Acts 2:38 mentions “every one of you”.
Abraham was commended for his faith.... after he had left Haran, travelled hundreds of miles (the hard way), built at least three altars and offered sacrifices on them. He had to hear the word of God and keep it. His faith would have been incomplete without acting upon it.
The epistles were written to people that were already born again. They knew the method of conversion in detail. Therefore, they didn’t need the details again.
Yes, baptism is commanded, and which in Acts 2:38 signifies faith, but which simply does not and cannot established that this is the means of or necessary for regeneration from Adam onward.
And in the NT, There was a certain man in Cæsarea called Cornelius, a centurion of the band called the Italian band, (Acts 10:1) And he shewed us how he had seen an angel in his house, which stood and said unto him, Send men to Joppa, and call for Simon, whose surname is Peter; Who shall tell thee words, whereby thou and all thy house shall be saved. (Acts 11:13-14) Then Peter opened his mouth, and said, Of a truth I perceive that God is no respecter of persons:... (Acts 10:34)
To him give all the prophets witness, that through his name whosoever believeth in him shall receive remission of sins. 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 he commanded them to be baptized in the name of the Lord. Then prayed they him to tarry certain days. (Acts 10:43-48)
And when there had been much disputing, Peter rose up, and said unto them, Men and brethren, ye know how that a good while ago God made choice among us, that the Gentiles by my mouth should hear the word of the gospel, and believe. And God, which knoweth the hearts, bare them witness, giving them the Holy Ghost, even as he did unto us; And put no difference between us and them, purifying their hearts by faith. (Acts 15:7-9)
Of his own will begat he us with the word of truth, that we should be a kind of firstfruits of his creatures. (James 1:18)
In whom you also, after you had heard the word of truth (the gospel of your salvation), in whom also believing, you were signed with the holy Spirit of promise. (Eph 1:13 [DRB])
Abraham was commended for his faith.... after he had left Haran, travelled hundreds of miles (the hard way), built at least three altars and offered sacrifices on them. He had to hear the word of God and keep it. His faith would have been incomplete without acting upon it.
Yes, faith without works is dead, yet it is faith, effectual faith which results in obedience, that justifies, being imputed for righteousness, versus awaiting until all requirements of the law are fulfilled which only Christ perfectly did.
Abraham had this effectual faith long before he supremely manifested this by offering up Issac.
But to him that worketh not, but believeth on him that justifieth the ungodly, his faith is counted for righteousness. (Romans 4:5) He staggered not at the promise of God through unbelief; but was strong in faith, giving glory to God; And being fully persuaded that, what he had promised, he was able also to perform. And therefore it was imputed to him for righteousness. (Romans 4:20-22)He staggered not at the promise of God through unbelief; but was strong in faith, giving glory to God; And being fully persuaded that, what he had promised, he was able also to perform. And therefore it was imputed to him for righteousness. (Romans 4:20-22)
The epistles were written to people that were already born again. They knew the method of conversion in detail. Therefore, they didn’t need the details again.
But they are reminded of the faith which they were preached, and taught that as with Abraham, effectual faith is what appropriates justification, and not the service itself which faith effects, though since they go together as cause and effect, sometimes they can be used interchangeably. To command baptism is to command faith since it requires and manifests it, but the latter is the effect of believing. As with forgiveness and healing.
Whether is it easier to say to the sick of the palsy, Thy sins be forgiven thee; or to say, Arise, and take up thy bed, and walk? (Mark 2:9)
The effect is not to be confused as the cause, and which is what appropriates justification, though both go together a cause and effect in practice.
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