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

[LightBearer316]

@LightBearer316 is perverting the gospel of Christ—the good news of Christ…which is how to receive the remission of sins by the authority of Christ, by telling others you don’t have to repent and be baptized for the remission of sins.

@LightBearer316 is also promoting a false teaching of the Greek word “eis” in Acts 2:38, attributing it to be meaning “because of”.

@LightBearer316 is also misrepresenting the body/church of Christ, saying they teach or believe in baptismal regeneration.

@LightBearer316 is also misconstruing a host of passages to try and get around the necessity of water baptism for the remission of sins.

You weren’t looking for cordial discussion! You didn't want genuine dialogue! You started with hostility and misrepresentations and labels.

 

[LightBearer316]

And now you are accusing me of accusing. Amazing.

#309 You weren’t looking for cordial discussion! You didn't want genuine dialogue! You started with hostility and misrepresentations and labels right out of the gate! Just want to push your hidden Oneness/ Pentecostal theology agenda.

 

[Believer08]

with a post that labels someone a false teacher and misrepresents what they’ve said.

The irony behind your post is…you did this exact thing in post #1 by accusing members of the body/church of Christ as believers in baptismal regeneration.

 

[Believer08]

#308 You weren’t looking for cordial discussion! You didn't want genuine dialogue! You started with hostility and misrepresentations and labels right out of the gate!

See post #326

 

[mailmandan]

Once again, you’re accusing me of something I am not. I am not a oneness Pentecostal, I do not believe in baptismal regeneration, nor do I believe in a works based gospel. That tells me you don’t want to have a cordial conversation. All you want to do is accuse me of things that I don’t believe in and say things about me that I am not.

Campbellites prefer the term "baptismal remission" and they do teach a works based gospel. Salvation by faith + works (with a heavy emphasis on water baptism).

I knew that your avatar picture looked familiar.

 

[Believer08]

Just want to push your hidden Oneness/ Pentecostal theology agenda.

Once again, you are accusing me of being something I am not. Do you even read my posts? How many times do I have to tell you that I am not a Oneness Pentecostal?

 

[LightBearer316]

Believer08 said:
@LightBearer316 is perverting the gospel of Christ—the good news of Christ…which is how to receive the remission of sins by the authority of Christ, by telling others you don’t have to repent and be baptized for the remission of sins.

@LightBearer316 is also promoting a false teaching of the Greek word “eis” in Acts 2:38, attributing it to be meaning “because of”.

@LightBearer316 is also misrepresenting the body/church of Christ, saying they teach or believe in baptismal regeneration.

@LightBearer316 is also misconstruing a host of passages to try and get around the necessity of water baptism for the remission of sins.

. Post #309

You chose to enter the thread at post #309, and it was clear from the start you weren’t here for a cordial discussion.
You opened with hostility, misrepresentations, and labels — right out of the gate.
Then later you ask about Peter? He was an Apostle — there’s your answer.
Next time, try entering with respect and manners; it might take you further.


“Let your speech be always with grace, seasoned with salt, that ye may know how ye ought to answer every man.” — Colossians 4:6 (KJV)


Grace and peace — always in His Word.

 

[Believer08]

. Post #309

You chose to enter the thread at post #309, and it was clear from the start you weren’t here for a cordial discussion.
You opened with hostility, misrepresentations, and labels — right out of the gate.
Then later you ask about Peter? He was an Apostle — there’s your answer.
Next time, try entering with respect and manners; it might take you further.


“Let your speech be always with grace, seasoned with salt, that ye may know how ye ought to answer every man.” — Colossians 4:6 (KJV)


Grace and peace — always in His Word.

You’re continuing to repeat yourself. I’m through with you.

 

[LightBearer316]

You’re continuing to repeat yourself. I’m through with you.

Fair enough. I’ve said what I needed to say — now you can scurry away if you like.
May we both stay grounded in the Word and seek truth above opinions.


Grace and peace — always in His Word.

 

[Believer08]

now you can scurry away if you like.

So much for you quoting Col. 4:6 earlier…

 

[LightBearer316]

So much for you quoting Col. 4:6 earlier…

You are the master teacher!

 

[Ouch]

Acts 2:38 (KJV)
38 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.

The line of reasoning mentioned in (“Acts 2:38 says be baptized for the remission of sins”) is a hallmark argument of oneness or baptismal-regeneration groups.

