In Matthew 28:19 Jesus told His disciples WHAT to do! He didn't tell them to repeat these words like parrots. Rather, what Jesus was telling them is to go and preach His good news salvation message to all the world. And in Mark 16:15-16 Jesus tells them WHY to do it,
In the latter scripture, Jesus gave people two choices - very similar to the Old Testament when the Lord God said, "Choose life or choose death, but I encourage you to choose life." In the new testament, Jesus instructs them to either "BE" as to be saved and inherit eternal life, or instead, to be as in being damned This has been our choice from the beginning of time, and this same choice is extended to us this day -- when Jesus invites us to abide in Him. But I digress,
In Luke 24:47 Jesus tells them WHERE to do it! And in John 3:3-7 Jesus told them WHO needs to do it,Thus, by the time we get to the book of Acts, wherein Jesus has now ascended, Peter (standing with the eleven) on the day of Pentecost is about to tell the first 3,000 souls saved HOW to do be saved. ( Acts 2:36-41)
Acts 2:38 answered all the questions on what must we do to be saved?
WHAT - repent,
WHAT - be baptized"
WHO - every one of you
HOW - in the Name of the Lord Jesus Christ
WHY - for the remission of sins
The benefit? "And ye shall receive the gift of the Holy Ghost"
What I don't understand is even if it wasn't true, which it is, but why anyone would have a problem with the teaching of water baptism as a necessary component for salvation?
Taking this thought further --if it's believed by so many people that water baptism is not needed for Salvation, then why do they even care and make a such a big deal if it's being taught in the first place? It's a very valid question, particularly in this post-modern, post-truth era. It almost seems like water baptism has become evil to the religious, and therefore, cannot be of God.
Acts 2:38 answered all the questions on what must we do to be saved?
WHAT - repent,
WHAT - be baptized"
WHO - every one of you
HOW - in the Name of the Lord Jesus Christ
WHY - for the remission of sins
The benefit? "And ye shall receive the gift of the Holy Ghost"
What I don't understand is even if it wasn't true, which it is, but why anyone would have a problem with the teaching of water baptism as a necessary component for salvation?
Taking this thought further --if it's believed by so many people that water baptism is not needed for Salvation, then why do they even care and make a such a big deal if it's being taught in the first place? It's a very valid question, particularly in this post-modern, post-truth era. It almost seems like water baptism has become evil to the religious, and therefore, cannot be of God.
But what saith the Lord? .
In Mark 16:15-16 Two folks : one who believed and was baptized . One who did not believe.
Which one was saved? Which one was damned? Which ones went into the Jordan River to be baptized by John the baptizer (cleansing the outside) and which one stood on the banks, wherein John calls them a generation of vipers.
Matthew 28:19-20, Mark 16:15-20, Luke 24:47-53 are ALL the one and same teaching that takes place on the Mount of Olives just prior to Jesus ascending into Heaven! The notable difference is the message is given by three different writers -- Matthew, Mark and Luke. Is the message the same? Of course it is -- because God is not the author of confusion. So let's study further herein.
Nearly everyone agrees that Matthew 28:19 is referring to preaching the gospel to the ends of the earth and water baptism. So, if the scripture herein is referring to water baptism (and it is) then so are the other accounts in the other two gospels that are describing the same teaching by Jesus! And all three are in agreement with John 3:3-7 when Jesus first taught on how one is to be born again -- to not only see, but how one also ENTERS the Kingdom of God!
So when Peter (standing with the eleven on the day of Pentecost) began to speak to the crowd, it was because Peter understood the "when, what, and why" of salvation. In essence then, Peter was acting out in Acts 2:36-41 the necessity of recognizing Jesus as both Lord and Christ, repenting of our sins, being water baptized in His precious, holy name -- the name of the Lord Jesus -- so that He can put His coat of righteousness upon us -- in the form of His Spirit -- the Holy Ghost, which Acts 2:38 clearly states we shall receive when we repent and are water baptized in the name of the Lord Jesus.
In Mark 16:15-16 Two folks : one who believed and was baptized . One who did not believe.
Which one was saved? Which one was damned? Which ones went into the Jordan River to be baptized by John the baptizer (cleansing the outside) and which one stood on the banks, wherein John calls them a generation of vipers.
Matthew 28:19-20, Mark 16:15-20, Luke 24:47-53 are ALL the one and same teaching that takes place on the Mount of Olives just prior to Jesus ascending into Heaven! The notable difference is the message is given by three different writers -- Matthew, Mark and Luke. Is the message the same? Of course it is -- because God is not the author of confusion. So let's study further herein.
