Acts 2:38 Comparison: Evangelical vs. Oneness / Baptismal-Regeneration View

[LightBearer316]

What always made me think about Genesis 1:26 is the following Verse

27 And God created man in His image; in the image of God He created him

Here it shows God not only being singular but God attaches His Image to the Image of God.

It's much of why I say God is triune in His Nature because when something is finished by God He uses the singular pronoun to acknowledge His work.

That’s a great observation — Genesis 1:26–27 beautifully shows both plurality and unity in God’s nature.
The plural “Let Us make man” points to divine fellowship within the Godhead, while “So God created man in His own image” affirms His singular essence.
It’s one of those early glimpses of what’s later revealed more clearly in Scripture — Father, Son, and Holy Spirit distinct in person yet one in essence (cf. Matthew 28:19 KJV; John 1:1–3 KJV).
Grace and peace.

 

[Ouch]

I appreciate your concern, but I’ve already trusted in the finished work of Christ for salvation — not by my own merit, but by grace through faith, exactly as Scripture teaches (Ephesians 2:8-9 KJV).

My goal here isn’t to argue over who’s saved, but to speak “that which is good to the use of edifying” (Ephesians 4:29 KJV).

When discussion turns from Scripture to accusation, it stops being about truth and starts being about pride. Let’s return to God’s Word itself rather than trying to question one another’s salvation.

Grace and peace.

What does a person have to do to be reborn?

How can we discuss scriture if you change it?

I never said anything about who is saved and who is not.

Just tell me how to be saved?

 

[Gideon300]

Just as an aside... There were more books written about Napoleon Bonaparte than on Adolf Hitler.

Thanks for that. One thing we know for sure, Hitler learned nothing from Napoleon's mistakes.

 

[LightBearer316]

What does a person have to do to be reborn?

How can we discuss scriture if you change it?

I never said anything about who is saved and who is not.

Just tell me how to be saved?

Scripture answers that plainly:

“Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ, and thou shalt be saved.” — Acts 16:31 KJV

“That if thou shalt confess with thy mouth the Lord Jesus, and shalt believe in thine heart that God hath raised him from the dead, thou shalt be saved.” — Romans 10:9 KJV

Salvation isn’t by works, rituals, or formulas, but by grace through faith in Christ alone (Ephesians 2:8-9 KJV). When we trust in Him—His death for our sins and His resurrection—we are born again by the Spirit (John 3:3-7 KJV).

That’s the gospel I stand on, unchanged and unaltered.

Grace and peace.

 

[LightBearer316]

Thanks for that. One thing we know for sure, Hitler learned nothing from Napoleon's mistakes.

That’s true — both men rose through ambition but fell through pride.
Napoleon once said he conquered nations, but history reminds us that no man can conquer himself without Christ.
Empires rise and fall, but the Word of God endures forever (Isaiah 40:8 KJV).

Grace and peace.

 

[LightBearer316]

but you had no problem answering me all other times. Thanks for answering my question without answering it. You have confirmed the hunches of me, @ChristRoseFromTheDead, and @studier correct. If you did the same thing that you answered all other previous times, you’d have to admit that you had been using AI this entire time. Thanks for proving our point.

This reply from Blue155 shows an attempt to spin my short response (“I don’t answer trolls.”) into a “confession.”
It’s a classic provocation-and-reframe tactic: they’re trying to turn my disengagement into an admission that somehow “proves” their AI accusation. This shows how these "Christians" roll.

There’s really nothing to “prove.” I’ve simply chosen not to engage in circular accusations that have nothing to do with Scripture or truth.

Titus 3:9 (KJV) says, “But avoid foolish questions, and genealogies, and contentions, and strivings about the law; for they are unprofitable and vain.”

I’ll keep focusing on the Word, not endless speculation.

Grace and peace.

 

[LightBearer316]

 

[Ouch]

Scripture answers that plainly:

“Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ, and thou shalt be saved.” — Acts 16:31 KJV

“That if thou shalt confess with thy mouth the Lord Jesus, and shalt believe in thine heart that God hath raised him from the dead, thou shalt be saved.” — Romans 10:9 KJV

Salvation isn’t by works, rituals, or formulas, but by grace through faith in Christ alone (Ephesians 2:8-9 KJV). When we trust in Him—His death for our sins and His resurrection—we are born again by the Spirit (John 3:3-7 KJV).

