Did GOD Say . . . ? . . . Acts 2:38

Acts 2:37 

Now when they heard this, 

they were pricked in their heart, 

and said unto Peter and to the rest of the Apostles,

Men and brethren, what shall  we DO ?

 WHAT DID GOD SAY TO DO 

in HIS inerrant , GOD-breathed WORD?

APOSTLE BARNABAS : We Descend into the WATER Full of Sins and DEFILEMENT

THE APOSTLE BARNABAS  70 -130, Eastern writer

JESUS answered,

Verily, verily, I+ say unto thee, 

Except a man be born of Water and of the SPIRIT, 

he cannot enter into the Kingdom of GOD.

John 3:5 

How . . .

did the Pre-Nicene Christians interpret these plain words of CHRIST ? 

From the Epistle of Barnabas, Ante-Nicene Fathers, Vol. 1, Section XI , "Baptism and the Cross Prefigured in the Old Testament,"  page 144 :

[ After Barnabas quotes several passages in the Prophets and Psalms, he says ] . . . Mark how HE has described at once both the Water and the Cross.  For these words imply,

Blessed are they who, placing their trust in the CROSS, have gone down into the Water; . . .

This meaneth that we indeed descend into the Water full of sins and defilement, but come up, bearing fruit in our heart, having the fear [ of GOD ]  and trust in JESUS in our spirit. "

This Apostle and companion of the Apostle Paul, both separated unto the work of the LORD by the HOLY SPIRIT,  did not spiritualize away the "WATER" not did he ignore the cleansing work in our souls effected by the Waters of BAPTISM. 

Why do we ?  

 Verily, verily, I+ say unto thee, 

Except a man be born of Water

and of the SPIRIT, 

he cannot enter into the Kingdom of GOD.

The Words of JESUS CHRIST  . 

 

 

ARAMAIC SCRIPTURES on BAPTISM

PHOTO COURTESY OF THE ORDER OF THE GOOD SHEPHERD+

~ ~ Luke 7:29 and 30, from the Aramaic New Covenant Scriptures ~ ~

Here is a word-by-word literal translation* of the Aramaic New Covenant Scriptures of Luke 7:29 and 7:30, regarding the baptism from John the baptist.

What IF JESUS CHRIST said to us...

PHOTO COURTESY OF THE ORDER OF THE GOOD SHEPHERD+

In view of Mt 7:21-23,
WHAT IF Jesus Christ said to us:

“You say you have received Christ!
But do you know what I require of you,
to be received by Me?

You say you are led by the Spirit !
My Spirit leads one to obey

what is written...

such as repent and be baptized
for remission of your sins!

WHY was Our LORD JESUS Baptized? Listen to the Answer from HIPPOLYTUS...

Baptize ME+, John,

in order that  
no one

may despise baptism.

WORDS FROM HIPPOLYTUS .. .




Hippolytus, (c. 170-236 AD), Bishop and doctor, near Rome, and Christian Martyr, being drowned in a canal about the commencement of the reign of Maximin the Thracian, p.6, Introductory Notice to Hippolytus.Ante-Nicene Fathers, Vol. 5, The Extant Works and Fragments of Hippolytus, The Discourse on the Holy Theophany, Chapter 5, p. 236.[ Said John the Baptist to The LORD JESUS at the River Jordan: “I have need to be baptized of THEE+, and comest THOU+ to me?” ]....

Chapter 5.

And what saith The LORD to him?
“Suffer it to be so now,

for thus it becometh us

to fulfill all righteousness.”

“Suffer it to be so now,”John; thou art not wiser than I+. Thou seest as man; I+ foreknow as GOD. It becomes ME+ to do this first, and thus to teach. I+ engage in nothing unbecoming, for I+ am invested with honor. Dost thou marvel, O John, that I+ am not come in My+ Dignity?

The purple robe of kings suits not one in private station,

but military splendor suits a king:

am I+ come to a prince, and not to a friend?

“Suffer it to be so now

for thus it becometh us

to fulfill all righteousness:”

I+ am the FULFILLER+ of the [ Mosaic ] Law; I+ seek to leave nothing wanting to its whole fulfillment, that so after ME+ Paul may exclaim,
“CHRIST is the fulfilling of the [ Mosaic] Law for righteousness to every one that believeth.” “Suffer it to be so now, for thus it becometh us to fulfill all righteousness.”
Baptize ME+, John,

in order that no one

may despise baptism.

