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Dispensational help with with Acts 2:38

Van

Well-Known Member
Site Supporter
Well, this makes John 20 very difficult to understand when Jesus breathed on the apostles and prophets on the day of his resurrection and told them to receive the Holy Ghost. Yet Jesus did not perform his baptism of the Holy Ghost until the day of Pentecost in Acts 2 when he was poured out from heaven. We are not told in Acts 2 that these apostles and prophets were indwelt with the Holy Ghost, but that they were "filled" with the Holy Ghost and his agrees with what Jesus had told them at his ascension 10 days earlier as he ascended to heaven,. I will quote it for you. Later, those of us who have received the Holy Ghost are commanded to be filled with the Holy Ghost, which means to allow ourselves to be controlled by him to the same extent that excess of wine controls the drunk.
8 But ye shall receive power, after that the Holy Ghost is come upon you: and ye shall be witnesses unto me both in Jerusalem, and in all Judaea, and in Samaria, and unto the uttermost part of the earth.

Look at the words. He did not say the Holy Ghost will come in you, but upon you. He will be your power. Power for what? To be witnesses unto him in the four areas of the field I have already pointed out. He says nothing about them being baptized in water or anything else. They already had the Spirit dwelling in them, if words mean what they say.

BTW Van, I believe that a saved man is sealed by the Holy Ghost, but it is understood by me that the Holy Ghost is himself the seal. This just means that a man, un-glorified and subject to sin, will not be charged with the sin since the Spirit of Christ is also the righteousness of Christ and the righteousness of Christ is imputed to the individual believer in this manner. This imputation takes place at the moment of salvation and the believer is then baptized, or immersed ,in the body where he becomes a functioning member of that body as he is placed in it at the discretion of the Spirit who put him there. All the members of that body are equal in the body though they have different functions and it is one body with many members.

I think your view, if I am understanding you correctly is in error.

Good Grief, I do not hold errant views of John 20. Jesus was illustrating what would occur after He ascended into Heaven. He said He could not send the Helper until He left. Either address how we can be sealed in the Spiritual body of Christ, before we are placed into Christ's spiritual body or stop posting obfuscation.

Many translation render John 2022, as "receive" the Holy Spirit, but the word "receive" actually refers to our action to "take" thus Jesus was admonishing His disciples to believe in His resurrection by the power of the Holy Spirit. His breath, akin to the breath God breathed in Adam giving him physical life, was to illustrate Jesus had been made alive. But scripture precludes they were indwelt before Christ ascended.
 
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37818

Well-Known Member
You may be correct as to the majority view, but if true, the majority has not studied the verse. Where are our sins removed? In Christ. Where do we undergo the washing of regeneration? In Christ. Where do we undergo the circumcision of Christ? In Christ. So where do we obtain the remission of sins? In water or in Christ's Spiritual body? And where are we when we are sealed within Christ? In water or in Christ's spiritual body?

The concept a person will receive the Holy Spirit as a result of water baptism is totally rejected by every Baptist church I know of.
We have a different understanding. Receiving the Holy Spirit does not require water baptism in my view. Never had.
 

Van

Well-Known Member
Site Supporter
We have a different understanding. Receiving the Holy Spirit does not require water baptism in my view. Never had.
My view is Acts 2:38 by necessity requires the baptism in view to be our spiritual baptism into Christ's spiritual body.
 

37818

Well-Known Member
My view is Acts 2:38 by necessity requires the baptism in view to be our spiritual baptism into Christ's spiritual body.
Well, yes, you have come to that conclusion.

Others have come to the conclusion of water baptismal regeneration conflating Acts 2:38 with Jesus' teaching in Mark 16:16 thinking born of water in ,John 3:5 refers to baptism.

I am not going to unravel this here.

Simply, for me, water baptism is a work. And accompanies the gospel but is not.part of the gospel.

Simply put, our point of disagreement is over the unqualified use of the term baptism. I hold it's unqualified use refers to water.
 

JD731

Well-Known Member
Van, I think under the circumstances that I should continue to show the different parts of the structure of the church because we have come so far. I have shown you the cornerstone, which is Jesus Christ in the very beginning of the age. Paul said this about him;

1 Cor 3:9 For we are labourers together with God: ye are God's husbandry, ye are God's building.
10 According to the grace of God which is given unto me, as a wise masterbuilder, I have laid the foundation, and another buildeth thereon. But let every man take heed how he buildeth thereupon.
11 For other foundation can no man lay than that is laid, which is Jesus Christ.

