Sullivan church of Christ – Sullivan, MO
Date: July 12, 2009
QUESTIONS ON BAPTISM
Franklin Camp
"Then Peter said unto them, repent, and be baptized everyone of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the
remission of sins, and ye shall receive the gift of the Holy Ghost" (Acts 2:38).
If baptism is not a condition of salvation, will you please answer these questions?
If baptism is not a condition of salvation, why did Peter mention baptism, since he was answering the question
of what to do to be saved? (Acts 2:37).
If salvation comes after baptism, would not repentance also follow salvation, since they are joined by the
conjunction "and"?
Are not repentance and baptism in this verse both for the same purpose?
If salvation comes before baptism, why does Peter say it is for the remission of sins?
If the phrase, "for the remission of sins" in Acts 2:38 means because of remission, would not the same phrase in
Matthew 26:28 mean because of remission of sins?
Did Jesus shed His blood because men were already saved?
If Christ did not shed His blood because men were already saved, would it not follow that men are not baptized
because they are already saved? The phrase in Matthew 26:28 and Acts 2:38 are identical in both the Greek and
English.
Would it not be a false doctrine to teach that Christ shed His blood because men were already saved?
Likewise, is it not a false doctrine to teach that men are baptized, because they are already saved?
If the people on Pentecost were saved before they were baptized, why were they not added to the church until
they were baptized, since such as should be saved were added to the church?
The word church means "the called out" and only those baptized were added to the church. If one is saved before
he is baptized, would he be saved before he is called out of the world?
Is salvation in the world or in Christ? (2 Timothy 2:10).
"Then they that gladly received his word were baptized; and the same day there were added unto them about
three thousand souls" (Acts 2:41).
"He that rejecteth me, and receiveth not my words, hath one that judgeth him: the words that I have spoken will
judge him in the last day" (John 12:48).
"Then cometh the devil and taketh away the word out of their hearts, lest they should believe and be saved"
(Luke 8:12).
Can one be saved and not receive the Word? All who received the Word on Pentecost were baptized.
Were there any on Pentecost who were saved that did not receive the Word?
Does the Word say "baptized for the remission of sins" or "baptized because of remission of sins"?
How is it possible for one to be baptized as the Word teaches, and not be baptized for the remission of sins?
If you were not baptized for the remission of sins, you were not baptized as the Word teaches and therefore were
not saved.
If not, why not?
— via “Gospel Preceptor,”
www.gospelpreceptor.com
DIVISIONS MUST COME
David Lipscomb
Division in the churches is painful. It wrings the heart with anguish. But God asked, "Can two walk together
except they be agreed?" (Amos 3:3). This is a strong declaration that they cannot. It is true as applied to both
God and man. Can you walk with God unless you agree with Him? He claims to be the Lord, the only Ruler of the
universe. Can you walk with Him while you insist on making laws and changing His order? It also applied to man.
Can two walk together when one insists on going another way?
Often, those we love must force us to the choice as to whether we will cling to God or go with them. If we love
God better than we love them, we will cling to God and His ways. If division must come, let it come along the
lines of love and loyalty to God. If we separate from others and do not walk with God, another separation must
come. Separation after separation must come until the lines of cleavage run with the line of loyalty to God. Until
division along this line is reached, divisions must continue and multiply. As soon as, and not until, divisions
along this line is reached, the union with God and those true to Him will be permanent.
God is directing these things and does all things well. All we have to do is to stand true and firm to God and His
word all along the line, and leave results with Him. We can do nothing else. We are poor and foolish and weak;
God is wise and strong. Our only hope is to walk with and be true to God in all things. "For there must be also
heresies (divisions) among you, that they which are approved may be made manifest among you" (1 Corinthians
11:19). Divisions must come until we are all willing to be led by God.
— via “Gospel Preceptor,”
www.gospelpreceptor.com