Here’s a breakdown of what’s behind that “tactic” and why it often shows up in debates:

1. What They Teach

• Oneness Pentecostals (United Pentecostal Church International, Apostolic churches, etc.) and baptismal-regeneration advocates (like the Church of Christ, Christian Church, or some Apostolic groups) insist that water baptism is a necessary condition for salvation.
• They usually quote Acts 2:38 as their cornerstone:
  
  “Repent, and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins...”
  They interpret “for” (eis in Greek) as meaning “in order to obtain” forgiveness, not “because of.”​

2. Why It’s a “Tactic”

In discussion, these groups tend to:

• Anchor every salvation argument in Acts 2:38, ignoring the broader New-Testament pattern of salvation by faith apart from works (e.g., Romans 3:28; Ephesians 2:8-9; Titus 3:5).
• Equate water with spiritual regeneration, even when passages clearly distinguish them (John 3:5; Acts 10:44-48; 1 Peter 3:21).
• Frame the conversation as obedience vs. disobedience, implying that anyone who disagrees is rejecting God’s command rather than discussing interpretation.
• Selectively quote early-Acts passages, before Paul’s revelation of salvation by grace through faith, as though those transitional moments define normative doctrine for the entire Church Age.

Essentially, it’s a rhetorical move: they start with Acts 2:38 as the hermeneutical “lens,” then reinterpret every other passage through it.

3. What’s Often Overlooked

• Context of Acts 2 — Peter was preaching to Jews under the Law who had just crucified their Messiah. The command to repent and be baptized was part of a national call to faith and public identification with Christ, not a mechanical formula for personal regeneration.
• Comparative Passages — In Acts 10, Cornelius and his household received the Holy Spirit before baptism; in Acts 16, the Philippian jailer was told, “Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ, and thou shalt be saved,” with no mention of baptism first.
• Greek nuance — The word eis (“for”) in Acts 2:38 can also mean “because of” or “on account of,” as in Matthew 12:41 (“They repented at [Greek eis] the preaching of Jonah”).
• Paul’s clarification — “Christ sent me not to baptize, but to preach the gospel” (1 Cor 1:17). That’s hard to square with baptism being essential for salvation.

4. The Broader Pattern
The New Testament consistently teaches:

• Salvation is by grace through faith (Eph 2:8-9; Rom 10:9-10).
• Baptism follows salvation as an outward sign of inward faith (Acts 10:47-48; Gal 3:27).
• The Spirit’s baptism, not water, places believers into the body of Christ (1 Cor 12:13).

So when groups use Acts 2:38 as their proof-text, they’re reversing the biblical order—putting the symbol ahead of the substance.

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

View attachment 281106
Key Takeaways

1. Acts 2:38 was situational — Peter addressing Jews at Pentecost during a covenant transition, not defining a permanent formula for all salvation.
2. Scripture interprets Scripture — later revelation through Paul clarifies salvation is by faith apart from works or rituals (Romans 3–5; Galatians 2).
3. Water vs. Spirit — the New Testament distinguishes symbolic baptism in water from the real regenerating baptism of the Spirit (1 Cor 12:13; Titus 3:5).
4. Faith precedes baptism — everywhere else in Acts, people believe first (Acts 8:36–37; 10:44–48; 16:30–33).

Grace and Peace

All puffed you are, you must be proud of your self.

I seen you post all of the problems with the catholic church and now sharing the problems that JESUS has.

You do know JESUS is the word, and HE is the one responsible for ALL of it including Acts 2:38.

Your title should read JESUS word v's Lightbearer3.

Of course I'm not debating with you.

Just one question wise one, what's the difference between the Catholics who don't follow HIS word and you?

If Evangelical don't follow HIS word and the so called "oneness" does who's wrong?

 

[Ouch]

Brother, I appreciate your examples, but those refer to the Spirit’s temporary empowerment under the Old Covenant, not the indwelling Spirit given to believers after Christ’s resurrection (John 7:39; Acts 2).

In Acts 10, the Spirit was given to Cornelius’ household as a sign of genuine faith and salvation; the same way He’s given to every believer today (Acts 11:17; Ephesians 1:13).

Let’s keep the focus on the context of the household baptisms, since that’s what’s being discussed. Every New Testament passage still shows faith preceding baptism.

Grace and Peace

Tell me what you do with Acts 8, they believed, were baptized and days, maybe weeks later they were filled with the Holy Ghost.

When were they saved?

Same with Acts 19, they believed, they were baptized, after they were baptized they received the Holy GHost.

When were they saved?

 

[Ouch]

Is the content of your posts produced by an AI engine, either online or in your software, either in whole or in part?

Peter had the keys to the door, he can tell you what you need to do and open the door.

Your the one who needs to walk through it.

