SCRIPTURES on BAPTISM...

Some Scriptures... with Greek... on Baptism

Unless one is born out of water and spirit he cannot enter the Kingdom of GOD.... The Words of Jesus, recorded in John 3:5

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Not by works of righteousness we did (not earned), but according to His mercy He saved us thru the LOUTRON/ bath/washing of rebirth/regeneration, and renewing by the Holy Spirit. Titus 3:5

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Christ loved the church and gave Himself up for it, that He might sanctify it, having cleansed it with the LOUTRON/bath/washing of water, in the RHEMA/saying/word/message. Ephesians 5:25-26 [Does not say water of the word]

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More EARLY CHRISTIANS SPEAK... about Baptism...

EARLY CHRISTIANS SPEAK… more about water baptism..

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From Firmilian (c. 256) 5. 393

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The Second birth, which occurs in baptism, begets sons of God.

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Here’s an anonymous quote from the Early Christian writers:

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.…Being baptized in the name of Christ, they have been redeemed with the precious blood of the Lord. 5. 675.

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The next two quotes are from the Apostolic Constitutions, complied (c. 390):

When they wish to repent, we receive the pagans into the church to hear the Word. However, we do not admit them to communion until they have received the seal of baptism and are made complete Christians. 7. 414.

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He who out of contempt will not be baptized will be condemned as an unbeliever. 7. 457.

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from the Canticle of Mar (date uncertain) 8.654 :

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[Dark] I was in sins. But I am comely. For I have repented and converted. I have put away that hateful hue in baptism. For He, the Savior of all creatures, has washed me in His innocent blood.

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EARLY CHRISTIANS SPEAK... Cyprian, c. 250 A.D.

From the Writings of Cyprian, circa 250 A.D....

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By the help of the water of new birth, the stain of former years was washed away, and a light from above, serene and pure, infused into my reconciled heart. Then, by the agency of the Spirit breathed from Heaven, a second birth restored me to a new man. ANF 5. 276

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The Lord, when He came, manifested the truth of baptism... in commanding that this faithful water---the water of life eternal--- should be given to believers in baptism. ANF 5. 360.

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In the baptism of water, there is received the remission of sins. ANF 5. 497

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...from that death which once the blood of Christ extinguished, and from which [death] the saving grace of baptism and of our Redeemer has delivered us. ANF 5. 332.

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[ more of Cyprian to come ]

PALMS of VICTORY...

Ante-Nicene Fathers on Baptism

Part 3

From Tertullian... c. 198... volume 3, p. 646....

... a countless throng are revealed, clothed in white and distinguished by palms of victory, celebrating their triumph doubtless over Antichrist, since one of the elders says, These are they who come out of the great tribulation and have washed their robes, and meade them white in the blood of the Lamb, for the flesh is the clothing of the soul. The uncleanness, indeed, is washed away by baptism, but the stains are changed into dazzling whiteness by martyrdom.

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And from Tertullian again, on p. 676 of that same volume...

Unless a man has been born again of water and Spirit, he will not enter the Kingdom of the Heavens. These words have tied faith to the necessity of baptism. Accordingly, all thereafter who became believers were baptized. So it was, too, that Paul, when he believed, was baptized.

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Part 2 Ante-Nicene Writers on Baptism

Part 2 from the Ante-Nicene Writers

on Baptism

Theophilus and Irenaeus

circa 180 AD

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~~~from Theophilus, (ANF 2. 180)

The things proceeding from the waters were blessed by God, that this also could be a sign of men being destined to receive repentance and remission of sins, through the water and bath of regeneration-- as many as come to the truth and are born again.

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~~~from Irenaeus...

When we come to refute them [the Gnostics], we will show in its proper place that this class of men have been instigated by Satan to a denial of that baptism which is regeneration to God. Thus, they have renounced the whole faith...For the baptism instituted by the visible Jesus was for the remission of sins. (ANF 1.346)

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~~~ Again, from Irenaeus...

As we are lepers in sin, we are made clean from our old transgressions by means of the sacred water and the invoction of the Lord. We are spiritually regenerated as new-born babes, just as the Lord has declared: Unless a man is born again through water and the Spirit, he will not enter the kingdom of heaven.

