Question 8
The Correct Answer Is: TRUE
Acts 2:38: "Then Peter said to them, "Repent, and let every one of you be baptized in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins; and you shall receive the gift of the Holy Spirit."
Acts 22:16: "And now why are you waiting? Arise and be baptized, and wash away your sins, calling on the name of the Lord.'"
Just like there are many denominations that teach the false doctrine of salvation by faith alone, they also teach the false doctrine that baptism is merely when a Christian outwardly professes their faith in Christ and the grace that they have already received. Baptism, thus to them, is only a ritual. In the New Testament, baptism wasn't a ritual, it was the 'when' someone's sins were forgiven. The people on the Day of Pentecost in Acts 2 believed in Jesus, yet there was still something that they had to do. They had to repent of their sins, and be baptized for the remission of their sins. Failing to do so, would result in their not receiving the gift of the Holy Spirit (which in this context is salvation). The Apostle Paul, when recounting his conversion in Acts 22, when he got to verse 16, he had already seen Jesus and believed in Him as the Son of God and the risen Savior. Yet he was still in his sins, which is why Ananias told him to stop delaying and be baptized in order to have his sins remitted. When one is baptized, one is submitting to the will of God, calling on Him to remit their sins and save them. Since baptism is the point when sins are forgiven, just like someone must actually repent and confess Jesus in order to be saved, someone must submit to baptism, understanding it is for the remission of sins, in order to be saved. If one was baptized for any other reason, then they weren't baptized with Christ's baptism, and thus need to submit to such in faith, as baptism for the remission of sins is necessary for salvation.