βHe that believeth and is baptized shall be savedβ (MarkΒ 16:16).
The twelve apostles preached and practiced exactly this. When Peterβs hearers at Pentecost were convicted of their sins and asked: βMen and brethren, what shall we doβ Peter did not tell them that Christ had died for their sins and that they could receive salvation as the gift of Godβs grace, apart from religion or works. Rather he said:
βRepent, 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 Ghostβ (ActsΒ 2:38).
Years ago, in a series of debates on dispensationalism, the author asked his opponent: βSuppose, after aΒ SundayΒ evening service, some of your hearers were convicted of their sins and asked you and your co-workers: βMen and brethren, what shall we do?β Would you tell them what Peter told his convicted sinners at Pentecost?β
βWhy, of course!β he exclaimed.
βIn those words?β I persisted.
He thought for a moment and then replied: βWell, I guess not exactly in those words.β
The fact is that this pastor would not at all have said to his hearers what Peter said to his. Even though a Baptist, he would not have said: βRepent and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ, for the remission of sins,β for he believed that subjection to water baptism should be left to each personβs conscience, and he did not believe that it had anything to do with salvation. He would doubtless have said to any inquirers what Paul said when the convicted Gentile jailor asked: βWhat must I do to be saved?β Like Paul, he would have replied: βBelieve on the Lord Jesus Christ and thou shalt be saved.. .β (Acts 16:31).
Peter at Pentecost preached what he was commanded to preach under his commission: βHe that believeth and is baptized shall be savedβ (Mark 16:16), but when God raised up Paul, that other apostle, He sent him to proclaim βthe gospel of the grace of Godβ (Acts 20:24) and the finished work of Christ. source
[β¦] says that believers are βburied with Him in baptism.β This is not baptism by water. This is a divine baptism, the work of the Holy Spirit, for he goes on to say: βwherein also ye are risen with Him through [β¦]