(ANF 1.574)

(to be continued)

Elder Milton

ANTE-NICENE CHURCH on BAPTISM

Some Thoughts

from the Ante-Nicene Church

on Baptism

taken from the Ante-Nicene Fathers,

the volumes of writings of the Early Church

From Barnabas (c. 70-130 A.D.) recorded in the ANF 1.144.....

Blessed are they trusting in the cross, going down into the water... We indeed descend into the water full of sins and defilement. However, we come up, bearing fruit in our heart, having the fear [of God] and the trust in Jesus in our spirit.

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From Hermas (c. 150 A.D.) recorded in ANF 2.49.....

Before a man bears the name of the SON of GOD, he is dead. But when he receives the seal, he lays aside his deadness and obtains life.The seal, then is the water. They descend into the water dead, and they arise alive.

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From Justin Martyr (c.160) recorded in ANF 1.183....

In order that we may obtain in the water THE REMISSION OF SINS formerly committed, there is pronounced over him who chooses to be born again, and has repented of his sins, the name of GOD the FATHER and LORD of the Universe... And in the name of JESUS CHRIST... and in the name of the HOLY SPIRIT.

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to be continued...

CASES OF CONVERSIONS in Acts, part 5

Cases of Conversions in Acts

part 5

><)))> Jesus said, the Son of Man has power on earth to forgive sins. Jesus forgave the paralytic, woman taken in adultery, thief on the cross, and many others' sins, upon their faith.

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After Jesus' resurrection, He wants repentant believers to join His death, burial, resurrection spiritually and physically in the baptism watergrave.
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Rom 10:9 If you confess with your mouth the Lord Jesus and believe in your heart that God has raised Him from the dead, you will be saved. Many quote this as the complete requirement for salvation. Since repentance is not mentioned, and is surely required, might not baptism be required also? This study of Acts shows that baptism is required for salvation.

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If we (fleshly and sinful) have been: co-crucified Rom 6:5, in the baptism, Col 2:12, we shall be also of the Resurrection, Rom 6:5.

We have been co-quickened (spiritually made alive) and co-raised with Christ, Col 2:12-13, from the watergrave/baptism, our body yet to be regenerated at the great Resurrection,

if we are faithful.

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At age 99, Abraham and all his household males entered covenant with God by being circumcised, Gen 17. From then on, including the Mosaic law, any male child not being circumcised was not in the covenant, and was to be cut off from his people.

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The old flesh circumcision covenant ended with Christ's death, as did the Mosaic covenant which had been ratified by animal blood sacrifice. Now, circumcision is of the heart, in spirit (by the Spirit) Rom 2:29, as one is baptized in water and joined with Christ's death, burial, and resurrection; read Col 2:11-13. It must be concluded that if one is not spiritually circumcised in water baptism, he does not enter God's new covenant. Eph 2:8-10 For, to the grace/charis you are having been saved thru faith/trust, and this (salvation) not from you, God's gift, not from works (not earned) that no one should boast.

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For we are the product/thing made, having been created in Christ Jesus for good works... (literal version) What is it about Eph 2:8-10 that causes men to insist that water baptism is a work which cannot be required for salvation? Since it is evident that Jesus and the apostles commanded water baptism for salvation, and He said, If you keep My commands you will abide/continue in My love, John 15:10, what kind of judgment awaits those who persist in doing/teaching contrariwise?

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Mt 7:21-23 Not everyone saying to Me (Jesus) “Lord, Lord,” will enter into the kingdom of heaven but the one doing the will of My Father in heaven. Many will say to Me in that day, “Lord, Lord, haven't we prophesied in Your name, cast out demons in Your name, and done many powerful works in your name?” Then I will declare to them “I never knew you; depart from Me you workers of lawlessness!”—never born again of water and the Spirit into the family/Kingdom of God? Not in submission to the Law of Christ?

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CASES of CONVERSION in Acts, Part 4

Cases of Conversion in ACTS, part 4

GOSPEL PREACHED

Acts 13:23-33 Paul preached Jesus crucified, but resurrected from the dead by God, 33 As written in Psalm 2, “You are my SON; today I have begotten/generated you”. JESUS—firstborn from the dead that He may have first place in all things, Col 1:18.

RESPONSE

Acts 13:48 Later, those destined to eternal life trusted. Surely this included repentance and rising from the watergrave of baptism, thus joining with Jesus in His death, burial, and resurrection into new life as children of God.
Gal 3:26-27 You are all sons of God thru trust in Christ Jesus; you who were baptized into Christ have put on Christ.

