Salvation

History of the early church:

Jesus spent three years instilling the foundation of the kingdom of God into his disciples. He placed the future of a fledgling church into their capable hands.

He knew what these men would do. Peter had been given a tremendous responsibility to lead the way during the development

of the early church.

The book of Acts of the Apostles is a record of what took place and how personally chosen disciples of Jesus fulfilled his commandment given in Matthew:

“And Jesus came and spoke to them, saying, “All authority has been given to Me in heaven and on earth.

Go therefore and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all things that I have commanded you; and lo, I am with you always, even to the end of the age.” (Matthew 28: 18-20) NKJV 

Much controversy is derived from these verses because the disciples knew exactly what Jesus was saying to them. They were not confused. Neither did they disobey Jesus’ commandments when in Acts 2:38, Peter commanded the Jews who had gathered, to be baptized in the name of Jesus!

“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.

 For the promise is to you and to your children, and to all who are afar off, as many as the Lord our God will call.” (Acts 2:38-39) NKJV

Repentance, baptism, and the infilling of the Holy Ghost were the elements of salvation.

Repentance / death , baptism / burial, resurrection/ infilling of the Holy Ghost, is the gospel message. Or

In secular church history as well as scriptural references, all who were baptized in the 1st century church were baptized by immersion in the name of Jesus as commanded in Acts 2:38, with further examples in Acts 8:16, Acts 10:48, Acts 16:15, and Acts 19:5.

The formula of baptism in the titles, “Father, Son, and Holy Ghost did not start until the 3rd century AD.

Baptism was not to be initiated until a person could understand their need for repentance. Only then could they be baptized.

The Catholic Church changed the formula of baptism and began to baptize infants into the Catholic Church by the 3rd century by sprinkling because immersion was not practical. It is also not practical that an infant can understand their need to repent or believe with their heart.

The significance of baptism is not to join a denomination but to have your sins washed away while signifying the death and burial of the old man and resurrection of the new creature in Christ!

Repentance is the first event of realizing your need for salvation. The next step is to be baptized calling on the name of the Lord. The final step is to be born not only of the water but of the Spirit with the evidence of speaking in tongues as evidenced in scriptures pertaining to salvation in Acts of the Apostles.

Nearly all scholars of the Bible will agree that the birth of the church was on the day of Pentecost as recorded in Acts chapter 2.

Peter gave clear instructions concerning the plan of salvation which was confirmed throughout the Book of Acts.

The Gospels were the record of the life and times of Jesus Christ and preparation of the disciples to fulfill the Great Commission.

The Book of Acts is the history of the birth of the Church and implementation of all the disciples had been commissioned to fulfill.

The Bible says, “But though we, or an angel from heaven, preach any other gospel unto you than that which we have preached unto you, let him be accursed.” (Galatians 1:8 KJV)

Unfortunately, there are not many ways to be saved but scripture states:

“There is one body and one Spirit, just as you were called to one hope when you were called; one Lord, one faith, one baptism; one God and Father of all, who is over all and through all and in all.…” (Ephesians 4:5-6)

Berean Standard Bible

“Enter through the narrow gate. For wide is the gate and broad is the way that leads to destruction, and many enter through it. But small is the gate and narrow the way that leads to life, and only a few find it. 

Beware of false prophets. They come to you in sheep’s clothing, but inwardly they are ravenous wolves.… (Matthew 7:14-15)

Berean Standard Bible

Many traditions have been accepted as scriptural truths which have no scriptural precedent.

The Early Church exclusively baptized in the name of Jesus. It was nearly two centuries later that the mode of baptism was altared.

Please don’t just take my word for this or be offended because it is different from what you are familiar with.

It is imperative that you search diligently what scripture has to say concerning salvation. Your eternity depends on it!

“One of the Clearest (and Earliest) Summaries of Christian Beliefs“, by Cannon Fodder is an excelent short blog on what !st century Christians believed.

There is an ongoing effort to rewrite history concerning the doctrines of the Early Church. Therefore, it is important to understand methods of studying the Bilbe to ensure the sources you may use are trustworthy.

The doctrines of Christianity underwent a drastic metamorphysis beginning in the second century through the fourth century.

As a Christian and student of the Bible, I urge you to study this time period that you may be aware of traditions of men that were intruduced as the truths of God’s Word.

You will not be saved by tradition but by God alone and truthes in His Word.