Gospel Confusion...
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I understand your passion for the truth of God’s Word, and I share that same conviction — which is exactly why context matters.
Peter himself explains what kind of salvation he’s referring to in 1 Peter 3:21:
“Not the putting away of the filth of the flesh, but the answer of a good conscience toward God, by the resurrection of Jesus Christ.”
That’s the key. The water doesn’t save — Christ’s resurrection does. The physical water was the outward sign, but the saving reality is what it represents: our faith-union with the risen Christ (Romans 6:3-5).
The ark saved those in it; the water judged those outside it. In the same way, only those in Christ are saved — not because of the water, but because of His finished work on the cross and the power of His resurrection.
Scripture always points salvation to Christ Himself, not to any element or ritual:
“Neither is there salvation in any other.” — Acts 4:12
“By grace are ye saved through faith… not of works.” — Ephesians 2:8-9
“By grace are ye saved through faith… not of works.” — Ephesians 2:8-9
I’m not rejecting God’s Word — I’m letting the whole Word interpret itself. The symbol (water) points to the substance (Christ).
Grace and peace in Him.
That’s a classic “trap question” setup — OUCH is trying to corner me into picking one isolated event (Acts 8) as my “foundation”, while ignoring the broader pattern of Scripture.
Brother, I’m absolutely open to all of Scripture — the whole counsel of God interprets itself.
Acts 8 is a beautiful passage, but it describes an exception, not the rule.
The believers in Samaria had truly believed and were baptized, yet the Spirit was withheld until the apostles arrived. Why? The text itself shows that this was to affirm unity between the new Samaritan believers and the Jewish church in Jerusalem — not to teach that water baptism precedes the Spirit in every case.
In Acts 10:44–47, the opposite happens — the Spirit falls first, then baptism follows. In Acts 19:5–6, the Spirit comes through laying on of hands. So the sequence varies, but the consistent truth remains: the Spirit is received through faith in Christ, not by the act of immersion or by a formula.
The Spirit’s timing may differ, but the means is always the same — faith in Christ alone.
“Received ye the Spirit by the works of the law, or by the hearing of faith?” — Galatians 3:2
The book of Acts records several transitional moments as the gospel moved from Jerusalem → Samaria → Gentiles. Those differences show God’s wisdom in uniting the body of Christ, not multiple gospels or requirements for salvation.
So my foundation isn’t one passage — it’s the unified witness of all Scripture:
“In whom ye also trusted, after that ye heard the word of truth… ye were sealed with that Holy Spirit of promise.” — Ephesians 1:13
Grace and peace in Christ
The text of Acts 8:5–25 doesn’t explicitly say “God withheld the Spirit to affirm unity,” but that’s what is clearly implied by the larger context of Acts — how the gospel expands step-by-step from Jews → Samaritans → Gentiles under apostolic oversight.
Here’s how we know this from the text and the flow of Acts:
1. Notice who had to come — Peter and John (v.14–17).
The apostles personally came from Jerusalem to lay hands on the Samaritans.
If baptism alone normally conferred the Spirit, there’d be no reason for this special apostolic visit. This shows that God sovereignly delayed the Spirit so the Jewish apostles themselves could witness and affirm the Samaritans’ inclusion.
2. The pattern of Acts shows a gradual inclusion of new groups.
3. Luke’s focus isn’t about personal sequence, but corporate validation.
Verse 16 clarifies,
Once the apostles confirmed the Samaritans, that delay never appears again. Later conversions (like Cornelius in Acts 10 and the Philippian jailer in Acts 16) show the Spirit coming at belief, not after a delay.
So the text, when read in its narrative and theological flow, shows why the Spirit was delayed: not because water baptism is insufficient, but because God used that unique moment to unite two historically hostile groups — Jews and Samaritans — into one body under apostolic confirmation.
That’s why I said it’s “an exception, not the rule.”