I+ am baptized by thee, the servant, that no one among kings or dignitaries may scorn to be baptized by the hand of a poor priest. Suffer ME+ to go down into the Jordan, in order that they may hear My+ FATHER’S testimony, and recognize the power of the SON+.“Suffer it to be so now, for thus it becometh us to fulfill all righteousness.”

Then at length John suffers HIM+.

“And JESUS, when HE+ was baptized, went up straightway out of the water: and the Heavens were opened unto HIM+; and, lo, the SPIRIT of GOD descended like a dove, and rested upon HIM+.And a voice (came) from Heaven, saying,

THIS is MY Beloved S0N+, in whom I am well pleased.”

~ ~ ~

References

Material is from the Ante-Nicene Fathers, Volumes 1-10, American Edition ( a reprint of Christian Literature Publishing Co. 1886), 2nd printing 1995, Hendrickson Publishers, Peabody, MA. ISBN 1-56563-087-4

Some supplemental information and dates are from: David W. Bercot, editor, A Dictionary of Early Christian Beliefs, Peabody, MA, Hendrickson Publishers, Inc., 1998. ISBN 978-1-56563-870-9 [ Scroll Publishing www.scrollpublishing.com ]

Digital Copy from: The Master Christian Library Version 8 CD-ROM 2000 Ages Softward, Rio, WI www.ageslibrary.com NOTE: This Digital Copy of the ANF does NOT contain any Introductory Notes from the translators and editors, no footnotes, and no elucidations and comments at the end of the books, although these helpful items are contained in the hard copy listed above.
~ ~ ~
NOTE: Comments in green are from the Order of the GOOD SHEPHERD+; extra words in black are in the text from the editors. Color added to pronouns, etc., for clarity.

CLEMENT of Alexandria: Washing of the Character

"AT PRAYER"
Picture courtesy of
 The Order of the GOOD SHEPHERD+

 "Our characters are NOT the  same

as before our washing... "

The RISEN LORD Speaks to Us in Aramaic, Greek, English ...

Photo by The Order of The GOOD SHEPHERD+ 

... about baptism...
in His+ last set of instructions
to His+ followers. 
( Matthew 28:19 )

 ܙܶܠܘ ܗܳܟ݂ܺܝܠ ܬ݁ܰܠܡܶܕ݂ܘ ܟ݁ܽܠܗܽܘܢ ܥܰܡ݈ܡܶܐ ܘܰܐܥܡܶܕ݂ܘ 
Matthew 28:19 - ܐܶܢܽܘܢ ܒ݁ܫܶܡ ܐܰܒ݂ܳܐ ܘܰܒ݂ܪܳܐ ܘܪܽܘܚܳܐ ܕ݁ܩܽܘܕ݂ܫܳܐ ܀
(Etheridge) As the Father sent me, so also I send you. Go therefore, disciple all nations, and baptize them in the name (of) the Father, and (of) the Son, and (of) the Spirit of Holiness.

(Murdock) Go ye, therefore, and instruct all nations; and baptize them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit.

(Lamsa) Go, therefore, and convert all nations; and baptize them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit;


Aramaic Text and English Translations courtesy of Dukhrana.com

JESUS' WORD on BAPTISM #1

If I+ do not wash you,

you have no part

with ME+...

Words of The LORD,

recorded (NKJV) in John 13:8
... upon washing Peter's feet.

IRENAEUS: We Are LEPERS in SIN...

“And dipped himself,” says [the Scripture], “seven times in Jordan.”

It was not for nothing that Naaman of old,
when suffering from leprosy,

was purified

upon his being baptized,

.

but [it served] as an indication to us.

.

For as we are lepers in sin, we are made clean, by means of the sacred water AND the invocation of the LORD, from our old transgressions;

.

being spiritually regenerated as new-born babes, even as the LORD has declared:
.

“Except a man be born again

through water and the SPIRIT,

he shall not enter

into the Kingdom of Heaven.”

.

Fragment 34, "The Lost Fragments of Irenaeus", pg. 574, [ Master Christian Library digital copy, pg. 1134] , Ante-Nicene Fathers, vol. 1.

.

IRENAEUS, a Bishop at Lyons, (Gaul or France), died with thousands of his flock, like a true shepherd, in the massacre of Emperor Severus, pg. 310, Introductory Note. He was "probably born in Syria and removed in boyhood to Smyrna", according to Intro. Note on page 312. Irenaeus was "acquainted with Polycarp ( martyr and disciple of the Apostle John ) in his early youth," page 315, footnote 4. Some resources say Irenaeus was taught by Polycarp. Circa 120-202 AD.
.

