"But when they believed Philip preaching the good news about the kingdom of God and the name of Jesus Christ, they were being baptized, men and women alike." (Acts 8:12 NAS)
Most people with an elementary knowledge of the scriptures understand that the first gospel sermon ever to be preached was preached by Peter on the day of Pentecost as recorded in Acts 2. If one wants to learn what one must do to be saved from sin it is a great place to start. This sermon was the first ever preached after Jesus’ resurrection and return to heaven where he sat down at the right hand of God the Father. His blood had now been shed for the remission of the sins of man. Full forgiveness was now possible.
After Peter’s preaching Jesus on that day of Pentecost, having made believers of approximately 3,000 souls, Peter exhorted them to “Repent, and let each of you be baptized in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins.” (Acts 2:38 NAS) What was required for their salvation that day? Faith, repentance, and baptism.
Who was saved that Day of Pentecost? The text tells us, “So then, those who had received his word were baptized; and there were added that day about three thousand souls.” (Acts 2:41 NAS) Who was saved? Was it those who believed the word only? Or, was it those who heard the word and acted on it, who repented and were baptized? To ask is to answer.
We find a similar account in Acts 8 but this time a different Holy Spirit inspired preacher, Philip the Evangelist. Here we see Philip preaching in the city of Samaria and the text tells us he “began proclaiming Christ to them.” (Acts 8:5 NAS) But, now watch what happened. “When they believed Philip preaching the good news about the kingdom of God and the name of Jesus Christ, they were being baptized, men and women alike.” (Acts 8:12 NAS)`
The Acts 8:12 passage parallels Acts 2:41. What was the good news Philip preached? Was it the gospel Peter preached? Was it “the power of God for salvation” (Rom. 1:16 NAS)? I am sure we can all agree on this.
The text says "they believed Philip" (Acts 8:12) with regard to what he was preaching. This is the equivalent of "those who had received his word" with reference to Peter's preaching in Acts 2:41. When they believed Philip what did they do? The text says "they were being baptized." In Acts 2:41 when they received Peter's word what did they do? They were baptized. Thus we see that in the beginning of the church, of Christianity, of faith in Christ, that when the gospel was preached and believed or received it led to people being baptized. There has to be a reason for that.
Is baptism a part of the gospel? Is it a part of the good news? It is if it is "for the forgiveness of your sins" as per Acts 2:38. It is if Peter preached it. It is if Philip preached it. It is if these two Holy Spirit inspired men preached it. It is if it is a part of God’s means of saving people, a part of God’s plan. Saying this is not discounting faith in any way. It is only those who first believe who benefit by baptism. Baptism is the obedience of faith. It is what a scriptural faith leads to.
Only when one receives the word, the gospel, only when one believes, is he baptized. Those who did not receive the word did not believe it, were not baptized. This pretty much tells us who has believed the gospel and who has disbelieved it. If you believe something else, something other than the gospel, you are not baptized. We ought to consider that seriously.
We know in both cases baptism was preached for how else were people led to be baptized? What led Philip's audience to be baptized if Philip did not preach it? Where did they learn about baptism if he did not preach it? Why were people baptized on the day of Pentecost under Peter's preaching if he did not preach it? But, we do not have to guess about Peter's preaching for Peter's words were "repent, and let each of you be baptized in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins." (Acts 2:38 NAS)
I am reminded of those living in the lifetime of John the Baptist who rejected John’s baptism. The Bible says, “But, the Pharisees and the lawyers rejected God’s purpose for themselves, not having been baptized by John.” (Luke 7:30 NAS) We now live under King Jesus who has a baptism of his own for mankind. Are we going to reject it? Is not the baptism Jesus gives us God’s purpose for us?
If you have never been baptized for the remission of sins you are in a fight against God. Don't be one of those who insist on being saved your way rather than the way taught by Peter and Philip, by the Holy Spirit. You cannot win in a fight against God. It is his narrow gate or the wide gate and the gate you enter makes all the difference (Matt. 7:13-14). You cannot become a child of God by disobedience, by ignoring his word, by doing it the way my group believes. God only has one group--those who have done it his way. It is "the Way." The way of salvation.
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