Nearly everyone agrees that Matthew 28:19 is referring to preaching the gospel to the ends of the earth and water baptism. So, if the scripture herein is referring to water baptism (and it is) then so are the other accounts in the other two gospels that are describing the same teaching by Jesus! And all three are in agreement with John 3:3-7 when Jesus first taught on how one is to be born again -- to not only see, but how one also ENTERS the Kingdom of God!
So when Peter (standing with the eleven on the day of Pentecost) began to speak to the crowd, it was because Peter understood the "when, what, and why" of salvation. In essence then, Peter was acting out in Acts 2:36-41 the necessity of recognizing Jesus as both Lord and Christ, repenting of our sins, being water baptized in His precious, holy name -- the name of the Lord Jesus -- so that He can put His coat of righteousness upon us -- in the form of His Spirit -- the Holy Ghost, which Acts 2:38 clearly states we shall receive when we repent and are water baptized in the name of the Lord Jesus.
Lo, here is water - what prevents you from being baptized? Even more so, why would anyone take the time to go against the words of Jesus instead of preaching, teaching, or simply being in One Accord and of one mind with those who are preaching and teaching the truth that is the Word of God?
Why did Peter keep preaching when Cornelius and his family received the Holy Ghost -- to be water baptized in the Name of the Lord Jesus? They never asked to be water baptized! Still, Peter commanded that they be water baptized!
Why did Peter keep preaching when Cornelius and his family received the Holy Ghost -- to be water baptized in the Name of the Lord Jesus? They never asked to be water baptized! Still, Peter commanded that they be water baptized!
Why? The new testament salvation message was for all the world -- including the Gentiles. From Acts 10:44-48:
While Peter yet spake these words, 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 [Peter] commanded them to be baptized in the name of the Lord. Then prayed they him to tarry certain days.
Isaiah 28:9-16 elaborates further:
"Whom shall He teach knowledge? And whom shall He make to understand doctrine? Them that are weaned from the milk, and drawn from the breasts. For precept must be upon precept, precept upon precept; line upon line, line upon line; here a little, and there a little: For with stammering lips and another tongue will He speak to this people.
To whom He said, "This is the rest wherewith ye may cause the weary to rest; and this is the refreshing: yet they would not hear."
To whom He said, "This is the rest wherewith ye may cause the weary to rest; and this is the refreshing: yet they would not hear."
But the word of the LORD was unto them precept upon precept, precept upon precept; line upon line, line upon line; here a little, and there a little; that they might go, and fall backward, and be broken, and snared, and taken.
Wherefore hear the word of the LORD, ye scornful men, that rule this people which is in Jerusalem.
Because ye have said, "We have made a covenant with death, and with hell are we at agreement; when the overflowing scourge shall pass through, it shall not come unto us: for we have made lies our refuge, and under falsehood have we hid ourselves."
Therefore thus saith the Lord GOD, "Behold, I lay in Zion for a foundation a stone, a tried stone, a precious corner stone, a sure foundation: he that believeth shall not make haste."
Wherefore hear the word of the LORD, ye scornful men, that rule this people which is in Jerusalem.
Because ye have said, "We have made a covenant with death, and with hell are we at agreement; when the overflowing scourge shall pass through, it shall not come unto us: for we have made lies our refuge, and under falsehood have we hid ourselves."
Therefore thus saith the Lord GOD, "Behold, I lay in Zion for a foundation a stone, a tried stone, a precious corner stone, a sure foundation: he that believeth shall not make haste."
Herein, again, the choice given to all men -- choose life which is found in knowing Jesus as your Lord God and Saviour, or choose death, wherein damnation will be your fate. There is no grey area in the choice. Neither is there a middle ground of compromise. The scriptures are clear.
As the Lord said, "Give ye ear, and hear My voice; hearken, and hear My speech." (Isaiah 28:23)
Other scriptures worth noting, besides the fact that every water baptism in the New Testament after the cross was in the name of the Lord Jesus --
"For whosoever shall call upon the name of the Lord shall be saved." (Romans 10:13)
As the Lord said, "Give ye ear, and hear My voice; hearken, and hear My speech." (Isaiah 28:23)
Other scriptures worth noting, besides the fact that every water baptism in the New Testament after the cross was in the name of the Lord Jesus --
"For whosoever shall call upon the name of the Lord shall be saved." (Romans 10:13)
"And it shall come to pass, that whosoever shall call on the name of the Lord shall be saved." (Acts 2:21)
"And now why tarriest thou? arise, and be baptized, and wash away thy sins, calling on the name of the Lord." (Acts 22:16)
"And now why tarriest thou? arise, and be baptized, and wash away thy sins, calling on the name of the Lord." (Acts 22:16)
And who is the Lord? His name is JESUS for He shall save His people from their sins.
Stand in the offering plate.
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