First Principles

New Testament Conversion

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  1. The Major Conversions in Acts
    1. Conversions
      1. Acts 2:36-47 — First Christians in Jerusalem
      2. Acts 8:26-39 — Ethiopian Eunuch
      3. Acts 16:22-34 — Philippian jailer and his family
      4. Acts 9:1-22 — Paul
        Acts 22:3-16 — Paul
      5. Acts 18:24-26 — Apollos
      6. Acts 19:1-5 — Ephesians
    2. Questions concerning Conversions
      (Use above Conversions 1 — 4 only)
      1. What was preached?
      2. What was the person's (people's) response to the message?
      3. How long did the person (people) take to make the decision?
      4. What was their response after baptism?
  2. Refuting False Doctrines
    1. "Pray Jesus into your heart:" This phrase is never mentioned in the Bible. People may use Revelation 3:20 about Jesus knocking at the door, however, you must examine this Scripture in context. This Scripture does not teach how to become a Christian and be saved, but how to come back to God after becoming lukewarm. It is addressed to disciples who already responded to Christ in faith, repentance and baptism.
      "Accept Jesus into your heart:" This is the same teaching as "praying Jesus into your heart" — just different terminology. Usually based on Romans 10:9. Again, you must look at Scripture in context. Paul is addressing the problem of the Israelites: Unbelief that Jesus was the Christ, the Son of God. Read further on to Romans 10:13. When do you call on the name of the Lord? At baptism (Acts 22:16).
    2. Infant baptism: A baby cannot have faith, and since we are baptized through faith in the power of God (Colossians 2:12), babies cannot be baptized.
      Original sin: Ezekiel 18:20 teaches there is no original sin; each person is responsible for his own actions and will be judged accordingly. Therefore, babies are born sinless and will be saved if they die.
    3. "Baptism does not save you:" 1 Peter 3:21 states that baptism does save you through the resurrection of Jesus Christ. Acts 2:38 teaches that sin is forgiven at baptism — one is saved at the point sin is forgiven.
    4. "Baptism is a work — yet we are saved by faith" (Ephesians 2:8): Colossians 2:12 teaches that we are saved by faith in the working of God at baptism.
    5. "Baptism is an outward sign of an inward grace:" Romans 6:2-4 states that baptism is an actual participation in the death, burial and resurrection of Christ. It is not merely a sign or symbol.
    6. "Baptism is not important, after all, look at what Paul said in 1 Corinthians 1:17:" Paul does not diminish the importance of baptism here. (Paul himself was baptized to have his sins forgiven in Acts 22:16.) In context (read 1 Corinthians 1:10-17), Paul makes the point that he does not want people following men (denominationalism). He mentions baptism several times in the passage.
    7. "The thief on the cross was not baptized and Jesus told him that they would see each other in Paradise:" Jesus had not even died yet, and baptism is participating in his death, burial and resurrection (Romans 6:2-4). Also, on earth, Jesus had the power to forgive sins (Matthew 9:2-6).
    8. "Believers baptism:" This is baptism as an adult, but it is not done in conjunction with the understanding that one is being saved at this point in time (John 3:5; Acts 2:38). "Retroactive understanding" is not sufficient for salvation.