REFERENCES

NOTE: Material is from the Ante-Nicene Fathers, Volumes 1-10, American Edition ( a reprint of Christian Literature Publishing Co. 1886), 2nd printing 1995, Hendrickson Publishers, Peabody, MA. ISBN 1-56563-087-4

Some supplemental information and dates are from: David W. Bercot, editor, A Dictionary of Early Christian Beliefs, Peabody, MA, Hendrickson Publishers, Inc., 1998. ISBN 978-1-56563-870-9 [ Scroll Publishing www.scrollpublishing.com ]

Digital Copy from: The Master Christian Library Version 8 CD-ROM 2000 Ages Softward, Rio, WI www.ageslibrary.com

NOTE: This Digital Copy of the ANF does NOT contain any Introductory Notes from the translators and editors, no footnotes, and no elucidations and comments at the end of the books, although these helpful items are contained in the hard copy listed above.
~ ~ ~

IRENAEUS: BAPTISM Unifies the Body of CHRIST...



"I+  AM THE VINE; YE ARE THE BRANCHES" 



IRENAEUS AGAINST HERESIES

(excerpts) The Ante-Nicene Fathers, vol. 1, Book 3, Chapter 17, sections1, 2 & 3, pp.444-445. Reference data at the end of the blog.

CIRCA 180 AD, E/W (estimated from dates given for other Book 3 citations and E and W indicate Irenaeus was considered a writer from both the Eastern and the Western locales, according to David W. Bercot. See reference at the end of the blog.)

NOTE: Comments in green are explanatory notes from blogger's assistant, Sister Judith Hannah; extra words in black are in the text from the editors. Color added to pronouns, etc., for clarity.

CHAPTER 17-- THE APOSTLES TEACH THAT IT WAS NEITHER CHRIST NOR THE SAVIOR, BUT THE HOLY SPIRIT, WHO DID DESCEND UPON JESUS. THE REASON FOR THIS DESCENT

1. It certainly was in the power of the Apostles to declare that CHRIST descended upon JESUS, or that the so-called superior SAVIOR [came down] upon the dispensational one, or HE+ Who is from the invisible places upon him from the Demiurge*; but they [the Apostles] neither knew nor said anything of the kind: for, had they known it, they would have also certainly stated it. *[ term the Gnostics used: Gnostic subordinate “deity” who is the creator of the material world . ed. note]

But what really was the case, that did they record, [namely,] that the SPIRIT of GOD as a dove descended upon HIM+; this SPIRIT, of Whom it was declared by Isaiah, “And the SPIRIT of GOD shall rest upon HIM+,” as I have already said.

And again: “The SPIRIT of the LORD is upon ME+, because HE hath anointed ME+.” That is the SPIRIT of Whom the LORD+ declares,

“For it is not ye that speak, but the SPIRIT of Your FATHER which speaketh in you.”

And again, giving to the disciples the power of regeneration into GOD, HE+ said to them,

“Go and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of THE FATHER, and of The SON+, and of the HOLY SPIRIT.”

For [God] promised, that in the last times HE would pour HIM [the SPIRIT] upon [His] servants and handmaids, that they might prophesy;

wherefore HE did also descend upon the SON+ of GOD, made the Son of Man, becoming accustomed in fellowship with HIM+ to dwell in the human race, to rest with human beings, and to dwell in the workmanship of GOD, working the will of THE FATHER in them, and renewing them from their old habits into the newness of CHRIST.

2. This SPIRIT did David ask for the human race, saying, “And stablish me with THINE all-governing SPIRIT;” Who also, as Luke says, descended at the day of Pentecost upon the disciples after the LORD’S+ ascension, having power to admit all nations to the entrance of Life, and to the opening of the New Covenant;

from whence also, with one accord in all languages, they uttered praise to GOD, the SPIRIT bringing distant tribes to unity, and offering to THE FATHER the first-fruits of all nations.

Wherefore also the LORD+ promised to send the Comforter, Who should join us to GOD.

For as a compacted lump of dough cannot be formed of dry wheat without fluid matter, nor can a loaf possess unity, so, in like manner,

neither could we, being many, be made one in CHRIST JESUS without the WATER from Heaven.

And as dry earth does not bring forth unless it receive moisture, in like manner we also, being originally a dry tree, could never have brought forth fruit unto Life without the voluntary RAIN from above.