The pattern in the rest of Scripture confirms it.
Grace and Peace
Here’s how we know this from the text and the flow of Acts:
1. Notice who had to come — Peter and John (v.14–17).
“When the apostles which were at Jerusalem heard that Samaria had received the word of God, they sent unto them Peter and John… Then laid they their hands on them, and they received the Holy Ghost.”
The apostles personally came from Jerusalem to lay hands on the Samaritans.
If baptism alone normally conferred the Spirit, there’d be no reason for this special apostolic visit. This shows that God sovereignly delayed the Spirit so the Jewish apostles themselves could witness and affirm the Samaritans’ inclusion.
2. The pattern of Acts shows a gradual inclusion of new groups.
- Acts 2: Jews receive the Spirit.
- Acts 8: Samaritans (half-Jews) receive the Spirit, but only through apostolic confirmation.
- Acts 10: Gentiles receive the Spirit directly, showing full inclusion.
3. Luke’s focus isn’t about personal sequence, but corporate validation.
Verse 16 clarifies,
“For as yet he was fallen upon none of them.”
That’s Luke explaining a temporary condition — not prescribing a new doctrine.
Once the apostles confirmed the Samaritans, that delay never appears again. Later conversions (like Cornelius in Acts 10 and the Philippian jailer in Acts 16) show the Spirit coming at belief, not after a delay.
So the text, when read in its narrative and theological flow, shows why the Spirit was delayed: not because water baptism is insufficient, but because God used that unique moment to unite two historically hostile groups — Jews and Samaritans — into one body under apostolic confirmation.
That’s why I said it’s “an exception, not the rule.”
The pattern in the rest of Scripture confirms it.
- “Chrysostom explicitly notes the delayed reception of the Holy Spirit in Acts 8 (‘for as yet He had not fallen upon any of them’) as part of the narrative design.”
- “Augustine (and later commentary) views this passage as a transitional moment in the church’s mission — a special case of gospel expansion into Samaria.”
- “Scholars summarising patristic interpretation point out that this delay functions to highlight apostolic confirmation rather than establish a normative sequence.
Grace and Peace
@Ouch
Brother, before we go further, I’d really encourage you to pause and study these passages prayerfully in context.
They show the complete picture of how the Spirit and baptism relate throughout Acts and the epistles:
Grace and peace as we both keep studying His Word in humility.
Brother, before we go further, I’d really encourage you to pause and study these passages prayerfully in context.
They show the complete picture of how the Spirit and baptism relate throughout Acts and the epistles:
- Acts 8:5-25 — the Samaritan episode (Spirit delayed until apostles came).
- Acts 10:43-48 — Cornelius and his household (Spirit given before water baptism).
- Acts 19:1-6 — disciples of John (Spirit received through faith in Christ, not John’s baptism).
- Ephesians 1:13-14 — believers sealed with the Holy Spirit after believing.
- Galatians 3:2-3 — “Did you receive the Spirit by works or by the hearing of faith?”
- Romans 6:3-5 — baptism as identification with Christ’s death and resurrection, not the source of regeneration.
- 1 Peter 3:21 — baptism as “not the putting away of the filth of the flesh, but the answer of a good conscience toward God.”
Grace and peace as we both keep studying His Word in humility.
You are too funny, first you say Acts 10 proves they were reborn before they were filled with the spirit and that was you foundation because they were filled before they were baptized, now you saying that Acts 8 is an acception to the rule.
Proving you don't use ALL OF HIS WORD to get a foundation, you make up your own.
These are with YOUR TWIST on them.
Romans 6:3-5 — baptism as identification with Christ’s death and resurrection, not the source of regeneration.
Romans 6:3-5
King James Version
3 Know ye not, that so many of us as were baptized into Jesus Christ were baptized into his death?
4 Therefore we are buried with him by baptism into death: that like as Christ was raised up from the dead by the glory of the Father, even so we also should walk in newness of life.