But Paul also explained the building here. He is speaking specifically to gentiles here, see verse 11.

13 But now in Christ Jesus ye who sometimes were far off are made nigh by the blood of Christ.
14 For he is our peace, who hath made both one, and hath broken down the middle wall of partition between us;
15 Having abolished in his flesh the enmity, even the law of commandments contained in ordinances; for to make in himself of twain one new man, so making peace;
16 And that he might reconcile both unto God in one body by the cross, having slain the enmity thereby:
17 And came and preached peace to you which were afar off, and to them that were nigh.
18 For through him we both have access by one Spirit unto the Father.
19 Now therefore ye are no more strangers and foreigners, but fellowcitizens with the saints, and of the household of God;
20 And are built upon the foundation of the apostles and prophets, Jesus Christ himself being the chief corner stone;
21 In whom all the building fitly framed together groweth unto an holy temple in the Lord:
22 In whom ye also are builded together for an habitation of God through the Spirit.

The far off segment of the church are the gentiles and those who are nigh are the Jews. The "both" refers to gentiles and Jews. Now, strangers, foreigners, are fellowcitizens with God, the Father and are in his household because we are all together in Christ, that is in his body.

Now notice verse 20 where we see the next part of this structure, the apostles, who are the foundation. This building has a Jewish foundations and the "saints" in verse 19 refers to them. In verse 21 we see that Jews and gentiles make up the framework of the temple in which the Holy Ghost will reside forever.
Here is what we learn about the individual parts of this structure that are built on the foundation of the apostles and prophets. Look.

15 Know ye not that your bodies are the members of Christ? shall I then take the members of Christ, and make them the members of an harlot? God forbid.
16 What? know ye not that he which is joined to an harlot is one body? for two, saith he, shall be one flesh.
17 But he that is joined unto the Lord is one spirit.
18 Flee fornication. Every sin that a man doeth is without the body; but he that committeth fornication sinneth against his own body.
19 What? know ye not that your body is the temple of the Holy Ghost which is in you, which ye have of God, and ye are not your own?
20 For ye are bought with a price: therefore glorify God in your body, and in your spirit, which are God's.

One can see by reading this that the individual bodies of the church is a temple and the Holy Spirit dwells in each body separately and when they are put into the collective body they are one because they have the same Spirit who controls them all at one time like the brain in a man controls his members.

How important is this foundation? It is so important that all matters of faith and practice of the church in 2022 and all times since are governed by what they wrote. It remains even to this day that the authority of God flows through them concerning the church and this age. If there are disagreements of doctrinal issues between men, it must be settled through their writings as the very authority of God. When Paul says to us gentiles that a man must be born again "before" he can enter into the kingdom of heaven, our course is to believe his words and not argue about it. We have no other word and no other authority. If Peter says he is speaking to Jerusalem and Judaea and the men of Israel in the very beginning of the church age, long before the door of faith is open to us gentiles, we must honor his words and not act as though he is making a doctrinal statement to us gentiles, and if he says the Jews and men of Israel must be baptized in water, which he does, we must accept that as the absolute truth whether we understand it or whether we don't. We must believe the words these men wrote because God has given his words to these men and they spoke them and wrote them and he has given no others in all this long time. When Jesus said that whatever they loosed or bound, or sins they remitted or retained, would be honored in heaven, it is still true today because every one of us will be judged according to whether we believed what they wrote. The church of Jesus Christ is built upon their eye witness testimony and there is nothing else.
 

Van

Well-Known Member
Site Supporter
Well, yes, you have come to that conclusion.

Others have come to the conclusion of water baptismal regeneration conflating Acts 2:38 with Jesus' teaching in Mark 16:16 thinking born of water in ,John 3:5 refers to baptism.

I am not going to unravel this here.

Simply, for me, water baptism is a work. And accompanies the gospel but is not.part of the gospel.

Simply put, our point of disagreement is over the unqualified use of the term baptism. I hold it's unqualified use refers to water.
The word when unqualified does not always refer to a water or spiritual baptism. To claim it does seems based on speculation.

