Big Questions. Real Answers.

Pattern in Acts

Jews: heard (2:37), repented (2:38), baptized (2:38, 41)

Samaritans: heard (8:6), believed (8:12), baptized (8:12)

Eunuch: heard (8:35), believed (8:37, KJV), confessed (8:37, KJV), baptized (8:38)

Saul: heard (9:6), baptized (9:18)

Gentiles: heard (10:33; 15:7), believed (15:7), repented (11:18), baptized (10:48)

Lydia: heard (16:14), baptized (16:15)

Jailor: heard (16:32), believed (16:34), baptized (16:33)

Corinthians: heard (18:8), believed (18:8), baptized (18:8)

Ephesians: heard (19:5), believed (19:4), baptized (19:5)

Common ArgumentsBaptism is a work

Different kinds of works (law, flesh, merit, devil, darkness, etc)Belief is a work (Jn. 6:28-29)Baptism is not a meritorious work (Tit. 3:5)

Thief on the crossWe do not know if he was baptized Different covenant Not an alien sinner (erring Jew)Romans 10:9-10 (believe that God raised Christ)

Saved by the bloodThe blood is justifying (Rom. 5:9), redeeming (Eph. 1:7), reconciling (Col. 1:20), sanctifying (Heb. 13:12), and cleansing (1 Jn. 1:7)Contacted in baptism (Rom. 6:3)Both forgive (Matt. 26:28; Acts 2:38), wash (Rev. 1:5; Acts 22:16), cleanse (1 Jn. 1:7; Eph. 5:26), and save (Rom. 5:9; 1 Pet. 3:21)

Common ArgumentsSalvation is by grace

Eph. 2:8; 2 Tim. 1:9; Tit. 2:11Grace is appropriated conditionally (obedient faith)

Noah, children of Israel, NaamanCornelius and Ephesians saved by grace (Eph. 2:8; Acts 15:11)

Mark 16:16 is Holy Spirit baptismMatthew 28:19 is parallel accountAdministered by man and “in the name of”Only two recorded cases of Holy Spirit baptismEphesians 4:5 — “one baptism”

Paul was not sent to baptize1 Corinthians 1:17 does not contradict Great CommissionPaul taught the necessity of baptism (Rom. 6:3; Gal. 3:27; Col. 2:12-13)Paul had baptized some in Corinth (Crispus, Gaius, household of Stephanas, etc)V. 13 — two things necessary to be a follower of someone: (1) crucified for you and (2) baptized in their name

Big Questions. Real Answers.

Challenge

“The church, which is His body” (Eph. 1:22-23)

“There is one body” (Eph. 4:4)

“Christ is the head of the church, His body,

and is Himself its Savior” (Eph. 5:23)

30-33 AD — Church of Jesus Christ

313 AD — Edict of Milan (Constantine promotes tolerance of Christians)

325 AD — First Council of Nicea (convened to settle doctrinal disputes)

606-607 AD — Roman Catholic Church

1517 AD — Luther posts “Ninety-Five Theses”

1520-1530 AD — Lutheran Church

1536 AD — Presbyterian Church

1607-1611 AD — Baptist Church

1729-1739 AD — Methodist Church

1830 AD — Mormon Church

1844 AD — Seventh-day Adventist Church

1906 — Christian Church (the split was 50 years in the making, based largely one two issues: Missionary Societies and Mechanical Instruments)

1908 — Nazarene Church