5 For if we have been planted together in the likeness of his death, we shall be also in the likeness of his resurrection:
Paul's letter is clear what baptism is for, we DIE with HIM and since we did WE RISE with HIM.
1 Peter 3:21 — baptism as “not the putting away of the filth of the flesh, but the answer of a good conscience toward God.”
Yep, not not for dirt, but to was away our sins, "but the answer of a good conscience toward God,) by the resurrection of Jesus Christ:" NOTICE RESURRECTION of JESUS which says the same thing in Romans 6.
This is the rule, believe, repent, get baptized in JESUS name for remission of sins and JESUS will fill you with HIS spirit the Holy Ghost. Acts 2:38, John 3:5
Sharing Acts 8 puts a big hole in your theory that in Acts 10 before they were baptized they were saved.
In HIS rule book, in every case of being reborn was there was repentance, belief, baptized in JESUS name and JESUS filled them with the Holy Ghost.
You think the one verse where Paul is speaking to one of his churches who was reborn with teh book of Acts as there foundation proves you point.
Ephesians 1:1 Paul, an apostle of Jesus Christ by the will of God, to the saints which are at Ephesus, and to the faithful in Christ Jesus:
Since Paul preached to those Ephesians in Acts 19 about the Holy Ghost.
Acts 19:1 And it came to pass, that, while Apollos was at Corinth, Paul having passed through the upper coasts came to Ephesus: and finding certain disciples,
2 He said unto them, Have ye received the Holy Ghost since ye believed? And they said unto him, We have not so much as heard whether there be any Holy Ghost.
3 And he said unto them, Unto what then were ye baptized? And they said, Unto John's baptism.
4 Then said Paul, John verily baptized with the baptism of repentance, saying unto the people, that they should believe on him which should come after him, that is, on Christ Jesus.
5 When they heard this, they were baptized in the name of the Lord Jesus.
6 And when Paul had laid his hands upon them, the Holy Ghost came on them; and they spake with tongues, and prophesied.
Just as in Acts 2,8,10 and 19 they believed, were baptized in JESUS name and JESUS filled them with the Holy Ghost.
NOTE: Paul said, SINCE YOU HAVE BELIEVED???
This is what happens when you are filled, like the ones who believed in Ephesus.
Acts 2:4 And they were all filled with the Holy Ghost, and began to speak with other tongues, as the Spirit gave them utterance.
Acts 8, it does not show them speaking in tongues but we know they didn't and then after Peter and John came they did.
Acts 10, 45 And they of the circumcision which believed were astonished, as many as came with Peter, because that on the Gentiles also was poured out the gift of the Holy Ghost.
46 For they heard them speak with tongues, and magnify God. Then answered Peter,
Acts 19:6 And when Paul had laid his hands upon them, the Holy Ghost came on them; and they spake with tongues, and prophesied.
This is what Paul says happens after a person is filled,
Acts 2:33 Therefore being by the right hand of God exalted, and having received of the Father the promise of the Holy Ghost, he hath shed forth this, which ye now see and hear.
This is what JESUS says happens,
Mark 16:17 And these signs shall follow them that believe; In my name shall they cast out devils; they shall speak with new tongues;
So I have two questions for you, keep it simple JUST HIS WORD.
1. Show me where being baptized ANYWHERE is for SHOW.
2. According to HIS word, have you received the Holy Ghost and spoke in tongues.
The first question requires you to search HIS word, the second one does not.
I understand your passion for the truth of God’s Word, and I share that same conviction — which is exactly why context matters.
Peter himself explains what kind of salvation he’s referring to in 1 Peter 3:21:
“Not the putting away of the filth of the flesh, but the answer of a good conscience toward God, by the resurrection of Jesus Christ.”
That’s the key. The water doesn’t save — Christ’s resurrection does. The physical water was the outward sign, but the saving reality is what it represents: our faith-union with the risen Christ (Romans 6:3-5).