For example Mark 10:38 has "baptism" without saying water or spiritual so unqualified, yet it does not refer to water based on context.
 
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Van

Well-Known Member
Site Supporter
Van, I think under the circumstances that I should continue to show SNIP

What I have not seen is how a person must be water baptized to be indwelt. But, because Acts 2:38 refers to our spiritual baptism into Christ's spiritual body, then of course after being placed within Christ, and regenerated, we are sealed in Christ with the Holy Spirit.

Why posters reject this obvious truth is beyond me. But I do observe no poster actually addresses how a person is sealed in Christ without being first within Christ by means of our spiritual baptism. It is a lock.
 

37818

Well-Known Member
For example Mark 10:38 has "baptism" without saying water or spiritual so unqualified, yet it does not refer to water based on context.
". . . be baptized with the baptism that I am baptized with? . . ." Why does this context exclude water being refered to? Both Jesus and these disciples had already been baptised in water. So does this mean the Holy Spirit baptism? Why not?
 

Van

Well-Known Member
Site Supporter
". . . be baptized with the baptism that I am baptized with? . . ." Why does this context exclude water being refered to? Both Jesus and these disciples had already been baptised in water. So does this mean the Holy Spirit baptism? Why not?
Of course it does not refer to water baptism. If you cannot discern that, even by reading commentaries, I give up.
 

37818

Well-Known Member
Of course it does not refer to water baptism. If you cannot discern that, even by reading commentaries, I give up.
I gave the reason and you bo not discern that? It comes down to us using different presuppositions.
 

Van

Well-Known Member
Site Supporter
I gave the reason and you bo not discern that? It comes down to us using different presuppositions.
There is no basis for arbitrarily claiming the unqualified usages of baptism refer to water baptism. I referenced an example of a baptism that was not water, as Jesus had already been water baptized. You acted like it could refer to water baptism, disregarding virtually all commentaries on the verse.

The baptism of Mark 10:38 is in reference to the Passion of t he Christ!!!
 

37818

Well-Known Member
The baptism of Mark 10:38 is in reference to the Passion of t he Christ!!!
Yes.
There is no basis for arbitrarily claiming the unqualified usages of baptism refer to water baptism.
We disagree. And at this point I see no way to resolve our disagreement on this matter.

Re: Mark 10:38.
Why does this context exclude water being refered to? Both Jesus and these disciples had already been baptised in water.
 

JD731

Well-Known Member
Well, yes, you have come to that conclusion.

Others have come to the conclusion of water baptismal regeneration conflating Acts 2:38 with Jesus' teaching in Mark 16:16 thinking born of water in ,John 3:5 refers to baptism.

I am not going to unravel this here.

Simply, for me, water baptism is a work. And accompanies the gospel but is not.part of the gospel.

Simply put, our point of disagreement is over the unqualified use of the term baptism. I hold it's unqualified use refers to water.

I have been making a dispensational point. It is by design. It is stated in the title of my thread. Dispensationalists honors the historical context of scriptures and allows words to mean what they say. This is not what all Christians do. In fact, few of them do, and it is how they are led astray. If you have read my conversation with Van you can see he has never acknowledged the historical context of Acts 2, but has commented on it in a purely doctrinal manner, and as if it is speaking to him and us. Distinctions are not important to him, and lest you think I am picking on him, I will say they are important to few Christians today and most are just like him.

I remind you that beginning in the book of Acts God is making a transition from one operative principle of divine dealing to another, with a nation with whom he had covenant relations, Israel, and had made unconditional promises in three OT covenants, beginning with the Abrahamic covenant in Ge 12 and at the end of the first 2000 years of human history, and continuing to the Palestianian covenant, or the land covenant, in Duet 30, just before Israel crossed the Jordan into Palestine, and finally to the Davidic covenant, where he specifically gave the Kingship to David and his seed, which is Christ. 2 Samuel 7 and Psa 89.

Jesus Christ said during his earthly ministry to Israel that he came to fulfill all the prophesies concerning himself in the law and the psalms and in the prophets. Since the OT law of Moses was filled with ceremonial figures that typified his coming and his one time eternal sacrifice on the cross where he shed his blood and gave his life for the nation, and by extension, for the world, would you not figure through 5th grade reasoning there would be of necessity a difference from the point of his resurrection from the grave of how he expected this nation to live and interact with him going forward? This is the point of conflict between Israel and the church of Jesus Christ. My point is made in Ga 3, which you should read. I am going to quote a portion here to show that the law as the operative principle of divine dealing with Israel was over and a new principle introduced to them through the death and resurrected Jesus Christ.

