Sermon Repent and Be Baptized

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[2] The title of the sermon today is “REPENT AND BE BAPTIZED.”

Acts 2:38 Is One Of The Most Used Verses By False Religions

• Today, we’re going to look in detail at one verse in the Bible. That verse is Acts 2:38.
• Since false religions are based entirely from Acts 2:38, we’re going to see what it actually says today.
• And Acts 2:38 is one of my favorite verses in the Bible, and it’s not difficult to understand.

[3] Acts 2:38 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.

• When you look at this verse alone without knowing anything else about the Bible, what do you see?
• PETER is preaching while he is filled with the Holy Ghost.
• This means God is speaking through Peter. It’s written in the Scripture which is the perfect word of God.
• There is no error in this verse at all. It’s the perfect and inspired word of God.

Repent comma and be baptized. So repent is the first action. And then baptism will be the next action.

• Repent stands alone there as the first action. What does that mean?
• Well, most people today think that it means to repent of your sins.
• They say, “You must first repent of your sin to be saved.” What does that mean, though?
• I’m not sure what they mean. I think they mean that you must turn from all your sin.
• You must be willing to stop sinning is what they’ll say. So, they say REPENT OF YOUR SIN is first.
• “You MUST repent of your sins before your sins can be forgiven.” That’s what they’re saying.

Then, being baptized in water is next.

• They say, “You have to be baptized in water in order for your sins to be forgiven.”
• So, YOU have to repent of your sin and be baptized in water to be forgiven of your sins.
• You must repent and be baptized to receive the gift of the Holy Ghost.
• So, this is what many false religions are saying.
• They take Acts 2:38 and say these are the requirements to be saved.

They’ll even say this is all you need to know to be saved. Repent of your sins and be baptized.

• They’ll say this is the beginning of the church right there and that’s all you need to know. That’s it.
• REPENT OF YOUR SINS AND BE BAPTIZED and that’s it. But not really.
• Then you have to be “GOOD” the rest of your life too in order to make it to heaven.
• If you’re bad, then you lose your salvation unless you repent of your sin.

Me? I don’t get any of that from the Bible when I read it.

• I read the entire chapter. I read the chapter before it. I read the chapters after it.
• I read the books before it. I read the books after it. I read the entire Bible.
• ONE VERSE IN THE BIBLE STANDS ON ITS OWN.
• But your understanding of it must match the doctrine taught throughout the entire Bible.
• You can’t take 1 verse, think that you understand it correctly, and then it doesn’t match everywhere else.
• Your understanding of Acts 2:38 MUST MATCH the rest of the Bible.
• That means Acts 2:38 must match with your understanding from Genesis to Revelation.

My understanding of Acts 2:38 matches the entire Bible from front to back.

• I understand the Bible as a whole from front to back when it comes to salvation.
• Salvation is not different from Genesis to Revelation.
• From the foundations of the world, SALVATION has always been the same.

There are 2 ways to make it to heaven.

• The first is to follow all the laws and commandments and BE PERFECT.
• If you do that, you can make it to heaven on your own. You will earn your way to heaven.
• But, the Bible clearly tells us that NO MAN will ever be able to do that.
• There is no perfect man besides Jesus Christ that has ever lived.
• Adam wasn’t perfect. Abel wasn’t. Seth wasn’t. Noah. Abraham. Sarah. Isaac. Jacob. Joseph. Moses.
• Joshua. Rahab. Gideon. Samson. Samuel. Saul. David. Solomon.

Were People In The Old Testament Perfect?

Do you think any of those people in the Old Testament made it to heaven because they were perfect?

• No, none of those people were perfect. They all broke the law.
• What about Matthew, Mark, Luke, John, Peter, Paul, Mary, Elizabeth, John the Baptist, Timothy.
• Barnabas. James. Jude. Do you think any of them were perfect?
• Since no man is perfect. Since NONE ARE GOOD the Bible says, how did they make it to heaven?
• Because I guarantee you all the people I just listed are in heaven right now.
• Yes, RAHAB THE HARLOT is in heaven right now. Yes, King Saul who killed himself is in heaven right now.

Are all of those in heaven right now because they followed the commandments?