The ark saved those in it; the water judged those outside it. In the same way, only those in Christ are saved — not because of the water, but because of His finished work on the cross and the power of His resurrection.
Scripture always points salvation to Christ Himself, not to any element or ritual:
“Neither is there salvation in any other.” — Acts 4:12“By grace are ye saved through faith… not of works.” — Ephesians 2:8-9
I’m not rejecting God’s Word — I’m letting the whole Word interpret itself. The symbol (water) points to the substance (Christ).
Grace and peace in Him.
I don't see where you proved these statment to be right?
1. Romans 6 isn’t teaching that water unites us to Christ’s death, but that faith does
2. baptism is the outward confession
3. Paul and Peter both tie salvation to “the faith of the operation of God”
4. Something happens through faith in Christ, not in the water.
Just back them up with SCRIPTURE.
The body of Christ is gone at this point, caught up to be with the Lord. It's the time of Jacob's trouble.
@Ouch
Brother, gladly — let’s look at Scripture for each one.
1. “Romans 6 isn’t teaching that water unites us to Christ’s death, but that faith does.”
Paul himself says we are “baptized into Jesus Christ” (Romans 6:3) — but he clarifies in Colossians 2:12 how that happens:
2. “Baptism is the outward confession.”
Scripture consistently shows baptism after belief as the believer’s public identification with Christ.
3. “Paul and Peter both tie salvation to ‘the faith of the operation of God.’”
We just saw Paul use that exact phrase in Colossians 2:12.
Peter says the same in different words:
4. “Something happens through faith in Christ, not in the water.”
So yes — baptism is essential as obedience and testimony, but the saving power rests in Christ’s finished work and our faith in Him, not in the water itself.
Grace and peace as we both let the Word interpret the Word.
Brother, gladly — let’s look at Scripture for each one.
1. “Romans 6 isn’t teaching that water unites us to Christ’s death, but that faith does.”
Paul himself says we are “baptized into Jesus Christ” (Romans 6:3) — but he clarifies in Colossians 2:12 how that happens:
“Buried with him in baptism, wherein also ye are risen with him through the faith of the operation of God, who hath raised him from the dead.”
It’s faith that unites us to His death and resurrection — not the physical water, but what the water represents.
It’s faith that unites us to His death and resurrection — not the physical water, but what the water represents.
2. “Baptism is the outward confession.”
Scripture consistently shows baptism after belief as the believer’s public identification with Christ.
“Then they that gladly received his word were baptized.” (Acts 2:41)
“Many of the Corinthians hearing believed, and were baptized.” (Acts 18:8)
Baptism follows faith as the visible confession of the inward response.
“Many of the Corinthians hearing believed, and were baptized.” (Acts 18:8)
Baptism follows faith as the visible confession of the inward response.
3. “Paul and Peter both tie salvation to ‘the faith of the operation of God.’”
We just saw Paul use that exact phrase in Colossians 2:12.
Peter says the same in different words:
“Baptism doth also now save us — not the putting away of the filth of the flesh, but the answer of a good conscience toward God, by the resurrection of Jesus Christ.” (1 Peter 3:21)
Both apostles point to faith in God’s work through Christ’s resurrection as the saving reality, not the ritual itself.
Both apostles point to faith in God’s work through Christ’s resurrection as the saving reality, not the ritual itself.
4. “Something happens through faith in Christ, not in the water.”
“For by grace are ye saved through faith… not of works.” (Ephesians 2:8-9)
“Received ye the Spirit by the works of the law, or by the hearing of faith?” (Galatians 3:2)
“In whom ye also trusted, after that ye heard the word of truth… ye were sealed with that Holy Spirit of promise.” (Ephesians 1:13)
Each verse shows the inward change and sealing of the Spirit come through faith, not through the element of water.
