Blog
Welcome to the footnote¹ blog. Our goal each day is to examine a verse and give a short summary in commentary form or simply an encouraging note to help you remain faithful to God throughout the week. Either way we hope that the footnote¹ blog will comfort you through God's word and give you a better understanding of His will.
Death, Burial, and Resurrection
Why Rush to be Baptized?
Wednesday, March 08, 2017
“And now why do you wait? Rise and be baptized and wash away your sins, calling on his name.” (Acts 22.16, ESV)¹
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¹Why did Ananias ask Saul “why do you wait”? It is because of what baptism accomplishes. Notice that Ananias told Saul to “be baptized and wash away your sins….” Since baptism in the name of Jesus is for the forgiveness of sins (Acts 2.38), one must conclude that it is in baptism where our sins are washed away. Therefore, we can understand the reason Ananias wanted Saul to rush to be baptized; it was because he was still lost in his sins until he obeyed Jesus!
Notice other reasons why we must not wait to be baptized in the name of Jesus:
- Mark 16.16: baptized to be saved
- John 3.5: baptized to enter the kingdom
- Acts 2.38: baptized for the forgiveness of sin
- Rom. 6.3: baptized into Christ
- Rom. 6.4: baptized to walk in newness of life
- 1 Cor. 12.13: baptized into the body of Christ
- Gal. 3.27: baptized to put on Christ
- 1 Peter 3.21: baptism saves you
Simply put, baptism stands between the sinner and salvation! If you’re interested in learning more about baptism and salvation e-mail Bryan Garlock or text 903.308.4905.
Calling on the Name of the Lord
Thursday, March 02, 2017
“And it shall come to pass that everyone who calls upon the name of the Lord shall be saved.” (Acts 2.21, ESV).¹
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¹Before Jesus left this earth, He told the apostles that “repentance and remission of sins should be preached in His name to all nations…” (Luke 24.47, NKJV).
Therefore, on the day of Pentecost Peter told everyone that they needed to prepare for the coming judgment by “calling on the name of the Lord”. There is a misunderstanding in the religious world about this statement. What exactly did he mean?
After preaching the death, burial, and resurrection of Jesus Christ, Peter told the convicted murderers (Acts 2.36-37), “Repent and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins…” (Acts 2.38, ESV). Obviously, Peter did not preach anything different in verse 38 than he did in verse 21. Both require the same authority, the name of Jesus Christ, and both end with the same result, salvation.
When the Jews asked what they must do (Acts 2.37), Peter explained by inspiration exactly what he meant. Therefore, it must be understood that to “call on the name of the Lord” to be saved is explained by “Repent and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins....”
No wonder Saul was later told, “And now why do you wait? Rise and be baptized and wash away your sins, calling on his name” (Acts 22.16, ESV).
Have you called on the name of the Lord to be saved? It is not a verbal calling (as in a “sinner’s prayer” – which has no Scriptural support), but a calling on the Lord in baptism for the forgiveness of sins (cf. 1 Peter 3.21; Heb. 10.22). If you’re interested in learning more about what is required to be saved, e-mail Bryan Garlock or text 903.308.4905.