• Repent of your sins is a commandment for us to follow.
• Being baptized in water is a commandment for us to follow.
• Stopping sin takes work to accomplish. Repenting of sin takes a conscious effort on your part.
• It’s not easy to stop sinning. It takes work.
• Water baptism takes work. You must decide to be baptized. You must go to someone to baptize you.
• You must find a place to be baptized. You have to have someone else to take you under the water.
• You have to have someone else to bring you up out of the water.

In other words, repenting of sin and being baptized are both works. They are commandments to follow.

• They take work. We can follow those, but we’ve already broken many, many other commandments.
• That means we are already guilty of breaking God’s laws.
• We can’t simply start to follow all the commandments now and think we’re forgiven by doing good works.
• Good works are following God’s laws and commands.

Does the Bible teach anywhere that we’re forgiven by following God’s laws?

• If we do a good work, will that forgive us for something else that we’ve done in the past?
• No, that sounds just like the false religions out there. KARMA.
• A balance scale to measure our good versus bad. If we hit more on the good side, then we’ll make it.
• Does the Bible teach that anywhere?
• If Acts 2:38 says that all we have to do to be forgiven is to repent of our sins and be baptized, that would be saying that we can simply do 2 good works and those good works will forgive our sins.
• If you know the entire Bible from front to back, you’ll know that CANNOT be true.

So again, the Bible tells us there are 2 ways to be saved:

• 1) Follow all the law all your life and never sin. You must be perfect to earn eternal life.
• 2) Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ to save you, know that he will save you, and you’re saved.
• That second option is the only option because none are good the Bible says. None are perfect.
• So, the ONLY WAY for us to be saved is by God’s grace through our personal FAITH in Jesus Christ.
• Changing your mind about Jesus Christ and believing he will save you is not a work.
• You can do it right now, and it doesn’t take any work at all to change your mind and believe on him.
• The only way to salvation is through the Lord Jesus Christ and it doesn’t take works on your part.
• Repenting of sin and baptism are works on your part. They take work. Believing doesn’t take work.

[4] Ephesians 2:8-10 For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God: 9 Not of works, lest any man should boast. 10 For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus unto good works, which God hath before ordained that we should walk in them.

• God’s grace means that he gives you something you don’t deserve.
• If you work for something, then you deserve it and it’s no longer grace. Because you then deserve it.
• Faith only exists once you put ALL YOUR TRUST on Jesus alone to save you.
• If you think you have to believe on Jesus, repent of your sin, and be baptized, you’re adding your works.

Adding Works To Salvation Is Not Faith

When you add your works to salvation, then you don’t have faith on JESUS to save you.

• You’re adding things you MUST do to be saved. And salvation is NOT OF WORKS.
• That Scripture tells us that salvation does not depend on you repenting of sin and being baptized.
• If you think you have to do works like repenting of sin and being baptized, then it’s not faith.
• And how are you saved? THROUGH FAITH. Faith is complete TRUST on Jesus Christ alone.

And then what does verse 10 say right there?

• “FOR WE ARE HIS WORKMANSHIP.” We are his works. Once you’re saved, then you are in Christ Jesus.
• THEN, you can do good works. “Which God hath before ordained that we SHOULD walk in them.”
• When you have the Spirit of Christ, you’re saved because you’ve fully trusted HIM to save you.
• If you’ve always thought YOU have to be good to be saved, you’re not getting it. You’re not saved.
• You don’t have the Spirit of Christ until you BELIEVE ON HIM alone to save you.
• And then after you’re saved, YOU SHOULD FOLLOW GOD’S LAWS.
• This means after you’ve believed on him, you SHOULD get baptized and repent of your sin.
• The BIBLE never says YOU MUST BE BAPTIZED to receive forgiveness of sin.

People are taking Acts 2:38 and saying that repenting of your sin and being baptized will forgive you of your sin.

• The Bible clearly says that there are NO WORKS you can do to forgive your soul of all your sin.
• So, people are essentially saying that the works of repenting of sin and baptism will forgive sin.

[5] Mark 2:7 Why doth this man thus speak blasphemies? who can forgive sins but God only?

[6] Mark 2:10-11 But that ye may know that the Son of man hath power on earth to forgive sins, (he saith to the sick of the palsy,) 11 I say unto thee, Arise, and take up thy bed, and go thy way into thine house.

