Acts 2:38 records: “Then Peter said unto them, Repent, and be baptized every one of you in the name of Yeshua Christ for the remission of sins, and ye shall receive the gift of the Holy Ghost.”
Here, Peter stands with the eleven, acting as a witness and presenting a threefold plan for salvation. First, he instructs everyone to repent, which means turning away from sin and turning with your whole heart to God. He then says to be baptized, not as a suggestion but as a command, and to do it in Yeshua’s name.
The purpose for this is for the remission (forgiveness and removal) of sins. The result is receiving the gift of the Holy Spirit.
Later that same day, Acts 2:41 tells us: “Then they that gladly received his word were baptized: and the same day there were added unto them about three thousand souls.”
Three thousand people responded in faith and were baptized in Yeshua’s name that very day.
Acts 8:16 says, “(For as yet he was fallen upon none of them: only they were baptized in the name of the Lord Yeshua.)”
This verse clarifies that they had already been baptized in Yeshua’s name but had not yet received the Spirit.
Acts 10:47–48:
“Can any man forbid water, that these should not be baptized, which have received the Holy Ghost as well as we? And he commanded them to be baptized in the name of the Lord. Then prayed they him to tarry certain days.”
Peter commands—not suggests—their baptism, making it clear that baptism in Yeshua’s name is an essential step once someone believes and receives the Spirit.
Acts 16:33: “And he took them the same hour of the night, and washed their stripes; and was baptized, he and all his, straightway.”
This urgency—being baptized that same hour, even at midnight—shows how vital immediate baptism was to believers.
Acts 18:8: “And Crispus, the chief ruler of the synagogue, believed on the Lord with all his house; and many of the Corinthians hearing believed, and were baptized.”
If baptism were unnecessary, why would so many make it such a priority throughout scripture?
Acts 19:2–6:
“He said unto them, Have ye received the Holy Ghost since ye believed? And they said unto him, We have not so much as heard whether there be any Holy Ghost. And he said unto them, Unto what then were ye baptized? And they said, Unto John’s baptism. Then said Paul, John verily baptized with the baptism of repentance, saying unto the people, that they should believe on him which should come after him, that is, on Christ Yeshua. When they heard this, they were baptized in the name of the Lord Yeshua. And when Paul had laid his hands upon them, the Holy Ghost came on them; and they spake with tongues, and prophesied.”
Paul found these disciples of John and, seeing their sincere faith, immediately instructed them to be rebaptized in Yeshua’s name. Their hearts were right, but their baptism was incomplete until it was done in the name above all names.
Acts 22:16: “And now why tarriest thou? arise, and be baptized, and wash away thy sins, calling on the name of the Lord.”
This verse makes clear that baptism is for the washing away of sins, a step not to be delayed.
1 Peter 3:20–21:
“Which sometime were disobedient, when once the longsuffering of God waited in the days of Noah, while the ark was a preparing, wherein few, that is, eight souls were saved by water. The like figure whereunto even baptism doth also now save us (not the putting away of the filth of the flesh, but the answer of a good conscience toward God,) by the resurrection of Yeshua Christ.”
Peter affirms here that baptism is not about washing the physical body, but about a clear conscience before God—a necessary response to the resurrection of Yeshua Christ.
Romans 6:4: “Therefore we are buried with him by baptism into death: that like as Christ was raised up from the dead by the glory of the Father, even so we also should walk in newness of life.”
Galatians 3:27: “For as many of you as have been baptized into Christ have put on Christ.”
Yeshua himself commanded baptism. Luke 24:47 says, “And that repentance and remission of sins should be preached in his name among all nations, beginning at Jerusalem.”
Matthew 28:18-19 also teaches:
“And Yeshua came and spake unto them, saying, All power is given unto me in heaven and in earth. Go ye therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost:”
This instruction refers to a singular name, which Yeshua identifies throughout scripture.
John 5:43: “I am come in my Father’s name, and ye receive me not: if another shall come in his own name, him ye will receive.”
Ephesians 3:15: “Of whom the whole family in heaven and earth is named,”
Matthew 1:21: “And she shall bring forth a son, and thou shalt call his name YESHUA: for he shall save his people from their sins.”
