There are some who teach that the "Gospel" is :
Acts 2:38.
You share many things I can agree with here. The Acts 2:38 groups do often add water baptism wrong to the gospel using these verses in that section.
But we can agree that Peter was going to the temple and still connected strongly to the law and customs of the Jews. He still had Johns water baptism as part of the Old Covenant in his mind.
But I do believe that God by the Spirit gave Peter right words and he spoke to the light he had and God used what he said in the whole chapter to help the Jewish believers get saved.
The expression "in the name of Jesus Christ" is important. This immersion or baptism into the name or into jesus Christ is a spiritual aspect even if men only see water baptism. For by one Spirit are we ALL baptized into one body. To be in the name of Jesus Christ and do all thing in his name is to be immersed into the life character authority and power of jesus Christ. Where we are in him and he is in us. This is where by faith Christ dwells in our heart.
Now, if you are familiar with Christianity, then you know that everyone is invited to become a Christian......Jews, Gentiles,.........
>"The World"... =
John 3:16.
Yes agreed
So, one of the things we find out about the NT, is... = if an Apostle does not know something then they can't teach it until they know it.
this is true a person cannot go against his conscience, (with knowledge) to do so can be sin. So they were only able to walk in the light they had been given and understood so far. Paul says
"For meat destroy not the work of God. All things indeed are pure; but it is evil for that man who eateth with offence. 21 It is good neither to eat flesh, nor to drink wine, nor any thing whereby thy brother stumbleth, or is offended, or is made weak. 2 2Hast thou faith? have it to thyself before God. Happy is he that condemneth not himself in that thing which he alloweth. 23 And he that doubteth is damned if he eat, because he eateth not of faith: for whatsoever is not of faith is sin." (Romans 14:20-23 KJV)
Jesus told them that there was much more to learn later. So in Acts we see a sort of transformation or transition from the old to the New covenant in their understanding.
"I have yet many things to say unto you, but ye cannot bear them now. 13 Howbeit when he, the Spirit of truth, is come, he will guide you into all truth: for he shall not speak of himself; but whatsoever he shall hear, that shall he speak: and he will shew you things to come. 14 He shall glorify me: for he shall receive of mine, and shall shew it unto you." (John 16:13 KJV)
We know that the believing Jewish people still struggled with the law and customs of the Jews many many many years after Christ death. We read in Acts 21 that Paul went to see the Jewish believers and James met him and told him how many thousands of Jews there were that believed and they are all zealous of the law and the customs. They were still going in the temple and sacrificing animals for many, many years.
Many christians are not aware of this in Acts 21. Here is the proof
"And when we were come to Jerusalem, the brethren received us gladly. 18 And the day following Paul went in with us unto James; and all the elders were present. 19 And when he had saluted them, he declared particularly what things God had wrought among the Gentiles by his ministry. 20 And when they heard it, they glorified the Lord, and said unto him, Thou seest, brother, how many thousands of Jews there are which believe; and they are all zealous of the law: 21 And they are informed of thee, that thou teachest all the Jews which are among the Gentiles to forsake Moses, saying that they ought not to circumcise their children, neither to walk after the customs. 22 What is it therefore? the multitude must needs come together: for they will hear that thou art come. 23 Do therefore this that we say to thee: We have four men which have a vow on them; 24 Them take, and purify thyself with them, and be at charges with them, that they may shave their heads: and all may know that those things, whereof they were informed concerning thee, are nothing; but that thou thyself also walkest orderly, and keepest the law. 25 As touching the Gentiles which believe, we have written and concluded that they observe no such thing, save only that they keep themselves from things offered to idols, and from blood, and from strangled, and from fornication. 26 Then Paul took the men, and the next day purifying himself with them entered into the temple, to signify the accomplishment of the days of purification, until that an offering should be offered for every one of them.
And Peter, who was the
Act 2:38 preacher, did not understand the Gospel of the Grace of God, until Acts 15. = Not until He was taught it by Paul.
