Peter’s phrase, “an appeal to God for a clear conscience” tells me that God has given me a clear conscience, I have assurance that every one of my sins (past, present, and future) has already been forgiven (Eph 1:7), and I stand in a right relationship with God. For me, baptism is a symbol of what has already happened. That’s not what you believe.
Specifically, re. Acts 2:38 – Peter is obedient to Christ’s command in Matthew 28:19 and urges the people who repented and turned to the Lord for salvation to publicly and openly identify with Christ’s death, burial, and resurrection through the baptismo (full immersion) – an act that put them in literal danger but the demonstration of their obedience to follow the imperitive demonstrated the power of God to many others and as a result, the Church grew.
Forgiveness precedes baptism (Acts 2:41). Sometimes faith alone is named as the one thing that is needed for salvation (Jn 3:16, Acts 16:31, Rom 10:9, Eph 2:8,9). Other times repentance alone is named (Lk 24:47, Acts 3:19, 5:31, 17:30, 2 Cor 7:10). Repentance includes a mind change that trusts God (i.e. faith).
Finally, you will not change my position on this. Your view is in error and not supported by a complete view of the subject. You hang on a few verses but the totality of scripture supports my position so you will not change my position on this.
I’m done. Good-bye.
“...I have assurance that every one of my sins (past, present, and future) has already been forgiven (Eph 1:7), and I stand in a right relationship with God.”
Yes and Amen!
Your comment: “Finally, you will not change my position on this. Your view is in error and not supported by a complete view of the subject. You hang on a few verses but the totality of scripture supports my position so you will not change my position on this.”
I hope that you are properly baptized.
Mark 18
The Commissioning of the Eleven. 14h [But] later, as the eleven were at table, he appeared to them and rebuked them for their unbelief and hardness of heart because they had not believed those who saw him after he had been raised. 15i He said to them, “Go into the whole world and proclaim the gospel to every creature. 16Whoever believes and is baptized will be saved; whoever does not believe will be condemned.
Christ’s message to His Apostles before His Ascension into Heaven were to go preach and baptize all nations. So is your heart hardened? Why do you not believe that Baptism is not necessary for your salvation?
The words of Jesus: “Whoever believes and is baptized will be saved.”
I don’t believe that Ephesians 1:7 says that all future sins are forgiven. “In him we have redemption by his blood, the forgiveness of transgressions, in accord with the riches of his graceg 8”
**Your view is in error and not supported by a complete view of the subject. You hang on a few verses but the totality of scripture supports my position so you will not change my position on this. I’m done. Good-bye.**
It would have been fine for you to say that you strongly disagree, and end the conversation, but you think that you can make an accusation like that and then declare the conversation over? Tell me you’re not a fan of Algore.
I hang on a few verses? I can give you the long version, and will if asked.
Let’s look at the few verses you refer to:
Jn 3:16
That verse is great, but no greater than the ones that precede it. For before it, the Lord gives critical details on HOW to believe. A man must be born of the water and the Spirit or he cannot enter into the kingdom of God. There is a sound, the origin whereabouts unknown, that is heard whenever someone is born of the Spirit. Do you believe what the Lord taught concerning how to believe?
Acts 16:31
There is a “rest of the story”.
32 “And they spake unto him the word of the Lord, and to all that were IN his house”.
They were all at the prison keeper’s house at that point.
33 “And he took them the SAME HOUR of the night, washed their stripes; and was baptized, he and all his straightway.”
They left the house, obviously to a place with an ample source of water. Then after that, they return to the house:
34 “ And when he had brought them into his house, he set meat before them, and rejoiced, believing in God with all his house.”
Rom 10:9
The context is critical. Paul has been expressing his sadness (in chapter 9, and continuing into chapter 10) concerning the lost state of his unbelieving Jewish brethren. He is speaking TO church brethren in Rome (1:5-7)(10:1), who he had reminded earlier of their being “buried with him by baptism unto death” (6:3,4).
He is telling them in chapter 10, that even though the Jews had rejected the Lord, they could still be saved (10:12). But, they have to hear the gospel preached by a preacher sent by God (10:13-15). God’s preachers in Acts commanded and performed water baptism in the name of Jesus, and they did so with minimal delay.
Eph 2:8,9
Do you not realize that Paul was writing to people that were already converted (1:1). He didn’t have to go into detail about it. Most of Paul’s epistles begin in like manner.
**Other times repentance alone is named (Lk 24:47, Acts 3:19, 5:31, 17:30, 2 Cor 7:10).**
Those will be addressed later, as I have family obligations for the next few hours. Remember you made the accusations, and therefore cannot expect to deny defense of those accusations.
Peace.