In the previous blog entry we addressed the question, “is baptism necessary for salvation?” We dissected Acts 2:38 and its implication. Now, I want to give you one more angle on looking at Acts 2:38 and briefly (I stress briefly!) look at a handful of other verse used to substantiate baptismal regeneration.
Continuing the discussion on Acts 2:38...
Fourth, if the three evidences posted in the previous blog entry are not enough evidence for the dismantling of the teaching of baptismal regeneration then continuing reading because there is more. From a chronological standpoint, the events in Acts 2 happened 50 days after the resurrection, meaning that these events took place long before Paul ever wrote any of his Epistles. Some of those who try to prove baptismal regeneration skip ahead to the epistles to prove their assertions, but this is an interpretive fallacy. More significantly, think about what was on the minds of the people when Peter told them to get baptized. Jesus did not baptize anyone during this time; he was baptized by John. John was the only person who was doing the baptizing. Then we must ask the question what was John’s baptism about and is it different than what Peter is talking about?
According to Matthew 3:1-8, John told the people that they needed to repent for the kingdom of heaven is at hand. Peter told the people that they also needed to repent. Further, we find that in Acts 2:22 that Peter is addressing “men of Israel.” It is possible that this may be a special command to the Jews (“men of Israel”) whose baptism (purification in this sense) was necessary for the national restoration of Israel? Remember John the Baptist’s words: “repent for the kingdom of heaven is at hand.” Maybe the reason Peter wanted these men to repent was so that the kingdom of God (still future) would be ushered in? Looking back at Acts 1:6 (50 days earlier) we see that the Apostles want to know when Christ will restore his kingdom, so this was heavy on their minds. It seems that this fits right into the logic of Peter. The Apostles did know the time frame of when Christ would return, they were just given a promise that He would return. Peter, and Paul too, believed they were living in the last days. In 2011, we still might not be living in the last days, there is no way to be sure that is why Christ tells us to always be ready for His coming – live today like His return in coming tomorrow.
Even if we might say that Acts 2:38 does not apply to everyone, the baptism took place after the converts were saved. Look down a few verses to 41, “those who received his word were baptized, and there was added that day about 3,000 souls.” So, just reading down a few verses clears up the meaning of verse 38. The text does not say that those who were not baptized were not saved. It is acceptance of God’s Word that brings salvation (Rom.10:17). By the way, this verse is also where the concept of church membership comes from. The text says that 3,000 were added to the church. Salvation, then baptism, and you become a member of a local church. This is a biblically based principle that the early church used.
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