Comments on: Acts 2:37-38 (Misinterpreted Scriptures)

By: Erick Cabrera

Erick Cabrera — Tue, 06 Jul 2010 22:25:13 +0000

Acts 10:44-48 44While Peter was still speaking these words, the Holy Spirit came on all who heard the message. 45The circumcised believers who had come with Peter were astonished that the gift of the Holy Spirit had been poured out even on the Gentiles. 46For they heard them speaking in tongues[a] and praising God.

Then Peter said, 47″Can anyone keep these people from being baptized with water? They have received the Holy Spirit just as we have.” 48So he ordered that they be baptized in the name of Jesus Christ. Then they asked Peter to stay with them for a few days (Those filled with the Holy Spirit are not asked but commanded to be baptized in Jesus name)

Acts 19:2-9 2and asked them, “Did you receive the Holy Spirit when[a] you believed?”
They answered, “No, we have not even heard that there is a Holy Spirit.”

3So Paul asked, “Then what baptism did you receive?”
“John’s baptism,” they replied.

4Paul said, “John’s baptism was a baptism of repentance. He told the people to believe in the one coming after him, that is, in Jesus.” 5On hearing this, they were baptized into[b] the name of the Lord Jesus. 6When Paul placed his hands on them, the Holy Spirit came on them, and they spoke in tongues[c] and prophesied. 7There were about twelve men in all.

8Paul entered the synagogue and spoke boldly there for three months, arguing persuasively about the kingdom of God. 9But some of them became obstinate; they refused to believe and publicly maligned the Way. So Paul left them. He took the disciples with him and had discussions daily in the lecture hall of Tyrannus.(Rebaptism of those who were not baptized in Jesus name),
Romans 6:1-6 1What shall we say, then? Shall we go on sinning so that grace may increase? 2By no means! We died to sin; how can we live in it any longer? 3Or don’t you know that all of us who were baptized into Christ Jesus were baptized into his death? 4We were therefore buried with him through baptism into death in order that, just as Christ was raised from the dead through the glory of the Father, we too may live a new life.

5If we have been united with him like this in his death, we will certainly also be united with him in his resurrection. 6For we know that our old self was crucified with him so that the body of sin might be done away with,[a] that we should no longer be slaves to sin—

And we know that the apostles would not have disobeyed Jesus in Matt. 28:19. So when they baptized in Jesus name it was in fulfillment of the scripture. It was not till 300 AD after the term Trinity was coined by Tertulian that people were baptized saying “Father, Son and Holy Spirit.” My respect for the apostles makes me choose there baptism rather than Tertulians. Also if you read Polycarps letters 200 AD he mentions baptism done in Jesus name. Polycarp was a disciple of John. When the protestant church came out of the Caholic church they took with them many of the Catholic doctrines. This baptism saying “Father, Son and Holy Spirit” was one of them. Curious that the first Pope Peter would say to be baptized in Jesus name. (Wonder if Peter knew if he was the first pope?)

By: tim

tim — Thu, 09 Jul 2009 14:10:25 +0000

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

By: tim

tim — Thu, 09 Jul 2009 13:56:25 +0000

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.

By: Lance

Lance — Mon, 27 Oct 2008 02:10:26 +0000

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

By: Lance

Lance — Sun, 26 Oct 2008 17:45:49 +0000

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.

By: Josh

Josh — Fri, 26 Sep 2008 15:54:22 +0000

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.

By: Elleon

Elleon — Fri, 26 Sep 2008 03:17:56 +0000

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?