Can Any Man Forbid Water That These Should Not Be Baptized? - Part 1327

The circumstance is this. Peter (standing with the eleven apostles) on the day of Pentecost responds to a question, "What must I do to be saved?" The answer? REPENT, BE BAPTIZED IN THE NAME OF JESUS, RECEIVE THE GIFT OF THE HOLY GHOST. Simple and straightforward -- yes? Particularly since 3,000 people understood the message and were immediately baptized in the name of the Lord Jesus Christ! (Acts 2:36-47)  

But then come along those who rewrite scriptures under the premise that the Word of God is now easier to read. (If these were honest, they would tell you it is because they can earn lots of royalties without copyright infringement because they changed the meaning(s), or deleted verses, or added words to the text but I digress).

Anyway, as a consequence of changed text, clarity in the Word of God has now been replaced with [apparent] confusion. I say "apparent" because God is not the Author of confusion, and those who take the time to study His Word do find the absolute in doctrine. But for those who don't know where to look, here are some additional examples from the Bible. I am using the King James version. 

1. "And it came to pass that, while Apollos was at Corinth, Paul having passed through the upper coasts came to Ephesus, and finding certain disciples, he said unto them, "Have ye received the Holy Ghost since ye believed?" And they said unto him, "We have not so much as heard whether there be any Holy Ghost." And he said unto them, "Unto what then were ye baptized?" And they said, "Unto John's baptism." Then said Paul, "John verily baptized with the baptism of repentance, saying unto the people, that they should believe on Him which should come after Him, that is, on Christ Jesus." When they heard this, THEY WERE BAPTIZED IN THE NAME OF THE LORD JESUS. And when Paul had laid His hands upon them, the Holy Ghost came on them, and they spake with tongues and prophesied." (Acts 19:1-6) 

2. "Now when the apostles which were at Jerusalem heard that Samaria had received the Word of God, they sent unto them Peter and John, who -- when they were come down prayed for them that they might receive the Holy Ghost." [Why was this important?] "FOR AS YET, HE [THE HOLY GHOST] WAS FALLEN UPON NONE OF THEM; ONLY THEY WERE BAPTIZED IN THE NAME OF THE LORD JESUS. Then laid they hands on them and they received the Holy Ghost." (Acts 8:14-17)  

3. While Peter yet spake these words -- [that through His name whosoever believes in Him shall receive remission of sins] the Holy Ghost fell on all them which heard the Word. And they of the circumcision which believed were astonished, as many as came with Peter because that on the Gentiles also was poured out the gift of the Holy Ghost. For they heard them speak with tongues, and magnify God. Then answered Peter, "Can any man forbid water that these should not be baptized, which have received the Holy Ghost as well as we?" AND HE COMMANDED THEM TO BE BAPTIZED IN THE NAME OF THE LORD. Then prayed they him to tarry certain days." (Acts 10:43-48) 

Three scriptural examples wherein a call to repentance, water baptism in the name of the Lord Jesus, and receipt of the Holy Ghost are all part and parcel to salvation. Not a different message depending on the circumstance (as some surmise) but one and the same good news gospel message to one and all.

Stand in the offering plate.