“Received ye the Spirit by the works of the law, or by the hearing of faith?” (Galatians 3:2)
“In whom ye also trusted, after that ye heard the word of truth… ye were sealed with that Holy Spirit of promise.” (Ephesians 1:13)
Each verse shows the inward change and sealing of the Spirit come through faith, not through the element of water.
So yes — baptism is essential as obedience and testimony, but the saving power rests in Christ’s finished work and our faith in Him, not in the water itself.
Grace and peace as we both let the Word interpret the Word.
1. To whom did Jesus and His 12 disciples preach?
To the 'called out and chosen few' , those with Faith in Spirit, the Elect of God , the Sons of God.
Jesus and His 12 disciples taught in Spirit after all
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2. What was their gospel message?
Repent and turn away from death and remember your first Love the Spirit of Truth, the Word of God, for Eternal Life.
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3. Paul was the apostle to....whom?
Paul is an apostle of God, whom God in turn Gave to Jesus.
John 17:6
6“I have manifested Your name to the men whom You have given Me out of the world. They were Yours, You gave them to Me, and they have kept Your word. 7Now they have known that all things which You have given Me are from You. 8For I have given to them the words which You have given Me; and they have received them, and have known surely that I came forth from You; and they have believed that You sent Me.
9“I pray for them. I do not pray for the world but for those whom You have given Me, for they are Yours. 10And all Mine are Yours, and Yours are Mine, and I am glorified in them. 11Now I am no longer in the world, but these are in the world, and I come to You. Holy Father, keep through Your name those whom You have given Me, that they may be one as We are. 12While I was with them in the world, I kept them in Your name. Those whom You gave Me I have kept; and none of them is lost except the son of perdition, that the Scripture might be fulfilled. 13But now I come to You, and these things I speak in the world, that they may have My joy fulfilled in themselves. 14I have given them Your word; and the world has hated them because they are not of the world, just as I am not of the world. 15I do not pray that You should take them out of the world, but that You should keep them from the evil one. 16They are not of the world, just as I am not of the world. 17Sanctify them by Your truth. Your word is truth. 18As You sent Me into the world, I also have sent them into the world. 19And for their sakes I sanctify Myself, that they also may be sanctified by the truth.
witness...
Romans 1:1
Paul, a servant of Jesus Christ, called to be an apostle, separated unto the gospel of God,
4. What was Paul's gospel that he preached?
Paul did not have a gospel, rather Paul proclaimed the good news(gospel) of God's Living Word.
If I may, I'd like to address some things in answer to some questions. To whom were the apostles sent?
Matthew 10:5-7
5 These twelve Jesus sent forth, and commanded them, saying, Go not into the way of the Gentiles, and into any city of the Samaritans enter ye not:
6 But go rather to the lost sheep of the house of Israel.
7 And as ye go, preach, saying, The kingdom of heaven is at hand.
What they preached was not about Jesus as Savior nor the cross, but only about the promised kingdom made to Abraham and his descendants, which is all of Israel.
Matthew 15:24 But he answered and said, I am not sent but unto the lost sheep of the house of Israel.
The implications of this statement have long since escaped the understanding of so many within Evangelicalism. Religious blinders keep so many from seeing what this is saying. Most never ask themselves, "WHY was Jesus sent ONLY unto the lost sheep of the house of Israel?" The obvious escapes most because of their false teaching pastors who have long since given themselves over to replacement theology; or at least some of its rudimentary, tattered elements that are poison to larger doctrinal topics.
Paul did not have a gospel?
Romans 2:16 In the day when God shall judge the secrets of men by Jesus Christ according to my gospel.
Romans 16:25 Now to him that is of power to stablish you according to my gospel, and the preaching of Jesus Christ, according to the revelation of the mystery, which was kept secret since the world began,
2 Timothy 2:8 Remember that Jesus Christ of the seed of David was raised from the dead according to my gospel:
These statements, among many others, are the basis for the rejection and hatred of Paul perpetrated by a number of false religions out there, such as Hebrew Roots and some of Messianic Judaism.