Ga 3:11 But that no man is justified by the law in the sight of God, it is evident: for, The just shall live by faith.
12 And the law is not of faith: but, The man that doeth them shall live in them.
13 Christ hath redeemed us from the curse of the law, being made a curse for us: for it is written, Cursed is every one that hangeth on a tree:
14 That the blessing of Abraham might come on the Gentiles through Jesus Christ; that we might receive the promise of the Spirit through faith.
15 Brethren, I speak after the manner of men; Though it be but a man's covenant, yet if it be confirmed, no man disannulleth, or addeth thereto.
16 Now to Abraham and his seed were the promises made. He saith not, And to seeds, as of many; but as of one, And to thy seed, which is Christ.
17 And this I say, that the covenant, that was confirmed before of God in Christ, the law, which was four hundred and thirty years after, (after the Abrahamic Covenant in Ge 12) cannot disannul (the Abrahamic covenant), that it should make the promise of none effect.
18 For if the inheritance be of the law, it is no more of promise: but God gave it to Abraham by promise.
19 Wherefore then serveth the law? It was added because of transgressions, till the seed should come to whom the promise was made; and it was ordained by angels in the hand of a mediator.
20 Now a mediator is not a mediator of one, but God is one.
21 Is the law then against the promises of God? God forbid: for if there had been a law given which could have given life, verily righteousness should have been by the law.
22 But the scripture hath concluded all under sin, that the promise by faith of Jesus Christ might be given to them that believe.
23 But before faith came, we were kept under the law, shut up unto the faith which should afterwards be revealed.
24 Wherefore the law was our schoolmaster to bring us unto Christ, that we might be justified by faith.
25 But after that faith is come, we are no longer under a schoolmaster.
26 For ye are all the children of God by faith in Christ Jesus.
27 For as many of you as have been baptized into Christ have put on Christ.
28 There is neither Jew nor Greek, there is neither bond nor free, there is neither male nor female: for ye are all one in Christ Jesus.
29 And if ye be Christ's, then are ye Abraham's seed, and heirs according to the promise.

This epistle was written in 49 AD, which is 9 years after the first gentile was saved in Acts 10. It was 19 years after Acts 2:38. This passage says that Jews and gentiles both received the Holy Spirit by faith in Christ. The promise is the Holy Spirit. Those who have the Holy Spirit in them are sons of God, whatever their designation and that we are all baptized into Christ, making us all the seed of Abraham. How? Because Jesus Christ is the seed of Abraham and once we are in Christ, we are obviously one with Christ and are the seed of Abraham because he is the seed of Abraham.

This does not preclude that no transitional requirements ever existed for one to be prepared to receive the Spirit. Even for gentiles repentance of sin is a requirement and I can prove this in multiple passages but I will just provide one here.

9 Know ye not that the unrighteous shall not inherit the kingdom of God? Be not deceived: neither fornicators, nor idolaters, nor adulterers, nor effeminate, nor abusers of themselves with mankind,
10 Nor thieves, nor covetous, nor drunkards, nor revilers, nor extortioners, shall inherit the kingdom of God.
11 And such were some of you: but ye are washed, but ye are sanctified, but ye are justified in the name of the Lord Jesus, and by the Spirit of our God.

These are all sins done in the body and while salvation is not of works, the agreement will at some point be made that the sinner will no longer do these things. Our salvation is not by magic, it is by the will. Repentance toward God, who is offended by these actions and faith in Jesus Christ .

It would be good if people who commented would read the scriptures.
 
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37818

Well-Known Member
I have been making a dispensational point. It is by design. It is stated in the title of my thread. Dispensationalists honors the historical context of scriptures and allows words to mean what they say. This is not what all Christians do. In fact, few of them do, and it is how they are led astray. If you have read my conversation with Van you can see he has never acknowledged the historical context of Acts 2, but has commented on it in a purely doctrinal manner, and as if it is speaking to him and us. Distinctions are not important to him, and lest you think I am picking on him, I will say they are important to few Christians today and most are just like him.

