Are we Saved by Baptism? - Bob Wilkin 

Ephesians 1:13-14 "In Him you also trusted, after you heard the word of truth, the gospel of your salvation; in whom also, having believed, you were sealed with the Holy Spirit of promise, who is the guarantee of our inheritance until the redemption of the purchased possession, to the praise of His glory"

Amen Brothers. Acts is a transition book. Acts 11:16 Then remembered I the word of the Lord, how He said, John indeed baptized with water, but ye shall be baptized by the Holy Spirit. Ephesians 1:13 In whom ye also trusted, after ye heard the word of truth, the gospel of your salvation, (First Corinthians 15:1-4), in whom also AFTER ye believed, ye were sealed by that Holy Spirit of promise. Our blessed assurance of heaven. Second Timothy 2:19. Jesus knows His sheep because they have His Spirit in them. Romans 8:9 Without the Spirit there is no salvation, With the Spirit we have eternal life. And it is a free gift to all who believe on Him alone as the only way of salvation by grace. John 3:18 We can never be condemned again.

I will give my 2 cents on Acts 2:38. Consider the context. The Jews had rejected Jesus as the Messiah. Nationally, they probably accepted the idea of a messiah but rejected Jesus. The coming of the HS on Pentecost pointed to Apostles of Jesus and their preaching of Jesus Christ. Therefore, Peter was telling them to repent and be baptized because Jesus was the Messiah they had rejected. Peter was telling them to separate themselves publicly from the future judgement coming upon them and their generation. Judgement came in 70 AD. The miracle of Pentecost was proof positive that it was coming and they should prepare.

Acts 11:16 Then remembered I the word of the Lord, how he said, John indeed baptized with water, but ye shall be baptized by the Holy Spirit. Ephesians 1:13, In whom ye also trusted, after ye heard the word of truth, the gospel of your salvation, (First Corinthians 15:1-4) in whom also AFTER ye believed, ye were sealed by that Holy Spirit of promise. Born again, born of God. Ephesians 4:30 And grieve not the Holy Spirit in Whom ye are sealed unto the day of redemption. Romans 8-9 Without the Spirit there is no salvation. With the Spirt we have eternal life. It is spiritual birth, not a physical birth. It is our soul/spirit that is saved. Not our flesh or our old nature which we have until we die. Romans 6:23 For the wages of sin is death, but the GIFT of God is eternal life, through Jesus Christ our Lord. If salvation was not a free gift, no one would be saved because no one can earn salvation. Thank you both for preaching the clear word of God. Not very many are. But then, without the Holy Spirit it is foolishness. It is spiritually discerned. That is how I know you are both believers. See you both in heaven. Keep up your great videos. They will bring someone into the kingdom. God bless.

No water needed for salvation , we are saved by BELIEVING the gospel read Ephesians 1 and 2 EPHESIANS 1 13 In whom ye also TRUSTED, AFTER that ye HEARD the WORD of TRUTH, the GOSPEL of your SALVATION: in whom also after that ye BELIEVED, ye were SEALED with that HOLY SPIRIT of promise, NO WATER EPHESIANS 2 8 For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it isthe gift of God: 9 Not of works, lest any man should boast.