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GOSPEL PREACHED

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Acts 14:1 Speaking at the Iconium Jewish synagogue...

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RESPONSE
Acts 14:1 ...a great number of Jews and Greeks trusted.

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GOSPEL PREACHED
Acts 14:21 They preached the good news in Derbe and...
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RESPONSE

Acts 14:21 ...won a large number of disciples.

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GOSPEL PREACHED

Acts 16:14 The Lord opened Lydia's heart to Paul's words.

RESPONSE

Acts 16:15 Lydia and her household were baptized.

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GOSPEL PREACHED
Acts 16:30-31 The Philippian jailer asked Paul and Silas, Sirs what must I do to be saved? They replied, Trust on the Lord Jesus, and you will be saved, you and your household. Then they spoke the word of the Lord to them.

RESPONSE
Acts 16:33-34 Apparently repenting, the jailer washed their wounds; then he and all his were baptized. They rejoiced, having trusted God. Trust included more than initial belief.

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GOSPEL PREACHED
Acts 17:1-3 At Thessalonica Paul proclaimed Jesus as the Messiah.

RESPONSE
Acts 17:4 Some Jews were persuaded and joined Paul and Silas, as did a large number of God-fearing Greeks.

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GOSPEL PREACHED
Acts 17:11 The Bereans eagerly received the message, examining the scriptures daily to confirm Paul's words.

RESPONSE

Acts 17:12 Many Jews trusted as did also many Greeks.

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GOSPEL PREACHED
Acts 17:31 Paul preached Jesus risen from the dead.

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RESPONSE
Acts 17:34 At Athens, a few followed Paul, and trusted.

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GOSPEL PREACHED
Acts 18:4-5 At Corinth Paul reasoned every sabbath in the synagogue, testifying that Jesus was the Messiah.

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RESPONSE
Acts 18:8 Crispus, the synagogue ruler, and his entire household trusted in the Lord; and many of the Corinthians who heard him trusted and were baptized.

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GOSPEL PREACHED

Acts 19:1-7 Paul asked some who had been baptized with John's baptism (in water), Did you receive the Holy Spirit when you trusted? They had not. He asked, Into what then were you baptized?

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RESPONSE

Acts 19:5 They were baptized into the name of the Lord Jesus. Paul laid hands on them and the Holy Spirit came on them. They spoke in tongues and prophesied. Trust included water baptism.

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GOSPEL PREACHED

Acts 19:13-16 The seven sons of Sceva were overpowered and beaten by a man with an evil spirit.

RESPONSE
Acts 19:17-20 People were seized with fear, and the name of the Lord Jesus was held in high honor. Many who trusted came and confessed their evil deeds.

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(TO BE CONTINUED)

Cases of Conversion in Acts, Part 3

Cases of Conversion

in Acts, Part 3

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Jesus said

Unless one is born

out of water and Spirit

he cannot enter

the Kingdom of God.

GOSPEL PREACHED
Acts 9:36-41 Peter raised Tabitha from the dead.

RESPONSE
Acts 9:42 Many people of Joppa trusted in the Lord.

GOSPEL PREACHED
Acts 10:34-43 Evidently, Peter used the kingdom keys to open the door of salvation to Cornelius/Gentiles: Everyone trusting in Him/Jesus receives remission/forgiveness of sins.

RESPONSE

Acts 10:44 The Holy Spirit fell upon Cornelius etc.; they spoke in tongues and praised God. It seems the early filling with the Holy Spirit was to show all that God was accepting the Gentiles into Christ equally with the Jews.

GOSPEL PREACHED
Acts 10:47 Peter said, Can anyone forbid water for these to be baptized who have received the Holy Spirit as we also.

In John 3:4 Nicodemus asked Can a man be born out of his mother's womb again (a 2nd time)? Jesus replied: Unless one is born out of water and Spirit he cannot enter the Kingdom of God, John 3:5.

I John 5:8 There are 3 that bear witness on earth: the Spirit, the water, and the blood; and these 3 are into the one (agree as one), the NEW BIRTH?