I remind you that beginning in the book of Acts God is making a transition from one operative principle of divine dealing to another, with a nation with whom he had covenant relations, Israel, and had made unconditional promises in three OT covenants, beginning with the Abrahamic covenant in Ge 12 and at the end of the first 2000 years of human history, and continuing to the Palestianian covenant, or the land covenant, in Duet 30, just before Israel crossed the Jordan into Palestine, and finally to the Davidic covenant, where he specifically gave the Kingship to David and his seed, which is Christ. 2 Samuel 7 and Psa 89.

Jesus Christ said during his earthly ministry to Israel that he came to fulfill all the prophesies concerning himself in the law and the psalms and in the prophets. Since the OT law of Moses was filled with ceremonial figures that typified his coming and his one time eternal sacrifice on the cross where he shed his blood and gave his life for the nation, and by extension, for the world, would you not figure through 5th grade reasoning there would be of necessity a difference from the point of his resurrection from the grave of how he expected this nation to live and interact with him going forward? This is the point of conflict between Israel and the church of Jesus Christ. My point is made in Ga 3, which you should read. I am going to quote a portion here to show that the law as the operative principle of divine dealing with Israel was over and a new principle introduced to them through the death and resurrected Jesus Christ.

Ga 3:11 But that no man is justified by the law in the sight of God, it is evident: for, The just shall live by faith.
12 And the law is not of faith: but, The man that doeth them shall live in them.
13 Christ hath redeemed us from the curse of the law, being made a curse for us: for it is written, Cursed is every one that hangeth on a tree:
14 That the blessing of Abraham might come on the Gentiles through Jesus Christ; that we might receive the promise of the Spirit through faith.
15 Brethren, I speak after the manner of men; Though it be but a man's covenant, yet if it be confirmed, no man disannulleth, or addeth thereto.
16 Now to Abraham and his seed were the promises made. He saith not, And to seeds, as of many; but as of one, And to thy seed, which is Christ.
17 And this I say, that the covenant, that was confirmed before of God in Christ, the law, which was four hundred and thirty years after, (after the Abrahamic Covenant in Ge 12) cannot disannul (the Abrahamic covenant), that it should make the promise of none effect.
18 For if the inheritance be of the law, it is no more of promise: but God gave it to Abraham by promise.
19 Wherefore then serveth the law? It was added because of transgressions, till the seed should come to whom the promise was made; and it was ordained by angels in the hand of a mediator.
20 Now a mediator is not a mediator of one, but God is one.
21 Is the law then against the promises of God? God forbid: for if there had been a law given which could have given life, verily righteousness should have been by the law.
22 But the scripture hath concluded all under sin, that the promise by faith of Jesus Christ might be given to them that believe.
23 But before faith came, we were kept under the law, shut up unto the faith which should afterwards be revealed.
24 Wherefore the law was our schoolmaster to bring us unto Christ, that we might be justified by faith.
25 But after that faith is come, we are no longer under a schoolmaster.
26 For ye are all the children of God by faith in Christ Jesus.
27 For as many of you as have been baptized into Christ have put on Christ.
28 There is neither Jew nor Greek, there is neither bond nor free, there is neither male nor female: for ye are all one in Christ Jesus.
29 And if ye be Christ's, then are ye Abraham's seed, and heirs according to the promise.

This epistle was written in 49 AD, which is 9 years after the first gentile was saved in Acts 10. It was 19 years after Acts 2:38. This passage says that Jews and gentiles both received the Holy Spirit by faith in Christ. The promise is the Holy Spirit. Those who have the Holy Spirit in them are sons of God, whatever their designation and that we are all baptized into Christ, making us all the seed of Abraham. How? Because Jesus Christ is the seed of Abraham and once we are in Christ, we are obviously one with Christ and are the seed of Abraham because he is the seed of Abraham.

This does not preclude that no transitional requirements ever existed for one to be prepared to receive the Spirit. Even for gentiles repentance of sin is a requirement and I can prove this in multiple passages but I will just provide one here.

9 Know ye not that the unrighteous shall not inherit the kingdom of God? Be not deceived: neither fornicators, nor idolaters, nor adulterers, nor effeminate, nor abusers of themselves with mankind,
10 Nor thieves, nor covetous, nor drunkards, nor revilers, nor extortioners, shall inherit the kingdom of God.
11 And such were some of you: but ye are washed, but ye are sanctified, but ye are justified in the name of the Lord Jesus, and by the Spirit of our God.