For our bodies have received unity among themselves by means of that Laver [ Baptism ] which leads to incorruption; but our souls, by means of the SPIRIT;

Wherefore both are necessary, since both contribute towards the life of GOD;

our LORD+ compassionating that erring Samaritan woman — who did not remain with one husband, but committed fornication by [contracting] many marriages — by pointing out, and promising to her LIVING WATER,

so that she should thirst no more, nor occupy herself in acquiring the refreshing water obtained by labor, having in herself WATER springing up to Eternal Life.

The LORD+ receiving this as a gift from His+ FATHER, does Himself+ also confer it upon those who are partakers of Himself+, sending the HOLY SPIRIT upon all the earth.

3. [ …… ] This SPIRIT, again, HE+ did confer upon the Church, sending throughout all the world the Comforter from Heaven,

from whence also the LORD+ tells us that the devil, like lightning, was cast down.

Wherefore we have need of the DEW of GOD, that we be not consumed by fire, nor be rendered unfruitful,

and that where we have an accuser there we may have also an Advocate,

the LORD+ commending to the HOLY SPIRIT His+ own man [ i.e. the Believer ], who had fallen among thieves, whom HE+ Himself + compassionated, and bound up his wounds, giving two ROYAL DENARIA;

so that we, receiving by the SPIRIT the image and superscription of THE FATHER and The SON+, might cause the denarium entrusted to us to be fruitful, counting out the increase [thereof] to the LORD+.

 REFERENCES

NOTE: Material is from the Ante-Nicene Fathers, Volumes 1-10, American Edition ( a reprint of Christian Literature Publishing Co. 1886), 2nd printing 1995, Hendrickson Publishers, Peabody, MA. ISBN 1-56563-087-4

Some supplemental information and dates are from: David W. Bercot, editor, A Dictionary of Early Christian Beliefs, Peabody, MA, Hendrickson Publishers, Inc., 1998. ISBN 978-1-56563-870-9

Digital Copy from: The Master Christian Library Version 8 CD-ROM 2000 Ages Softward, Rio, WI www.ageslibrary.com

NOTE: This Digital Copy of the ANF does NOT contain any Introductory Notes from the translators and editors, no footnotes, and no elucidations and comments at the end of the books, although these helpful items are contained in the hard copy listed above.

TERTULLIAN'S BAPTISM by FIRE ...

The Difference between

John the Baptist's Baptism

and CHRIST'S

Tertullian Book III Chapter 10,

Excerpts

 ( Note: … indicates omitted phrases or sentences which tended to obfuscate the focus of the writing.)

OF JOHN’S BAPTISM [ i.e., John the Baptist]

…The baptism announced by John [ the Baptist ] formed the subject, even at that time, of a question, proposed by the LORD Himself+ indeed to the Pharisees, whether that baptism were heavenly, or truly earthly: about which they were unable to give a consistent answer, inasmuch as they understood not, because they believed not.

But we… are able to determine that that baptism was divine indeed, … but human in its nature: for it conveyed nothing celestial, but it fore-ministered to things celestial; being, to wit, appointed over repentance, which is in man’s power.

In fact, the doctors of the law and the Pharisees, who were unwilling to “believe,” did not “repent” either.

But if repentance is a thing human, its baptism must necessarily be of the same nature:

Else, if it had been celestial, it would have given both the HOLY SPIRIT  and remission of sins.

But none either pardons sins or freely grants the SPIRIT

save GOD only.

Even the LORD Himself+ said that the SPIRIT would not descend on any other condition, but that HE+ should first ascend to THE FATHER.

What the LORD

was not yet conferring,

of course

the servant

could not furnish.

Accordingly, in the Acts of the Apostles, we find that men who had “John’s baptism” had not received the HOLY SPIRIT, whom they knew not even by hearing.

That, then, was no celestial thing

which furnished

no celestial (endowments):

Whereas the very thing which was celestial in John — the SPIRIT of Prophecy — so completely failed, after the transfer of the whole SPIRIT to the LORD, that he presently sent to inquire whether HE Whom+ he had himself preached, Whom+ he had pointed out when coming to him, were “‘HE+.”

And so “the baptism of repentance” was dealt with as if it were a candidate for the remission and sanctification shortly about to follow in CHRIST: for in that John used to preach “baptism for the remission of sins,” the declaration was made with reference to future remission;

If it be true, (as it is,) that repentance is antecedent, remission subsequent; and this is “preparing the way.” But he who “prepares” does not himself “perfect,” but procures for another to perfect.

