Christians and Jews are both anti Acts 2:38.

[Phoneman777]

Yes. By denying Acts 2:38...

Acts 2:38 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 Ghost.

The answer is no, a man cannot call himself a Christian who says he believes in Jesus but says he doesn't believe what Jesus said. He is something other than as Christian.

(BTW, it appears you have a concern over what name(s) we ought to be baptized in. I think "Father, Son, Holy Spirit" is Biblical although the text "in the name of Jesus" is there, but more about this later)

 

[Lifelong_sinner]

Wow, either "no, I am not saved" means "I am not YET saved, but I am in a saving relationship with Christ" (which incidentally is totally Biblical, because technically the climactic destruction from which we are to be saved is still future)....or, you are not in a saving relationship with Jesus at all.

If the latter is true, can I ask why?

i am not saved. How do i know? Theres been no change in me, and no good fruit. Can i be saved? Depends on if i am one of the elect. Right now im not. Do i think im closer now to getting saved than say three years ago? Yes. But the reality is, untill i give up my love of addiction, i cant be saved.

 

[Lifelong_sinner]

Take a chance...get baptized in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of your sins like the 3000 at Pentecost did.

It sure cannot hurt to do it, right?

thats not how you get baptized. It has to be in the name of all three of the Trinity. You pentecostals just have such bad theology concerning salvation. If acts 2:38 is true, than that means matthew 28:19 isnt.

 

[Ronald David Bruno]

I think we'll agree there's a Biblical distinction between the Just Man who slips, trips, and "falls into sin", and the Presumptuous Man who "climbs down a ladder into the pit, sits comfortably among the filth, swats away the uplifiting hand of Jesus, and pushes a OSAS License to Sin in His face."

There is mercy and grace for the Just Man, but the Presumptuous Man who "covers" his sin and refuses to "confesseth and forsaketh them" (Proverbs 28:13 KJV) will split hell wide open, no matter how much he shouts hallelujah and holy-rolls among the filth and debris of the pit.

Your description of the presumptuous man does not sound like a born again Christian to me. CHRIST'S RIGHTEOUSNESS IS IMPUTED TO US. It is never our own righteousness by which we attain a just nature. That theology is a salvation by works andnit us wrong. We have a salvation by grace through faith, it is a gift, not by works so no one can boast.
Your first statement, "there is mercy and grace for the just man" is contrary to what the Bible teaches. The Bible teaches that we are all like dirty rags and unworthy of anything. We cannot earn favor. We are incapable. The Chosen nation was given the Law and tested and failed which is why Christ had to fulfill the Law for us. There were no just men walking around unless God first filled them with His Spirit. So even Enoch, Noah, Abraham, Moses or Elijah were given mercy and grace and enabled by the Spirit to walk righteously.
We were all born with this spiritual defect, unjust and sinners by nature.

 

[Lambano]

i am not saved. How do i know? Theres been no change in me, and no good fruit. Can i be saved? Depends on if i am one of the elect. Right now im not. Do i think im closer now to getting saved than say three years ago? Yes. But the reality is, untill i give up my love of addiction, i cant be saved.

You pentecostals just have such bad theology concerning salvation.

Where does trusting Jesus (i.e. "faith") come in your theology? Acts 16:31.

 

[Lifelong_sinner]

Where does trusting Jesus (i.e. "faith") come in your theology? Acts 16:31.

faith is a gift from God. The apostles in Luke told Jesus they wanted more faith, Jesus told them to be happy with the faith they had. Luke 17:5. Acts 3:16 says all faith in Christ is faith that has come from and through Christ. So, all faith in Christ originates in Christ Himself. He must grant this faith, and He grants it to those who have been chosen by God from before the foundation of the world. Second Peter 1:1 says faith must be given.

 

[user]

i am not saved. How do i know? Theres been no change in me, and no good fruit. Can i be saved? Depends on if i am one of the elect. Right now im not. Do i think im closer now to getting saved than say three years ago? Yes. But the reality is, untill i give up my love of addiction, i cant be saved.