Baptism does not save! We are saved by grace through faith! Ephesians 1:13-14 : And you also were included in Christ when you heard the message of truth, the gospel of your salvation. When you believed, you were marked in him with a seal, the promised Holy Spirit, 14 who is a deposit guaranteeing our inheritance until the redemption of those who are God’s possession-to the praise of his glory. Romans 8:9 : You, however, are not in the realm of the flesh but are in the realm of the Spirit, if indeed the Spirit of God lives in you. And if anyone does not have the Spirit of Christ, they do not belong to Christ. This means we belong in Christ the MOMENT we believe. How do we know this? It's because we're marked with the Holy Spirit Romans 5:1 : Therefore, since we have been justified through faith, we[a] have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ We are justified through *faith*, not baptism! Ephesians 2:8 - For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith-and this is not from yourselves, it is the gift of God- 9 not by works, so that no one can boast. It does not say, by grace through faith and baptism! John 5:24 : 24 “Very truly I tell you, whoever hears my word and believes him who sent me has eternal life and will not be judged but has crossed over from death to life. These are the words of Jesus himself! Do not add to his message! *Acts 13:38-39 : 38 “Therefore, my friends, I want you to know that through Jesus the forgiveness of sins is proclaimed to you. 39 Through him everyone who believes is set free from every sin, a justification you were not able to obtain under the law of Moses. * Where is baptism in this passage? Acts 13:48: 48 When the Gentiles heard this, they were glad and honored the word of the Lord; and all who were appointed for eternal life believed Again, where is baptism? There are so many verses where it says one is saved by faith/belief. Yet, there are only the same 2 or 3 verses that people use to support salvation by baptism. Do not taint God's grace! If you are saved by baptism, then why did Jesus die?! We are saved by trusting in the fact that Jesus took the penalty for our sin, and there's nothing we could ever do to earn that. Not good works, not baptism, nothing! This is the message that was preached to the Gentiles. In 1 Corinthians 1:17, Paul said Christ did not send him to baptize but to preach the Gospel. If baptism is tantamount to salvation, why wasn't Paul instructed to baptize people?

Water will get you wet but then it dries off the baptism in the Holy Spirit which is what Pentecost was baptizes the soul in the Holy Spirit and just essential for every believer that will enter the kingdom of God

I chose today to be baptized despite being baptized as an infant according to the catholic way of doing things. I rejected this and today I decided to be baptized in front of witnesses and I felt the holy ghost fill me. I am officially saved, do I feel I would have gone too Hell without it as an adult? Not exactly but I dont want to take that chance, and I feel I just opened new doors to my family and they are very proud of me and I'm most of all proud of my lord Jesus Christ for being my savior and it fills me with joys and happy tears to have finally committed myself despite being a believer in my lord Jesus Christ since I was 4 years old. I love Jesus Christ more than my own desires, but I know my lord loves me and has watched over me and listened to my prayers since I was a child. I love Jesus Christ as my God and I hope more and more come too him every day, so I can call them a brother in Christ.

Its not as the Catholics do believe an initiation and I filling of the Spirit via a magic ritual. Its a symbol. That's why Jesus allowed himself to be baptized even though He couldn't have needed it. When I came out of Catholicism, I was told by Pentecostals that I had to submit to immersion baptism to prove my obedience to Christ because He commanded it of believers. So I did it.

Water baptism does not save a believer. It is an outward sign that you are following in the likeness of Christ. It is the beginning of discipleship. In the time of the first century church this was an open declaration in front of Jew and gentile. It represents the end of you and the beginning of Christ in you. No longer to the law, but to the grace which now lives in that believer. So to be baptised in His name, Father, Son, Spirit is to follow in his death and resurrection. We died and were crucified with Christ so that it is no longer "I" that live but CHRIST who lives in you. To be baptised is to take part in His death, so that we can take part in His resurrection (the first born from the dead, whom was and is resurrected.

