10 seconds after becoming SAVED, ALL of the PROMISES of GOD will be fulfilled perfectly and eternally.
• The old man of sin is crucified with Christ, and the new child of GOD is BORN of incorruptible SEED. Here we see the term of "BORN AGAIN", and this REALITY is IMMEDIATE.
• Now we go back to the first REALITY - THE WORK OF SALVATION WAS FINISHED PERFECTLY BY JESUS CHRIST ON THE CROSS. We did nothing to earn or deserve Salvation, and we can do NOTHING to maintain Salvation. That WORK is done by JESUS CHRIST, and no power in the universe can pluck us out of HIS Mighty HANDS!
• We are seen in and through JESUS CHRIST, and HE is the ONLY ONE who makes us fit for the eternal Promises of GOD. Apart from JESUS CHRIST, we don't have any righteousness or any other attribute that makes us fit to be the children of GOD. If we die, we are absent from the body and present with JESUS CHRIST. Our physical bodies are corruptible, and they will be changed to incorruptible bodies that are glorified by GOD at HIS appointed time.

Brothers and Sisters, I never get tired of hearing these precious truths. They are the promises of GOD, and all will be perfectly fulfilled at GOD'S appointed time. The things that happen immediately at the moment of Salvation are a precious REALITY made possible only by the BLOOD of JESUS and HIS perfect Sacrifice on the CROSS. These immediate things that happen at the moment of Salvation should fill our hearts with love and appreciation for our Lord and Saviour, JESUS CHRIST. We will hear and feel the guidance of the HOLY SPIRIT living in our hearts forever. If we listen and yield, the HOLY SPIRIT OF GOD will guide us and lead us in all things. We are KEPT by GOD, not by ourselves! In terms of our Salvation, we should KNOW beyond any doubt at all that we didn't deserve it, rather it was a GIFT from our GREAT GOD of Love and Grace to every man or woman who will believe in JESUS CHRIST and accept HIM as Lord and Saviour. We are left with saying:

Thanks be unto GOD for HIS unspeakable GIFT!, JESUS CHRIST, our Lord and Saviour forever!

Love In Christ,
Tom

Romans 8:1-2 NASB  Therefore there is now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus. For the law of the Spirit of life in Christ Jesus has set you free from the law of sin and of death.

Colossians 2:13-17 NASB  When you were dead in your transgressions and the uncircumcision of your flesh, He made you alive together with Him, having forgiven us all our transgressions, having canceled out the certificate of debt consisting of decrees against us, which was hostile to us; and He has taken it out of the way, having nailed it to the cross. When He had disarmed the rulers and authorities, He made a public display of them, having triumphed over them through Him. Therefore no one is to act as your judge in regard to food or drink or in respect to a festival or a new moon or a Sabbath day -- things which are a mere shadow of what is to come; but the substance belongs to Christ.

1 John 1:3 NASB  what we have seen and heard we proclaim to you also, so that you too may have fellowship with us; and indeed our fellowship is with the Father, and with His Son Jesus Christ.

Philippians 1:6 NASB  For I am confident of this very thing, that He who began a good work in you will perfect it until the day of Christ Jesus.

Colossians 1:13-14 NASB  For He rescued us from the domain of darkness, and transferred us to the kingdom of His beloved Son, in whom we have redemption, the forgiveness of sins.

1 John 5:4-5 NASB  For whatever is born of God overcomes the world; and this is the victory that has overcome the world--our faith. Who is the one who overcomes the world, but he who believes that Jesus is the Son of God?

Romans 1:16-17 NASB  For I am not ashamed of the gospel, for it is the power of God for salvation to everyone who believes, to the Jew first and also to the Greek.  For in it the righteousness of God is revealed from faith to faith; as it is written, "BUT THE RIGHTEOUS man SHALL LIVE BY FAITH."

Romans 10:8-10 NASB  But what does it say? "THE WORD IS NEAR YOU, IN YOUR MOUTH AND IN YOUR HEART"--that is, the word of faith which we are preaching, that if you confess with your mouth Jesus as Lord, and believe in your heart that God raised Him from the dead, you will be saved; for with the heart a person believes, resulting in righteousness, and with the mouth he confesses, resulting in salvation.

          AMEN!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[Satisfied MInd]

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!

[1Tim]

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.

[nChrist]

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.

[Satisfied MInd]

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. 