Come to God as you are.
Get the Holy Ghost and that will enable you to overcome sin in your life.

Acts 2:38 Then Peter said unto them,...

1. Repent,
2. and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins,
3. and ye shall receive the gift of the Holy Ghost.

Acts 2:39 For the promise is unto you, and to your children, and to all that are afar off, even as many as the Lord our God shall call.

The Lord has not stopped calling.

 

[Lambano]

faith is a gift from God. The apostles in Luke told Jesus they wanted more faith, Jesus told them to be happy with the faith they had. Luke 17:5. Acts 3:16 says all faith in Christ is faith that has come from and through Christ. So, all faith in Christ originates in Christ Himself. He must grant this faith, and He grants it to those who have been chosen by God from before the foundation of the world. Second Peter 1:1 says faith must be given.

You might have to try trusting Him anyway. Or are you afraid that Christ will let you down and not be worthy of your trust?

This is where I think your theology is harmful.

When you ain't got nothin', you got nothin' to lose. -Bob Dylan

 

[user]

thats not how you get baptized. It has to be in the name of all three of the Trinity. You pentecostals just have such bad theology concerning salvation. If acts 2:38 is true, than that means matthew 28:19 isnt.

Matthew 28:19 Go ye therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost:

This does not say "names".

In Acts 2:38 All of the apostles were with Peter, none of which rejected what he said. They were all in agreement.

A word search for Father, Son Holy Ghost baptism renders only one (1) hit which is Matthew 28:19.

That is not the only account of the great commission. There is also Luke...

Luke 24:47 And that repentance and remission of sins should be preached in his name among all nations, beginning at Jerusalem.

And, that is what the apostles have done...

Acts 2:38 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 Ghost.

 

[Phoneman777]

i am not saved. How do i know? Theres been no change in me, and no good fruit. Can i be saved? Depends on if i am one of the elect. Right now im not. Do i think im closer now to getting saved than say three years ago? Yes. But the reality is, untill i give up my love of addiction, i cant be saved.

Dang, friend, at least you are honest, which means there's yet more hope for you than for the OSAS License to Sin crowd which has been satanically blinded into thinking they can climb down into the pit of sin, sit comfortable among the filth, swat away the uplifting had of Jesus, and push their OSAS License to Sin in His face.

But, I must warn you that to proceed further in known rebellion is dangerous - we can reach the point of no return. Satan tell us his burdens of porn, drugs, booze, etc., are feather light, but over time they imperceptibly crush the life out of us, while Jesus' burden seems unbearable at first, but we soon realize it's as light and easy as He promised. "Now is the acceptable time...today, if you hear His voice, harden not your heart..."

"There is a line by us unseen,
That crosses ev'ry path,
The hidden boundary between,
God's patience and his wrath.

O! where is this mysterious bourne
By which our path is crossed,
Beyond which God himself hath sworn,
That he who goes is lost?

How far may we go on in sin?
How long will God forbear?
Where does hope end? And where begin,
The confines of despair?

An answer from the skies is sent:
"Ye that from God depart,
While it is called today, repent,
And harden not your heart."​

 

[Phoneman777]

Your description of the presumptuous man does not sound like a born again Christian to me.

It shouldn't because such a man is not born again, he only BELIEVES himself to be.

Your first statement, "there is mercy and grace for the just man" is contrary to what the Bible teaches.

Not so...Proverbs 29:13 KJV plainly says those who confess AND forsake their sin shall have mercy - which refers to the Just Man. It also speaks of those who "cover" their sins which will not prosper them - the Presumptuous Man.

How do we know these two classes speak of professing Christians? Because those outside the church not only fail to "confess" or "cover" their sins, but they boldly and proudly put them on display for all to see. If you doubt, Youtube what goes on at the New Orleans Decadence Festival...but beware, you cannot unsee what you'll see LOL

 

[Cassandra]

i am not saved. How do i know? Theres been no change in me, and no good fruit. Can i be saved? Depends on if i am one of the elect. Right now im not. Do i think im closer now to getting saved than say three years ago? Yes. But the reality is, untill i give up my love of addiction, i cant be saved.