Born Again I understand it is hard to change one’s mind when a person has believed a teaching that has been taught to them over and over, especially when it is a bible term. So what is meant by the term in the bible “born again”. What does born again mean and who is it for? Born again is for the Jews, the nation of Israel who were God's first born who needed to be born again. A spiritual rebirth. Exod 4:22 And thou shalt say unto Pharaoh, Thus saith the LORD, Israel is my son, even my firstborn: As Gentiles we were not ever considered His "firstborn". Matter of fact this was our state before the apostle Paul was saved: Eph 2:12 That at that time ye were without Christ, being aliens from the commonwealth of Israel, and strangers from the covenants of promise, having no hope, and without God in the world: Many people quote John 3:16 (which is in the same chapter as the term "born again") as though it is for the body of Christ today. We should know that in John 3:16 the cross and resurrection had not even happened yet. The word believe does not point to the same thing we are to believe in about Jesus Christ. We believe in Christ' death, burial and resurrection to be saved today, yet it is not even part of the gospel Jesus and Peter (the 12) preached. John explains what this word believe means and points to the object of what Israel (not us today) needed to believe in John 20:31. John 20:31 But these are written, that ye might believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God; and that believing ye might have life through his name. (we are not saved by only believing Jesus is the Son of God as this verse points out). We are saved by believing in Christ's death, burial and resurrection for the forgiveness of our sins. 1John 3:9 Whosoever is born of God doth not commit sin; for his seed remaineth in him: and he cannot sin, because he is born of God. We the body of Christ are not able to "not commit sin", but Israel will have that capability during the tribulation (which the books of Heb. - Rev. pertain to) when God puts His Spirit in them and causes them to walk, keep and obey His statutes. Ezek 36:26 A new heart also will I give you, and a new spirit will I put within you: and I will take away the stony heart out of your flesh, and I will give you an heart of flesh. Ezek 36:27 And I will put my spirit within you, and cause you to walk in my statutes, and ye shall keep my judgments, and do them. Ezek 36:28 And ye shall dwell in the land that I gave to your fathers; and ye shall be my people, and I will be your God. Being born again as a Jew has nothing to do with us today, the body of Christ. The apostle Paul never mentions the words "born again". Paul is where we get our gospel to believe and to be saved today, the body of Christ. If you understand the word rightly divided, you will understand that Jesus just as He said Himself in Matt 15:24, John 1:11, (also see Rom 15:8, Gal 4:4) was not talking to or about the body of Christ (us) believers today. When we understand that, we will see that, "born again" has nothing to do with us today. I know this is hard for many "Baptists" but this is the proper understanding of what “born again” means. Just study it for yourself and don't take my word for it or any denomination. The KJB is our final authority. Check out this 7 minute video, please. ru-vid.com/video/%D0%B2%D0%B8%D0%B4%D0%B5%D0%BE-dlc1Orv6lE4.html

So it is the first step of discipleship. I'm not a disciple....could never make it and besides, I am female. But I AM a believer and therefore was saved by my faith immediately and for all time and did not need to jump through their hoop. May God forgive me for being a pleaser of persons and a respecter of ranks.

"and this water symbolizes baptism THAT NOW SAVES YOU also--not the removal of dirt from the body but the pledge of a clear conscience toward God. IT SAVES YOU by the resurrection of Jesus Christ," 1 Peter 3:21. Why does this passage then say it saves you?

Great explanation!!!Thank you!!

Let me simplify this "controversy" for everyone. John 3:5 "Except that a man be born again of water and spirit, he shall not enter the kingdom of God."

You guys are the rock stars of Grace but on a few of your points I disagree the reception of the Holy Spirit after the birth of the spirit was not an indwelling regeneration but an outpouring from within as promised by Jesus in John chapter seven versus 37 through 39. They heard the word and were born of the spirit that is indwelled. Peter and John came along to take them further but they called it receiving the spirit implied from within poured out.

The expression the Holy Spirit fell upon them it's not a regenerating work. It is a baptism performed by Christ into the Holy Spirit as promised.

I was speaking to a bishop about this the other day who claimed that when Jesus said "You must be born of water and the Spirit", the water refers to water baptism. Thoughts?

Bravo bracia

First of all we know by scripture that a believer isn't saved when he first believes because of Pauls' words in Acts ch.19 to the disciples. " Have you recieved the Holy Spirit since you believed"( Ac5s ch.19:.2)? Paul didn't know at that point that the disciples hadn't even heard there was a Holy Spirit and had only been baptized by John. For Paul asking them that first question it is apparent some if not all believers do not recIeve the Holy Spirit just by believing. Otherwise Paul didn't know what he was talking about. Once the disciples had told Paul that they hadn't even heard there was a Holy Spirit he asked them, " How then were you baptized "? They told him, "By Johns' baptism". Paul then reminded them that "John said to believe in the one to come after him, Jesus Christ.". Upon hearing this they didn't make a confession of faith or ask Jesus into their hearts', they believed by what they did next which was to go down to the water to be baptized by Paul. You see that faith alone couldn't save them but faith in action through obedience to the keys that Jesus gave Peter which he spoke in Acts 2:38.

