That is true, thats exactly what Peter told them to do. No amount of theology can get past the fact that acts 2:38 is the person's response that they believe the gospel. What Abraham did is embodied in that, when one believes Christ, they repent. Thats part of it!
Jesus said except ye repent, ye will perish. He Himself included this requirement.
Believing/Repenting is almost inseparable. It's a heart turn toward God/Jesus.
Unless you turn to God, you will perish. Of course!!! We repent by believing in the work He did on the Cross, give up this quest at trying to save ourselves, live for ourselves, and rest solely in His promises.
I find it amazing that out of the entire New Testament, Apos find Acts 2:38 as their preeminent proof text. A narrative describing how the Church began, grew and flourished... and this is their proof text. A situation where people responded to a heavy indictment that they were responsible for the Messiah being rejected and put to death. They were commended to turn to God, to be baptized as disciples of Jesus and told them about the promised Holy Spirit. None of that is a formula to "get to God" -- even as you said, it's a response to what God has already done. This amazing God did all this, believe Him, and be baptized....
It takes MUCH theologizing to pull this out of the Bible against the backdrop of Romans, Galatians, Ephesians and many other Pauline writings. It takes much to do that even in the context of the Gospels.
Is that not your goal also? To live with Jesus forever in the New Jerusalem? Why else would you be living this way? If not to accept the gift of eternal life he is giving you?
I hope you reeeeeaaaaaalllly think about that statement you made.
Yes, I want to live forever with Jesus and reign with Him in New Jerusalem. But that wasn't the primary focus of my salvation.
Believing/Repenting is almost inseparable. It's a heart turn toward God/Jesus.
Unless you turn to God, you will perish. Of course!!! We repent by believing in the work He did on the Cross, give up this quest at trying to save ourselves, live for ourselves, and rest solely in His promises.
I find it amazing that out of the entire New Testament, Apos find Acts 2:38 as their preeminent proof text. A narrative describing how the Church began, grew and flourished... and this is their proof text. A situation where people responded to a heavy indictment that they were responsible for the Messiah being rejected and put to death. They were commended to turn to God, to be baptized as disciples of Jesus and told them about the promised Holy Spirit. None of that is a formula to "get to God" -- even as you said, it's a response to what God has already done. This amazing God did all this, believe Him, and be baptized....
It takes MUCH theologizing to pull this out of the Bible against the backdrop of Romans, Galatians, Ephesians and many other Pauline writings. It takes much to do that even in the context of the Gospels.
Wha??? Do you not read Romans 6 (baptism is defined by how it affects us) or Romans 8(the Spirit's work in our life?)
Do you not read Galatians 3 where we put on Christ in baptism or Ephesians regarding the Holy SPirit being the earnest of our inheritance? No it doesn't take much at all. All it takes is a sincere person looking at what the early church did in regards to salvation. Historical or not, thats what they practiced and they believe one literally died with Christ in baptism or was quickened by the Spirit. The Bible backs up Acts 2:38 in its fullness. It just doesn't answer the questions of those who in between obeying it or obeying it in the way they were taught, etc.
__________________ To be able to unite in difference carries more weight than all the opinions the universe can hold
Wha??? Do you not read Romans 6 (baptism is defined by how it affects us) or Romans 8(the Spirit's work in our life?)
Do you not read Galatians 3 where we put on Christ in baptism or Ephesians regarding the Holy SPirit being the earnest of our inheritance? No it doesn't take much at all. All it takes is a sincere person looking at what the early church did in regards to salvation. Historical or not, thats what they practiced and they believe one literally died with Christ in baptism or was quickened by the Spirit. The Bible backs up Acts 2:38 in its fullness. It just doesn't answer the questions of those who in between obeying it or obeying it in the way they were taught, etc.
I've read, studied and continue to read all those passages you've referenced.
Paul's word pictures, illustrations, articulations of what the rites of baptism are, etc are beautiful and meaningful. To interpret them literally ("baptism saves us") is irresponsible and doesn't even represent Paul's soteriology. Most of Paul's comments on baptism also aren't even about baptism, but about the believer's right living. We have new identities. We are new creatures, etc... To illustrate that point, he shows the picture of baptism.
That the Holy Spirit is the downpayment, that the Spirit of Christ must be in us is also, of course, accepted (great thread on that here called "Spirit and Salvation") --- but Apos have a tendency to see the word "Spirit" and immediately think of snotting, crying and tongues. Spirit-in-the-Box I call it.
The fact is, the Spirit draws us to Him, helps us believe, indwells us, equips us for mission, makes intercession for us, bears witness for us, gifts us, seals us, and one day will resurrect us. There are so many ways the Spirit is active in the believer's life.
Why hasn't the thief on the cross been mentioned yet? Whenever someone points to him, someone else says "Oh, but that was under the old covenant!" In other words, yeah, the old covenant was easier than the new one.
__________________
Hebrews 13:23 Know ye that our brother Timothy is set at liberty
Really and what is your primary focus of salvation. Better yet what IS the primary focus of salvation?
For God so loved the World that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life.
The Bible is clear why God gave us salvation.
Let's put it this way: Why did God elect Israel, separate them and call them to be His people?
(BTW, eternal life, rescue from death is different than "to spend forever in Heaven" -- I don't think your answer is wrong, I just don't think it's complete)
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