I think many of us had a love of addiction. ( Have had several bouts over the years with mental illness--I don't know if that is why I just couldn't quit)Mine was smoking. I smoked for decades, when I came back to the church, it was still a habit of mine. I prayed cried and everything. finally, i just said Lord, I like to smoke, but I know it displeases You, and i don't want to do that. Is there some way that i can be free with Your help? (I could not do cold turkey). God and I worked out a plan.

Here was the smoking plan to quit. First, i started smoking e cigs--the ejuice was 27% nicotine (that is like a reg cig--got the tobacco flavored kind, not the fruity stuff). After a while I lowered it to 18% (they sell it i etc like this--that is why I am giving the percents) stayed there for awhile..my guilt was starting to be replaced by Hey, we can do this!. A few weeks later 12%, and a few weeks later 3%, anyway down the final couple of weeks 0%. After smoking 0% for a couple weeks, the nicotine was out of my system, and I threw the vape thing out. (For a while after that I still would have mental cravings, and I just would pick up a writing pen, and puff on it. :) Been almost 6 years now. i am so glad it is gone.

I am sure there are folk on here who would disapprove of the way it was done. But it was done, thank God!

Maybe if yours is smoking, this will help.

 

[Lifelong_sinner]

Dang, friend, at least you are honest, which means there's yet more hope for you than for the OSAS License to Sin crowd which has been satanically blinded into thinking they can climb down into the pit of sin, sit comfortable among the filth, swat away the uplifting had of Jesus, and push their OSAS License to Sin in His face.

But, I must warn you that to proceed further in known rebellion is dangerous - we can reach the point of no return. Satan tell us his burdens of porn, drugs, booze, etc., are feather light, but over time they imperceptibly crush the life out of us, while Jesus' burden seems unbearable at first, but we soon realize it's as light and easy as He promised. "Now is the acceptable time...today, if you hear His voice, harden not your heart..."

"There is a line by us unseen,
That crosses ev'ry path,
The hidden boundary between,
God's patience and his wrath.

O! where is this mysterious bourne
By which our path is crossed,
Beyond which God himself hath sworn,
That he who goes is lost?

How far may we go on in sin?
How long will God forbear?
Where does hope end? And where begin,
The confines of despair?

An answer from the skies is sent:
"Ye that from God depart,
While it is called today, repent,
And harden not your heart."​

not sure if you realize this or not, but im a calvinist. OSAS is Biblical.

 

[mailmandan]

More like clarifying Peter's command in Acts 2:38 as he clearly stated to the Gentiles how they were to receive the remission of sins by believing in Him & they got the gift of the Holy Ghost in Acts 10:43-44 thus born again of the Spirit and saved ay before water baptism.

Amen! It’s so nice to see that somebody gets it. :)

 

[Christ4Me]

No, you debunked Acts 2:38 with Acts 10(via not reading all of Acts 10).

You must be with Acts 2:38 Busters.

They put on an extensive show.

I am saying Peter said believing in Him is for the remission of sins to the Gentiles and he said the same thing to the Jews that crucified Him in unbelief when he said to repent, hence by believing in Him. That is how the Jews had actually received the remission of sins too.

Acts 10:43 does not debunk Acts 2:38 when rightly dividing the word of truth, otherwise, Peter lied directly to the Gentiles about how they were to receive that remission od sins which Peter plainly said it was by believing in Him with nary a mention of water baptism for that cause and effect.

Since there is only one gospel, it is you that is misunderstanding how that remission of sins was coming to the Jews and it was not by water baptism but by repenting from unbelief by believing in Him.

It is a hard thing to accept when churches has taught us wrong, but that is how we get to the truth in His words by aligning scripture with Jesus's help.

 

[Christ4Me]

We share many beliefs. I think we both agree that "believing in Jesus" is identical to "believing Jesus" for how can one do the one and not the other, right or wrong?