These are all sins done in the body and while salvation is not of works, the agreement will at some point be made that the sinner will no longer do these things. Our salvation is not by magic, it is by the will. Repentance toward God, who is offended by these actions and faith in Jesus Christ .

It would be good if people who commented would read the scriptures.
From the promise God made with Abraham to the giving of the Law to Moses was 430 years. And the promise God gave Abraham remains. Galatians 3:16-26.
 

Van

Well-Known Member
Site Supporter
Yes.

We disagree. And at this point I see no way to resolve our disagreement on this matter.

Re: Mark 10:38.
I agree, Acts 2:38 must refer to our spiritual baptism because you refuse to indicate how we could be sealed in Christ before we were placed within Christ!
 

37818

Well-Known Member
I agree, Acts 2:38 must refer to our spiritual baptism because you refuse to indicate how we could be sealed in Christ before we were placed within Christ!
It is I believe, to be the baptism of the Holy Spirit since Pentecost. 1 Corinthians 12:13, " . . . For by one Spirit are we all baptized into one body, whether we be Jews or Gentiles, whether we be bond or free; and have been all made to drink into one Spirit. . . " On this matter I have known of different views. I came to my view in 1968. If we do not agree I am not offended.
 

Van

Well-Known Member
Site Supporter
It is I believe, to be the baptism of the Holy Spirit since Pentecost. 1 Corinthians 12:13, " . . . For by one Spirit are we all baptized into one body, whether we be Jews or Gentiles, whether we be bond or free; and have been all made to drink into one Spirit. . . " On this matter I have known of different views. I came to my view in 1968. If we do not agree I am not offended.
I say Acts 2:38 refers to our spiritual baptism and you say "if we do not agree?"
 

JD731

Well-Known Member
What I have not seen is how a person must be water baptized to be indwelt. But, because Acts 2:38 refers to our spiritual baptism into Christ's spiritual body, then of course after being placed within Christ, and regenerated, we are sealed in Christ with the Holy Spirit.

Why posters reject this obvious truth is beyond me. But I do observe no poster actually addresses how a person is sealed in Christ without being first within Christ by means of our spiritual baptism. It is a lock.

Van, your doctrine of "sealing" is taking all the oxygen out of the room. It conjures up an image in the mind of a little bitty man with a huge foot. The little man represents the scriptures and the huge foot represents the over emphasized doctrine of sealing. Now, you have not proven that what you say about sealing is correct. You assume it is and you demand everyone else assume the same thing. However, Acts 2 has nothing to say about being sealed, but is does say something about being baptized. You imagined sealing in Acts 2. Ephesians 1:13, says the gentiles were sealed "by the holy Spirit, "when they believed," not by being baptized in the body and the sealing was by the Spirit dwelling in the hearts of believers and not by being in the body. Ephesians 4:30 says the Spirit of God is the seal 2 Cor 1:21 says it is when he resides in our hearts..Baptism and sealing is nowhere associated in the scriptures but believing and sealing is..

Let's look at the great "apostle" Paul.He was saved in Acts 9, which would have been in 37 AD at the earliest, or maybe 38 AD. The events of Acts 2:38 were in 30 AD. He, Paul, had a special encounter with Jesus Christ on the Damascus Road. It was here that he was given the gift of the Holy Ghost in the presence of Jesus Christ and by him particularly, and I know that because this is the typical way for an apostle to receive the Holy Ghost. I learned this from John 20 and by comparing that passage to those in Acts, where the ministry of the Holy Ghost began with him being poured out on Israel so all may drink him in and be saved by his presence in their bodies. These men who already possessed the Holy Ghost were "filled" and empowered to accomplish tehe work of God in the beginning of this new age. (Remember, the apostles are the foundation of the church) Shortly afterward, Paul was commanded to be "filled" with the Spirit as the former apostles were on the day of Pentecost. The "filling" was so he would have the power for his special ministry of being the apostle to the gentiles. In the testimony below we learn two things about his Jewish and apostolic instructions. 1) Ananias laid his hands on him and that is importamt in the text to instruct us or it would not be there, and, 2) he was commanded to be baptized in water, the text says "washing away his sins." We can be sure this is a metaphorical application and it teaches us something about why God had Israel baptized in water before receiving the Holy Ghost. The water pictures a cleansing of the conscience and the body for the presence of God but the actual cleansing of sin is the blood of Jesus Christ, and we are told that here (if you have a KJV). Those whose studies of the scriptures have resulted in being taught of God will know that this is one of the "ways of God."