MM
Better question, if we went around today and preached the same message they preached, could anyone be saved from that message? The answer is a no, not a chance.
Strange how when trying to say something HIS word doesn't is so hard.
Instead of telling me what HIS word say, SHOW ME.
What do you think of this, BURIED WITH HIM, BAPTIZED INTO JESUS.
Did you know when we are buried we have to go underneath something and we can't breath?
WHEN WE DIE, we will be buried in dirt.
WHEN WE DIE in our sins we are buried in water, both cases we can't breath.
Colossians 2:12 Buried with him in baptism, wherein also ye are risen with him through the faith of the operation of God, who hath raised him from the dead.
Colossians just confirms it not your twist on it.
SHOW me were faith buries us with HIM.
Sharing verses about people being baptized DOES NOT PROVE ITS A OURWARD CONFESSION.
1 Peter does NOT say what you want it to, look again.
1 Peter 3:21 The like figure whereunto even baptism doth also now save us (not the putting away of the filth of the flesh, but the answer of a good conscience toward God,) by the resurrection of Jesus Christ:
It doesn't even mention "It’s faith that unites us to His death and resurrection"
Eph, Gal and ALL of HIS word is good.
Sure faith is important BUT DOES NOT PROVE IT REPLACES WATER.
How about you looking at scripture my yourself since your the one who is doing the talking and prove what you say it true.
What about an entire country that once had Christians but now has none.
Can an entire country be derailed through worldly events?
I disagree strongly on your point of a 'kingdom gospel' and that the Jewish Christians still practiced the law.
I also disagree strongly that these seven churches in Turkey were populated by Messianic Jews.
The churches in Ephesus and Laodicea were Gentile churches as seen in the letters, to the Colossians and Ephesians.
You do not understand Paul's letters and it's not about indoctrination at all.
If your a Jew in Israel you must obey the national law, otherwise you die.
Grace and law do not mix and the law was a temporary event.
Interesting how an interpretation in Eschatology will alter what the text is stating.
My point of salvation being linked to our behavior as Christians is demonstrated below.
1 Corinthians 3:12-15
Now if any man build upon this foundation gold, silver, precious stones, wood, hay, stubble;
Every man's work shall be made manifest: for the day shall declare it, because it shall be revealed by fire;
and the fire shall try every man's work of what sort it is. If any man's work abide which he hath built thereupon,
he shall receive a reward. If any man's work shall be burned, he shall suffer loss: but he himself shall be saved;
yet so as by fire.
Obviously, if your endeavoring to build the kingdom during your Christian life. You are still saved
if your efforts were in the end worthless.
Which is completely different to the following passage.
Hebrews 6:7-8
For ground that drinks the rain which often falls on it and brings forth vegetation useful to those
for whose sake it is also tilled, receives a blessing from God; but if it yields thorns and thistles, it is
worthless and close to being cursed, and it ends up being burned.
The letter to the Hebrews is talking about the fruit of the Holy Spirit.
Hebrews is not talking about the value of your works.
Brother Falcon, I appreciate the heart behind what you shared — you clearly have a reverence for the Spirit and for the Word of God, and that comes through.
I’d agree that everything Christ and His apostles taught flows from the same eternal source — the Word of Truth. And you’re right: Paul didn’t originate a new gospel apart from God’s Word; he proclaimed the fulfillment of it in Christ.
As Romans 1:1 puts it, “Paul, a servant of Jesus Christ, called to be an apostle, separated unto the gospel of God, which He had promised afore by His prophets in the holy scriptures.”
Where I’d add a little nuance is here: Paul did refer to it as “my gospel” (Romans 2:16; 2 Timothy 2:8) — not because it differed in message, but because it was entrusted to him as the appointed messenger to the Gentiles. The content remained the same — salvation by grace through faith in Christ — but the scope of revelation widened, reaching beyond Israel to the nations.
