Acts 2:37-38 (Misinterpreted Scriptures)
Now when [the Jews present at the Upper Room on the Day of Pentecost] heard this, they were pricked in their heart, and said unto Peter and to the rest of the apostles, Men and brethren, what shall we do? Then Peter said unto them, Repent, and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins, and ye shall receive the gift of the Holy Ghost.
Misinterpretation: This is the "flagship" Scripture of the UPC and of all Oneness Pentecostal churches. There are many ways that this Scripture is mistaught by the UPC, but the only error that I will point out here is that many Oneness Pentecostal preachers and saints misquote the Scripture by reciting, "Men and brethren, what shall we do to be saved."
Facts: The careful reader will notice that the words "to be saved" are not found in Acts 2:37. Peter had already told the believers how to be saved in Acts 2:21, when he quoted the prophet Joel and said, "[W]hosoever shall call on the name of the Lord shall be saved." By the time Peter concluded his sermon in Acts 2:36, the Jews who were present were "pricked in their heart." That is when they asked Peter and the "rest of the apostles," "[W]hat shall we do?"
The reason that this is important is because these men had already believed in Christ. That’s why they were pricked in their heart! They wouldn’t have ever asked the question unless they already believed on Christ! If they didn’t believe then they would have laughed and walked off. However, they did believe, and so they were moved to ask what they needed to do. Peter responded by telling them to be baptized in the Name of Jesus Christ, and that they would receive the Holy Ghost.
The point is that it was not baptism who saved the new believers, it was their belief. (More properly, it was God’s grace working through their belief). Their baptism was a response to their salvation, not the cause of their salvation.
I will conclude my discussion of Acts 2:37-38 by quoting the story of the jailer’s conversion, found in Acts 16:27-34, which makes the distinction between belief and baptism even more clearer.
Act 16:27-34 KJV
(27) And the keeper of the prison awaking out of his sleep, and seeing the prison doors open, he drew out his sword, and would have killed himself, supposing that the prisoners had been fled.
(28) But Paul cried with a loud voice, saying, Do thyself no harm: for we are all here.
(29) Then he called for a light, and sprang in, and came trembling, and fell down before Paul and Silas,
(30) And brought them out, and said, Sirs, what must I do to be saved?
(31) And they said, Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ, and thou shalt be saved, and thy house.
(32) And they spake unto him the word of the Lord, and to all that were in his house.
(33) And he took them the same hour of the night, and washed their stripes; and was baptized, he and all his, straightway.
(34) And when he had brought them into his house, he set meat before them, and rejoiced, believing in God with all his house.
September 25th, 2008 at 10:17 pm
I understand your point about the distinction between “what must we do to be saved?” versus “what must we do?”; however do you or do you not grant that acts 2:38 says that you must repent and be baptized to receive the holy ghost and that the infilling of the holy spirit is the mark of a Christian?
September 26th, 2008 at 10:54 am
Elleon, I want to be careful to not have a debate in the comments. You asked a direct question, though, so I think that deserves a direct answer.
A full discussion of your questions would take a lot of space, so I’m just going to give brief answers here. I encourage you to read through other articles on this Web site for more information. I think if you read through all of the articles you’ll find a good synopsis of what I believe about salvation and why I believe what I do.
With that said, here’s the answers to the questions you asked:
I do not think that Acts 2:38 says a person must repent *and* be baptized to receive the Holy Ghost. Peter commanded repentance (in the Greek, repentance is the only command in Acts 2:38–baptism is not a command in that verse). Peter promised that those who repented and were baptized would receive the Holy Ghost.
In other words, the receiving the Holy Ghost is a promise, not a command. Receiving it is predicated upon belief and repentance (I do not think you can separate the two). I do not believe that baptism is a requirement for receiving the Holy Ghost.
As far as the Holy Ghost is concerned, I would not call it a “mark.” The Fruit of the Spirit and brotherly love are the marks of a true Christian. But yes, the Holy Ghost is necessary for salvation. However, let me stress that I do not think there is any biblical basis for associating tongues with the Holy Ghost. I believe that all true believers are filled with God’s Spirit.
