Apostolic Baptism and the Unified Pattern of Christian Initiation
A grammatical-historical exegesis arguing the New Testament presents one apostolic pattern of initiation in which baptism is the faith-governed point of covenant entry.
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Acts 22:16 and Washing Away Sins
Acts 22:16 and Washing Away Sins Baptism, Calling on the Lord, and the Conversion of Saul Acts 22:16 is one of the clearest baptismal texts in the New Testament: “And now why are you waiting? Arise and be baptized, and wash away your sins, calling on the name of the Lord.”— Acts 22:16, NKJV This…
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Acts 2:38 and the Apostolic Pattern
Acts 2:38 and the Apostolic Pattern Repentance, Baptism, Forgiveness, and the Gift of the Spirit Acts 2:38 stands at one of the most important turning points in Scripture. Jesus has been crucified. God has raised Him from the dead. He has ascended to the right hand of God. The Spirit has been poured out at…
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Baptism and Covenant Entry
Baptism and Covenant Entry Entering Christ, the Body, and the New Covenant People of God Baptism is not a loose religious symbol attached to Christianity after salvation has already been fully defined elsewhere. In the New Testament, baptism stands at the threshold of Christian identity. It is where the repentant believer calls on the name…
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What Must I Do to Be Saved
What Must I Do to Be Saved? The Apostolic Response to the Gospel The question is not new. When sinners are confronted with the reality of God, judgment, guilt, and the lordship of Jesus Christ, the question eventually becomes unavoidable: What must I do to be saved? This question appears in different forms across the…
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One Lord One Faith One Baptism
One Lord, One Faith, One Baptism Apostolic Unity, Covenant Entry, and the Gospel Response Paul writes: “There is one body and one Spirit, just as you were called in one hope of your calling; one Lord, one faith, one baptism; one God and Father of all, who is above all, and through all, and in…
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What Must I Do to Be Saved?
What Must I Do to Be Saved? The Apostolic Response to the Gospel The question is not new. When sinners are confronted with the reality of God, judgment, guilt, and the lordship of Jesus Christ, the question eventually becomes unavoidable: What must I do to be saved? This question appears in different forms across the…
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The Priestly Pattern
The Priestly Pattern Washing, Anointing, Clothing, and Covenant Entry Baptism is often discussed only as a command, a symbol, a response, or a debated point in the order of salvation. Those categories matter, but they do not exhaust the biblical witness. There is a deeper pattern running through Scripture: God brings people near to Himself…
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The Early Christian Witness on Baptism
The Early Christian Witness on Baptism Scripture as Authority, History as Corroborating Witness Scripture is the authority. The early church is not the authority. The fathers are not the authority. Councils are not the authority. Creeds are not the authority. Traditions are not the authority. The church does not determine truth by counting historical voices….
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The Sign Shift: Zwingli and Baptism
The Sign Shift: Zwingli and Baptism How Baptism Was Reclassified from Apostolic Washing to Outward Sign The question is not whether baptism signifies. Baptism clearly signifies. It visibly marks cleansing, death, burial, resurrection, allegiance to Christ, and entrance into the covenant people of God. The problem is not calling baptism a sign. The problem is…