So I see the unity you’re highlighting — one living Word, one redeeming plan — and also the unfolding of that plan as God’s grace moved from promise to fulfillment in Christ.
Thank you for contributing that perspective, brother. It’s refreshing to see someone emphasizing both Spirit and Truth together.
Grace and peace to you in Christ Jesus.
Just read what John the Baptist said.
Mark 1:77
And he was preaching, and saying, “After me One is coming who is mightier than I, and I am
not fit to stoop down and untie the thong of His sandals. I baptized you with water; but
He will baptize you with the Holy Spirit.”
John's baptism was an outward ritual signaling to the observers that the person being water
baptized was repentant. The baptism of Jesus was with the Holy Spirit and fire.
It took a long time for the early Jewish Christians to realize that there was a spiritual baptism.
An inner spiritual baptism not an external baptism of repentance. An inner spiritual circumcision
not an outward cut to the flesh.
A massive failure to understand the difference between the outward physical rituals and
the spiritual fulfillment, of all of these rituals in Jesus Christ.
"I baptized you with water; but He will baptize you with the Holy Spirit."
Two different baptisms.
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Unfortunately NOT all of the translations are in agreement :
i.e.
Out of 43 translations, only 12 improperly added 'to my', clearly not all in agreement.
But please if you must insist, just post any scripture stating Paul had his own gospel to preach to the world;
Galatians 1:8
But even if we, or an angel from heaven, preach any other gospel to you than what we have preached to you, let him be accursed.
witness...
2 Corinthians 11:4
For if someone comes and proclaims a Jesus other than the One we proclaimed, or if you receive a different spirit than the One you received, or a different gospel than the one you accepted, you put up with it very easily.
1 Timothy 6:3-5
If anyone teaches another doctrine and disagrees with the sound words of our Lord Jesus Christ and with godly teaching, / he is conceited and understands nothing. Instead, he has an unhealthy interest in controversies and disputes about words, out of which come envy, strife, abusive talk, evil suspicions, / and constant friction between men of depraved mind who are devoid of the truth. These men regard godliness as a means of gain.
Acts 20:29-30
I know that after my departure, savage wolves will come in among you and will not spare the flock. / Even from your own number, men will rise up and distort the truth to draw away disciples after them.
1 John 4:1
Beloved, do not believe every spirit, but test the spirits to see whether they are from God. For many false prophets have gone out into the world.
Romans 16:17-18
Now I urge you, brothers, to watch out for those who create divisions and obstacles that are contrary to the teaching you have learned. Turn away from them. / For such people are not serving our Lord Christ, but their own appetites. By smooth talk and flattery they deceive the hearts of the naive.
2 Thessalonians 2:9-12
The coming of the lawless one will be accompanied by the working of Satan, with every kind of power, sign, and false wonder, / and with every wicked deception directed against those who are perishing, because they refused the love of the truth that would have saved them. / For this reason God will send them a powerful delusion so that they believe the lie, ...
Revelation 22:18-19
I testify to everyone who hears the words of prophecy in this book: If anyone adds to them, God will add to him the plagues described in this book. / And if anyone takes away from the words of this book of prophecy, God will take away his share in the tree of life and the holy city, which are described in this book.
Jeremiah 14:14
“The prophets are prophesying lies in My name,” replied the LORD. “I did not send them or appoint them or speak to them. They are prophesying to you a false vision, a worthless divination, the futility and delusion of their own minds.