I think that I’ve answered your questions, but let me say one more thing about baptism. When a person asks me if baptism is necessary I answer “yes and no.” Here’s why.
Baptism is a command by Jesus. More than that, it is directly tied to discipleship (Mat. 28:18-20). Because Jesus directly commanded baptism, I do not think that it is something that believers can pick and choose whether or not they should do it. So if a believer knows that Jesus commanded baptism, and they are able to be baptized, but they refuse to do so then I doubt whether that person has truly committed their life to Christ. So in that sense, baptism is necessary.
On the other hand, I do believe people can go to heaven without being baptized. Case in point, the thief on the cross went to heaven without being baptized (and yes, the thief did die under grace–he died after Jesus did, and that put him under grace and not under the Mosaic law). So in that sense, I do not believe baptism is necessary for salvation. If a person is unable to be baptized for some reason then I think God’s grace is more than sufficient to cover them.
I hope that answers your questions. Thanks for the feedback.
October 26th, 2008 at 12:45 pm
My parents raised me in a Pentecostal Church. At age 28, I still believe the Pentecostal doctrine makes God proud. We honor him above all worldly possessions i.e. television(which is poisoning our kids as we speak). Look at how America has evolved into “Soddom and Gommora”(spell check). He will bring his wrath down on sinful nations that mock his requirements. If everyone is going to Heaven like they say, then why does the bible say the road is very narrow? I challenge anyone to pray to God like no tomorrow and not give up until your mouth “lets loose” speaking in other tongues is nothing less than God’s miraculous blessing we can all receive…Don’t be fooled with false prophets claiming Heaven’s doors are wide open just because you believe in God.
October 26th, 2008 at 9:10 pm
I want to clear up any misunderstanding on the above post….I am NOT saying anyone on this website is a false prophet and hope it does not offend anyone. My intentions are only to express my conviction that merely admitting God is almighty is not enough to get into Heaven. I admire anyone who strives to become closer with God. To be honest, I admit my focus needs to be on getting closer to him before proclaiming anything about false prophets. May we all keep him close by our side in the upcoming years.
God Bless,
Lance
July 9th, 2009 at 8:56 am
It’s kind of sad reading the writings on your site. It seems the objective as we walk with God is to draw closer to him and adjust our life to obedience to the scripture. I believe it was Paul who wrote in Galations I am crucified with Christ nevertheless I live, the life that I live by the faith of the son of God. Why would you devote so much time and effort promoting what “you” think to wrap the scripture around your opinion instead of adjusting your mind to the scripture “we have the mind of Christ”. If people are doing something in faith to draw close to God let them draw close especially if it’s rooted in truth. Ok you left UPC looks as if you were looking for an out. But now you’ve devoted a whole website to supposedly “helping people” why not encourage people to work out their own salvaton with fear and trembling by searching the scriptures daily to see truth. You make it as if a woman wearing a skirt as an act of obedience to duet 22:5 if she does it by faith as a outward sign of an inward holiness it’s some kind of bondage. A reminder Jesus did say the outward and the inward should both be clean. Well I could go on but I won’t. I will challenge you, search for truth forget what UPC says. UPC is just an organization the church is really what matters God’s word is what matters. Blessed are they who love thy law and nothing shall offend them.
July 9th, 2009 at 9:10 am
Well I apologize I thought I was posting this on the link on pants in the UPC. The question what must we do was a question of being obedient to God. The bible even says he has given the Holy Ghost to them that obey Him. Again this goes back to obedience, not excuses. Jesus did say “he that believeth and is baptized shall be saved”. Peter wrote the like figure in reference to Noah that baptism doth also save us. Did’nt Jesus also say Except a man be born of “water” and “Spirit” to enter into the kingdom of God. I’m sorry where was the option or the question? Oh and one more thing Peter “commanded” Cornelius’ household to be baptized in Acts 10. Enough said