• God alone forgives sin. When you think your works are going to do it, that’s not GOD ALONE forgiving sin.
• JESUS has the power to forgive sins. And he says, “Trust me. I got this for you.”
• Why do you think Jesus came to earth and died on the cross?
• HE IS THE SACRIFICE FOR SINS. There must be a sacrifice for your sins.
• The people who are saying repent of your sin and be baptized to be saved are saying that they are making the sacrifice for sin through their works.

[7] Galatians 2:21 I do not frustrate the grace of God: for if righteousness come by the law, then Christ is dead in vain.

• “IF RIGHTEOUSNESS COME BY THE LAW, then Christ is DEAD IN VAIN.”
• If you could gain righteousness by following God’s commandments such as baptism and repenting of sin, then Christ is dead for no reason at all.
• If their interpretation of Acts 2:38 is correct, then JESUS died on the cross for nothing.
• If we could gain forgiveness of sin on our own, then we wouldn’t need Jesus.
• But we can’t follow the whole law. You can get baptized, but you’ve broken all the other laws.
• And if you got baptized without fully trusting on Jesus, you broke the law right there.
• For example, circumcision for males was a law just like being baptized in water is a law.

[8] Romans 2:25 For circumcision verily profiteth, if thou keep the law: but if thou be a breaker of the law, thy circumcision is made uncircumcision.

• In other words, if you’ve kept the whole law, then your baptism counts for something towards salvation.
• In other words, since you haven’t kept the whole law, your baptism counts for nothing towards salvation.
• You only get baptized because you’ve already been saved and you understand baptism doesn’t save you.
• Baptism doesn’t come first and then you’re saved afterwards.
• Salvation only comes through BELIEVING on the Lord Jesus Christ alone to save you.

[9] James 2:10 For whosoever shall keep the whole law, and yet offend in one point, he is guilty of all.

• Have you offended in one point? Or are you perfect like the rich ruler in the Bible?
• He asks Jesus what GOOD THING he needs to do to make it to heaven.
• He thinks he can make it by doing something good. Jesus tells him he must keep all the commandments.
• The only good thing you can do to make it to heaven is to keep all the commandments.
• And there’s hundreds upon hundreds of those in the Bible. If you have a bad thought that is sin, it’s over.
• Did Jesus answer that rich ruler and tell him to repent of his sin and be baptized?
• No, he tells him he has to keep all of the commandments. Do that, and you’ll enter into life.
• The rich ruler says that he’s kept all of those things. Jesus says, “IF thou wilt be perfect.”

If your baptism is going to count towards you earning salvation, then you have to keep the whole law.

• If any work you do is going to help you earn your way to heaven, you have to do all the law all your life.
• If you don’t, then none of things count any more. Why? You’re guilty.
• If you want your good works to count towards something, then you must first have faith.
• That’s a complete trust in Jesus ALONE to save you. Then, you’re saved and then your good works count.
• But they don’t count towards salvation because you already have salvation.
• The good works you do AFTER you’re saved will then be good works and will earn rewards in heaven.
• GOOD WORKS NEVER COUNT towards salvation unless you follow the entire law. And you can’t.

Does Repenting Of Sin and Being Baptized Forigve Your Soul Of Sin?

Let’s continue to imagine that repenting of sin and being baptized forgives you of sin.

• Let’s read Acts 2:38 again and let’s try to understand what these people are saying.

[10] Acts 2:38 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.

• “Repent and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins.”
• They take that verse and say that you must repent of your sin and be baptized to receive remission of sins.
• That’s not what the verse says and means, but let’s pretend that it does.
• Would it match with this next verse?

[11] Hebrews 9:22 And almost all things are by the law purged with blood; and without shedding of blood is no remission.

• If I get baptized and repent of my sins, was there shedding of blood on my part?
• Did my wonderful works forgive me of sin? No. It’s the sacrifice GOD made on HIS OWN.
• He shed the blood. The sacrifices in the Old Testament with blood didn’t forgive sin.
• They were a picture of the sacrifice of Jesus, HIS BLOOD, forgiving sin.

[12] Hebrews 10:4 For it is not possible that the blood of bulls and of goats should take away sins.

• When you get baptized, there is no shedding of blood and remission of sin.
• When you repent of your sin, there is no shedding of blood and forgiveness of sin to be saved.

