(1) baptisms

From a message by a Curious Questioner--
>CQ> SUBJECT: SALVATION

>>QU> WHAT MUST I DO TO BE SAVED?

>CQ> Then Peter said to them "Repent, and let every one of you be baptized...

The Lord rebuke thy false witness, Friend.

The question, "what must I do to be saved?", is in Acts 16:30 and the answer is in Acts 16:31--

"And they said, Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ, and thou shalt be saved, and thy house." (Acts 16:31)

You really ought to believe on the Lord Jesus Christ and quit messing around with wresting of the scriptures to your own destruction. Remember that Jesus is the Lord and trust his gospel as declared in 1Cor.15:1-11, and be no more deceived by "gospels" of reprobates.

>>RC> Gentiles in the house of Cornelius were saved when they HEARD the word of God PREACHED, and it is very obvious that they received remission of sins by believing on the Lord Jesus Christ, and their later baptism had NOTHING to do with that.

>CQ> If this is the case they why did Peter COMMAND that they be baptized in the name of the Lord.

Certainly not for remission, which was already given them by the faith of hearing in Acts 10:43,44, and Peter confirms this fact in the next chapter while rehearsing what happened. (Acts 11:14-17)

>CQ> Why does Peter say in Acts 2:38 to be baptized in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins?

That message was to "the house of Israel" (v.36p). They had to be baptized BEFORE they could "receive the gift of the Holy Ghost", but the gentiles in the house of Cornelius "received the Holy Ghost" when they HEARD "words, whereby thou and all thy house shall be saved". The Jews were baptized BEFORE receiving the gift, but the Gentiles were baptized AFTER receiving the gift.

>CQ> Why and/or how does water baptism manifest Christ to Israel? Not, that I don't believe it, it is just that I haven't been able to figure that one out.

This should help you "figure" out that statement:

"The next day John seeth Jesus coming unto him, and saith, Behold the Lamb of God, which taketh away the sin of the world. This is he of whom I said, After me cometh a man which is preferred before me: for he was before me. And I knew him not: but that he should be made manifest to Israel, therefore am I come baptizing with water." (John 1:29-31)

(And compare Exodus 2:10 with Deut.18:15-19, "like unto me", etc.)

Of course it was not water baptism which took away sins, but the Lord himself on the cross who took our sins upon him and he died for our sins and was buried and rose again the third day. "In whom we have redemption through his blood, even the forgiveness of sins;" Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ and thou shalt be saved. (Amen!)

>CQ> Why is Paul told in Acts 22 to "Arise and be baptized, and wash away your sins, calling on the name of the Lord."?

Paul was speaking to JEWS there, and was referring to something that happened back in Acts 9 (which was BEFORE Acts 10:) Peter had not yet been given the new revelation concerning gentiles, and Paul had yet to go into Arabia (Gal.1:11-2:2) and get further revelation.

>CQ> Surely Paul was a believer by the time he got to Damascus.

He believed on the Lord Jesus Christ when the Lord appeared to him.

(Please see next message. Thanks. :)

(2) baptisms

From a message by a Curious Questioner--
>CQ> Subj: Israel

>CQ> Why does it say in I Peter 3:21 "There is also an antitype which now SAVES us, namely baptism..."?

It does NOT say that. Peter speaks there of "The like figure...". Read the previous verse and notice "Noah" and "the ark". Noah and his "house" came into the ark. Everyone OUTSIDE the ark got WET and perished! The ark also got WET. Noah and his house were LIFTED UP high and DRY inside the ark.

>CQ> Why does Jesus say in Mark 16:16 that "He who believes and is baptized will be saved?"

He is speaking there to "the eleven", concerning THEIR ministry, in connection with the kingdom. Don't forget that the water baptism of John was to manifest Christ to the house of Israel, who were under the law of MOSES: so named, because he was drawn "out of the water."

>>RC> If you continue to reject the true gospel of 1Cor.15:1-11 and twist Acts 2:38 out of context, then be sure your sin will find you out. Be not deceived.

>CQ> Richard, are you implying that Peter did not preach the true gospel or that what he preached was different than what Paul preached?

No and yes. (And Peter didn't preach Acts 2:38 again after that.)

>CQ> If this is the case then we would have two different Gospels being preached at the same time.

Not at the same time. The eleven were still preaching to "the lost sheep of the house of Israel" prior to Acts 10. There was a change of plan when Stephen was stoned to death in Acts 7, and the rest of the book of Acts is a transition away from unbelieving Jews, unto believing Gentiles in the Lord's dealings there.

The gospel for this present dispensation was revealed to Paul, and he communicated that gospel (see 1Cor.15:1-11), to the other apostles. We find all the apostles in agreement by Acts 15, and Acts 16:31 is clear on the issue of salvation: "BELIEVE on the Lord Jesus Christ and thou shalt be saved, and thy house." Salvation is a free gift by grace and is based solely on the finished blood atonement of Christ on the cross for sinners. He was raised for our justification, and Christians don't work to GET saved, but BECAUSE we ARE saved.

Remember that Jesus is the Lord and trust HIM to save you. BELIEVE on the Lord Jesus Christ and thou shalt be saved, and thy house. Grace and mercy be unto you in love for Jesus' sake. Amen. --Richard

Repentance

From a message by a Curious Questioner--
>CQ> Subj: (2) baptisms

>>RC> Gentiles in the house of Cornelius were saved when they HEARD the word of God PREACHED, and it is very obvious that they received remission of sins by believing on the Lord Jesus Christ, and their later baptism had NOTHING to do with that. If you continue to reject the true gospel of 1Cor.15:1-11 and twist Acts 2:38 out of context, then be sure your sin will find you out. Be not deceived. Remember that Jesus is the Lord and repent...

>CQ> Are you saying that "repentance" is required for salvation?

See above for more of the context of the original statement from the previous message which was shortened in the later message to which you replied.

"Testifying both to the Jews, and also to the Greeks, repentance toward God, and faith toward our Lord Jesus Christ." (Acts 20:20,21)

"But shewed first unto them of Damascus, and at Jerusalem, and throughout all the coasts of Judæa, and then to the Gentiles, that they should repent and turn to God, and do works meet for repentance." (Acts 26:20)

"Or despisest thou the riches of his goodness and forbearance and longsuffering; not knowing that the goodness of God leadeth thee to repentance?" (Rom.2:4)

"For godly sorrow worketh repentance to salvation not to be repented of: but the sorrow of the world worketh death." (2Cor.7:10)

"In meekness instructing those that oppose themselves; if God peradventure will give them repentance to the acknowledging of the truth; And that they may recover themselves out of the snare of the devil, who are taken captive by him at his will." (2Tim.2p)

Amen. "Repent or perish! saith the Preacher, Turn or burn!" The grace of the Lord Jesus Christ be with thy heart. Amen. --Richard