That’s the gospel I stand on, unchanged and unaltered.

Grace and peace.

So you belive and we need to do is believe....

Do you remember me point out the word "SHALL" means???

There you go again telling stories about works, rituals, or formulas.

So to you we don't need to repent, get baptized to get rid of our sins and JESUS does not need to fill us with HIS spirit.

Just believe right?

So these are your brothers??

James 2:19 Thou believest that there is one God; thou doest well: the devils also believe, and tremble.

 

[LightBearer316]

So you belive and we need to do is believe....

Do you remember me point out the word "SHALL" means???

There you go again telling stories about works, rituals, or formulas.

So to you we don't need to repent, get baptized to get rid of our sins and JESUS does not need to fill us with HIS spirit.

Just believe right?

So these are your brothers??

James 2:19 Thou believest that there is one God; thou doest well: the devils also believe, and tremble.

Ouch is trying to twist my clear gospel presentation into a straw man argument. He’s implying that my position (“salvation by grace through faith”) means I reject repentance, baptism, and the work of the Spirit. This is a common Oneness / baptismal-regeneration heresy tactic — conflating the results of salvation with the means of salvation.

You’re misrepresenting what I said.

Scripture teaches repentance, baptism, and the indwelling of the Spirit — but those are results of salvation, not requirements to earn it.

Salvation begins with faith in Christ’s finished work — not in our own actions.

• Repentance flows from genuine belief (Acts 20:21 KJV – “repentance toward God, and faith toward our Lord Jesus Christ”).
• Baptism follows belief as testimony (Acts 10:43–47 KJV).
• The Holy Spirit indwells every true believer (Ephesians 1:13 KJV).

James 2:19 doesn’t contradict saving faith — it exposes dead faith, belief without transformation. The faith that saves always produces fruit, but the fruit never causes the salvation.

“Therefore being justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ.” — Romans 5:1 KJV

Grace and peace.
Acts 17:11 (KJV)
“These were more noble than those in Thessalonica, in that they received the word with all readiness of mind, and searched the scriptures daily, whether those things were so.”

 

[LightBearer316]

 

[Ouch]

Ouch is trying to twist my clear gospel presentation into a straw man argument. He’s implying that my position (“salvation by grace through faith”) means I reject repentance, baptism, and the work of the Spirit. This is a common Oneness / baptismal-regeneration heresy tactic — conflating the results of salvation with the means of salvation.

You’re misrepresenting what I said.

Scripture teaches repentance, baptism, and the indwelling of the Spirit — but those are results of salvation, not requirements to earn it.

Salvation begins with faith in Christ’s finished work — not in our own actions.

• Repentance flows from genuine belief (Acts 20:21 KJV – “repentance toward God, and faith toward our Lord Jesus Christ”).
• Baptism follows belief as testimony (Acts 10:43–47 KJV).
• The Holy Spirit indwells every true believer (Ephesians 1:13 KJV).

James 2:19 doesn’t contradict saving faith — it exposes dead faith, belief without transformation. The faith that saves always produces fruit, but the fruit never causes the salvation.

“Therefore being justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ.” — Romans 5:1 KJV

Grace and peace.
Acts 17:11 (KJV)
“These were more noble than those in Thessalonica, in that they received the word with all readiness of mind, and searched the scriptures daily, whether those things were so.”

I think Ouch is pointing out you can not be reborn while you are in your sins.

Ouch only shares HIS word, he doesn't bring up denominations or any other foolishness.

Ouch don't alter HIS word like you do.

Ouch is pointing out you need JESUS to fill you with the Holy Ghost like HE did HIS DISCIPLES in Acts 2:4 and the Gentiles in Acts 10.

I try to get you to just show me how to be reborn but you stay away from the verse that tell us how.

Have YOU received the Holy Ghost since you have beloved?

HOW WERE YOU BAPTIZED?

YOU FOLLOW PAUL ONLY, RIGHT???


Acts 19
King James Version
19 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.


