In recent times someone has distributed this small tract in the community. It is never our intention to offend anyone, but the Bible teaches that we should be “set for the defence of the gospel” (Phil. 1:17). The Apostle John said: “Beloved, believe not every spirit but try the spirits whether they are of God: Because many false prophets are gone out into the world” (I John 4:1). The only way to try whether one is teaching truth is by putting what he teaches along-side of God’s word. That is our purpose for this article.
“You May Be Saved”
The author correctly sets out that Christ died for our sins. Then he gives these scriptures showing that faith and repentance are necessary in order to be saved. “I have kept back nothing that is profitable... testifying... repentance toward God and faith toward our Lord Jesus Christ”(Acts 20:20,21). “I tell you, Nay: but, except ye repent, ye shall all likewise perish (Luke 13:3) “Without faith it is impossible to please (God).” (Heb. 11:6) “He that believeth on him is not condemned” (John 3:18a). (Faith and repentance are certainly requirements in order to be saved. But the Bible nowhere teaches that faith and repentance alone saves.)
Then he quotes: “But as many as received him, to them he gave power to become the sons of God, even to them that believe on his name.” (John 1:12). (I will discuss this verse in the next article).
That is what this tract teaches one is to do in order to be saved. Then after salvation he states:
“YOU SHOULD SERVE”
“Profess Christ Publicly” “Whosoever therefore shall confess me before men, him will I confess also before my father which is in heaven” (Matt 10: 32).
“Follow Christ in Baptism” “Repent, and be baptized everyone of you in the name of Jesus Christ....” (Acts 2:38). One might wonder why he left off the latter part of that verse. The problem he has with that verse is, he has concluded that one is saved by faith only. Acts 2:38 proves without doubt that that conclusion is false. Note the entire verse. “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.” What did Peter say baptism was for? He said it was for remission of sins. Who was Peter talking to? Those Jews that had crucified Christ. Verse 37 reads: “Now when they heard this, they were pricked in their heart, and said unto Peter and to the rest of the apostles, Men and brethren, what shall we do?” Peter had convinced them that they had crucified the Christ. They became believers and it troubled them deeply to the point that they wanted to know what they must do in order to have their sins removed. Notice what Peter did not tell them to do. Profess Christ publicly and follow him in baptism because you were saved when you believed. Note carefully what he did say. “Repent...and be baptized...for the remission of sins...”. The word “and” is “used to join elements of equal grammatical value” (Webster’s NewWorld Dictionary). Therefore, this verse teaches that it is not possible for one to have his sins removed by faith alone. It also teaches that it is not possible for one to have his sins removed by baptism alone. In fact, the Bible does not teach that one can have his sins removed by any one thing only. But notice what Peter said again: “Repent and be baptized“. What is the purpose Peter? “For the remission of sins.” When we put the Bible along-side this tract, we find the tract coming up short of truth.
Many will say that “FOR” means, “because of,” having this verse teach that one is baptized because he has already had his sins removed. Read what Jesus taught in Matt 26:28: “For this is my blood of the New Testament, which is shed for many for the remission of sins.” If it be the case that baptism is because of the remission of sins then it is the case that Jesus shed his blood because our sins were already removed. WHO CAN BELIEVE?
“If any man speak let him speak as the oracles of God” (I Pet 4:11).
Don H. Noblin
For questions or comments about this article, email Don H. Noblin. If you decide to email me, please include the title of the article. Thank you.