If you die but never had a chance to get baptized , its your fault , because God knows your heart .

Hebrews 6:1-6 6 Therefore, leaving the discussion of the elementary principles of Christ, let us go on to perfection, not laying again the foundation of repentance from dead works and of faith toward God, 2 of the doctrine of baptisms, of laying on of hands, of resurrection of the dead, and of eternal judgment. 3 And this we will[a] do if God permits. 4 For it is impossible for those who were once enlightened, and have tasted the heavenly gift, and have become partakers of the Holy Spirit, 5 and have tasted the good word of God and the powers of the age to come, 6 if they fall away,[b] to renew them again to repentance, since they crucify again for themselves the Son of God, and put Him to an open shame.

Peter said it...Acts 2:38, 39. Paul explained it in Romans 6. Men have denied ever since. Not me, though! No, not me, friend! I will not contradict His word or loosen His commands.

Jesus said in Mark 16:15,16 that it is necessary!!! Don't believe false teachers like this, believe your Bible!

Today disciples (people getting saved) are made by having people come to Christ by the gospel Jesus gave to Paul for us today to be saved by. It's by the word of God, NOT baptism. The gospel of the grace of God. NOT the kingdom gospel, Jesus and the 12 preached, which required water baptism.

Alot of people believe baptism is a requirement , often quoting John 3:3,11 [3]Jesus replied, “I tell you the truth, unless you are born again, you cannot see the Kingdom of God.” however, he then adresses this again in John 7 when he calls himself the living water. John 7:37-39 [37]On the last day, the climax of the festival, Jesus stood and shouted to the crowds, “Anyone who is thirsty may come to me! [38]Anyone who believes in me may come and drink! For the Scriptures declare, ‘Rivers of living water will flow from his heart.’” [39](When he said “living water,” he was speaking of the Spirit, who would be given to everyone believing in him. But the Spirit had not yet been given, because Jesus had not yet entered into his glory.) And my last point, the theif on the cross that Jesus said will be eith him in heaven. Scripture doesnt state that the man got off the cross, went and got baptized, then got back on the cross. Baptism is a requirement for salvation, But not in the sense that everyone thinks it is

Can anyone show me scripture where someone's baptism was for the purpose to show others ? Nowhere does it state that's the purpose of baptism

Acts 2:38, acts 3rd chapter, 19 to 22,is Israel future the return of the Lord 2nd Timothy 2:15?

Acts chapter 19 have you received the Holy Ghost since she believed you know when you believe is when you're born again when Jesus comes into your heart but they had not received the Holy Ghost that they're not even heard of the Holy Ghost they said but that's the way it happened to me I believed in Jesus came into my heart and it was 2 weeks before I was baptized in the Holy Ghost

Christ IS the Substance.not the Water. Water is symbolic . Jesus died for our Sins.Water cannot take away anything.But we should all be baptized to show others that we are in Christ.