If your going to follow Paul only follow Paul.

 

[LightBearer316]

I think Ouch is pointing out you can not be reborn while you are in your sins.

Ouch only shares HIS word, he doesn't bring up denominations or any other foolishness.

Ouch don't alter HIS word like you do.

Ouch is pointing out you need JESUS to fill you with the Holy Ghost like HE did HIS DISCIPLES in Acts 2:4 and the Gentiles in Acts 10.

I try to get you to just show me how to be reborn but you stay away from the verse that tell us how.

Have YOU received the Holy Ghost since you have beloved?

HOW WERE YOU BAPTIZED?

YOU FOLLOW PAUL ONLY, RIGHT???


Acts 19
King James Version
19 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.


If your going to follow Paul only follow Paul.

This new response from Ouch is an even clearer expression of the Oneness / Apostolic Pentecostal Heresy position. He’s arguing that:

• One cannot be “born again” until after repentance and baptism.
• The Holy Ghost baptism (with tongues) is required for salvation.
• He’s quoting Acts 19:1–6 as proof that belief is insufficient without the baptism of the Spirit.

This is a common misreading of Acts, confusing the transitional events of the early church with the normative pattern of salvation for all believers.

The men in Acts 19 weren’t believers in Christ yet — they were disciples of John the Baptist, not of Jesus. Paul makes that clear when he says, “John verily baptized with the baptism of repentance, saying… that they should believe on Him which should come after him, that is, on Christ Jesus” (Acts 19:4 KJV).

When they heard the gospel of Christ, they believed, and then Paul baptized them — not to get the Spirit, but because they had now believed on the risen Lord. The Spirit’s coming upon them was God’s public confirmation of their new faith, just like in Acts 10:43-47, where the Gentiles received the Holy Ghost before baptism.

The order is consistent every time faith is genuine:

• Faith >>> Salvation (Ephesians 2:8-9 KJV; Acts 10:43 KJV)
• Baptism >>> Testimony of that faith (Acts 10:47 KJV)
• Spirit >>> Indwelling at conversion (Ephesians 1:13 KJV)

The Holy Spirit isn’t earned through water or works; He’s received by faith the moment we trust Christ. That’s the pattern Paul taught — not faith + ritual, but faith → new life.

Grace and peace.
Acts 17:11 (KJV)
“These were more noble than those in Thessalonica, in that they received the word with all readiness of mind, and searched the scriptures daily, whether those things were so.”

 

[studier]

John 7:24 calls for righteous judgment — that means judging according to truth, not assumption.

John7:24 contrasts superficial judgment with righteous judgment. It does not forbid initial observation or initial assumptions, which are part of evidence-based inquiry leading to righteous judgment. Treating assumption as inherently wrong misapplies the verse.

True discernment is grounded in evidence and humility, not speculation about motives or authorship.

Pattern recognition and analysis of authorship or style is part of evidence-based discernment, not speculation about motives.

I’ve simply asked that we weigh words by Scripture, not by who we think wrote them.

Examining authorship or textual patterns is part of righteous judgment and of proper exegesis of Scripture and all writings, including yours and all of ours.

That remains my stance.

Rejecting legitimate, evidence-based inquiry conflates assumption with error and misapplies John7:24.

Side note: Ignoring or refusing to answer legitimate, evidence-based inquiry escalates the matter and potentially very quickly. Misrepresentation of sources, ignoring requests for evidence, disregarding presented corrective information and questions from multiple witnesses all undermine credibility in matters requiring righteous judgment. Character matters.

John 7:24 does not forbid assumption and inquiry as part of the process in righteous judgment.

 

[Ouch]

This new response from Ouch is an even clearer expression of the Oneness / Apostolic Pentecostal Heresy position. He’s arguing that:

• One cannot be “born again” until after repentance and baptism.
• The Holy Ghost baptism (with tongues) is required for salvation.
• He’s quoting Acts 19:1–6 as proof that belief is insufficient without the baptism of the Spirit.

This is a common misreading of Acts, confusing the transitional events of the early church with the normative pattern of salvation for all believers.

