Baptism  (continued)

Luke 24:45-47 

"Then opened he their understanding, that they might understand the scriptures, And said unto them, Thus it is written, and thus it behoved Christ to suffer, and to rise from the dead the third day: And that repentance and remission of sins should be preached in his name among all nations, beginning at Jerusalem." 

Jesus said that REPENTANCE and REMISSION of SINS would first be preached where? Beginning at Jerusalem! Where, then in the Word of God do we see "repentance" and "remission of sins" FIRST preached? Do you know? 

Acts Chapter 2 

When it comes to baptism, the argument is always made by some that Peter apparently didn't know what he was talking about. (At least that is the way the argument is presented). You will hear people make statements such as "Well, I would rather listen to Jesus than to Peter", or something like "Peter was backslidden at this point ...blah...blah....blah...."  

Statements such as those show the ridiculous inability of man to come out of his rebellion against God and to simply obey the gospel. Instead of attempting to reconcile scripture with scripture, mankind, and this is especially true of the modern day church; has always tried to promote their own beliefs by using just one or two "pet" scriptures.  

This attitude of self understanding, dear one, is wrong. Pure wrong. The word of God is very clear when it comes to salvation, and the message is EXACTLY as Jesus stated in Luke 24:47. The message is: That Repentance and remission of sins should be preached in his name among all nations, beginning at Jerusalem. What is that to us? What is "repentance and remission of sins"? It is the GOSPEL of JESUS CHRIST. What is the Gospel? GOOD NEWS! What is the Good News? That your sins could be remitted! Why? Because you have a Savior! 

So, if repentance and remission of sins is first going to be preached beginning at Jerusalem, then WHERE was it preached? Do you think it might have been AT JERUSALEM? Of course! 

Repentance AND Remission of sins was FIRST preached at Jerusalem, Just like Jesus said it would be!  

When do we see this happening? Was it while Jesus was alive? The answer is a resounding NO.  

Read Hebrews 9:16-17:

"For where a testament is, there must also of necessity be the death of the testator. For a testament is of force after men are dead: otherwise it is of no strength at all while the testator liveth." 

When was the gospel FIRST preached? For the answer, turn to Acts Chapter 2.  

Now look at verse 5. Jesus said the gospel would be preached to "every nation". Verse 5 states "And there were dwelling at Jerusalem Jews, devout men, out of every nation under heaven." (Imagine that....every nation UNDER HEAVEN). The noise of Spirit Filled Saints of God captured their attention and we see that subsequently, they began to wonder (and some began to mock).

Look what happens in verse 14. Now, you can claim that Peter was backslidden at this point if you wish, but your claim is fallacious. He was NOT backslidden. Peter had received the Spirit of God along with AT LEAST 119 other people, including MARY, the MOTHER OF JESUS. Why was Mary included? It is because SHE HAD TO BE SAVED JUST LIKE EVERY OTHER WOMAN IN THE WORLD TODAY. Even though she gave birth to Jesus, She STILL had to come by the same plan of salvation and be saved from her sins. Back to my thoughts....!  

Peter stood with at least 119 other people present. (we get the number from the statements made in Acts chapter 1:14-15). The word says in Acts 1:14: "They all continued in prayer and supplication... " then in verse 15, we see the phrase "in those days" and we have a number given of "about an hundred and twenty". 

Back to Acts 2:14 

What happens here? What is Peter doing? Is there anyone that would disagree that Peter was PREACHING? What was it that Peter was preaching the Gospel? Yes, he was preaching the Gospel. How do we know that? Let's examine his preaching. 

Peter begins in verse 14 by saying "...be this known unto you, and hearken to my words:..." and continues into verse 15 by letting them know that NO ONE there was drunk. He continues that this was the fulfillment of a prophecy by Joel way back in Joel 2:32. He quotes Joel 2:32 in verse 21, although the New Testament records the word "saved" instead of "delivered". So how do we know he is preaching the Gospel? 

I ask you, what is the Gospel? Is it that Jesus came, lived, was crucified, died, was buried, rose again and ascended into the heavens? Isn't that the Gospel? Yes, it is. 

Peter preaches exactly that, and please note, he incorporates many old testament passages also. Why? Because they are the scriptures which testify of Jesus! (John 5:39). .

Acts 2:21 Peter begins to preach Jesus to them. Verse 23 states that Jesus was delivered up and crucified, and in verse 24, that Jesus was raised up again "BECAUSE IT WAS NOT POSSIBLE" that death should hold him. Peter goes on to quote David and in verse 29 states that David is dead, and IS STILL IN HIS TOMB ("his sepulcher is with us unto this day"). 

Acts 2:32: "This Jesus hath God raised up, whereof we all are witnesses." 

Continuing.... Peter says it is not David that ascended into the heavens, and that JESUS is both Lord and Christ. 

Watch happens next!  Let's continue with Acts 2:37 on the next page.

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