John himself professes that the celestial things are not his, but CHRIST'S+, by saying, “He who is from the earth speaketh concerning the earth; HE+ Who+ comes from the realms above is above all;”

And again, by saying that he “baptized in repentance only, but that ONE+ would shortly come Who+ would baptize in the SPIRIT and fire;” — of course because

true and stable faith

is baptized

with water,

unto salvation;

pretended and weak faith

is baptized

with fire,

unto judgment.

Tertullian, circa 160-240, presbyter in the Christian church at Carthage, N. Africa, who wrote numerous apologies, works against heretics, and exhortations to other Christians. A Pre-Nicene writer.

The FIRST Touch of The BLOOD OF JESUS... in the Holy Waters of BAPTISM !

O LORD GOD, HEAVENLY FATHER, Who, through the life and work of Thy Beloved SON+ JESUS CHRIST, has graciously brought me unto Thyself in salvation, Take, I pray THEE, all of me,

in the INCARNATION,

In Holy BAPTISM,

In Holy COMMUNION.

So, I make myself THINE through HIS+ Precious Sacrifice.

(A portion of a prayer by the Community of Jesus. )

.
How do we become The LORD'S in HIS+ Incarnation ?

.
The LORD JESUS CHRIST became incarnate to enter combat with satan and ... becoming the Second Adam ... to beat the adversary as a man. HE+ became incarnate to deliver us, to bring us to HIMSELF+.

.
How do we become The LORD'S in Holy Baptism ?

.

We join HIM+ in HIS+ death, by which HE+ defeated satan. Thus, HE+ enables us to defeat satan if we die to ourselves and live unto HIM+.

.
In Holy Baptism, the repentant sinner touches the BLOOD of JESUS for the very first time in his life... as The HOLY SPIRIT sanctifies the water ... if the repentance and conversion are real.

.

(And NOTE THIS: The water is NOT sanctified by The HOLY SPIRIT if repentance and conversion did not occur. See what happened in Acts 5 to Ananias and Sapphira who lied to the HOLY SPIRIT.

.
See what happened to Simon the magician who also lied to the HOLY SPIRIT. He was not cleansed from sin simply because he entered the waters of baptism. He had a root of bitterness still in his heart. See Acts 8:13-23 )

.

The first touch we receive of The BLOOD OF JESUS... which cleanses our souls from sin for the first time and generates us from ABOVE... is in the Holy Waters of Baptism, through the working of the HOLY SPIRIT.

.
How do we become The LORD'S in Holy Communion ?

.
We eat HIS+ BODY and drink HIS+ BLOOD, via the operation of The HOLY SPIRIT, proclaiming HIS+ death until HE+ come again. Thus, HIS+ BODY and HIS+ BLOOD become the necessary food for our spirit. This is the Bread of Life which GOD gave from Heaven to feed our spirit, that a man may eat thereof and not die. John 6

+ + +

HOLY FATHER, we give THEE thanks for giving us the Incarnation of Thy Beloved SON+ JESUS, for giving us Holy Baptism, by which we may join Our LORD in HIS+ death ... and thereby, join HIM+ in the Resurrection, and for giving us the Body and Blood of our SAVIOR through Holy communion for the nourishment of our souls.

.

Blessed art THOU, O KING of the Universe, JEHOVAH JIREH... for making every provision for us , to the saving of our souls.

+ + +

.

An ILLUSION of SALVATION

An Illusion of Salvation

+
It happened again.

.

A sincere, well-meaning, zealous and utterly serious Christian brought confusion into the camp. This one has given his life over to the LORD and never denies HIM+ before men. It is his heart-felt desire to see everyone saved and walking with CHRIST JESUS in the fullness of the HOLY SPIRIT. Furthermore, he has walked with The LORD many years.


Recently, he said he led a little boy in our neighborhood to CHRIST. This is what he said (by his own retelling):

“I asked him if he knew JESUS. He said yes. I asked him, ‘Are you born again… are you saved?’ He said, ‘I don’t know.’

.

Then I said, ‘Do you want to be saved?’

.

Well, he kind of shrugged but he didn’t say no, so I pushed on ahead. I prayed with him right then and there to invite JESUS into his heart.

.

Then I turned to him and said, “Now if anyone asks you ‘Are you saved’, you can say yes I was… on this date.”

.

My friend then he told me that he hadn’t mentioned anything about repentance, but likely, that would come later. And of course, he did NOT mention the need for water baptism at all.

.