I'd say it is the same thing but there are different ways of what we are believing in Jesus or believing Jesus for that may need clarification.

Can a man say, "I believe in Jesus' power to save me" but in the same breath say, "I don't believe what Jesus said is true"?

Galatians believed in Jesus and even though Jesus Christ begun in the Spirit, some do resort to their own power in the flesh as if they were to finish it themselves by the deeds of the law in doing the best they can as resorting to their own power & thus departing from their faith in Him to finish it.

 

[Ronald David Bruno]

It shouldn't because such a man is not born again, he only BELIEVES himself to be.
Not so...Proverbs 29:13 KJV plainly says those who confess AND forsake their sin shall have mercy - which refers to the Just Man. It also speaks of those who "cover" their sins which will not prosper them - the Presumptuous Man.

How do we know these two classes speak of professing Christians? Because those outside the church not only fail to "confess" or "cover" their sins, but they boldly and proudly put them on display for all to see. If you doubt, Youtube what goes on at the New Orleans Decadence Festival...but beware, you cannot unsee what you'll see LOL

Proverbs 29:13 plainly says God enlightens all whom He choses. He enables people to see. They are all blind. He removes the veil so they can see. Then He convinces us, we agree and say yes. Still some resist. Spiritually we cannot come to the Father unless He first draws us, enables, removes the blinders - HE SHOWS US, THEN WE SEE AND COME TO HIM.
"The poor man and the oppressor have this in common:
The Lord gives light to the eyes of both."
Neither had light, neither were just. We were all like dirty rags, in darkness. We cannot jumpstart salvation, by our goodness nor merit our salvation.

As far as the New Orleans Decadence Festival, how can you equate any these fully engaged participants as born again believers? I was warned about going to New Orleans by several Christians. Frankly I think there is a demonic prince in charge of that area - hence all the disasters have been brought against them. Corinth was like that. John MacArthur once described Corinth equivalent to present day Amsterdam - filled with all sorts of debauchery, sinful living. New Orleans during Mardi Gras celebration has turned into ancient Corinth. Actually the USA has fallen into much of this hedonism, but I don't believe a true Christian will practice sinful behavior nor be a slave to it. Unsaved folks are slaves to sin.
With unbelievers, as much as they've experienced good upbringing, values, morals and discipline, they have already learned Christian principles. In a sense, we all were prepared to become Christians before we realize it. It is evident that God was always there protecting us and guiding us, leading us to that divine appointment. My journey took 35 years to get there.
Christian principles have permeated all civilizations and changed them in many ways. People do cling to these principles without realizing they are from God.
That said, we have to be careful as to not slap a judgment on people. We can see people getting carried away with these festivals. Some may mildly participate and be in control, others out of control. Are they all hedonists or just some going out once a year or once in while, having a couple of drinks, a few laughs and that's all. Do you think the Wedding in Cana consisted of all sober people or maybe a few drunkards? I have been too many weddings because I was a musician who performed at them and there are always a few who could not hold their liquor.
If I was just passing through New Orleans and it happened to be Mardi Gras and I was caught briefly on film walking down the street (not really partaking in the raucous, but just briefly passing through), others might think of me differently. Onlookers would say, Hey, isn't that Ron there ... right in the middle of all that, I can't believe it, I thought he was a Christian ... bla, bla, bla. Or maybe I went there purposely to pass out tracks about Jesus, yet others would see it differently at a glance and lump me in with the rest.

 

[Christ4Me]

Ultimately, the Father leads us to choose, but we must make the choice. "It is the goodness of God that LEADETH thee to repentance" but we must choose to do the repenting, right or wrong?

I would say it is the goodness of God that leads us to believe. He had said we did not choose Him but He chose us.

John 15:14 Ye are my friends, if ye do whatsoever I command you. 15 Henceforth I call you not servants; for the servant knoweth not what his lord doeth: but I have called you friends; for all things that I have heard of my Father I have made known unto you. 16 Ye have not chosen me, but I have chosen you, and ordained you, that ye should go and bring forth fruit, and that your fruit should remain: that whatsoever ye shall ask of the Father in my name, he may give it you.

