| The Problem | | Acts 2:38--The "Causal eis" Debate | | Acts 2:32--The Burden for the Causal eis | | Acts 2:38--The analysis of the Causal Eis | | Acts 2:38 - Blood Guilt: Forgiveness or Justification? | | Acts 2:38 -- Blood Guilt: Corporate and Personal | | Acts 2:38 -- Blood Guilt: Resolution and Closure | | Acts 2:38 --A Covenant People and The Covenant | | Acts 2:38 --A Covenant People and The Church Age | | Acts 2:38 --A Covenant People: The Structure of Acts | | Acts 2:38 --A Covenant People: Escaping National Judgment | | Acts 2:38 -- Conclusion |
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Salvation and Water Baptism
by
Ronald R. Shea, Th.M., J.D.
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TSo what's the point?
It's easy to get lost in the forest. Perhaps by now, you forgotten what the issue was about Acts 2:38 in the first place. The issue, as you may recall, was whether or not Acts 2:38 requires water baptism for personal salvation. The importance of this issue cannot be stressed enough. If water baptism is required for salvation, those who preach grace are preaching an incomplete gospel. But if the doctrine of grace requires that man come to Christ with open hands, renouncing any human work as adding to his salvation, and trusting only in Christ, then those who are preaching that baptism in water is necessary for eternal salvation are encouraging their congregants to believe on something other than Christ alone, and are therefore damning the soles of their congregants to eternal hell.
Presented herein have been three alternative views to Acts 2:38 which do not contravene the doctrine of grace. And there are several other interpretations of Acts 2:38 consistent with the document grace which, for brevities sake, have not been presented. But after reading these three entirely plausible views, it's easy to ask: "So which one is correct? I'm overwhelmed!"
The fact is, you are free to choose which interpretation you think most rational. And you are not on any time table to decide. The point of this rather lengthy discussion on Acts 2:38 is simply this: The doctrine of grace is taught repeatedly, clearly, and with great contextual support throughout Scripture. The doctrine of baptism-for-salvation is not. |
Given an Answer for the Hope thta is in You!
Acts 2:38 is one of only two verses in all of Scripture from which someone can even pretend to advance a serious argument for salvation-by-baptism. And as we have seen, there are at least three interpretations of Acts 2:38 which are every bit as plausible as the baptism for salvation view. For purposes of defending the gospel, it is not important which of these views is correct. The most important conclusion of this entire discussion is that there is no compelling reason for overturning the entire doctrine of grace on the basis of Acts 2:38.
What does this mean to you?
1. If you believe that baptism by water is necessary for salvation, you should understand that there is no scriptural support for such a belief. Certainly not in Acts 2:38.
2. If you share your faith regularly, you will eventually run into someone who believes that baptism by water is necessary for salvation. To give them a reason to trust in Christ alone, you should be prepared to give an answer to those reasons that they hold their are erroneous beliefs. Acts 2:38 is usually the first verse to which they will turn. In most cases, it will be the only burst to which they can turn. After you have read and understood the discussion of Acts 2:38 presented herein, learn them, or at least one that you think is most plausible. Jot a few notes in your Bible in Acts 2, which will orient your thoughts if you ever need to turn there when witnessing to someone. Always be prepared to give an answer for the hope that is in you, yet with gentleness and reverence. -- c.f. 1st Peter 3:15
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Acts 2:38 -- Conclusion |
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