This is how it is written in Hebrew :
on the day ἡμέρᾳ (ēmera) 2250: daya
when, ἡ (ē) 3739: usually rel. who, which, that, also demonstrative this, that
according κατὰ (kata) 2596: down, against, according topreposition of uncertain origin
to my gospel, εὐαγγέλιον (euangelion) 2098: good newsfrom the same as euaggelizó
***NOTICE***
(there is no wording for 'To MY', it is spurious and added by men translating Spiritual Knowledge they know nothing about)
God θεὸς (theos) 2316: God, a godof uncertain origin
will judge κρίνει (krinei) 2919: to judge, decidea prim. verb
the secrets κρυπτὰ (krupta) 2927: hiddenfrom kruptó
of menἀν θρώπων (anthrōpōn) 444: a man, human, mankindprobably from anér and óps (eye, face)
through διὰ(dia) 1223: through, on account of, because ofa prim. preposition
Christ Χριστοῦ(christou) 5547: the Anointed One, Messiah, Christfrom chrió
Jesus. Ἰησοῦ (iēsou) 2424: Jesus or Joshua, the name of the Messiah, also three other Isr.
Here is what God states
2 Peter 1:20
knowing this first, that no prophecy of Scripture is of any private interpretation,
And this is the man-Paul stating this :
Galatians 1:10
10 For am I now seeking the approval of man, or of God? Or am I trying to please man? If I were still trying to please man, I would not be a servant of Christ.
11 For I would have you know, brothers, that the gospel that was preached by me is not man's gospel.
12 For I did not receive it from any man, nor was I taught it, but I received it through a revelation of Jesus Christ.
- witness....
- Revelation 1:1
- The Revelation of Jesus Christ, which God gave unto him, to shew unto his servants things which must shortly come to pass; and he sent and signified it by his angel unto his servant John:
13 For you have heard of my former life in Judaism, how I persecuted the church of God violently and tried to destroy it. 14 And I was advancing in Judaism beyond many of my own age among my people, so extremely zealous was I for the traditions of my fathers. 15 But when he who had set me apart before I was born,[c] and who called me by his grace, 16 was pleased to reveal his Son to[d] me, in order that I might preach him among the Gentiles, I did not immediately consult with anyone;[e] 17 nor did I go up to Jerusalem to those who were apostles before me, but I went away into Arabia, and returned again to Damascus.
18 Then after three years I went up to Jerusalem to visit Cephas and remained with him fifteen days. 19 But I saw none of the other apostles except James the Lord's brother. 20 (In what I am writing to you, before God, I do not lie!) 21 Then I went into the regions of Syria and Cilicia. 22 And I was still unknown in person to the churches of Judea that are in Christ. 23 They only were hearing it said, “He who used to persecute us is now preaching the faith he once tried to destroy.” 24 And they glorified God because of me.
Brother, amen — John’s words in Mark 1:7–8 are crucial.
You’re absolutely right that John’s baptism was with water unto repentance, while Jesus would baptize with the Holy Spirit. That’s precisely the transition Scripture reveals — from an external sign pointing forward, to an internal work of regeneration and sealing after Christ’s finished work and resurrection.
But here’s the key:
Even after Pentecost, water baptism continued — not as a competing baptism, but as a public testimony of faith in the One who now baptizes with the Spirit. It’s not that there are two saving baptisms — it’s that one (water) symbolizes what the other (Spirit) accomplishes.
“For by one Spirit are we all baptized into one body… and have been all made to drink into one Spirit.”
— 1 Corinthians 12:13
So yes — John’s baptism and Jesus’ baptism are distinct.
But the moment we believe the gospel, the Holy Spirit performs the real baptism — placing us into Christ’s body, cleansing us spiritually, and sealing us (Ephesians 1:13). The outward water baptism doesn’t produce that; it confesses it.
That’s why Paul said:
“Christ sent me not to baptize, but to preach the gospel.” (1 Corinthians 1:17)
If water baptism were the means of salvation or Spirit reception, Paul’s statement would make no sense.
But it does — because the gospel’s saving power is in Christ’s finished work, received by faith, not in the external act.
Grace and peace, brother — I appreciate your Scripture-centered spirit.
Both John’s words and Paul’s letters harmonize perfectly when we let the transition between covenants speak for itself.