Saul of Tarsus was not saved on the road to Damascus.

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Lamar

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May 21, 2023
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Discussing this is crucial. Many bypass the required foundation and run headlong in pursuit of ministry. Remember, the individuals in Matthew Chapter 7 were totally shocked to hear Jesus say, I never knew you. (verse 23) Immediately afterward Jesus said those who hear His SAYINGS and DO THEM are wise.

ESV
7
For the mystery of lawlessness is already at work. Only he who now restrains it will do so until he is out of the way.

(Heb 6:1-2, Acts 2:38) Afterward he went straight out and preached Jesus.

"He is like a man which built an house, and digged deep, and laid the foundation on a rock: and when the flood arose, the stream beat vehemently upon that house, and could not shake it: for it was founded upon a rock." Luke 6:48



Notice the parallel concerning what Jesus said about SEEING and ENTERING the kingdom, (John 3:3-5) and Paul's experience. Paul received the Holy Ghost and submitted to water baptism in the name of Jesus. (Acts 9:17-20, 22:15-16)



Acts 9:17-20
"And Ananias went his way, and entered into the house; and putting his hands on him said, Brother Saul, the Lord, even Jesus, that appeared unto thee in the way as thou camest, hath sent me, that thou mightest receive thy sight, and be filled with the Holy Ghost.
And immediately there fell from his eyes as it had been scales: and he received sight forthwith, and arose, and was baptized.
And when he had received meat, he was strengthened. Then was Saul certain days with the disciples which were at Damascus.
And straightway he preached Christ in the synagogues, that he is the Son of God."

Acts 22:15-16
For thou shalt be his witness unto all men of what thou hast seen and heard.
And now why tarriest thou? arise, and be baptized, and wash away thy sins, calling on the name of the Lord.
I totally agree with your comments.

I have noticed you highlight being baptized in the name of Jesus. I was personally water baptized in this manner: "In the name of the Father, His Son Jesus Christ and the Holy Spirit". Would this be the same?
 
Dec 27, 2018
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We all follow a "law".

Most follow a law of their own understanding and sensibilities.

Others follow the Biblical Law of God.


James 1:25 and 2:12
New International Version

But whoever looks intently into the perfect law that gives freedom, and continues in it—not forgetting what they have heard, but doing it—they will be blessed in what they do.

Speak and act as those who are going to be judged by the law that gives freedom,

So yes Shilohsfoal I do most certainly follow the law. The law of liberty.

Which law do you follow or are you one of the lawless?

ESV
7
For the mystery of lawlessness is already at work. Only he who now restrains it will do so until he is out of the way.

Your comment seems to imply you follow no law.
Like Jesus said.Washing the outside of the cup.That is water baptism.


Mathew 23:25
Woe to you, teachers of the law and Pharisees, you hypocrites! You clean the outside of the cup and dish, but inside they are full of greed and self-indulgence.



Water doesn't clean the inside.
 

Burn1986

Active member
Mar 4, 2024
918
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43
Discussing this is crucial. Many bypass the required foundation and run headlong in pursuit of ministry. Remember, the individuals in Matthew Chapter 7 were totally shocked to hear Jesus say, I never knew you. (verse 23) Immediately afterward Jesus said those who hear His SAYINGS and DO THEM are wise.

The account of Paul's conversion lines up with the foundation message presented at Pentecost. He believed in Jesus, repented, received the Holy Ghost, and was water baptized in the name of Jesus for remission of his sin. (Heb 6:1-2, Acts 2:38) Afterward he went straight out and preached Jesus.

"He is like a man which built an house, and digged deep, and laid the foundation on a rock: and when the flood arose, the stream beat vehemently upon that house, and could not shake it: for it was founded upon a rock." Luke 6:48



Notice the parallel concerning what Jesus said about SEEING and ENTERING the kingdom, (John 3:3-5) and Paul's experience. Paul received the Holy Ghost and submitted to water baptism in the name of Jesus. (Acts 9:17-20, 22:15-16)



Acts 9:17-20
"And Ananias went his way, and entered into the house; and putting his hands on him said, Brother Saul, the Lord, even Jesus, that appeared unto thee in the way as thou camest, hath sent me, that thou mightest receive thy sight, and be filled with the Holy Ghost.
And immediately there fell from his eyes as it had been scales: and he received sight forthwith, and arose, and was baptized.
And when he had received meat, he was strengthened. Then was Saul certain days with the disciples which were at Damascus.
And straightway he preached Christ in the synagogues, that he is the Son of God."

Acts 22:15-16
For thou shalt be his witness unto all men of what thou hast seen and heard.
And now why tarriest thou? arise, and be baptized, and wash away thy sins, calling on the name of the Lord.
Im not discounting the foundation, but then you build a house on it. Salvation is the most important thing, and Saul’s conversation was the biggest one in the Bible. …But Saul became Paul and wrote 2/3 of the NT after salvation. Peter was weak and had no power to obey until after the upper room experience, then he went on to do miracle after miracle.
 

Wansvic

Well-known member
Nov 27, 2018
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On a further note, not everything that the Lord communicated to the soul and spirit of Saul is recorded in the Bible. Just what the Holy Spirit wants to reveal to us.

You will note that overall the New Testament is quite brief (as compared with some of the books of the OT). Some NT books consist of just one chapter. God and Christ are not "wordy". So all that is presented in writing is not all that actually happened.
The record includes everything that is required. This is known because Jesus said the word is what will judge all.
 

Wansvic

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Nov 27, 2018
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No matter how this sounds on the surface, NO ONE IS SAVED BY WATER BAPTISM. That is false doctrine, which permeates the Catholic Church.

