In
Acts chapter two, Peter and the other apostles had convinced the people of
their sins. Then
we read in Acts 2:37, “Now when they heard this they were cut to the heart
and said to Peter and the rest of the apostles, ‘Men and brethern, what
shall we do?’’
They had just been convicted of their sin and now wanted to know what
they must do to be saved from their sin.
Their belief and conviction led them to ask, “What shall we do?”
They were now believers in Christ, but they still had all their sins
and were not yet saved.
They had faith in Christ but they were not saved by “faith only” as
many today falsely teach.
“Then Peter said to them, ‘Repent and be baptized every one of you
in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins” (Acts 2:38).
Both repentance and baptism are “for the remission of sins”.
“Repent” and be baptized” are joined together with the
coordinating conjunction “and” which joins two elements of equal
importance. Notice
that “repent” and “be baptized” are both necessary if one really wants
to receive “remission of sins”.
The order is first repentance then baptism which results in forgiveness
of sins. It
follows that neither “repent” nor “be baptized” can occur after
“remission of sins”.
It is sad that today so many people reject the truth of the Bible which
says one must “repent and be baptized…for the remission of sins” (Acts
2:38).
Then Acts 2:40 says, “And with many other words he testified and
exhorted them, saying, ‘Be saved from this perverse generation’”.
Did they follow what Peter instructed them to?
Did they “repent and be baptized…for the remission of their sins”
so they could be saved?
Yes! “Then
those who gladly received his word were baptized; and that day about three
thousand souls were added to them” (Acts 2:41).
What did the Lord do with the three thousand who were baptized?
“And the Lord added to the church daily those who were being saved”
(Acts 2:47).
The Lord only adds the saved to His church.
Since those in the denominational churches do not believe the Lord’s
requirement, that baptism is necessary for salvation, they remain unsaved.
And since the Lord does not add unsaved people to His church, the
unsaved have to join a denomination.
There are many crucial subjects dealt with in the bible, but there are
none more important than what the Bible says the alien sinner must do to be
saved from his sins.
One cannot afford to be wrong about his salvation by following what man
says.