Dear brothers and sisters, may the Lord grant us humble and teachable hearts, so that we may not only pursue Him with zeal, but also willingly receive the fullness of His teachings, responding to His salvation with faith and obedience.
Apollos was well-versed in the Scriptures, fervent in spirit, and taught accurately concerning YESU. Yet Scripture points out:
“Knowing only the baptism of John.” (Acts 18:25)
Priscilla and Aquila took him aside and explained the way of God to him more accurately. His experience reminds us that even those who possess knowledge and zeal must remain willing to learn. When the Lord’s word reveals something we have not yet understood or practiced, we should humbly receive His teaching.
1. John’s Baptism Led People to Repentance and Prepared Them to Receive the Savior
John the Baptist prepared the way for the Lord. He called people to turn from sin, bear fruits worthy of repentance, and look toward the coming Savior.
“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 Jesus.” (Acts 19:4)
Mark 1:4 and Luke 3:3 record that John preached the baptism of repentance for the remission of sins. We therefore cannot say that John’s baptism had no significance concerning forgiveness.
But does beginning to repent complete every response required to receive salvation? This proclamation of forgiveness does not mean that people may omit what God subsequently commands. John himself directed people toward YESU. They should not remain at the stage of John’s baptism but continue to receive the salvation accomplished by the Lord.
2. The Promise of Salvation Leads Us to Respond Fully to the Lord
The Philippian jailer asked Paul and Silas:
“Sirs, what must I do to be saved?” (Acts 16:30)
They answered:
“Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ, and thou shalt be saved, and thy house.” (Acts 16:31)
This is a precious promise, but belief is not merely a verbal confession that eliminates further instruction or obedience. Paul and Silas spoke the Lord’s word to the jailer and his household. That night he washed their wounds, and he and all his household were immediately baptized. They then rejoiced in believing in God (Acts 16:32–34).
The command to believe did not cancel the subsequent teaching and baptism. The household heard the Lord’s word and received baptism; the faith of one person did not eliminate each person’s response.
Scripture first declares the promise of salvation, then describes how people receive instruction and respond with faith and obedience. We must not omit the Lord’s commands simply because we have read the promised result.
Likewise, John’s baptism of repentance must be understood alongside his call to believe in the One coming after him. Salvation is God’s grace, not something earned by human works. Because we believe, we receive His teaching and obey His word.
3. When We Hear a Fuller Understanding of the Truth, We Should Continue in Obedience
When Paul met certain disciples in Ephesus, they said they had received John’s baptism. Paul explained that John pointed toward YESU.
“When they heard this, they were baptized in the name of the Lord Jesus.” (Acts 19:5)
They did not refuse further obedience because they had already repented and been baptized by John. They responded to the Lord’s word and were baptized in His name.
Peter declared at Pentecost:
“Repent, 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 Ghost.” (Acts 2:38)
Ananias said to Saul:
“And now why tarriest thou? arise, and be baptized, and wash away thy sins, calling on the name of the Lord.” (Acts 22:16)
These passages directly connect baptism in the Lord’s name with forgiveness of sins. We should receive the complete teaching rather than choosing only familiar verses.
4. The Source of Forgiveness Is the Precious Blood of the Lord YESU
The Lord YESU saves us. The source of forgiveness is His precious blood shed when He gave His life for us.
“But one of the soldiers with a spear pierced his side, and forthwith came there out blood and water.” (John 19:34)
John testified solemnly to this event so that people might believe. He also wrote:
“This is he that came by water and blood, even Jesus Christ; not by water only, but by water and blood.” (1 John 5:6)
The Spirit, the water, and the blood bear witness together (1 John 5:7–8).
Together these passages suggest a profound connection between the Lord’s death, blood and water, and the Spirit’s testimony in salvation. We must distinguish what Scripture explicitly records from our spiritual interpretation. Scripture does not explain every detail of how the Holy Spirit enables people to receive forgiveness through the Lord’s blood. With reverence, we acknowledge this spiritual mystery.
5. The Spiritual Mystery of Baptism
Physical water itself cannot wash away sin. Forgiveness comes from the precious blood of the Lord YESU. It is the Lord who saves; water has no independent power to forgive.
