No, the Church was not disorganized or “not unified” at the beginning.
And I NEVER suggested that it was.
On the contrary, they were very unified.
What wasn't "uniform" was the reception of the Holy Spirit.
The very first sermon in the very beginning of the Church is very telling. the men who had been there 50 days earlier demanding Jesus’ execution were convicted by the Spirit through Peter’s message. And they asked, “What shall we do?” They were NOT yet saved. They had not yet repented. They had not yet obeyed the Gospel.
What do you think "cut to the heart" means then?
That is what they were asking; what do we have to do to be saved from God’s wrath over what we have done.
Even believers need to be saved from God's wrath.
Rom 13:4 - For the one in authority is God’s servant for your good. But if you do wrong, be afraid, for rulers do not bear the sword for no reason.
They are God’s servants, agents of wrath to bring punishment on the wrongdoer.
This is about governments. They are "God's servants, agents of wrath on the wrongdoer". Why would you think believers are excluded from this wrath?
Eph 5:6 - Let no one deceive you with empty words, for because of such things
God’s wrath comes on those who are disobedient.
Written to believers. This is how ch 5 opens:
3 But
among you there
must not be even a hint of sexual immorality, or of any kind of impurity, or of greed, because
these are improper for God’s holy people.
4 Nor should there be obscenity, foolish talk or coarse joking,
which are out of place, but rather thanksgiving.
Red words to believers. Blue words refer to what believers SHOULD NOT DO.
Green words explain WHY the behaviors in v.3 SHOULD NOT be done.
And what did Peter tell them? Did he say, “There is nothing you need to do. You already believe, and Jesus did it all on the Cross.” NO!! He told them to Repent and be baptized so they can receive forgiveness of sins. And as a result they will receive the indwelling of the Holy Spirit.
From an online commentary:
- Baptism and Repentance in Acts 2:38
Curtis Vaughan, Commentary on Acts, has an interesting footnote on p. 28 related to Acts 2:38.
"The Greek word for ‘baptized’ is a third person imperative; the word for ‘repent,’ a second person imperative. This change from the more direct second person command to the less direct third person of ‘baptized’ implies that Peter’s basic primary demand is for repentance."
This follows the preaching emphasis of John the Baptist (cf. Matt. 3:2) and Jesus (cf. Matt. 4:17). Repentance seems to be a spiritual key and baptism is an outward expression of this spiritual change. The New Testament knew nothing of unbaptized believers! To the early church baptism was the public profession of faith. It is the occasion for the public confession of faith in Christ, not the mechanism for salvation! It needs to be remembered that baptism is not mentioned in Peter’s second sermon, though repentance is (cf. Acts 3:19; Luke 24:17). Baptism was an example set by Jesus (cf. Matt. 3:13-18). Baptism was commanded by Jesus (cf. Matt. 28:19). The modern question of the necessity of baptism for salvation is not addressed in the New Testament; all believers are expected to be baptized. However, one must also guard against a sacramental mechanicalism! Salvation is a faith issue, not a right-place, right-words, right-ritual act issue!
Aren't you aware that Cornelius, a Gentile, received the Holy Spirit BEFORE water baptism?
And Gal 3:2,5 are clear: the Holy Spirit is received on the basis of believing in Christ.
2 I would like to learn just one thing from you:
Did you receive the Spirit by the works of the law, or by believing what you heard?
5 So again I ask,
does God give you his Spirit and work miracles among you by the works of the law, or by your believing what you heard?
This is the exact same message all through the NT, but because it has already been recorded by the Spirit, He doesn’t feel the need to repeat it in every recording of the message of salvation.
I just gave you 2 places in the NT that refute your "exact same message all thru the NT".
But He does once in a while repeat Himself, like in the story of Paul’s conversion in Acts 22. Reading verse 16, Ananias tells Saul,
“Now, what are you waiting on? Arise, and be baptized and wash away your sins, calling on the name of the Lord.”
Let me ask you, why did Saul need to “arise (stand up) to be baptized if this is Spirit baptism? Why did he need to make haste? Why was he still in sin three days later if he was saved when he believed on the road?
No, it is clear that this is referring to water baptism, and that it is
during water baptism that sins are removed. Not
by water baptism, but
during.
[/QUOTE]
GAL 3:2,5 refute your claim. Cornelius refutes your claim.
Yes, Cornelius received the miraculous power of the Spirit before water baptism. Now if water baptism were purely symbolic, as you claim, then there would be absolutely no need for it in this instance.
What did it gain him? You tell me.
But the Spirit fell on them before they had even heard the name of Jesus (Acts 11:15).
You don't know that. Presumption.
He fell on them “As I (Peter) began to speak.” Cornelius had not yet believed (which you have already said must be done before a person can be saved), so he could not have been saved by the miraculous power of the Spirit being given to him.
Go back to the actual event, 10:44 - While Peter
was still speaking these words, the Holy Spirit came on all who heard the message.
This doesn't indicate that Peter just started speaking. You're making a mountain out of a mole hill.
Yes, all versions use “symbolizes”, or a phrase that means that, but read it again. To what is it referring?
The water of the flood symbolizes the water of baptism
What you are saying here is that literal water symbolizes literal water. Nonsense.
Peter said that the literal water of the flood (which saved NO ONE) symbolizes the "baptism that NOW saves you". iow, he was clearly referring to the baptism of the Holy Spirit, which IS when one is saved. And this baptism does NOT include water.
It is a REAL identification or baptism. Whereas ALL water baptisms are ritual, and symbolize something else.
and the water of baptism now saves you.
No, the text does NOT say that. This is your opinion only. But it makes no sense for anyone to say "literal water symbolizes literal water", which is basically what you are saying.
Not the water literally washing your sins away, but the Spirit meeting you in the water and removing your sins (giving you a clear conscience) by the power of the resurrection of Christ.
The Holy Spirit doesn't "meet anyone" in the water.