 

[Ouch]

I’ve noticed that in many discussions here, people seem more interested in defending their system than in actually hearing what Scripture says. When that happens, verses get ignored or reinterpreted just to protect a position. But the point of studying God’s Word isn’t to “win” — it’s to submit.

We all have to guard our hearts against turning doctrine into an agenda. The moment we stop letting the Bible correct us, we’ve stopped learning from the Holy Spirit. As Jesus said, “If any man will do His will, he shall know of the doctrine” (John 7:17).

Let’s keep humility at the center — not pride, not party lines, but a shared desire to rightly divide the Word of truth (2 Timothy 2:15).

Grace and peace to all who truly seek it.

LOL, except when it comes to getting rid of our sins.

Acts 2:38, 22:16

You like pointing your fingers but can't see yourself.

Satan's plan keep them out of the water!!

 

[Wansvic]

That’s the same contradiction restated with softer words.
If baptism is “an essential element of salvation,” then salvation depends on a human act — and that makes grace no longer grace (Romans 11:6 KJV).

Scripture never divides grace into “essential elements.” It presents salvation as a finished gift:

“For by grace are ye saved through faith… not of works, lest any man should boast.” — Ephesians 2:8-9 KJV​

Water baptism is a command of obedience after belief, not a co-condition of redemption.
When the Gentiles in Acts 10 believed, the Holy Ghost fell on them before they touched water (Acts 10:44-47 KJV).
That’s God’s own confirmation that faith in Christ alone is the channel of saving grace.

Grace and peace — always in His Word.

And being made perfect, he became the author of eternal salvation unto all them that obey him; Heb. 5:9

I tell you, Nay: but, except ye repent, ye shall all likewise perish. Luke 13:3

And he said unto them, Go ye into all the world, and preach the gospel to every creature.
He that believeth and is baptized shall be saved; but he that believeth not shall be damned. Mark 16:15-16

But ye are not in the flesh, but in the Spirit, if so be that the Spirit of God dwell in you. Now if any man have not the Spirit of Christ, he is none of his. Romans 8:9

Then said Jesus to those Jews which believed on him, If ye continue in my word, then are ye my disciples indeed;
And ye shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free. John 8:31-32

 

[GWH]

And now you are accusing me of accusing. Amazing.

Which you did, so do not compound the problem with false equivalence,
but simply apologize and move on citing Scripture that you think supports a point you want to make.

 

[Wansvic]

@Wansvic — until you lay aside the Oneness / Pentecostal framework, you’ll keep forcing Scripture to say what it never says.
That system blends grace with ritual and turns obedience into a requirement for redemption — which only leads to confusion.

The Word of God is clear: salvation is by grace through faith alone, and baptism follows as the testimony of that faith — not as the condition for it.

Grace and peace — always in His Word.

"For I am not ashamed of the gospel of Christ: for it is the power of God unto salvation to every one that believeth; to the Jew first, and also to the Greek.
For therein is the righteousness of God revealed from faith to faith: as it is written, The just shall live by faith." Rom. 1:16-17

"How then shall they call on him in whom they have not believed? and how shall they believe in him of whom they have not heard? and how shall they hear without a preacher?
And how shall they preach, except they be sent? as it is written, How beautiful are the feet of them that preach the gospel of peace, and bring glad tidings of good things!
But they have not all obeyed the gospel. For Esaias saith, Lord, who hath believed our report?

So then faith cometh by hearing, and hearing by the word of God." Rom. 10:14-17


Paul said, Not all have obeyed the gospel. ...Belief in Jesus, repentance, water baptism in His name, receiving the Holy Ghost.

 

[mailmandan]

And being made perfect, he became the author of eternal salvation unto all them that obey him; Heb. 5:9

In regard to Hebrews 5:9, who obeys Him? The saved or the lost? I often hear works-salvationists cite this verse in their efforts to try and support works righteousness. Only believers have obeyed Him by choosing to believe the gospel (Romans 1:16) in order to become saved, and only believers obey Him after they have been saved through faith by practicing righteousness and not sin. (1 John 3:9,10) In either sense, only believers obey Him.

Unbelievers have not obeyed Him by refusing to believe the gospel (Romans 10:16) and without faith it's impossible to please God (Hebrews 11:6), so unbelievers do not obey Him no matter how much "so called" obedience that they attempt to conjure up from an unregenerate heart in a vain effort to receive salvation by works. (Matthew 7:22-23) So, in either sense, unbelievers do not obey Him.

I tell you, Nay: but, except ye repent, ye shall all likewise perish. Luke 13:3

Unless we repent (change our mind) and place our faith in Jesus Christ for salvation (Acts 20:21) -- "new direction of that change of mind" we will perish.