I believe Peter did understand the grace of God in measure. He said in Acts 15
"And when there had been much disputing, Peter rose up, and said unto them, Men and brethren, ye know how that a good while ago God made choice among us, that the Gentiles by my mouth should hear the word of the gospel, and believe. 8 And God, which knoweth the hearts, bare them witness, giving them the Holy Ghost, even as he did unto us; 9 And put no difference between us and them, purifying their hearts by faith. 10 Now therefore why tempt ye God, to put a yoke upon the neck of the disciples, which neither our fathers nor we were able to bear? 11 But we believe that through the grace of the Lord Jesus Christ we shall be saved, even as they." (Acts 15:7-11 KJV)
But you might say that was later after Acts 15. But Peter knew this at least from Acts 10. But lets look at Acts 2 and see if we see the grace and gospel there. Remember I do agree that peter was still struggling or involved with the law and sacrifices and the temple stil. But even in the OT men were saved by grace through faith not of the law. Abraham had the gospel preached before unto him. So if even Abraham could have the gospel preached to him them Peter also could and others as well even though they were under the law still. Its if they trusted in the works of the law for salvation and their own works, they would fail and not be in the grace. We read,
“Now when this was noised abroad, the multitude came together, and were confounded, because that every man heard them speak in his own language...Cretes and Arabians, we do hear them speak in our tongues the wonderful works of God.”” (Acts 2:6, 11 KJV)
we don't know exactly what they heard. It can be assumed they heard about the grace of Gods salvation through Jesus and many things, then we read
“And it shall come to pass, that whosoever shall call on the name of the Lord shall be saved.” (Acts 2:21 KJV)
when a person is humbled and repents towards God and calls upon him for his mercy and grace to be saved this is grace not works. Peter did n;t say all who do this or that will earn their way to acceptance. No, simply calling on the name of the Lord. Paul says similar when he says,
For with the heart man believeth unto righteousness; and with the mouth confession is made unto salvation. 11 For the scripture saith, Whosoever believeth on him shall not be ashamed. 12 For there is no difference between the Jew and the Greek: for the same Lord over all is rich unto all that call upon him. 13 For whosoever shall call upon the name of the Lord shall be saved." (Romans 10:10-13 KJV)
Notice it says call upon the name of the Lord shall be saved. Peter did say to be immersed (baptized ) in or into the name of Jesus Christ. We also read,
“Ye men of Israel, hear these words; Jesus of Nazareth, a man approved of God among you by miracles and wonders and signs, which God did by him in the midst of you, as ye yourselves also know: 23 Him, being delivered by the determinate counsel and foreknowledge of God, ye have taken, and by wicked hands have crucified and slain: 24 Whom God hath raised up, having loosed the pains of death: because it was not possible that he should be holden of it.” (Acts 2:22-24 KJV)
So Peter speaks of Jesus doing wonders and miracles and teaching among them for a long time and they knew about many of these things. So they also would have heard jesus words about faith and believing to have life etc. Then Peter speaks the gospel of the death of Christ for sin and the resurrection. His death was for their sins and Peter says they with wicked hands crucified him.
Then we read,
“Therefore did my heart rejoice, and my tongue was glad; moreover also my flesh shall rest in hope:” (Acts 2:26 KJV)
this is similar to Paul saying in Romans 10 with the heart man believeth unto righteousness and with the mouth confession is made unto salvation. Again, grace, through faith.
“Therefore let all the house of Israel know assuredly, that God hath made that same Jesus, whom ye have crucified, both Lord and Christ.” (Acts 2:36 KJV)
Here we see that Jesus is the Christ, the messiah, saviour. So if men are saved by Jesus Christ they are not saved by their own works or flesh, for then they would not need Jesus to be Christ for them. So this and other verses imply strongly that men are saved by grace through faith in jesus Christ as their saviour who died for their sins and was risen again.
Now Peter says
“Then Peter said unto them, Repent, and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins, and ye shall receive the gift of the Holy Ghost.”" * Acts 2:38 KJV)
so we see that repentance is needed and to be immersed into the name of jesus Christ which is only by grace through faith. Now it is understood that the Jews also water baptized as well following Johns water baptism. But Jesus in Chapter one spoke of the end of Johns water baptism.We also know that without the shedding of blood is no remission, and we are washed from our sins in the blood of Christ. He said
“For John truly baptized with water; but ye shall be baptized with the Holy Ghost not many days hence.” (Acts 1:5 KJV)
This was remembered again when the Gentiles were coming into the outward fold in Acts 10. Peter remembered this then. Perhaps Jesus was telling peter that the Gentiles do not need to be water baptized or follow the law that they were coming out of. It would not make sense to bring gentiles under the law and the later to have them come out of it.We see that in Acts 15 they at least agreed that the gentiles do not need to keep the law as they thought they did.
Its like this reader, ... Many people and denominations consider
Acts 2:38 as the Gospel... and these people are very strong proponents for "Water baptism"..
Yes, many mistakenly add water baptism to the gospel. Paul clearly said Christ sent him not to baptize but to preach the gospel.Showing the]at the gospel ( 1 Cor 15 in the same letter) and water baptism are not the same and that water baptism is not part of the gospel.. Paul primarily went to the gentiles and they were not to be brought under the law or OT shadows as Johns water baptism was. It was among the diverse washings imposed upon the Jews until the time of reformation, Hebrews 9 KJV.
In Fact they are so into the water aspect that they read that "Noah was saved by water" and can't understand that Had NOAH and Family gotten out of that ARK, then Noah and Family, would have DIED in that FLOOD WATER JUDGEMENT.
That saving baptism Peter speaks of in 1 Peter 3:21 is not referring to water baptism many misunderstood it. The conscience and inward witness is where n\]believers are immersed into Christ and risen with him. We have a full assurance by the resurrection and are also risen with him. We have the inner knowledge now.
See, it was the ARK that kept them OUT of the WATER, is why they LIVED.., as that wooden ARK is not just their Salvation from that water, but its symbolic of the Cross of Christ that was WOOD, (A TREE) , and Christ on it, is our ARK .
How?
Christ on that WOOD, takes the Judgement for our sin, just as Noah's Ark saved Noah and Family from the WATER that was God's Judgment.
Yes, in part, the ark can represent being in Christ raised up above the old word of judgement to the heavens as we are raised up with him to the newness of life.Noah means rest or resting place, so in Christ we are at rest or peace and com into a new life.