[13] Hebrews 9:26 For then must he often have suffered since the foundation of the world: but now once in the end of the world hath he appeared to put away sin by the sacrifice of himself.

• You don’t put away sin with your good works of repenting of sin and baptism.
• JESUS puts away sin through the sacrifice HE made. All you have to do is believe on him alone.
• And that isn’t work. It’s a change of mind. God did all the work. You simply believe on HIM to save you.

So, let’s continue to pretend that repenting of sin and being baptized is required for salvation.

• Those people say that you MUST repent of your sin and be baptized to be saved.
• Once you do those things, they say, then you will be forgiven of your sin.
• They also say that you’re not forgiven completely of all your future sin.
• But let’s say that once you repent of your sin and ar baptized, then you are forgiven of your sin.
• 1) Repent of your sin. 2) Be baptized. 3) You’re forgiven of your sins. 4) You receive the Holy Spirit.
• Some false religions today have step 5) Speak in tongues.
• Let’s write it on the board. You can’t receive the Holy Spirit until you’ve been baptized.

Let’s say it worked that way in THAT ORDER. That’s what these people are saying.

• And let’s say it started working that way at ACTS CHAPTER 2 and forward.
• They say before Acts 2 it doesn’t count. So, we won’t look at the thief on the cross. We won’t look at Saul.
• We’ll look in the BOOK OF ACTS after ACTS CHAPTER 2. Let’s see what we find.
• Let’s go to Acts Chapter 10. That’s after Acts Chapter 2. Let’s see if this new order of things matches.
• Let’s see if these people repent of sin, are baptized, are forgiven of sin, and then receive the Holy Ghost.
• We’re going to read Acts Chapter 10 verses 44 through 48.

[14] Acts 10:44-45 While Peter yet spake these words, the Holy Ghost fell on all them which heard the word. 45 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.

• So, who do we see preaching here? PETER. Same exact man as we saw in Acts 2:38.
• They hear the word and the HOLY GHOST fell on them.
• They weren’t yet baptized. Let’s continue in the very next verse.

[15] Acts 10:46-47 For they heard them speak with tongues, and magnify God. Then answered Peter, 47 Can any man forbid water, that these should not be baptized, which have received the Holy Ghost as well as we?

• The Holy Ghost falls on them and they speak with tongues or other languages.
• Then Peter says, “Shouldn’t these men be baptized? They’ve received the Holy Ghost.”

[16] Acts 10:48 And he commanded them to be baptized in the name of the Lord. Then prayed they him to tarry certain days.

• Then they were baptized. So, does this order of events match the false interpretation of Acts 2?
• So, according to this order, 1) They heard some preaching. 2) The Holy Ghost fell upon them.
• 3) They spoke with tongues. 4) They were baptized.
• I never see remission of sins listed here so I guess they weren’t saved, right?
• Does this not immediately disprove the false interpretation and order of Acts 2:38?
• They received the Holy Ghost upon them BEFORE they were baptized.
• So, to be saved, do we just go around listen to preaching and hope the Holy Ghost comes upon us?
• NO, obviously not. Right before Acts 10:44 where we were just reading, watch what it says.

[17] Acts 10:43-44 To him give all the prophets witness, that through his name whosoever believeth in him shall receive remission of sins. 44 While Peter yet spake these words, the Holy Ghost fell on all them which heard the word.

• “WHOSOEVER BELIEVETH IN HIM SHALL RECEIVE REMISSION OF SINS.”
• In Acts Chapter 2, we see something very similar when Peter is preaching. Remember, this is the same man preaching.

[18] Acts 2:21 And it shall come to pass, that whosoever shall call on the name of the Lord shall be saved.

[19] Romans 10:13-14 For whosoever shall call upon the name of the Lord shall be saved. 14 How then shall they call on him in whom they have not believed? and how shall they believe in him of whom they have not heard? and how shall they hear without a preacher?

• So, Acts 2:21 tells us that to be saved we must call upon the name of the Lord.
• Calling upon the Lord doesn’t have to be verbally spoken. He hears your thoughts.
• And to call upon the name of the Lord, you first must BELIEVE ON THE LORD.
• So Peter preaches in Acts 2 and tells them how to be saved. CALL UPON THE NAME OF THE LORD.
• “Jesus, please save me.” They hear his words. He tells them they killed Jesus. They say, “Oh no!!!”

