BAPTISM'S PURPOSE--DOES IT MATTER?
If baptism is to be administered upon a Christian, then at what point did those in Acts 2 become Christians?
In verse 36, Peter concluded his sermon.
In verse 37, they...were pricked in their heart, and said unto Peter and to the rest of the apostles, Men and brethren, what shall we do?”
QUESTION: Were they Christians BEFORE they were pricked in their heart?
QUESTION: Were they Christians BEFORE asking the question, WHAT SHALL WE DO?
In verse 38, Peter says, “Repent, and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins…”
QUESTION: Were they Christians BEFORE Peter said these words to them?
If not, how could their baptism be for the purpose of “showing” their salvation?
If baptism is an "outward sign" to show a salvation that occurred at some earlier point in time; AND one is saved by such means as a sinner's prayer...then at what point were those in Acts 2 saved? Find the prayer to be prayed out of Peter's words in verse 38, for in this verse, he gave his answer to their question, "WHAT SHALL WE DO?
"Repent and be baptized"...how can a prayer be concluded as the answer to WHAT SHALL WE DO?
Why accept repentance, yet reject baptism, when you will submit to being baptized to "show"?
Is the "showing" of salvation by being baptized necessary? If not, would you be condemned to an eternity in hell for NOT "showing"?
What purpose in having an ordinance of "showing" outwardly what took place inwardly, if you won't be in hell for not "showing"?
If, however, baptism is as repentance, i.e., the obedience of faith (Romans 16:26), then the purpose of baptism CANNOT be an "outward sign"; nor can prayer be the meaning of "repent and be baptized" (Acts 2:38).
For any who have been baptized...WHY did you do so? If you were already a Christian...was the SHOWING of your salvation necessary to go to heaven? If not; why do it?
The Lord warned:
"Take heed WHAT ye hear" ~ Mark 4:24
"Take heed HOW ye hear" ~ Luke 8:18
Why? Because DOCTRINE MATTERS!
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