Notice the connection: Yeshua’s name carries the saving power.
Mark 16:16: “He that believeth and is baptized shall be saved; but he that believeth not shall be damned.”
This is another clear order from Yeshua to be baptized.
2 Corinthians 11:2: “For I am jealous over you with godly jealousy: for I have espoused you to one husband, that I may present you as a chaste virgin to Christ.”
Just as a bride takes on her husband’s name, so believers take on Christ’s name in baptism.
Romans 6:4: “Therefore we are buried with him by baptism into death: that like as Christ was raised up from the dead by the glory of the Father, even so we also should walk in newness of life.”
Galatians 3:27: “For as many of you as have been baptized into Christ have put on Christ.”
Colossians 2:12: “Buried with him in baptism, wherein also ye are risen with him through the faith of the operation of God, who hath raised him from the dead.”
Some claim that faith alone saves. But James 2:17–20 tells us: “Even so faith, if it hath not works, is dead, being alone. Yea, a man may say, Thou hast faith, and I have works: shew me thy faith without thy works, and I will shew thee my faith by my works. Thou believest that there is one God; thou doest well: the devils also believe, and tremble. But wilt thou know, O vain man, that faith without works is dead?”
Others point out, “Salvation is a gift and requires no works,” citing Ephesians 2:8: “For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God.”
It is a gift, but like any gift, you may need to accept it on the giver’s terms—obedience, as in Acts 2:38, is not earning it, but accepting it in faith.
Some people build a plan of salvation on single verses, like John 3:16, forgetting that Yeshua just finished saying to Nicodemus that one could not even see the kingdom without being born of water and spirit. “Born of” refers to regeneration by water and by Spirit.
In Romans 10:13, “For whosoever shall call upon the name of the Lord shall be saved.”
But reading further clarifies the context:
Romans 10:14-18:
“How then shall they call on him in whom they have not believed? and how shall they believe in him of whom they have not heard? and how shall they hear without a preacher? And how shall they preach, except they be sent? as it is written, How beautiful are the feet of them that preach the gospel of peace, and bring glad tidings of good things! But they have not all obeyed the gospel. For Esaias saith, Lord, who hath believed our report? So then faith cometh by hearing, and hearing by the word of God. But I say, Have they not heard? Yes verily, their sound went into all the earth, and their words unto the ends of the world.”
Acts 22:16 echoes this: “And now why tarriest thou? arise, and be baptized, and wash away thy sins, calling on the name of the Lord.”
No single verse stands alone—scripture is to be weighed with scripture.
In conclusion, Yeshua was baptized and instructed us to be born again by water or we could not enter the kingdom. He commanded baptism, gave Peter the keys at Pentecost, and every biblical example shows believers baptized in Yeshua’s name—the only exception being John’s disciples, who were re-baptized in his name. Have you repented, been biblically baptized, and received the Holy Spirit? This is the plan God has provided. He is just and will judge us accordingly.
This message is written with love, in hope you will find and obey the truth before it is too late.
Finally, when people ask about the thief on the cross, remember: he died under the old covenant, before the resurrection of Christ. Yeshua did not lie—God never does.
Born Again
John 3:7 Marvel not that I said unto thee,
ye must be born again.
Yeshua spoke these words, and it is clear he intended them literally.
Throughout the Bible, it is established that a matter is confirmed by two or more witnesses. This principle is found in:
Deu 19:15 “One witness shall not rise up against a man for any iniquity, or for any sin, in any sin that he sinneth: at the mouth of two witnesses, or at the mouth of three witnesses, shall the matter be established.”
Mat 18:16 “But if he will not hear thee, then take with thee one or two more, that in the mouth of two or three witnesses every word may be established.”
2Co 13:1 “This is the third time I am coming to you. In the mouth of two or three witnesses shall every word be established.”
Therefore, let’s consider multiple scriptural witnesses to John 3:7.
Rom 6:3 “Know ye not, that so many of us as were baptized into Yeshua Christ were baptized into his death?”
Rom 6:4 “Therefore we are buried with him by baptism into death: that like as Christ was raised up from the dead by the glory of the Father, even so we also should walk in newness of life.”