What Should We Do? Repent And Be Baptized Because Of The Remission Of Sins!

“What should we do?” Repent, and be baptized for the remission of sins.

• Peter preaches the exact same message in Acts 10. He tells them to believe on the name of Jesus.
• Peter isn’t confused. He knows how to be saved. He knows it through JESUS CHRIST alone.
• The book of Acts alone disproves this false gospel that says you must repent of your sin and be baptized to be saved.
• In Acts Chapter 11, Peter summarizes what happened in Acts Chapter 10.

[20] Acts 11:12-14 And the spirit bade me go with them, nothing doubting. Moreover these six brethren accompanied me, and we entered into the man’s house: 13 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; 14 Who shall tell thee words, whereby thou and all thy house shall be saved.

• Notice it says that Peter will tell them all the words whereby they shall be saved.
• You’re saved by hearing the preaching of the WORD OF GOD and believing what is said.

[21] Acts 11:15 And as I began to speak, the Holy Ghost fell on them, as on us at the beginning.

• And what was Peter saying right before and exactly when the Holy Ghost fell upon them?
• This tells us exactly when they were saved.
• Peter is going to tell them the words whereby they will be saved.
• Again, do you remember exactly what Peter was saying when these people were saved. Watch this.

[22] Acts 10:43-44 To him give all the prophets witness, that through his name whosoever believeth in him shall receive remission of sins. 44 While Peter yet spake these words, the Holy Ghost fell on all them which heard the word.

• “Whosoever believeth in him shall receive remission of sins.”
• Notice Acts Chapter 11 doesn’t tell us that they received remission of sins once they were baptized.
• NONE OF THE BIBLE SAYS THIS. Acts 2:38 doesn’t say that.
• God didn’t START THE BIBLE with Acts 2:38 and he didn’t end the Bible with Acts 2:38.
• There are 31,101 other verses in the Bible.
• When you understand Acts 2:38 correctly, that verse agrees with all 31,101 others.
• You don’t have to ignore all the other verses. They all fit together perfectly.
• And it’s not difficult to understand. Once you KNOW ONE THING and are saved. It becomes easy.
• And here’s the TRUTH all throughout the Bible. This is the GOSPEL that saves.

[23] John 3:36 He that believeth on the Son hath everlasting life: and he that believeth not the Son shall not see life; but the wrath of God abideth on him.

• That’s it. It’s that simple. BELIEVE ON JESUS and you’ve received remission of sins.
• You’ve received eternal life. You’ve received the indwelling of the Holy Spirit. That’s faith.
• Faith is when you finally realize that it’s all Jesus, and there’s nothing you can do.
• Faith is when you finally just give all the other trash up and put all your trust in Jesus to save you.
• And yes, John 3:36 agrees perfectly with Acts 2:38 and the entire rest of the Bible.
• Notice that John 3:36 doesn’t mention anything about repenting of sin or baptism.
• Repenting of sin and baptism are works.
• They are things we should do because God commanded us to do those things.

[24] Romans 4:5 But to him that worketh not, but believeth on him that justifieth the ungodly, his faith is counted for righteousness.

• The only way you receive righteousness is through faith in Jesus Christ.
• You can’t gain it or add it to yourself in any other way. Baptism doesn’t do it. No works will do that.

[25] 1 Corinthians 1:17-18 For Christ sent me not to baptize, but to preach the gospel: not with wisdom of words, lest the cross of Christ should be made of none effect. 18 For the preaching of the cross is to them that perish foolishness; but unto us which are saved it is the power of God.

• Preaching the GOSPEL is what saves people. That’s what Peter was doing in Acts 2 and 10.
• Why does that save? People hear the word of God, and they believe that Jesus is the savior.
• If Jesus is the savior but you need baptism to save you, then JESUS ISN’T THE SAVIOR.
• Paul says Jesus didn’t send me to baptize because baptism doesn’t save anyone.
• Paul was sent to preach the Gospel and that is what saves.