Baptism is essential for salvation

Rebirth takes place in Baptism - we cannot claim to be washed and cleansed from sinfulness without the application of the blood of Jesus Christ - and there is only one place that happens = Romans 6 - which correlates with Act.2:38, AND ALL THE OTHER BAPTISM VERSES The only reason why the Spirit fell on Cornelius and his house there before baptism is that the apostles would not thus argue the fact that they were heathens or unclean/dogs as not to administer baptism - but then COMMANDED BAPTISM - to be baptized (Peter saw the vision of unclean animals) - and got the warning prior - to take and eat - thus to accept the greeks into fellowship - but then to baptize in order to COMPLETE THE WORKING OF SALVATION - by the washing of regeneration through baptism - otherwise, the commandment to be baptized would have made no sense!!!! Act.8 also - the example of the eunuch and Philip - he got baptized and then could carry on joyfully - because washed by the Blood of the Lamb = meaning got born again (through BAPTISM), then there is Paul and Anninias - Act.22:16 - WHY TARRY (what on earth was that about - Saul saw Jesus on the road, sat blind and pondered all that happened, etc. and then was commanded by Annanias - WHY TARRY - ARISE AND BE BAPTIZED - AND WASH AWAY YOUR SINS (NOT BECAUSE YOUR SINS ARE WASHED ALREADY) - BUT IN THAT PROCESS of baptism THE BLOOD IS ADMINISTERED, and all the instances of conversions in the book of acts - even the jailer and his family at midnight after Paul was flogged (imagine that! - but not tarrying! - still in that midnight hour proceeding with salvation for the jailer and his family - through baptism (administering spiritual implications for salvation? - Yes - the blood of Jesus Christ in BAPTISM - Rom.6:17) - Now if that wasn't necessary? TO IMMEDIATELY BAPTIZE THE JAILER AND FAMILY IN MIDNIGHT HOUR (in that hour) - it would have been one of the most puzzling/silly and weird verses in scripture!!! - you try and baptize someone after being flogged (why not leave it for a public/church meeting or some sign down the road (so absurd!!!! what on earth were Paul and Silas then doing there in the night!!!! ) - not so!!! - but on the contrary - it had to be done to be saved!!! INDEED! even without other believers or witnesses. - and so (in today's life) the doctrine (1 Tim.4:16) BY WHICH WE ARE SAVED AND TEACH for salvation (TO TAKE HEED OF) has so been twisted to warped by everyone's experience OR OWN INTERPRETATIONS (But Hey - Jesus our Lord warned us about this - wisdom is justified by her children) - that many feel baptism is only a sign of something that happened when we did a sinners prayer, ETC. - we are not rebirthed/made new - stand as new creations (by mental assent only nor by faith only ( call it faith if you want to - but without substance - it will be found wanting - faith finds its substance in Christ thus when we are made one with Him - ROMANS 6 = BAPTISM) - where faith is rather a full assurance (plerophoria - Col.2:2 - fully clothed - Pleroo and Phoria - to bear, to carry, to wear - Gal.3:27 says we are clothed (wear) with Christ through baptism - full assurance of faith through baptism) - meaning associated and identified as being built in and on Christ (through baptism clothed with Christ) - the substance (Faith - Hupostasis - full assurance - thus receiving that clear, clean, washed, holy conscience through baptism - 1 Pet.3:21 - foundation found and then to proceed to obey) This is what Eph.4:5 is all about - One Lord, One Faith, One Baptism - uniting us in Spirit - but then after some mental assent (inadequately) of only putting your hand up AGREEING that the cross really happened and your acknowledgment of that - you should unite with Jesus' Death, burial, and resurrection (Rom.6:1-6) - THROUGH BAPTISM (burying the sinful old man) But this becomes all muddled up if you think you are new before baptism (then reasoning - Oh! I am New (so nothing else matters) - and then so confused having to get rid of the old sinfulness through baptism (step forward and then backward again???? 🤔- confusing!!!! whereby - are then also raised unto newness of life (NEW/OLD/NEW????) through baptism - that is absurd! - 😐🤕- but not if you realize it all happens in baptism - Paul said he did not come to baptize (because they made too much of the baptizer - but to reveal the mystery of the gospel (the enlightenment of what the Spirit teaches - Christ in us the hope of glory Col.1:27 - and thus the wisdom and power of the cross - the riches that Christ brings (what grace bestows to reign) (this all comes when we unite ourselves through baptism) - but did not mean that no one needs baptism - because even he baptized - the context there was that they idolized those who baptized - and thus relieved that he only baptized a few there. But if one sees the relevance and implications of baptism it all makes absolute sense ☑💯% and perfectly lines up with the very command of our Lord Jesus Christ (so that is my allegiance - to obey Jesus Christ - Period) - thus with enlightened eyes/understanding - of why the anabaptists were murdered (by the thousands) because they proclaimed our association WITH CHRIST through baptism ) Then by reading Gal.3:27, 1 Pet.3:21 - an antitype which now saves us namely = BAPTISM, Then 1 Cor.6:11 - washing/baptism (How can you reason that you are saved and made new without washing away your sins!!! Act.22:16, 1 Cor.6:11, etc then 1 Cor.12:13 - through one Spirit we are baptized into one body receiving the Spirit through baptism (Act.2:38) then Jn.3:3-5 - to be born into the Kingdom of God through water and Spirit (Act.2:38), then Titus 3:5 - salvation by the washing of regeneration (Rom.6:4) and renewing of the Holy Spirit (EXACTLY THE SAME AS - Act.2:38), then the Great Commission - to baptize souls - Mat.28:19, then correlates with Eph.4:5 - ONE BAPTISM - the great commission of Jesus Christ whereby we are united, clothed, washed, died, and rose again through that form of doctrine by which we are delivered - Rom.6:1-6, Rom.6:17, etc. Then there is Col.2:12-13 - raised, circumcised in the heart, being made alive together with Jesus? HOW - THROUGH BAPTISM - Col.2:12 - in which you were also raised with Him through faith - (Now what is it in this section or verse that anyone finds unclear - is it the raised in baptism? or the made alive in baptism? or the spiritual circumcision through baptism? or the Circumcision not made with hands in baptism? or the forgiveness (Aphesis - loosening of sins) through baptism? - I MEAN REALLY!!!! - think if I explain this to children they would all shout out with one voice - IN BAPTISM- AMEN - but here we are still seeing so many deviating and wrongly trying to twist these clear verses to oblivion (a state of blindness) Now after reading, contemplating, and becoming a doer of these vital steps unto salvation - we should have the same Spirit which agrees that Mrk.16:16 and all the other verses concerning water baptism are absolutely essential and has their part in the doctrine of Christ - it perfectly falls in place once you realize it is part and parcel of salvation - but just like they confronted Jesus about authority! Our Lord asked them about the baptism of John - is it from man or God? - So wise! NONETHELESS - they couldn't/WOULDNT answer - because if they said it is from a man - they feared the crowds who would turn against them because the crowd took it to be from heaven - and if they said it is from God - Well - Why DO you then not believe and obey it - (I rest my case - Amen!) Just one more thing - if you say you believe - then it also means you were raised with Christ THROUGH THE FAITH IN(OF) THE WORKING OF GOD WHO RAISED JESUS FROM THE DEAD (Col.2:12-13) thus united with God's Faith - and believe through baptism - MEANING that your faith unites you with the risen Christ (THROUGH AND IN BAPTISM) UNTO NEWNESS OF LIFE - FAITH IS NOT FAITH IF DEAD (for that then without baptism is wanting faith/ incomplete faith) - BUT THROUGH BAPTISM = RAISED AND LIVING FAITH Think you will do very well working through - www.BeBaptized.org One Faith

