Little Red Book Ministry

Acts 2:37 records the question that we all must ask in order to learn how to be saved.

“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?” (Acts 2:37).

Acts 2:38–40 answers the question when the apostle Peter tells them they need the same thing that the apostles had just experienced, the baptism and filling with the Holy Ghost. He tells them to “repent, and be baptized in the name of Jesus Christ” (1 Corinthians 12:13; Galatians 3:27), “for the remission of sins”. This, not water baptism, is the baptism spoken of here. The term ‘baptized for the remission of sins’ ties this passage to the baptism of the Holy Ghost as seen in point A above. This is the baptism that all believers receive at the moment of salvation.

Acts 2:41 then speaks of a follow up baptism that those who received the baptism with the Holy Ghost submitted to. This is the water baptism for believers that this lesson is earnestly advocating.

D. Acts 22:16
“And now why tarriest thou? arise, and be baptized, and wash away thy sins, calling on the name of the Lord” (Acts 22:16).

As above, this passage only requires clarification if water baptism is insisted upon. These are the instructions that Ananias gave to Paul (stilled called Saul at that time) following his conversion as chronicled in Acts 9:1–20. According to that passage, Paul had already acknowledged Jesus as Lord and had accepted Him as his Savior. That is why Ananias could address him as “brother,” a term reserved for fellow Christians. The order of events in that passage is very important to consider. In Acts 9:17, Ananias laid his hands on Paul and told him (1) to receive his sight and (2) to be filled, with the Holy Ghost. As we have already established, salvation, or baptism with the Holy Ghost, must precede the filling with the Holy Ghost.

“And Ananias went his way, and entered into the house; and putting his hands on him said, Brother Saul, the Lord, even Jesus, that appeared unto thee in the way as thou camest, hath sent me, that thou mightest receive thy sight, and be filled with the Holy Ghost” (Acts 9:17).