The men in Acts 19 weren’t believers in Christ yet — they were disciples of John the Baptist, not of Jesus. Paul makes that clear when he says, “John verily baptized with the baptism of repentance, saying… that they should believe on Him which should come after him, that is, on Christ Jesus” (Acts 19:4 KJV).

When they heard the gospel of Christ, they believed, and then Paul baptized them — not to get the Spirit, but because they had now believed on the risen Lord. The Spirit’s coming upon them was God’s public confirmation of their new faith, just like in Acts 10:43-47, where the Gentiles received the Holy Ghost before baptism.

The order is consistent every time faith is genuine:

• Faith >>> Salvation (Ephesians 2:8-9 KJV; Acts 10:43 KJV)
• Baptism >>> Testimony of that faith (Acts 10:47 KJV)
• Spirit >>> Indwelling at conversion (Ephesians 1:13 KJV)

The Holy Spirit isn’t earned through water or works; He’s received by faith the moment we trust Christ. That’s the pattern Paul taught — not faith + ritual, but faith → new life.

Grace and peace.
Acts 17:11 (KJV)
“These were more noble than those in Thessalonica, in that they received the word with all readiness of mind, and searched the scriptures daily, whether those things were so.”

Hey everyone Ouch is doing it again.

Ouch isn't saying nothing, Ouch is shading HIS word to the lost!!!

This is the root of the problem.

JESUS said JESUS SAID, not Ouch, in John 3,

3 Jesus answered and said unto him, Verily, verily, I say unto thee, Except a man be born again, he cannot see the kingdom of God.

5 Jesus answered, Verily, verily, I say unto thee, Except a man be born of water and of the Spirit, he cannot enter into the kingdom of God.

HEY LIGHTBEARER CAN'T ENTER HEAVEN WITHOUT BOTH.

So the ball is in my court, what should I do follow lightbearer and his lies or JESUS and HIS WORDS?

I'm not going to tell you my choice.

 

[mailmandan]

James 2:19 doesn’t contradict saving faith — it exposes dead faith, belief without transformation. The faith that saves always produces fruit, but the fruit never causes the salvation.

Spot on! In James 2:19, we see that the demons believe "mental assent" that "there is one God," but they do not believe in/have faith in/trust in Jesus Christ for salvation. In other words, the demons do not believe in the Lord Jesus Christ (Acts 16:31) and are not saved. Their trust and reliance are in Satan (and not in Jesus) as demonstrated by their rebellion in heaven and continuous evil works. There is a difference between mere "mental assent" belief (as the demons have) and saving belief in Christ, which the demons do not have, and only genuine believers do have. Now all genuine believers are fruitful, but not all are equally fruitful. (Matthew 13:23)

 

[mailmandan]

Spot on! In James 2:19, we see that the demons believe "mental assent" that "there is one God," but they do not believe in/have faith in/trust in Jesus Christ for salvation. In other words, the demons do not believe in the Lord Jesus Christ (Acts 16:31) and are not saved. Their trust and reliance are in Satan (and not in Jesus) as demonstrated by their rebellion in heaven and continuous evil works. There is a difference between mere "mental assent" belief (as the demons have) and saving belief in Christ, which the demons do not have, and only genuine believers do have. Now all genuine believers are fruitful, but not all are equally fruitful. (Matthew 13:23)

I actually meant to tag LighBearer316 who made that statement. I have no idea why it showed I tagged Ouch making that statement when LightBearer316 made that statement. I need some coffee.

 

[Ouch]

Spot on! In James 2:19, we see that the demons believe "mental assent" that "there is one God," but they do not believe in/have faith in/trust in Jesus Christ for salvation. In other words, the demons do not believe in the Lord Jesus Christ (Acts 16:31) and are not saved. Their trust and reliance are in Satan (and not in Jesus) as demonstrated by their rebellion in heaven and continuous evil works. There is a difference between mere "mental assent" belief (as the demons have) and saving belief in Christ, which the demons do not have, and only genuine believers do have. Now all genuine believers are fruitful, but not all are equally fruitful. (Matthew 13:23)

I need a little help, on what post did I share James 2:19? No problem with it but I don't recall sharing it.

