The Word always confirms itself:
After listening to Peter and believing that Jesus was the messiah whom was crucified, those present were upset and asked what THEY MUST DO. Peter DID NOT say, “Nothing else needed. You are good to go; you believe the message. Peter’s response to their question was to give instructions that everyone must follow after believing in the Lord Jesus. The instructions are recorded in Acts 2:36-42:
Therefore let all the house of Israel know assuredly, that God hath made that same Jesus, whom ye have crucified, both Lord and Christ.
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 Ghost.
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.
And with many other words did he testify and exhort, saying, Save yourselves from this untoward generation.
Then they that gladly received his word were baptized: and the same day there were added unto them about three thousand souls.
It is recorded that both Gentiles and Samaritans also followed Peter’s life giving message of belief, repentance, water and Holy Ghost baptism: (Acts 10:44-48; Acts 8:12; 14-17)
Notice Peter’s interaction with the Jewish leaders concerning what the Angel of the Lord told Cornelius, a Gentile, to do. He was told to seek out Peter who would tell thee words (explain) what he must do to be saved. (Acts 11:13-14)
Why would Peter command that Cornelius and others be water baptized if it was not a part of salvation?: “Can any man forbid water, that these should not be baptized, which have received the Holy Ghost as well as we? And he commanded them to be baptized in the name of the Lord.” Acts 10:47-48
Lastly, individual disciples at Ephesus were given and received the same message from Paul. (Acts 19) This account specifically points to the fact that water baptism must be done in Jesus name. If water baptism did not play a part in salvation it would not be necessary to re-baptize these disciples in water at all.
Due to the multiple recorded examples one should realize that no individual is exempt from following the command given by God through Peter. Every individual throughout history has been/or is a descendant of one of the groups noted; ie, Jews, Gentiles, Samaritans.
Keep in mind that Peter's instructions included the fact that "...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. I believe it is an accurate statement to say, God is still calling people.
After listening to Peter and believing that Jesus was the messiah whom was crucified, those present were upset and asked what THEY MUST DO. Peter DID NOT say, “Nothing else needed. You are good to go; you believe the message. Peter’s response to their question was to give instructions that everyone must follow after believing in the Lord Jesus. The instructions are recorded in Acts 2:36-42:
Therefore let all the house of Israel know assuredly, that God hath made that same Jesus, whom ye have crucified, both Lord and Christ.
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 Ghost.
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.
And with many other words did he testify and exhort, saying, Save yourselves from this untoward generation.
Then they that gladly received his word were baptized: and the same day there were added unto them about three thousand souls.
It is recorded that both Gentiles and Samaritans also followed Peter’s life giving message of belief, repentance, water and Holy Ghost baptism: (Acts 10:44-48; Acts 8:12; 14-17)
Notice Peter’s interaction with the Jewish leaders concerning what the Angel of the Lord told Cornelius, a Gentile, to do. He was told to seek out Peter who would tell thee words (explain) what he must do to be saved. (Acts 11:13-14)
Why would Peter command that Cornelius and others be water baptized if it was not a part of salvation?: “Can any man forbid water, that these should not be baptized, which have received the Holy Ghost as well as we? And he commanded them to be baptized in the name of the Lord.” Acts 10:47-48
Lastly, individual disciples at Ephesus were given and received the same message from Paul. (Acts 19) This account specifically points to the fact that water baptism must be done in Jesus name. If water baptism did not play a part in salvation it would not be necessary to re-baptize these disciples in water at all.
Due to the multiple recorded examples one should realize that no individual is exempt from following the command given by God through Peter. Every individual throughout history has been/or is a descendant of one of the groups noted; ie, Jews, Gentiles, Samaritans.
Keep in mind that Peter's instructions included the fact that "...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. I believe it is an accurate statement to say, God is still calling people.
To repent is a work of God that works in us, with us who are yoked with Him in order for him to turn us, both will (give us ears) and do (empower us) to move according to the will of the good pleasure of God.
If not who is turning you so you in turn can ask for forgiveness by repenting ? Are you turning to one own conscience?.
Peter had a similar experience. (cause and effect) When Jesus said to him .Who do you say I am? And then gave him the words . "You are the Christ the Son of God. Then Peter being informed by the Holy Spirit acknowledged the work of Christ in him. that worked to both will and do his god pleasure.
It recognized as a first love "the hearing of God" and believing as a result . Men in Revelation were turning to the leaders of their sect rather than their first love repent and believe God .Not ones own conscience. God is much greater than our hearts.
Nevertheless I have somewhat against thee, because thou hast left thy first love. Remember therefore from whence thou art fallen, and repent, and do the first works; or else I will come unto thee quickly, and will remove thy candlestick out of his place, except thou repent.But this thou hast, that thou hatest the deeds of the Nicolaitanes, which I also hate.Revelation2:4-6
When he said... what must I do? Was in in response the Holy Spirit working in him or those who gave him the information?
What he must do to be saved. is believe the work of God working in us by which we can believe. (John 6)
Without him we can do nothing to include turning toward Him in order to exercise of new born again faith .