Rom 6:5 “For if we have been planted together in the likeness of his death, we shall be also in the likeness of his resurrection.”
Mat 3:11 “I indeed baptize you with water unto repentance: but he that cometh after me is mightier than I, whose shoes I am not worthy to bear: he shall baptize you with the Holy Ghost, and with fire:”
Luke 3:16 “John answered, saying unto them all, I indeed baptize you with water; but one mightier than I cometh, the latchet of whose shoes I am not worthy to unloose: he shall baptize you with the Holy Ghost and with fire:”
1Pe 1:22 “Seeing ye have purified your souls in obeying the truth through the Spirit unto unfeigned love of the brethren, see that ye love one another with a pure heart fervently:”
1Pe 1:23 “Being born again, not of corruptible seed, but of incorruptible, by the word of God, which liveth and abideth for ever.”
1Pe 1:24 “For all flesh is as grass, and all the glory of man as the flower of grass. The grass withereth, and the flower thereof falleth away:”
1Pe 1:25 “But the word of the Lord endureth for ever. And this is the word which by the gospel is preached unto you.”
1Jo 5:4 “For whatsoever is born of God overcometh the world: and this is the victory that overcometh the world, even our faith.”
The purpose of this discussion is to show that being “born again” is essential for eternal life. Some denominations claim baptism is not necessary for salvation, but this contradicts Yeshua’s own words. Yeshua instructed that one must be born both of water and of spirit.
John 3:5 “Yeshua answered, Verily, verily, I say unto thee, Except a man be born of water and of the Spirit, he cannot enter into the kingdom of God.”
Despite the clear statement in John 3:5, some teach that only repentance and belief are required. However, consider the following:
John 3:16 “For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life.”
It is important to notice these verses are in the same chapter. The call to “believe” in verse 16 does not contradict the requirement in verse 5; it presumes obedience to all of Yeshua’s instructions. Peter, who was given the keys to the kingdom, explained the process on the day of Pentecost:
Act 2:38 “Then Peter said unto them, Repent, and be baptized every one of you in the name of Yeshua Christ for the remission of sins, and ye shall receive the gift of the Holy Ghost.”
Acts 10 presents another example:
Act 10:47 “Can any man forbid water, that these should not be baptized, which have received the Holy Ghost as well as we?”
Act 10:48 “And he commanded them to be baptized in the name of the Lord. Then prayed they him to tarry certain days.”
Here, Peter commands baptism in the name of Yeshua Christ; he is not merely suggesting it. Throughout scripture, baptism is always in the name of the Lord. Some refer to Matthew 28:19 as teaching differently, but Yeshua declared that he came in the Father’s name.
Joh 5:43 “I am come in my Father’s name, and ye receive me not: if another shall come in his own name, him ye will receive.”
1Ti 3:16 “And without controversy great is the mystery of godliness: God was manifest in the flesh, justified in the Spirit, seen of angels, preached unto the Gentiles, believed on in the world, received up into glory.”
Isa 9:6 “For unto us a child is born, unto us a son is given: and the government shall be upon his shoulder: and his name shall be called Wonderful, Counsellor, The mighty God, The everlasting Father, The Prince of Peace.”
Joh 14:7 “If ye had known me, ye should have known my Father also: and from henceforth ye know him, and have seen him.”
Col 1:16 “For by him were all things created, that are in heaven, and that are in earth, visible and invisible, whether they be thrones, or dominions, or principalities, or powers: all things were created by him, and for him:”
Some teach that one must simply call upon the name of the Lord, which is true, but this is closely connected with baptism:
Act 22:16 “And now why tarriest thou? arise, and be baptized, and wash away thy sins, calling on the name of the Lord.”
1Co 6:11 “And such were some of you: but ye are washed, but ye are sanctified, but ye are justified in the name of the Lord Yeshua, and by the Spirit of our God.”
Finally, consider this clear teaching:
Mar 16:16 “He that believeth and is baptized shall be saved; but he that believeth not shall be damned.”
YESHUA THE WAY
THE TRUTH THE LIFE!!!