Baptism in His name is therefore more than an outward act of immersion. By faith, we look toward the Lord’s promise.
According to our understanding of these Scriptures, through baptism the Lord enables people to receive the grace of forgiveness accomplished by His precious blood. Baptismal water is connected with His salvation, while the Holy Spirit bears witness and works within it.
We may call this “receiving, in the Spirit, the forgiveness granted through the Lord’s precious blood.” We do not claim that physical eyes can see His blood in baptismal water or that material methods can detect it. This is a spiritual mystery grounded in the Lord’s word and promise.
This also reminds us of Holy Communion. According to our understanding, when we partake of unleavened bread and grape juice, we spiritually receive the body given and blood shed by the Lord. Physical eyes see bread and the cup; faith looks toward His grace.
Likewise, in baptism our eyes see water and immersion, while faith looks toward forgiveness and rebirth granted by the Lord.
This analogy helps us contemplate the mystery, while the direct scriptural basis remains Acts 2:38, “be baptized ... for the remission of sins,” and Acts 22:16, “be baptized, and wash away thy sins, calling on the name of the Lord.”
6. United with the Lord in the Likeness of His Death, Walking in Newness of Life
“For if we have been planted together in the likeness of his death, we shall be also in the likeness of his resurrection.” (Romans 6:5)
Romans 6:3–4 connects baptism with the Lord’s death, burial, and walking in newness of life. Union with His death therefore means a transformed life belonging to Him.
John records that YESU said, “It is finished,” bowed His head, and gave up His spirit (John 19:30). When we bow our heads and are immersed in living water, we may contemplate His sacrifice and humbly surrender ourselves to Him.
This is our spiritual interpretation of the act. Romans 6:5 and John 19:30 do not directly prescribe the position of the head in baptism. Forgiveness comes from the Lord, not from a physical posture.
Nevertheless, we understand bowing the head in immersion as symbolizing union with the likeness of His death. Through the spiritual presence of His precious blood in living water, with the witness and work of the Holy Spirit, baptism brings forgiveness. We regard this as a reasonable spiritual inference, because only the Lord’s precious blood can forgive sins.
More importantly, if we have died with the Lord, we should forsake sin; if we belong to Him, we should walk in newness of life. After baptism we continue learning humility instead of pride, forgiveness instead of resentment, honesty instead of falsehood, and love instead of selfishness.
Simon the sorcerer, after baptism, sought to buy the power to impart the Holy Spirit. The apostle told him to repent of this wicked thought, and Simon asked the apostles to pray for him. Those who have received grace should continue bearing the fruits of repentance.
7. Genuine Faith Leads Us to Obey the Lord
Romans 10:9–10 connects confession with the mouth, belief in the heart, and salvation. We honor this promise while also receiving the teaching of baptism in Romans 6.
Believing in the Lord leads us to rely upon His grace and willingly obey His word. We must not interpret confession and belief as permission to disregard baptism, nor treat baptism as a ritual requiring no faith or repentance.
We do not earn forgiveness through the physical act. We believe His promise, call upon His name in baptism, rely upon His precious blood, and receive the work of the Holy Spirit.
8. Born Again of Water and the Spirit, Continually Renewed by the Lord
YESU said to Nicodemus:
“Except a man be born of water and of the Spirit, he cannot enter into the kingdom of God.” (John 3:5)
Paul wrote:
“Not by works of righteousness which we have done, but according to his mercy he saved us, by the washing of regeneration, and renewing of the Holy Ghost.” (Titus 3:5)
Salvation comes from God’s mercy. We should respond to His command concerning baptism and receive the Spirit’s work in our lives.
Not everyone’s experience follows precisely the same sequence. Cornelius and his household received the Holy Spirit before water baptism (Acts 10:44–48). Receiving the Spirit first did not make baptism unnecessary; receiving water baptism does not make the Spirit’s work unimportant.
Let us respect God’s sovereignty, value every command, and continually receive the Spirit’s guidance and renewal through prayer, Scripture, and obedience.