[26] 1 Corinthians 15:1-3 Moreover, brethren, I declare unto you the gospel which I preached unto you, which also ye have received, and wherein ye stand; 2 By which also ye are saved, if ye keep in memory what I preached unto you, unless ye have believed in vain. 3 For I delivered unto you first of all that which I also received, how that Christ died for our sins according to the scriptures;

[27] 1 Corinthians 15:4-6 And that he was buried, and that he rose again the third day according to the scriptures: 5 And that he was seen of Cephas, then of the twelve: 6 After that, he was seen of above five hundred brethren at once; of whom the greater part remain unto this present, but some are fallen asleep.

[28] 1 Corinthians 15:7-9 After that, he was seen of James; then of all the apostles. 8 And last of all he was seen of me also, as of one born out of due time. 9 For I am the least of the apostles, that am not meet to be called an apostle, because I persecuted the church of God.

[29] 1 Corinthians 15:10-11 But by the grace of God I am what I am: and his grace which was bestowed upon me was not in vain; but I laboured more abundantly than they all: yet not I, but the grace of God which was with me. 11 Therefore whether it were I or they, so we preach, and so ye believed.

• There it all is right there. CHRIST DIED FOR OUR SINS. We don’t get baptized to forgive our sins.
• NO, CHRIST DIED FOR OUR SINS. He died, he was buried, and he rose again.
• That’s what BAPTISM is picturing. It’s saying that you understand that Jesus died for you.
• That he was buried, and that he rose again. Baptism isn’t a part of the Gospel. Baptism is a picture.
• That’s you dying, being buried as you go into the water, and arising as you come up out of the water.
• You don’t actually die, you aren’t actually buried, and you aren’t actually risen from the dead.
• It’s a PICTURE or a FIGURE saying, “Hey, I understand God. I want to be baptized. I want to obey you.”
• But you’re already saved before you’re baptized because YOU HAVE BELIEVED to the saving of your soul.

Believing On Jesus Saves Your Soul

[30] Hebrews 10:39 But we are not of them who draw back unto perdition; but of them that believe to the saving of the soul.

• What saves your soul? BELEIVING ON THE LORD JESUS CHRIST.
• Repent doesn’t automatically mean REPENT OF YOUR SIN.
• REPENT in Acts 2:38 doesn’t mean to repent of your sin. IT DOES NOT MEAN repent of your sin.
• I’m going to show you what it means using the book of Acts and an example we’ve already seen today.

[31] Acts 11:18 When they heard these things, they held their peace, and glorified God, saying, Then hath God also to the Gentiles granted repentance unto life.

• This is Acts chapter 10 and 11 when the GENTILES heard Peter preach and believed what he said.
• Peter is summarizing what happened in Acts Chapter 10. They believed that Jesus is the SAVIOR.
• It says right there that they were “GRANTED REPENTANCE UNTO LIFE.”
• Some people will say that means they repented of their sin and gained eternal life.
• Acts Chapter 10 never mentions them repenting of their sin.
• Remember, they received the HOLY GHOST before they were baptized.
• Repentance unto life. What does that mean? Well, what gives you eternal life? This verse answers that.

[32] John 6:47 Verily, verily, I say unto you, He that believeth on me hath everlasting life.

• When you believe on Jesus, you receive everlasting life.
• REPENTANCE UNTO LIFE is a change of mind. A change of mind from what?
• IT MUST BE A change of mind from UNBELIEF to BELIEF.
• Why does that have to be that? Because BELIEF on Jesus is what gives you everlasting life.
• REPENT in Acts 2:38 is a change of mind from unbelief to belief on Jesus. That’s what it means.

[33] Acts 2:38 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.

• Do you see REPENT is in between commas there? That means pause, REPENT, pause again.
• REPENT means to change your mind from unbelief to belief. We’re going to stop and repent.
• At the moment you do that, you’re saved. It doesn’t mention repenting of sin.
• The ENTIRE BIBLE never says to repent of sin to be saved. NOT ONCE. NOT ONCE. NOT ONCE.
• What happens when you stop and repent? You’ve went from unbelief to belief. You’re saved.
• Now that you’re saved, what should do you do next? Well, let’s read what it says right there.
• “Be baptized in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins.”
• REPENT was on its own right there. Be baptized in the name of Jesus for remission of sins.
• Is that the truth? OH YEAH, that’s the truth.

After you’re saved through repentance, you need to be baptized in the name of Jesus for remission of sins.