Why is this man's explanation of Acts 10 wrong? It is because he takes it out of context, meaning the Holy Spirit descending and saving Cornelius's family before baptism. The actual story starts at Acts 10:1. This where Cornelius is found to be worthy because of his works and now God is going to reward him by using him to correct a problem with the Church. That is the Gospel wasn't really being preached to the Gentiles (Romans). Peter has a vision of unclean animals and he is told to eat of them. Peters reply was nothing unclean has touched these lips. This was done three times. Then men showed up to take Peter and his entourage to Cornelius. Peter was told to go with them and yet Peter still didn't get it. Read verses 28-29. Possibly his entourage didn't get it either since they didn't have the vision. Peter is preaching to Cornelius and here is part " All the prophets testify of Him, that through His name everyone who believes in Him receives forgiveness of sins.” When one reads this properly it simply means that if you believe in Jesus, and do what he says, be baptized, then you'll be forgiven. To emphasize the point that Gentiles were saved to Peter and the others, one of the Gifts of the Holy Spirit was given to them, and that was the speaking in tongues. This was the best gift to give at the moment because it didn't need to wait on someone to heal. Also Peter baptized them immediately. This was not a change in the plan of Salvation. Baptism is a necessary component and with out it you are not saved. Nor will you receive the Holy Spirit. This was an object lesson for Peter and the Jews.