I wouldn't say "nothing to do with salvation" when what we do and say is intricately tied to salvation...when it comes to the evidence for whether we're saved or not (1 John 2:3-4 KJV). Our words and deeds prove the condition of our heart - good trees bring forth good fruit and bad trees bad fruit, no matter what the tree's nameplate says.

Titus 3:4 But after that the kindness and love of God our Saviour toward man appeared, 5 Not by works of righteousness which we have done, but according to his mercy he saved us, by the washing of regeneration, and renewing of the Holy Ghost; 6 Which he shed on us abundantly through Jesus Christ our Saviour; 7 That being justified by his grace, we should be made heirs according to the hope of eternal life.

John 1:12 But as many as received him, to them gave he power to become the sons of God, even to them that believe on his name: 13 Which were born, not of blood, nor of the will of the flesh, nor of the will of man, but of God.

Where does it say our belief in Him is a work of God? If belief was all God and not us, then it would not have been necessary for God to have "dealt to all men a measure of faith" because the exercise thereof would not be necessary.

Faith being a fruit of the Spirit, one has to wonder how much our believing in Him is a work of God the Father.

John 6:44 No man can come to me, except the Father which hath sent me draw him: and I will raise him up at the last day.

Matthew 11:25 At that time Jesus answered and said, I thank thee, O Father, Lord of heaven and earth, because thou hast hid these things from the wise and prudent, and hast revealed them unto babes. 26 Even so, Father: for so it seemed good in thy sight. 27 All things are delivered unto me of my Father: and no man knoweth the Son, but the Father; neither knoweth any man the Father, save the Son, and he to whomsoever the Son will reveal him.

John 3:18 He that believeth on him is not condemned: but he that believeth not is condemned already, because he hath not believed in the name of the only begotten Son of God. 19 And this is the condemnation, that light is come into the world, and men loved darkness rather than light, because their deeds were evil. 20 For every one that doeth evil hateth the light, neither cometh to the light, lest his deeds should be reproved. 21 But he that doeth truth cometh to the light, that his deeds may be made manifest, that they are wrought in God.

 

[Ronald David Bruno]

i am not saved. How do i know? Theres been no change in me, and no good fruit. Can i be saved? Depends on if i am one of the elect. Right now im not. Do i think im closer now to getting saved than say three years ago? Yes. But the reality is, untill i give up my love of addiction, i cant be saved.

not sure if you realize this or not, but im a calvinist. OSAS is Biblical.

These statements are contradictory. If you are a Calvinist, you are saved, because you believe that Jesus died for your sins and rose on the third day. If you are a Arminian you are saved for the same reason. I am neither and I am saved for the same reason.

So, maybe you do not realize the change in you. Maybe others see a change. Changes happen slowly sometimes and gradually. Sometimes people are strung out on drugs and live horrible lives and all of a sudden their habit is gone and they become clean due to their belief in Christ. Do you want to give up your addiction? There are many aspects of our personal growth that God works on. The fruit of the Spirit is kindness, joy, peace, love, patience, goodness, kindness, self control, gentleness. Have you grown in any of these areas? Do people recognize you as having any of these qualities? You may have changed. By visiting a Christian forum, this is a sign of seeking God, no? That is something I would not be interested in before I was saved.

 

[Titus]

Amen! It’s so nice to see that somebody gets it. :)

No one was saved before water immersion in Acts 2:38 or anywhere else in the new covenant/gospel of Christ. If saved without baptism then Jesus was wrong!

Mark 16:15-16 and Jesus said to them, Go into all the world and preach the GOSPEL to every nation. He who believes and is baptized will be saved; but he who does not believe will be condemned.

How faith and no obedience folks interpret Mark 16:15-16
He who believes and is NOT baptized will be saved; but he who does not believe will be condemned.

The gospel saves by Grace, faith and obedience to Gods commandments.