• You’re going to be baptized in the name of Jesus BECAUSE OF the remission of sins.
• You’re sins have already been forgiven once you believe on the Lord Jesus Christ.
• Now, because you’re sins have been forgiven, you’re going to get baptized.
• The key is the DEFINITION OF THE WORD FOR in that sentence. We’re going to break this down.
• This is the ENGLISH LANGUAGE. A definition of FOR is BECAUSE OF.

[34]

• You don’t take aspirin so you can get a headache.
• You don’t get baptized so you can get forgiveness of your sins.
• Again, you don’t take aspirin so you can get a headache.
• Again, you don’t get baptized so you can be forgiven of your sins.
• Someone dunking you in water doesn’t forgive you of sins.
• Taking aspirin doesn’t give you a headache. You take them BECAUSE of the headache.

[35] Acts 2:38 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.

• AND YE SHALL RECEIVE THE GIFT OF THE HOLY GHOST.
• That’s a true statement. As soon as you believe you will receive the gift of the Holy Ghost.
• As soon as your mind changes from unbelief to belief you will receive the gift of the Holy Ghost.
• Once you repent, you will receive the gift of the Holy Ghost.

[36] Acts 2:41 Then they that gladly received his word were baptized: and the same day there were added unto them about three thousand souls.

• They gladly received his word. That means they believed it. They believed JESUS is the SAVIOR.
• They were saved, and then they were baptized. It’s that simple.
• The Bible says over and over again. BELIEVE ON HIM, and you’re saved. That’s it. He’s the SAVIOR.
• Now, does that match Acts 2:38? Yes it does. It matches it perfectly.
• Does it match the rest of the book of Acts? Well, let’s see some examples.
• Let’s look at Acts Chapter 8. That’s after Acts Chapter 2, right?

[37] Acts 8:27-29 And he arose and went: and, behold, a man of Ethiopia, an eunuch of great authority under Candace queen of the Ethiopians, who had the charge of all her treasure, and had come to Jerusalem for to worship, 28 Was returning, and sitting in his chariot read Esaias the prophet. 29 Then the Spirit said unto Philip, Go near, and join thyself to this chariot.

[38] Acts 8:30-31 And Philip ran thither to him, and heard him read the prophet Esaias, and said, Understandest thou what thou readest? 31 And he said, How can I, except some man should guide me? And he desired Philip that he would come up and sit with him.

[39] Acts 8:32-33 The place of the scripture which he read was this, He was led as a sheep to the slaughter; and like a lamb dumb before his shearer, so opened he not his mouth: 33 In his humiliation his judgment was taken away: and who shall declare his generation? for his life is taken from the earth.

[40] Acts 8:34-36 And the eunuch answered Philip, and said, I pray thee, of whom speaketh the prophet this? of himself, or of some other man? 35 Then Philip opened his mouth, and began at the same scripture, and preached unto him Jesus. 36 And as they went on their way, they came unto a certain water: and the eunuch said, See, here is water; what doth hinder me to be baptized?

• Philip preaches the GOSPEL to this Ethiopian eunuch. He preached JESUS to him.
• That means he preaches JESUS as THE Savior. The man says, “What’s stopping me from being baptized?”
• Shouldn’t I be baptized first? Is that the correct order of things?

[41] Acts 8:37-38 And Philip said, If thou believest with all thine heart, thou mayest. And he answered and said, I believe that Jesus Christ is the Son of God. 38 And he commanded the chariot to stand still: and they went down both into the water, both Philip and the eunuch; and he baptized him.

• Did Philip get the order wrong? No, he says, “IF YOU BELIEVE, you may be baptized.”
• And the eunuch says, “I BELIEVE THAT JESUS IS THE SAVIOR. I BELIEVE HE IS THE SON OF GOD.”
• Philip says, “Stop the chariot.” They go down and Philip baptizes that Ethiopian eunuch.
• That eunuch was saved at the moment of BELIEF. Not when he was baptized.

Saved = Once You Believe On Jesus

Once he believed, he received remission of sins and the gift of the Holy Ghost. Then, he was baptized.

• This eunuch didn’t repent of his sins, was baptized, and then was saved.
• BELIEVE ON JESUS AND BE SAVED. This fits this example perfectly.
• What about Acts Chapter 16?