Conclusion: Fully Receive the Lord’s Grace and Fully Respond to His Word
John led people to repentance and faith in the Lord YESU. The disciples in Ephesus heard fuller teaching and were baptized in His name. The Philippian jailer heard the promise of salvation, listened to the Lord’s word, and received baptism with his household.
Let us examine ourselves: Have we truly repented? Are we willing to learn? Do we respond to the Lord’s commands in faith? Are we continually renewed by the Holy Spirit?
We should not hastily judge another person’s standing before God from our limited understanding. Rather, let us encourage one another in love, carefully examine Scripture, and faithfully respond to His word.
May we not only hear the promises of “the remission of sins” and “thou shalt be saved,” but willingly obey everything the Lord has commanded concerning salvation.
May we truly repent, be baptized in the name of the Lord YESU, receive forgiveness through His precious blood, be renewed by the Holy Spirit, and follow Him all our lives.
Closing Prayer
We pray in the holy name of the Lord YESU.
Lord YESU, thank You for giving Your life and shedding Your precious blood for us, accomplishing salvation.
Grant us humble, teachable hearts to receive Your teachings fully and obey Your commands in faith.
Lead us to genuine repentance. Help us understand the truth of baptism, rely upon the forgiveness granted through Your blood, and receive the Holy Spirit’s work. Grant us reverence for the mysteries of Your salvation and faithfulness to Your revealed word.
Renew us each day, that we may forsake sin, walk in newness of life, and witness to Your salvation with gentleness and love.
Hallelujah! Amen.
Arise and Be Baptized, Calling on His Name
♦(BO) Arise and Be Baptized, Calling on His Name
Scripture: Acts 22:16
Dear brothers and sisters, and dear friends, may the Lord grant you peace.
What is our greatest need when we come before the Lord? When we are sick, we need healing. When we face difficulties, we need help. When we are sorrowful, we need comfort. Yet our deeper need is to have our sins forgiven, to be reconciled to God, and to receive new life.
We can wash our bodies clean, but we cannot wash away our own sins. We can resolve to change, but we cannot undo the sins we have already committed. Therefore, we need the Lord’s mercy and the salvation He has prepared for us.
Today’s Scripture records the words Ananias spoke to Paul. It is also a call that we should consider carefully:
“And now, why do you delay? Arise, be baptized, and wash away your sins, calling on His name.” (Acts 22:16)
Let us consider these words: If a person already believes in the Lord, why must that person still be baptized? How is baptism related to forgiveness, rebirth, and salvation?
1. Paul Had Already Encountered the Lord—Why Did He Still Need to Be Baptized?
Paul had persecuted the church. He thought he was serving God zealously, without realizing that he was opposing the Lord.
As he traveled to Damascus, the Lord appeared to him. He fell to the ground and heard the Lord’s voice. Only then did he realize that YESU, whom he was persecuting, was the very Lord in whom he should believe and whom he should obey.
This encounter completely changed the direction of Paul’s life. He no longer insisted on following his own way. Instead, he asked:
“What shall I do, Lord?” (Acts 22:10)
This question expresses an essential aspect of faith. Those who truly believe in the Lord are willing to let Him direct their path.
After Paul entered Damascus, he was unable to see for three days, and he neither ate nor drank. The Lord sent Ananias to him and specifically said, “He is praying.” (Acts 9:11)
Paul had already encountered the Lord, acknowledged Him, and begun to pray. Yet Ananias still said to him:
“And now, why do you delay? Arise, be baptized, and wash away your sins, calling on His name.”
Ananias did not consider Paul’s experiences a reason to omit baptism. Instead, he urged Paul to arise and be baptized.
This shows us that believing in the Lord cannot be a reason to refuse baptism. Faith in the Lord should lead us to receive the baptism He has commanded.
Like Paul, we should also ask, “What shall I do, Lord?” When the Lord shows us His way through Scripture, let us respond in obedience.
2. Baptism Is Directly Connected with the Forgiveness of Sins
On the day of Pentecost, Peter testified to the crowd about the death and resurrection of the Lord YESU. When they heard his message, they were cut to the heart and asked:
“Brothers, what shall we do?” (Acts 2:37)
Peter answered:
“Repent, and let each of you be baptized in the name of YESU Christ for the forgiveness of your sins, and you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit.” (Acts 2:38)
Peter connected repentance, baptism in the Lord’s name, the forgiveness of sins, and the promise of receiving the Holy Spirit.