Water baptism is symbolic. It is not something actually happening to you. Charles the third will not become King at his coronation. He became King when Queen Elizabeth the second - his mother - died.

This pastor is being selective on the scripture he speaks of. If you do an exegetical study you'll find that the laying on of hands after the baptism was all one sacrament. Just because one proceeds the other doesn't mean they happened at two different time intervals. For example, Christ was crucified, but without the resurrection He would have been just another dead prophet.

what do yo do about acts 2:38

People no where in scripture does it say someone is baptized to show others they are s follower of Christ. Nowhere You will find several different reasons for baptism but never to show others you are a follower Of course no one can argue that when one sees another being baptized it 100% shows that person has accepted Christ. However it is not the purpose of baptism Baptism is between you and God. Read your bibles It's so clear Hey Creamer turns black coffee from black to brown No one can deny that But that is not the purpose of the creamer. The creamer is added to change the taste. Just as in baptism. No one can deny it shows others But that is certainly not its sole purpose

"That's a great selective look at the book of Acts." ...Then, my brother proceeds to selectively look at the book of Acts! First, I have a ton of respect for Bob Wilkin and mean no disrespect by my comments. That said, my disagreement follows: Way too much to go into here, but to focus on one error that Bob makes: Cornelius and his household did NOT receive "the seal (or pledge)of the Holy Spirit" {Eph. 1:14, 2Cor 1:22, Acts 2:38) until AFTER they were immersed into Christ. When Peter speaks of Cornelius and his family "having received the Holy Spirit just as we (the apostles) did (on the Day of Pentecost), he was speaking of receiving the gift of speaking in tongues that the Spirit of God had just given to those Gentiles. Just as tongues were a sign to the Jews on Pentecost that the Apostles were chosen, the Spirit showed Peter and his Jewish companions that God had also provided salvation in Christ Jesus to the Gentiles. The miracle of tongues, in this case, was to convince the Jews that the Gentiles were also faith candidates for immersion at which time they would then receive the "seal/pledge" of the Spirit. Luke was using a grammatical style called metonymy when he said "they received the Spirit just as we have". {a figure of speech in which a thing or concept is referred to by the name of something closely associated with that thing or concept} In this case, the word "spirit" is used when the gift from the spirit (tongues) is meant. Before baptism, the Gentiles were given a gift (tongues) 'from' the Spirit not the gift 'of' the Spirit. Huge difference. Spiritual gifts "from" the Spirit are given to believers. Where-as the gift "of" the Spirit is given by Jesus to believers who confess His name and chose be immersed into Christ. (Acts 2:38) The entire context, from Peter's dream (given from God to Peter) to Gentiles speaking in tongues (gift given by the Spirit) was to convince the Jews that God accepted Gentiles, who believed and were immersed, into the Body of Christ. And lest anyone gets confused...I am NOT saying speaking in tongues is a sign of salvation, nor is it required for salvation. That is NOT taught in this passage. I am saying tongues were a sign for the Jews to accept Gentiles into their community.

Mark 16:16 he that believeth and is baptized shall be saved but he that believeth not shall be damned. Acts 2: 38 repent and be baptized everyone one of you in the name Jesus Christ for the remission of sins and ye shall receive the gift of the Holy Ghost. Acts 22:16 why tarriest arise and be baptized and wash away thy sins calling on the name of the Lord

so baptism is useless?

Mark 16:16 " He who believes and is baptized shall be saved, he who does not believe shall be damned. look I used to believe what he was propagating. However... Jesus made it clear that You must believe and be baptized to be saved. This is the error of the evangelical church, baptist Church and other denominations.

The Devil and his demons "Believe" in Jesus.......and shutter

baptism is absolutely needful for salvation..even the thief on the cross next to Jesus went to hell..because he was not baptised..and true baptism is done by sprinkling blood and water mixed..no other way to be saved