And he said unto them, Go ye into all the world, and preach the gospel to every creature.
He that believeth and is baptized shall be saved; but he that believeth not shall be damned. Mark 16:15-16

Mark 16:16 - He who believes and is baptized will be saved (general cases without making a qualification for the unusual case of someone who believes but is not baptized) but he who does not believe will be condemned. *The omission of baptized with "does not believe" shows that Jesus does not make baptism absolutely necessary for salvation. Condemnation rests on unbelief and not on a lack of baptism. *NOWHERE does the Bible say, "baptized or condemned."

If water baptism was absolutely required for salvation, then we would expect Jesus to mention it in the following verses. (3:15,16,18; 5:24; 6:29,40,47; 11:25,26) Yet what is the ONE requirement that Jesus mentions NINE different times in each of these complete statements *BELIEVES. *What happened to baptism? *Hermeneutics. John 3:18 - He who believes in Him is not condemned; but he who (is not water baptized? - NO) does not believe is condemned already, because he has not (been water baptized? - NO) because he has not believed in the name of the only begotten Son of God.

But ye are not in the flesh, but in the Spirit, if so be that the Spirit of God dwell in you. Now if any man have not the Spirit of Christ, he is none of his. Romans 8:9

Paul sets up a contrast between those who live according to the flesh (unbelievers/false brethren) and those who live according to the Spirit (believers). In verses 8-9, Paul clearly states - So then, those who are in the flesh cannot please God. 9 But you are not in the flesh but in the Spirit, if indeed the Spirit of God dwells in you. Now if anyone does not have the Spirit of Christ, he is not His. See the contrast?

Then said Jesus to those Jews which believed on him, If ye continue in my word, then are ye my disciples indeed;
And ye shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free. John 8:31-32

By continuing in His word we demonstrate that we truly are disciples of His. Unlike certain Jews who were said to have "believed on him" yet turn out to be slaves to sin, indifferent to the words of Jesus’, children of the devil, liars, accused Jesus of having a demon and were guilty of setting out to stone and kill the one they have professed to believe in.

 

[mailmandan]

"For I am not ashamed of the gospel of Christ: for it is the power of God unto salvation to every one that believeth; to the Jew first, and also to the Greek.
For therein is the righteousness of God revealed from faith to faith: as it is written, The just shall live by faith." Rom. 1:16-17

The gospel is the "good news" of the death, burial and resurrection of Jesus Christ (1 Corinthians 15:1-4) and is the power of God unto salvation to everyone that BELIEVES.. (Romans 1:16) To "believe" the gospel is to trust in the death, burial and resurrection of Christ as the ALL-sufficient means of our salvation . The gospel is a message of grace that is to be received through faith. The gospel is not a set of rituals to perform, a code of laws to be obeyed or a check list of good works (including water baptism) to accomplish as a prerequisite for salvation. Water baptism is not a part of the gospel. (1 Corinthians 1:17) Water baptism "follows" believing in Jesus unto salvation. (Acts 10:43-47)

"How then shall they call on him in whom they have not believed? and how shall they believe in him of whom they have not heard? and how shall they hear without a preacher?
And how shall they preach, except they be sent? as it is written, How beautiful are the feet of them that preach the gospel of peace, and bring glad tidings of good things!
But they have not all obeyed the gospel. For Esaias saith, Lord, who hath believed our report?

We obey the gospel by choosing to believe the gospel. Romans 10:16 - But they have not all obeyed the gospel. For Isaiah says, “Lord, who has believed our report?”

So then faith cometh by hearing, and hearing by the word of God." Rom. 10:14-17

Amen!

Paul said, Not all have obeyed the gospel.

Many have not obeyed the gospel by choosing to believe the gospel. Romans 10:16 - But they have not all obeyed the gospel. For Isaiah says, “Lord, who has believed our report?” In 2 Corinthians 4:3-4, we read - But if our gospel be hid, it is hid to them that are lost: In whom the god of this world hath blinded the minds of them which believe not, lest the light of the glorious gospel of Christ, who is the image of God, should shine unto them.

...Belief in Jesus, repentance, water baptism in His name, receiving the Holy Ghost.

That is the Oneness gospel, but not the gospel of Christ which is the power of God unto salvation for everyone who BELIEVES.. (Romans 1:16) Repentance actually "precedes" belief/faith. (Matthew 21:32; Mark 1:15; Acts 20:21) Water baptism "follows" believing unto salvation and receiving the gift of the Holy Spirit. (Acts 10:43-47) Let me know when you are ready to repent (change your mind) and believe the gospel.