Re 1:5 And from Jesus Christ, who is the faithful witness, and the first begotten of the dead, and the prince of the kings of the earth. Unto him that loved us, and washed us from our sins in his own blood,

Immediately after his salvation experience and Paul went on to Damascus, we have this report.

10 And there was a certain disciple at Damascus, named Ananias; and to him said the Lord in a vision, Ananias. And he said, Behold, I am here, Lord.
11 And the Lord said unto him, Arise, and go into the street which is called Straight, and enquire in the house of Judas for one called Saul, of Tarsus: for, behold, he prayeth,
12 And hath seen in a vision a man named Ananias coming in, and putting his hand on him, that he might receive his sight.
13 Then Ananias answered, Lord, I have heard by many of this man, how much evil he hath done to thy saints at Jerusalem:
14 And here he hath authority from the chief priests to bind all that call on thy name.
15 But the Lord said unto him, Go thy way: for he is a chosen vessel unto me, to bear my name before the Gentiles, and kings, and the children of Israel:
16 For I will shew him how great things he must suffer for my name's sake.
17 And Ananias went his way, and entered into the house; and putting his hands on him said, Brother Saul, the Lord, even Jesus, that appeared unto thee in the way as thou camest, hath sent me, that thou mightest receive thy sight, and be filled with the Holy Ghost.
18 And immediately there fell from his eyes as it had been scales: and he received sight forthwith, and arose, and was baptized.

Now, here is Paul's own testimony of what happened that day.

Acts 22:6 And it came to pass, that, as I made my journey, and was come nigh unto Damascus about noon, suddenly there shone from heaven a great light round about me.
7 And I fell unto the ground, and heard a voice saying unto me, Saul, Saul, why persecutest thou me?
8 And I answered, Who art thou, Lord? And he said unto me, I am Jesus of Nazareth, whom thou persecutest.
9 And they that were with me saw indeed the light, and were afraid; but they heard not the voice of him that spake to me.
10 And I said, What shall I do, Lord? And the Lord said unto me, Arise, and go into Damascus; and there it shall be told thee of all things which are appointed for thee to do.
11 And when I could not see for the glory of that light, being led by the hand of them that were with me, I came into Damascus.
12 And one Ananias, a devout man according to the law, having a good report of all the Jews which dwelt there,
13 Came unto me, and stood, and said unto me, Brother Saul, receive thy sight. And the same hour I looked up upon him.
14 And he said, The God of our fathers hath chosen thee, that thou shouldest know his will, and see that Just One, and shouldest hear the voice of his mouth.
15 For thou shalt be his witness unto all men of what thou hast seen and heard.
16 And now why tarriest thou? arise, and be baptized, and wash away thy sins, calling on the name of the Lord.

There is much more to know about the apostleship of Paul from a dispensational view and the subject of water baptism such as was in Acts 2:38 , but I need to move on to Acts 19 to show that Apollos and the 12 Jews in that chapter were still baptized in water as a pre-condition to receiving the Holy Ghost.
 

Van

Well-Known Member
Site Supporter
Van, your doctrine of "sealing" is taking all the oxygen out of the room
SNIP
There is much more to know about the apostleship of Paul from a dispensational view and the subject of water baptism such as was in Acts 2:38 , but I need to move on to Acts 19 to show that Apollos and the 12 Jews in that chapter were still baptized in water as a pre-condition to receiving the Holy Ghost.

Did you see where folks are indwelt and sealed in Christ before they were spiritually transferred into Christ's spiritual body? Neither did I.

Did I demand everyone agree? Nope, I asked for an alternate explanation and none was given.


Ephesians 1:13
In Him, you also, after listening to the message of truth, the gospel of your salvation—having also believed, you were sealed in Him with the Holy Spirit of the promise,


Thus, when we believe as credited by God, we are baptized into Christ's spiritual body, and then "sealed in" His spiritual body with the Holy Spirit as a promise of our future physical redemption. It is still a lock...
 
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