Story time, trying to explain different levels of faith which leads to salivation when we need more that faith to achieve it, story time.

LIke you did with those in Matthew 7:21-23 were they believed, had faith and the Holy Ghost BUT JESUS SENT THEN TO HELL.

Since you need to believe get baptized to remove our sins and receive the Holy Ghost to be reborn they were missing getting rid of their sins.

I do agree after being reborn our faith grows which allows JESUS to use us more but has nothing to do with being reborn. Since belief and faith just starts your journey.

What separates the demons belief and our belief is we have the ability to obey and have our sins remitted.

Because without getting rid of our sins, we will be lost like they are.

 

[mailmandan]

I need a little help, on what post did I share James 2:19? No problem with it but I don't recall sharing it.

I clarified in post #1,076 that it was Lightbearer316 who made that post about James 2:19. For some reason it originally showed that I was tagging you as the person who said it. Maybe since he tagged you while making that post your name came up instead when I tagged it.

Story time, trying to explain different levels of faith which leads to salivation when we need more that faith to achieve it, story time.

Well, we know that the level of belief in James 2:19 does not result in salvation but the level of belief in Acts 16:31 does result in salvation.

LIke you did with those in Matthew 7:21-23 were they believed, had faith and the Holy Ghost BUT JESUS SENT THEN TO HELL.

These many people in Matthew 7:21-23 had the wrong foundation. (Matthew 7:22) They were trusting in their works for salvation and not in Jesus Christ alone. They failed to do the will of the Father (Matthew 7:21) unto salvation. (John 6:40) Nothing is mentioned about them having the Holy Spirit and Jesus never knew them which means they were never saved. (Matthew 7:23)

Since you need to believe get baptized to remove our sins and receive the Holy Ghost to be reborn they were missing getting rid of their sins.

Speculation which is not found in Matthew 7:21-23. In context, Jesus starts out by saying - "Beware of false prophets, which come to you in sheep's clothing, but inwardly they are ravening wolves." (Matthew 7:15) Have false prophets received the Holy Spirit?

I do agree after being reborn our faith grows which allows JESUS to use us more but has nothing to do with being reborn. Since belief and faith just starts your journey.

We must be reborn first then our journey of growing in grace begins. (2 Peter 3:18)

What separates the demons belief and our belief is we have the ability to obey and have our sins remitted.

The ability to obey is the effect of salvation. The cause of salvation is the right level of belief.

Because without getting rid of our sins, we will be lost like they are.

Only genuine believers get rid of their sins and do not remain lost in unbelief. (John 3:18; Acts 10:43; 13:38-39; 15:7-9; 26:18; 2 Corinthians 4:3,4)

 

[Ouch]

I clarified in post #1,076 that it was Lightbearer316 who made that post about James 2:19. For some reason it originally showed that I was tagging you as the person who said it. Maybe since he tagged you while making that post your name came up instead when I tagged it.

Well, we know that the level of belief in James 2:19 does not result in salvation but the level of belief in Acts 16:31 does result in salvation.

These many people in Matthew 7:21-23 had the wrong foundation. (Matthew 7:22) They were trusting in their works for salvation and not in Jesus Christ alone. They failed to do the will of the Father (Matthew 7:21) unto salvation. (John 6:40) Nothing is mentioned about them having the Holy Spirit and Jesus never knew them which means they were never saved. (Matthew 7:23)

Speculation which is not found in Matthew 7:21-23. In context, Jesus starts out by saying - "Beware of false prophets, which come to you in sheep's clothing, but inwardly they are ravening wolves." (Matthew 7:15) Have false prophets received the Holy Spirit?

We must be reborn first then our journey of growing in grace begins. (2 Peter 3:18)

The ability to obey is the effect of salvation. The cause of salvation is the right level of belief.

Only genuine believers get rid of their sins and do not remain lost in unbelief. (John 3:18; Acts 10:43; 13:38-39; 15:7-9; 26:18; 2 Corinthians 4:3,4)

Got it and no issue we all make mistakes, thank you.

I don't care how much faith you have, faith alone does not remove our sins and or gets JESUS to fill us with HIS spirit.

They were trusting in their works, they were doing all they could for the lord.