[Satisfied MInd]

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.

[Soldier4Christ]

The scriptures tell us that the Baptism of the Holy Spirit was promised to the Apostles only    It is not promised to anyone else in the Bible

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?

[Shammu]

AMEN Pastor Roger

Jeremiah 5:21 Hear now this, O foolish people without understanding or heart, who have eyes and see not, who have ears and hear not:

[Satisfied MInd]

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

[Satisfied MInd]

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.

[1Tim]

So...once baptized allways saved???

[Shammu]

Notice that the result of salvation in both passages is the remission of sin and the gift of the Holy Spirit.  The two conditions of salvation are also the same in both passages.  First, both Acts 2:38 and Acts 10:43 demand a change of mind about who is Jesus Christ.  Acts 10:43 says He is one to whom all the prophets gave witness.  What Peter says demonstrates the same truth in Acts chapter 2 by quoting the prophets Joel and David to prove his point.  Secondly, Acts 10:43 has "…through His name whosoever believeth in Him" as a condition of salvation.  This is equivalent to the condition of Acts 2:38 to "be baptized (washed) in the name of Jesus Christ."  So we find the phrase "Be baptized (washed) in His name," means the same as "through His name believe in Him."

Also, please notice that Acts 2:38 tells us the Holy Spirit is received as the gift of God.  If we had to do anything of ourselves to receive the Holy Spirit, it would not be a gift.  Remember Ephesians 2:8-9, "For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God: Not of works, lest any man should boast."

To insist upon a repentance that in any sense includes a change of conduct either toward God or man is to add an element of human effort to faith.  This would contradict all clear Scripture on this matter such as Ephesians 2:8-9; Romans 4:5; Galatians 2:16; and others.

To insist upon water baptism in Acts 2:38 would make the remission of sins and the receiving of the gift of the Holy Spirit dependent upon the human work of water baptism.  This would be inconsistent with Acts 10:43-44, where the remission of sin and the gift of the Holy Spirit are received as the result of faith only.  The Bible would contradict itself and we would be left confused.

Have you recognized Jesus Christ as the Savior which died for your sins, was buried and was raised from the dead?  Have you been washed of your sins in His name?   I Corinthians 6:11 And such some of you were [once]. But you were washed clean (purified by a complete atonement for sin and made free from the guilt of sin), and you were consecrated (set apart, hallowed), and you were justified [pronounced righteous, by trusting] in the name of the Lord Jesus Christ and in the [Holy] Spirit of our God.  If not, then trust Jesus Christ as your Savior today and receive the remission of your sins and the gift of the Holy Spirit.

And this is my last post to y'all in this thread. 

Resting in the hands, of the Lord.
Bob

Jeremiah 5:21 Hear now this, O foolish people without understanding or heart, who have eyes and see not, who have ears and hear not:

[Soldier4Christ]

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

  You are quite confused. When the Holy Spirit indwells us we are indeed baptized with the Holy Spirit. It is the Holy Spirit that washes (baptizes) us spiritually. The Bible speaks of Baptizing in two manners. One spiritually and ont physically. They are indeed two very distinct occurences.

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.

Yes, verse 20 of 1 Peter 3 does amplify verse 21 quite well. It tells us that the physical baptism of water is a "likeness" to the baptism that is spoken of here. Not the exact same thing. The physical baptism in water wahes away the fiflth of the flesh. That is what happens when you take a bath or a shower. You get rid of the physical dirt and stench. It does not rid us of the spiritual dirt and stench.

As Jesus told the Pharisees it is more important to clean the inside of the cup and platter than it is the outside of the cup and platter. And how do we do this? Not by anything that we can do. It is done by the Holy Spirit as He enters us.

2Co 10:7  Do ye look on things after the outward appearance? ......


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.


1Jo 5:10  He that believeth on the Son of God hath the witness in himself: he that believeth not God hath made him a liar; because he believeth not the record that God gave of his Son.


Joh 4:10  Jesus answered and said unto her, If thou knewest the gift of God, and who it is that saith to thee, Give me to drink; thou wouldest have asked of him, and he would have given thee living water.

Also as we see in the verses where John is baptizing with water it is Johns own words that tell us that such baptism is from man not from God but that the baptism of the Holy Spirit is from God. Personally I would much rather be baptized by God than by man alone.

[Satisfied MInd]

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.

[1Tim]

How many ways are there we can be saved?