[42] Acts 16:27-29 And the keeper of the prison awaking out of his sleep, and seeing the prison doors open, he drew out his sword, and would have killed himself, supposing that the prisoners had been fled. 28 But Paul cried with a loud voice, saying, Do thyself no harm: for we are all here. 29 Then he called for a light, and sprang in, and came trembling, and fell down before Paul and Silas,

[43] Acts 16:30-32 And brought them out, and said, Sirs, what must I do to be saved? 31 And they said, Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ, and thou shalt be saved, and thy house. 32 And they spake unto him the word of the Lord, and to all that were in his house.

[44] Acts 16:33-34 And he took them the same hour of the night, and washed their stripes; and was baptized, he and all his, straightway. 34 And when he had brought them into his house, he set meat before them, and rejoiced, believing in God with all his house.

• What’s the order? What’s first? “WHAT MUST I DO TO BE SAVED?”
• “Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ and thou shalt be saved.” They preached the word of the Lord.
• The man and his house heard the word of the Lord. They believed and then they were baptized.
• And notice, we don’t see all these people speaking with tongues once they’re saved or baptized.
• That was a SIGN FOR THE APOSTLES so they could see that the GENTILES can be saved too.
• Those miracles were done so the GOSPEL would be spread and more people would be saved.
• What about Acts Chapter 18?

[45] Acts 18:7-8 And he departed thence, and entered into a certain man’s house, named Justus, one that worshipped God, whose house joined hard to the synagogue. 8 And Crispus, the chief ruler of the synagogue, believed on the Lord with all his house; and many of the Corinthians hearing believed, and were baptized.

• They believed FIRST and then they were baptized. They weren’t saved through baptism.

[46] Genesis 15:6 And he believed in the LORD; and he counted it to him for righteousness.

• That verse right there is ABRAHAM. All the way back to ABRAHAM. Genesis Chapter 15.
• How did Abraham have righteousness counted to him? Through believing the promise from God.

[47] Psalm 116:10-13 I believed, therefore have I spoken: I was greatly afflicted: 11 I said in my haste, All men are liars. 12 What shall I render unto the LORD for all his benefits toward me? 13 I will take the cup of salvation, and call upon the name of the LORD.

• King David knew how he was saved. It sure wasn’t good works. He believed and called upon the Lord.
• You’ll see throughout the Bible that all people of all times are saved the exact same way.
• And it doesn’t include good works like repenting of sin and being baptized.
• The only way that King Saul could have gone to heaven is being saved once he believed.
• The only way the thief on the cross could have been saved is being saved once he believed.

The Holy Ghost Comes Upon People And He Indwells Saved People

And remember, the Holy Ghost 1) comes upon people and fills people and 2) he indwells people.

• The Acts Chapter 2 miracle isn’t the indwelling of the Holy Ghost when people are saved.
• It happens again to the same people in Acts Chapter 4. Is that when they were saved again?
• Jesus breathed on those same disciples in John Chapter 20 and gave them the Holy Ghost.
• When you believe on Jesus, you have the indwelling of the Holy Spirit.
• When you obey God and you need the Holy Ghost to come upon you and fill you, HE CAN.
• But, we’re not always filled with the Holy Ghost as God commands us to be.
• If it were automatic, God wouldn’t command us to be filled with the Holy Ghost.

[48] Acts 8:14-17 Now when the apostles which were at Jerusalem heard that Samaria had received the word of God, they sent unto them Peter and John: 15 Who, when they were come down, prayed for them, that they might receive the Holy Ghost: 16 (For as yet he was fallen upon none of them: only they were baptized in the name of the Lord Jesus.) 17 Then laid they their hands on them, and they received the Holy Ghost.

• Those APOSTLES were already SAVED BEFORE the Holy Ghost came upon them.
• They had already believed and had been baptized a long time ago.

[49] Acts 2:38 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.

• REPENT. Change your mind from unbelief to belief. Once you believe, you receive forgiveness of all sin.
• You receive eternal life at that moment. It’s everlasting. It never ends.
• You receive the indwelling of the Holy Ghost. That is the gift of the HOLY GHOST.
• Then, you should be baptized because you have received the remission of sins.
• That’s what the verse means, and that matches with the ENTIRE BIBLE from start to finish.

Let’s pray.