Matthew 8:22 Many will say to me in that day, Lord, Lord, have we not prophesied in thy name? and in thy name have cast out devils? and in thy name done many wonderful works?

THEY HAD to have the Holy Ghost to prophesied in HIS name, ONLY JESUS knows the future so how could they without HIM being inside of them?

Paul speaking about the Holy Ghost,
1 Corinthians 14:3 But he that prophesieth speaketh unto men to edification, and exhortation, and comfort.

Sharing HIS word does not make me a false prophet, Yep, missing baptism.

Saying saved by faith alone, does if you would call that person a prophet?

Can't be born without the old self dying in the water.

Romans 6:4 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.

Since HIS word tells us how we get rid of our sins, only genuine believers will follow Peter and Paul into the water to be baptized in JESUS name to remove our sins.

Like the those in Acts 2:37 their heart was pricked, IS YOURS? they GLADLY received his words and THREE THOUSAND SOULS WERE ADDED.

Will you GLADLY receive HIS WORD?

 

[mailmandan]

Got it and no issue we all make mistakes, thank you.

I don't care how much faith you have, faith alone does not remove our sins and or gets JESUS to fill us with HIS spirit.

They were trusting in their works, they were doing all they could for the lord.

Matthew 8:22 Many will say to me in that day, Lord, Lord, have we not prophesied in thy name? and in thy name have cast out devils? and in thy name done many wonderful works?

THEY HAD to have the Holy Ghost to prophesied in HIS name, ONLY JESUS knows the future so how could they without HIM being inside of them?

Paul speaking about the Holy Ghost,
1 Corinthians 14:3 But he that prophesieth speaketh unto men to edification, and exhortation, and comfort.

Sharing HIS word does not make me a false prophet, Yep, missing baptism.

Saying saved by faith alone, does if you would call that person a prophet?

Can't be born without the old self dying in the water.

Romans 6:4 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.

Since HIS word tells us how we get rid of our sins, only genuine believers will follow Peter and Paul into the water to be baptized in JESUS name to remove our sins.

Like the those in Acts 2:37 their heart was pricked, IS YOURS? they GLADLY received his words and THREE THOUSAND SOULS WERE ADDED.

Will you GLADLY receive HIS WORD?

Once again, in context, Jesus was discussing false prophets. (Matthew 7:15) Hence, prophesied in thy name. I've heard false prophets claim to have cast out devils before. Anyone can make that claim and Jesus did not uphold their claim. Instead, Jesus said, "I never knew you: depart from me, ye that work iniquity. (practice lawlessness)

Your obsession with water baptism brought about by your church indoctrination keeps you blinded from the truth. Romans 6:3,4 - "Know ye not, that so many of us as were baptized into Jesus Christ were baptized into his death? Therefore, we are buried with him by baptism into death: that like as Christ was raised up from the dead… even so we also should walk in newness of life." Paul shows that baptism pictures what already happened spiritually, death to sin and new life through Jesus Christ. Only genuine believers understand that it’s a testimony of the reality but not the transaction. False religion turns signs and symbols of salvation into the substance and the source.

My heart was pricked in 1998 which resulted in me coming to repent and believe the gospel and receiving salvation. (Acts 3:19; 10:43-47; 11:17,18; 20:21) Soon afterwards I was water baptized. My heart was purified by faith and not by water baptism. (Acts 15:7-9) In regard to Acts 2:41 - Then they that gladly received his word (through repentance/faith) were "afterwards" baptized: and the same day there were added unto them about three thousand souls. In Acts 4:4, we read - Howbeit many of them which heard the word believed; and the number of the men was about five thousand. *What happened to baptism? In Acts 5:14, we read - And believers were the more added to the Lord, multitudes both of men and women. *What happened to baptism?

The only logical and Biblical conclusion when properly harmonizing scripture with scripture is that faith in Jesus Christ "implied in genuine repentance" (rather than water baptism) brings the remission of sins and the gift of the Holy Spirit. (Luke 24:47; Acts 2:38; 3:19; 5:31; 10:43-47; 11:17,18; 13:38-39; 15:7-9; 16:31; 26:18) *Perfect Harmony*