Bless his heart and bless the heart of that dear child! My friend meant well with all his heart. Likely he would cry if he knew what he really had done: he planted a false faith in that child.
.
If the child agreed in his heart with the prayer, the child simply made a request to The LORD. Although good, that is not salvation. If the youngster agreed in his heart, he may have made a silent (?) confession of faith. That also is not salvation. There is no entering into the Covenant of Salvation this way.
.
The way for salvation is laid out plainly:

.

1) One repents.

2) One is converted to following JESUS CHRIST as LORD of his life.

3) One is baptized in the name of The LORD JESUS CHRIST for the washing away of the sins of the soul and spirit, as per the Word of GOD, entering into GOD'S Covenant of salvation.

.

AT THAT POINT IN TIME, then, one is saved if the repentance was sincere and not similar to the doings of Ananias and Saphira, who lied to the HOLY SPIRIT.

.

Other steps may be included, as led by The LORD: a profession of faith, a profession of love towards The LORD, a confession of sins, a renouncement of sins, a dedication of life to CHRIST JESUS . In the earliest years of the early church, these steps WERE included.
.
But Christians, one does not enter the Covenant of Salvation… one is not born anew… one is not saved… unless there is a repentance of life and a water baptism in The name of The LORD JESUS CHRIST. To promote otherwise plants an illusion, a false faith, in the heart of the one who wants to come to CHRIST.
.
The “sinner’s prayer” method of entering into the covenant of salvation is a very modern thing. There is no scripture in the New Testament for praying away one’s sins. Our Lord JESUS and His Apostles after Him taught plainly how to enter into salvation. The ancient Church and the Church in the centuries after them practiced this way.

Yes, there may be “breech” births out there. The LORD moves as HE+ wills, as HE+ did with the thief on the cross, who was still under the old covenant. But not many of us are in such dire straights as that thief.

In life’s normal circumstances, however, we follow the instructions given to us specifically regarding Salvation.The Scriptural way of entering into the Covenant of Salvation is by taking sincere steps of repentance of life and a trust that one will be accepted through the waters of baptism to receive the gift of the HOLY SPIRIT. To teach otherwise brings confusion to the new believer and to the old, alike.

This young child will need lots of prayer to untangle the confusion if he continues on towards JESUS. He now thinks he’s “okay.” In 5 minutes of time, the well-meaning older Christian built an illusion in the child’s heart and soul that now he is “right” with GOD… an illusion which used Scripture’s terms but has no Scriptural backing and no sanction from the HOLY SPIRIT. May The LORD have mercy on them both!

.
+ + +

O LORD JESUS CHRIST ~ ~ ~

we pray for mercy. Help and bless this young child move towards THEE+ in faith and love. Put Thy+ Hand upon this young soul and guide it into the Covenant of Salvation and Ever-lasting Life. This we ask in Thy+ Name, O Gracious SAVIOR, Life-Giving LORD.

.
And, O LORD, help the older Christian to stay within Thy+ bounds as established by Thy+ Holy Words in John 3 and in the Apostles’ teaching. Bring this well-meaning soul into all-truth.

.

In Thy+ Name we pray and by Thy+ Grace we ask. Amen.


+ + +

.
Now when they heard this, they were pricked in their heart,
and said unto Peter and to the rest of the apostles,

Men and brethren,
what shall we do?

Then Peter said unto them,
Repent, and be baptized
every one of you
in the name of Jesus Christ
for the remission of sins,
and ye shall receive
the gift of the HOLY SPIRIT.

ARISE... BE BAPTIZED.... AND... ???

Arise

and

be baptized;

and

wash away your sins,

calling on the name

of The LORD.

Acts 22:16

After being struck with blindness on the Damascus Road, Saul spoke to the Voice+ which he heard at the time the Great Light from Heaven shone upon him.

He said, "What shall I do , LORD ?"

And The LORD said to Saul, "Arise and go into Damascus, and there you will be told all things which are appointed for you to do."

Saul (Paul) was a righteous Jew. Yet, he had sins. He had to do something about those sins. What was it he did?

He obeyed the Word+ of GOD.

O My+ People, why do you not obey My+ Word to you ? Why do you kick against the goads? Why do you not obey the way I+ have showed you in word and example to enter into My+ Covenant?

No unclean one may enter into My+ Covenant. No unrepentant one. No-one who refuses water baptism will enter. You must come the way I+ have showed you to come. There IS no other way.

Stop kicking against the goads. I+ will not change My+ Word for you: you must change.

+ + +