RESPONSE

Acts 10:48 He/Peter ordered that they be baptized in the name of Jesus Christ. Looks like Cornelius and household were born out of Spirit and water! It's not stated they were saved/born-again prior to water baptism.
To say otherwise is presumption.
It must not be concluded that Acts 10:43-48 contradicts or nullifies Acts 2:38, or gives the Gentiles a different way to be saved.

GOSPEL PREACHED
Acts 11:20 They told the good news about the Lord Jesus at Antioch.

RESPONSE

Acts 11:21 The Lord's hand was with them: a great number of people trusted and turned to the Lord.

GOSPEL PREACHED
Acts 11:22-23 Being sent to Antioch, Barnabas encouraged them to remain true to the Lord with all their hearts.

RESPONSE
Acts 11:24 A great number of people were brought to the Lord.

GOSPEL PREACHED
Acts 13:8-11 Elymas, the sorcerer, opposed Paul and Barnabas, and tried to turn the proconsul from the faith. He was struck blind.

RESPONSE
Acts 13:12 When the proconsul saw what had happened, he trusted, for he was amazed at the teaching about the Lord.

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CASES OF CONVERSIONS IN ACTS, part 2

Go therefore into all the world and preach the gospel to all the creation. Preach repentance and remission of sins. Teach/disciple all the peoples/nations, baptizing them into the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit.

Cases of Conversion in Acts

part 2

Gospel Preached

Acts 6:7 The word of God spread.

Response

Acts 6:7 The number of disciples in Jerusalem increased rapidly, and many priests became obedient to the faith.

Gospel Preached

Acts 8:12 Philip preached the good news of the kingdom of God and the name of Jesus Christ.

Response
Acts 8:12-13 The Samaritans trusted Philip as he preached Jesus and were baptized, both men and women. Simon himself trusted and was baptized.

Gospel Preached
Acts 8:35-37 Philip preached Jesus (evidently including water baptism) to the Ethiopian, who said, Look! Water! What hinders me from being baptized? Philip said, If you trust with all your heart, you may.

Response
Acts 8:37-38 The eunuch said, I trust that Jesus Christ is the Son of God. They went down into the water and Philip baptized him. The eunuch went on his way rejoicing! If baptism is of water here, why not in these other cases?

Gospel Preached
Acts 9:1-18; 22:5-16; 26:12-18 Blinded upon seeing and hearing Jesus, isn't it likely that Saul now realized that Jesus was risen from the dead, and didn't he confess Jesus as Lord, 9:6? Did this fulfill Rom 10:9-10? Saul was 3 days fasting and praying (his sinner's prayer?). Saul was told to, Arise and be baptized and wash away your sins, calling on the name of the Lord, Acts 22:16.

Response
Acts 9:18 Saul was baptized, washing away his sins in the baptism by the blood of Jesus Christ, Who loved us and washed us from our sins in His own blood, Rev 1:5. Don't you know that we who were baptized into Christ Jesus were baptized into His death, Rom 6:3. His death-blood ratified the New Covenant (Heb 8-10). This is My blood of the New Covenant shed for remission of sins, Mt 26:28.

The one having trusted and having been baptized shall be saved, but the one having distrusted shall be condemned. Teach them to observe/keep/obey all things I have commanded you,

Mt. 28:18-20, Mark 16:15-16, Lk 24:47 combined.

[to be continued]

HELLO from Elder Milton

Hello from Milton...

In these messages, you will hear a lot about Baptism... the vital heart of the Salvation message. It's been lost, ignored, and taught against for the last several, YES, SEVERAL, years. But first, a word about who I am...

Growing up in North Alabama, I later moved to Nashville where I worked several years in Social Services.

As a youth, I was quite worldly. Church was occasionally attended from my youth on. But although worldly, I did learn one thing back then: I LEARNED THAT BAPTISM WAS FOR REMISSION OF SINS.

However, I was slow to realize that a radical heart-change and Holy Spirit renewing is really INDISPENSIBLE to becoming a Christian. After being regenerated, I began learning to be led by the Spirit.

During all this, I soon found that many friends from similar backgrounds as mine were giving up some beliefs that I considered fundamental to our faith. ONE OF THESE WAS BAPTISM FOR THE REMISSION OF SINS.

I began to try to understand why. I wanted to have full fellowship with them... yet stand for the truth. Many of my friends had just left churches where the Holy Spirit was not prominent although water baptism for remission of sins was.

