Lesson 3613

 (Lesson 3613)(11-24-21) Acts 2:37-38

    “Now when they heard this, they were pricked in their heart, and said unto Peter and to the rest of the apostles, Men and brethren, what shall we do? Then Peter said unto them, Repent, and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins, and ye shall receive the gift of the Holy Ghost.”

    The total misinterpretation of today’s quote is the cause of the erroneous contention that water baptism is prerequisite ot eternal salation. Nothing could be further from the truth.

    Make note that Peter was simply asked, “what shall we do”. To which, Peter replied, “repent and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins, and ye shall receive the Holy Ghost.”

    The quote makes it very clear that the baptism that Peter required of those men, was an immersion INTO the name of Jesus Christ, NOT into water. 

    Remember, the word “baptize” was transliterated from the Greek word “baptizo”, which simply means to immerse. It DOES NOT imply that that immersion must to be into water. A baptism, (immersion) can be accomplished within almost anything.

    What was the reward Peter said would be given to those who were immersed in the name of Jesus Christ? That reward was that they would receive receive the erasure of their sins, and would receive the Holy Ghost. 

    In order to better establish that what I’m saying here is true, lets also remember what John the Baptist said when speaking directly of the meaning and intent of his water immersion, compared to the immersion into the Holy Ghost that Jesus provides. John said, “I indeed baptize you with water unto (toward) repentance. but He that cometh after me is mightier than I, whose shoes I am not worthy to bear”. HE SHALL BAPTIZE YOU WITH THE HOLY GHOST, AND WITH FIRE.”~

     NOTE: We will continue this discussion as tomorrow’s quote contains another issue we should consider in the determination of what kind of baptism those apostles administered to those three thousand souls on that day of Pentecost.