Little Red Book Ministry

Immediately after his salvation and subsequent filling with the Holy Ghost, Paul (3) arose and received water baptism as recorded in Acts 9:18. Following this, Paul (4) spent time with the disciples at Damascus, no doubt being discipled. Being thus properly prepared through salvation, baptism, and discipleship, Paul (5) began to preach Christ in the synagogues according to Acts 9:20.

“And immediately there fell from his eyes as it had been scales: and he received sight forthwith, and arose, and was baptized. And when he had received meat, he was strengthened. Then was Saul certain days with the disciples which were at Damascus. And straightway he preached Christ in the synagogues, that he is the Son of God” (Acts 9:18–20).

Acts 22:16 actually is a restatement of two instructions that Ananias had given him. The first was “arise, and be baptized” and the second, referring back to Acts 2:21 as mentioned in point C above, was to “wash away thy sins” by “calling on the name of the Lord.” They are separate and distinct statements, but are tied together by being in the same verse. As we have seen, Acts 9:1–20 gives a precise order of events for this episode. It proves that salvation came first, and then water baptism followed.

Assuming water baptism is the required interpretation, the order of these statements is reversed from what one would normally expect. However, there are other such oddities found occasionally in the scriptures which some believe exist to test our faith in, and resolve to understand, the scriptures. This may be considered an example of scriptures that are spiritually discerned as in 1 Corinthians 2:14.