Perhaps the message the Lord was conveying to Paul through those words of Ananias were this: "When you are baptized, you will know with certainty that all your past sins have been washed away, BY THE PRECIOUS BLOOD OF THE LAMB OF GOD. And when you call upon the Lord at the same time, you will be confessing that you believe that Christ died for your sins and rose again for your justification".

All Christians have a duty to understand the significance and importance of the shed blood of Christ for the remission of their sins. And that their souls are being cleansed continually after that, when they repent and confess their sins to God.
Sadly the Catholic Church distorted a lot of things. However, that should not keep people from searching out the truth regarding water baptism. Water baptism is just one of the essential elements of the NT rebirth. Obedience to the command without first accepting Jesus' sacrifice and willingly turning away from a lifestyle of death accomplishes nothing but getting wet.
 

Wansvic

Well-known member
Nov 27, 2018
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Yes! Yet another thread failing to rightly divide the word of truth.
Actually rightly dividing the word of truth reveals water baptism is necessary.
 

Wansvic

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Nov 27, 2018
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John the Baptist Baptises with water.

Christ Jesus Baptises in the holy Ghost.

Comprehend?


Mathew 3:11
11 I indeed baptize you with water unto repentance. but he that cometh after me is mightier than I, whose shoes I am not worthy to bear: he shall baptize you with the Holy Ghost, and with fire:
Please read all of the conversion accounts they reveal both are necessary. (Acts 2:38-41, 8:12-18, 9:17-18, 10:43-48, 19:1-7, 22:16)
 

Lamar

Active member
May 21, 2023
955
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Like Jesus said.Washing the outside of the cup.That is water baptism.


Mathew 23:25
Woe to you, teachers of the law and Pharisees, you hypocrites! You clean the outside of the cup and dish, but inside they are full of greed and self-indulgence.



Water doesn't clean the inside.
Is this an admission of lawlessness on your part?

Water most certainly does clean the inside...if used.

Here is the text:

Matthew 23:25-29
New International Version

25 “Woe to you, teachers of the law and Pharisees, you hypocrites! You clean the outside of the cup and dish, but inside they are full of greed and self-indulgence. 26 Blind Pharisee! First clean the inside of the cup and dish, and then the outside also will be clean.
27 “Woe to you, teachers of the law and Pharisees, you hypocrites! You are like whitewashed tombs, which look beautiful on the outside but on the inside are full of the bones of the dead and everything unclean. 28 In the same way, on the outside you appear to people as righteous but on the inside you are full of hypocrisy and wickedness.
29 “Woe to you, teachers of the law and Pharisees, you hypocrites! You build tombs for the prophets and decorate the graves of the righteous.

The same water that cleans the outside of the cup will clean the inside of the cup.

It was rebellion by the Pharisees to not use water to clean the inside of the cup.
 

Jimbone

Senior Member
Aug 22, 2014
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Yes! Yet another thread failing to rightly divide the word of truth.
I almost completely wrongly divided your words on here. I was about to ask you how you feel NeHe was wrong, and exactly why.
I was about to write that out when I stopped, and reread his comment and then yours. All of a sudden I saw the huge "YES" on the front of your comment and all of a sudden it became clear. I am just glad I slowed down and reread before I started typing out my rebuttal. Not even sure why I felt the need to share this, just glad I didn't start a whole mess of misunderstanding because I wanted to respond quickly.
 

Wansvic

Well-known member
Nov 27, 2018
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I totally agree with your comments.

I have noticed you highlight being baptized in the name of Jesus. I was personally water baptized in this manner: "In the name of the Father, His Son Jesus Christ and the Holy Spirit". Would this be the same?
The accounts in Acts indicate it is not the same. I too was baptized that way before I became aware of what the Bible actually reveals:

Jesus gave His apostles the command to use a name. Notice how the apostles obeyed His command. In each and every detailed account they invoked the singular name of Jesus when administering baptism.

Scripture reveals much about the topic. In Jesus dwells all the fulness of the Godhead. Everything in word and deed is to be done in the name that is above all names. Also, relevant is the scripture: there is none other name under heaven whereby we must be saved, etc.

There is a vast amount of information that confirms forerunners of the Roman Catholic Church stopped the use of the name and instituted the phrase around 325 A.D. This is even found in many of their own church publications and encyclopedias.

It was after learning of the above and realizing there was not one account where the apostles baptized using the phrase I was rebaptized in water in the name of Jesus in accordance with the word.
 
Dec 27, 2018
1,642
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Please read all of the conversion accounts they reveal both are necessary. (Acts 2:38-41, 8:12-18, 9:17-18, 10:43-48, 19:1-7, 22:16)

If God washes a man clean then he is clean.That man does not need to be washed by another man .
What do you not comprehend about that?

Why do you question God?

Acts 10:15
The voice spoke to him a second time, “Do not call anything impure that God has made clean.”


Again and again you call what God has cleansed ,unclean .There is no need for a gay priest to Baptise a man after God had cleansed him.
 

Wansvic

Well-known member
Nov 27, 2018
5,256
1,110
113
Like Jesus said.Washing the outside of the cup.That is water baptism.


Mathew 23:25
Woe to you, teachers of the law and Pharisees, you hypocrites! You clean the outside of the cup and dish, but inside they are full of greed and self-indulgence.



Water doesn't clean the inside.
It is Jesus who brings about the reality when we obey His command. It is that simple.
 

Wansvic

Well-known member
Nov 27, 2018
5,256
1,110
113
If God washes a man clean then he is clean.That man does not need to be washed by another man .
What do you not comprehend about that?

Why do you question God?

Acts 10:15
The voice spoke to him a second time, “Do not call anything impure that God has made clean.”


Again and again you call what God has cleansed ,unclean .There is no need for a gay priest to Baptise a man after God had cleansed him.
All I can suggest is that you study what the Bible actually reveals about water baptism in the name of Jesus. God's word does not return void.