Believers in Acts

The book of Acts reveals what we must do to be saved. Hear – Acts 2:37-38, 16:14-15, 18:8 Believe – Acts 8:12-13, 16:31-32 Repent – Acts 2:38, 17:30-31 Confess Jesus – Acts 8:37 Baptism – Acts 2:38, 8:12-13, 36-38, 22:16, 16:33, 18:8

Examples of baptism in Acts Text - Acts Hear Believe Repent Confess Baptized Pentecost 2:38  Samaritans 8:12-13 The Eunuch 8:36-38 Paul 9:18, 22:16 Cornelius 10:47-48

Examples of baptism in Acts Text - Acts Hear Believe Repent Confess Baptized Lydia, Philippi 16:13  Philippian Jailer 16:31-33 Corinth 18:8 Ephesus 19:1-5

Examples with baptism Concerning the chart: We have complete pattern of obedience to salvation! Notice, every example heard the word! Every example (in this chart) was baptized What about blanks – implied

Other accounts Are there accounts that don’t mention baptism? There are many accounts and passages that only mention belief or something similar. Sometimes these passages are used to deny the importance of baptism Consider the following:

Other accounts Acts 4:4 “many of those who heard the word believed; and the number of the men came to be about five thousand.”

Other accounts Acts 5:14 “believers were increasingly added to the Lord, multitudes of both men and women,…”

Other accounts Acts 6:7 “Then the word of God spread, and the number of disciples multiplied greatly in Jerusalem, and a great many of the priests were obedient to the faith.”

Other accounts Acts 9:35 “So all who dwelt at Lydda and Sharon saw him and turned to the Lord”

Other accounts Acts 9:42 “And it became known throughout all Joppa, and many believed on the Lord.”

Other accounts Acts 11:21 “And the hand of the Lord was with them, and a great number believed and turned to the Lord.”

Other accounts Acts 13:12 “Then the proconsul (Sergius Paulus) believed, when he saw what had been done, being astonished at the teaching of the Lord.”

Other accounts Acts 13:48-49 “Now when the Gentiles heard this, they were glad and glorified the word of the Lord. And as many as had been appointed to eternal life believed.”

Other accounts Acts 14:1 “Now it happened at Iconium that they went together to the synagogue of the Jews, and so spoke that a great multitude both of the Jews and of the Greeks believed.”

Other accounts Acts 17:34 “However, some men joined him and believed, among them Dionysius the Areopagite, a woman named Damaris, and others with them.”

Other accounts Acts 19:18-19 “And many who believed, came confessing and telling their deeds.”

Other accounts More could be added to these! Let us be careful how we describe these examples But do these passages nullify anything beyond what is specifically stated? Do these passages imply that they were NOT baptized?

Does “belief” nullify baptism? Believe can be used in different ways: Accepting information 1 Corinthians 11:18, Matthew 9:28 Acts 26:27, James 2:19 The implication of “faith only”

Does “belief” nullify baptism? Believe can mean: Belief that responds Heb. 11 (faith) Acts 8:12,13, 36-37 Most actually believe this, though they reject certain actions (such as baptism)

Does “belief” nullify baptism? Believe can mean: An inclusive statement for everything associated with one’s belief Synecdoche – “Those are nice wheels” Luke 7:6, “roof” means house Psalm 24:4, “clean hands and pure heart” not just the hands or heart Belief often used this way in Acts!

The “system” of belief: Acts 2:44, “Now all who believed were together and had all things in common.” Who were those who believed? The 3000+ who repented and were baptized! They had obeyed and continued to obey God’s instructions!

The “system” of belief: Acts 10:43, “To him all the prophets witness that, through His name, whoever believes in Him will have remission of sins.” The context – first Gentile convert! (note “whoever”) Followed by outpouring of H.S.

The “system” of belief: Acts 10:43, “whoever believes in Him will have remission of sins.” “Can anyone forbid water?” (10:47-48) Peter relates back to their conversion – Acts 2:38 Acts 11:17, “when we believed on the Lord…”

The “system” of belief: Acts 16:34, Of the jailer we read, “and he rejoiced having believed in God with all his household” The question asked, “Sirs, what must I do to be saved?” (30) Paul’s response, “Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ and you will be saved,…” (31)

The “system” of belief: Acts 16:31, often used as the all inclusive steps of obedience Some stop with that verse. NOTICE: 32, “THEN they spoke the word of the Lord to him…” The same hour of the night they were baptized, (33) Consider these thoughts with vs. 34

The “system” of belief: Acts 18:8, “Then Crispus, the ruler of the Synagogue, believed on the Lord with all his household.” Some contend that is all he did Consider 1 Cor. 1:14-15, “I thank God I baptized none of you except Crispus and Gaius,…” This verifies that “believe” sometimes is inclusive.

The “system” of belief: Acts 19:2, “Did you receive the Holy Spirit when you believed?” They had not heard of H.S. Consider Acts 19:3 “Into what then were you baptized?” Tie these two statements together and you see “believe” was inclusive of their baptism.

The “system” of belief: Acts 19:2, “Did you receive the Holy Spirit when you believed?” Following this, we find there was a need for them to be properly baptized “in the name of the Lord Jesus.”

The “system” of belief: Other examples, “turned to the Lord”; “obedient to the faith”, etc. Same premise! Being multiplied – Ac. 5:14, 6:1, 9:31, 11:24; 12:24, etc.

How many times does something have to be mentioned to be true? Final thoughts: How many times does something have to be mentioned to be true? We must address all passages dealing with a particular subject (i.e. salvation) We must respect context as well! This is how we reconcile alleged discrepancies.

Final thoughts: Imagine how the Bible would read if every passage had to contain every detail? Do we recognize this rule in our everyday conversations and correspondence?

Rules of interpretation are not applied consistently! Final thoughts: If the previous is true, how do those who teach “faith only” reconcile passages that don’t call for “the sinner’s prayer” Rules of interpretation are not applied consistently!

Does your belief include obedience?