In leaving the trappings of dead churchism, and wanting to blend with others from various denominations, my friends had tossed out baptism for remission of sins.

So, the sinner's prayer for salvation was increasingly used, it seems... yet, without post-Resurrection example or authority.

My mission over many years is to return the Church to the original pattern of entering the Covenant of Salvation through Jesus Christ. Our Lord laid down the way to enter into the New Birth by example and Word (John 3). The Apostle Peter confirmed this on the day of Pentecost in Acts 2.

There is no Scriptural authority whatsoever for doing away with water baptism (Gk: immersion). The whole package--- repentance, conversion, water and Holy Spirit baptism--- are required to enter into the New Covenant.

Here is where I stand. In the subsequent messages, I will be sharing the Scriptures which establish this truth and where I learned this.

Milton

Cases of CONVERSION in ACTS, part 1

Repent and be baptized, every one of you, in the name of The LORD JESUS CHRIST for the remission of your sins; and you will receive the gift of the HOLY SPIRIT.

Cases of Conversion in Acts

Part 1

Being baptized in water by John, Jesus Christ said:

Thus it is fitting for us to fulfill all righteousness,

then the Holy Spirit descended upon Jesus as a dove.

Mt 3:15, (see Lk 1:6)

A voice from heaven said:

You are my beloved Son; in You I am well-pleased

Mk 1:11.

As Jesus began His ministry thru baptism and receiving the Holy Spirit, so we do;

we get forgiveness also.

In Mt. 16, upon Peter’s confession of Jesus Christ as the Son of the living God, Jesus said He would build His church/ekklesia and would give Peter the keys of the kingdom of heaven, and that whatever Peter would bind or loose on earth would be having been bound or loosed in heaven.

After His resurrection, in His last words on earth Jesus said to His disciples:

All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to Me.

Go therefore into all the world and preach the gospel to all the creation.

Preach repentance and remission of sins.

Teach/disciple all the peoples/nations,

baptizing them into the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit.

The one having trusted and having been baptized shall be saved,

but the one having distrusted shall be condemned.

Teach them to observe/keep/obey all things I have commanded you,

Mt. 28:18-20, Mark 16:15-16, Lk 24:47 combined.

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Let us take a look at what happened in Acts, when the GOSPEL of The LORD JESUS CHRIST was preached.

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GOSPEL PREACHED

Acts 2:21, 38 At Pentecost, Spirit-filled Peter evidently used the keys of the kingdom as he preached: Whoever calls on the name of the LORD will be saved (Joel 2:32 quoted here and in Rom 10:13)....Repent and let each of you be baptized in the name of Jesus Christ for remission/forgiveness of your sins, and you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit.

RESPONSE

Acts 2:41 Those accepting his word were baptized (in water), as in Acts 10:47. Apparently calling on the name of the Lord, was not complete into salvation until they had been baptized in water; is also true of Rom 10:9-13. Jesus did not command his apostles to baptize in/with the Holy Spirit; Jesus would do that, Mt 3:11.

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GOSPEL PREACHED

Acts 3:19 Peter: Repent & turn, that your sins may be erased...

RESPONSE

Acts 4:4 Many who heard the message trusted.

Acts 5:14 More men and women trusted in the Lord.

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Dear Heavenly Father,

We thank you for making a way for us to be cleansed of our sins. We thank you for providing the sanctified, cleansing waters of baptism as the way for us, miserable sinners, to enter into Christ Jesus Our Lord, and into His new Life. Help us to enter in to His covenant with true understanding, total repentance, and complete conversion through these sanctified waters. May we live to please you ever after. In the name of Our Lord Jesus Christ we offer these, our imperfect prayers. Amen. Even so, Come, Lord Jesus.

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IN THE BEGINNING...

Posted for June 23, 2008

IN THE BEGINNING...

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...being baptized in water by John, Jesus Christ said, "Thus it is fitting for us to fulfill all righteousness" Mt. 3:15, (see Lk 1:6)... then the Holy Spirit descended upon Jesus as a dove.

A voice from heaven said, "You are my beloved Son; in You I am well-pleased." Mk. 1:11. As Jesus began His ministry thru baptism and receiving the Holy Spirit, so we do; we get forgiveness also.

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This introduction was taken from a paper called "Cases of Conversion in Acts."

(More to Come)