To hear the gospel and be convicted in our hearts is a precious beginning. But Peter went on to lead the people to repent and be baptized. Those who received his message that day were baptized. (Acts 2:41)
Notice these two passages:
Ananias said, “Be baptized, and wash away your sins.”
Peter said, “Be baptized … for the forgiveness of your sins.”
When we proclaim the gospel, we should take these words seriously and give proper attention to the connection between baptism and forgiveness.
Of course, repentance must not be neglected. If people merely enter the water physically, while remaining unwilling to turn away from sin and return to the Lord, they have not taken the apostles’ message to heart.
The Lord calls people to come in faith, with a willingness to repent, and to be baptized in His name.
3. Calling on His Name: Acknowledging That Salvation Comes Entirely from the Lord
Ananias did not merely say, “Arise and be baptized.” He also said, “Calling on His name.”
This reminds us that the saving significance of baptism cannot be separated from the Lord YESU. The person administering baptism does not possess the power to forgive sins, nor does the water itself have magical power. The authority to forgive belongs to the Lord, and salvation rests upon His death and resurrection.
The Lord shed His blood for us and bore our sins. He rose from the dead, giving us the hope of new life. When we call on His name, we acknowledge our need for His salvation and our willingness to belong to Him.
First Peter 3:21 says:
“Baptism, which this water represents, now also saves you through the resurrection of YESU Christ.”
Peter also explains that this is not the removal of dirt from the body. Clearly, baptism concerns far more than outward washing.
Therefore, we must neither treat baptism as an ordinary bath nor regard baptism in the Lord’s name as a ceremony that requires no faith or repentance.
We place our trust in the Lord, and because we trust Him, we receive the baptism He has commanded.
4. Water Baptism and Receiving the Holy Spirit Cannot Replace One Another
Scripture speaks of water baptism and also of baptism with the Holy Spirit. We should distinguish between them according to their context rather than confuse the two.
Acts 10 records that while Peter was preaching in the home of Cornelius, the Holy Spirit came upon those who heard the message. The believers who had accompanied Peter heard them speaking in tongues and praising God. They therefore knew that these people had also received the Holy Spirit.
At that point, did Peter say, “Since you have already received the Holy Spirit, you no longer need water baptism”?
No. Instead, Peter said:
“Can anyone withhold water for these people to be baptized, since they have received the Holy Spirit just as we have?” (Acts 10:47)
He then commanded that they be baptized in the name of YESU Christ.
This account clearly shows that Cornelius and his household received the Holy Spirit before receiving water baptism. Yet their experience of receiving the Holy Spirit did not make water baptism unnecessary.
Acts 8 records a different order: the Samaritans were first baptized in the name of the Lord YESU. Later, the apostles prayed for them and laid hands on them, and they received the Holy Spirit.
The order of water baptism and receiving the Holy Spirit may therefore differ, but this does not mean that either can be omitted.
We should receive the full teaching of Scripture, valuing water baptism in the Lord’s name and earnestly seeking the Holy Spirit whom the Lord has promised.
5. Born of Water and the Spirit to Enter the Kingdom of God
The Lord YESU said to Nicodemus:
“Unless a person is born of water and the Spirit, he cannot enter the kingdom of God.” (John 3:5)
Nicodemus possessed religious knowledge and held an honored position. Yet the Lord still told him that a person must be born again.
Today, we too cannot rely merely on our background. Being born into a believing family does not mean that we ourselves have been born again. Familiarity with the contents of the Bible cannot take the place of our own faith in and obedience to the Lord.
What we need is the new life that God gives.
Titus 3:5 says:
“He saved us, not because of righteous deeds we had done, but according to His mercy, through the washing of regeneration and the renewing of the Holy Spirit.”
On the one hand, this verse tells us that we do not earn salvation through righteous deeds. On the other hand, it explicitly speaks of “the washing of regeneration and the renewing of the Holy Spirit.”
Receiving baptism, therefore, is not boasting before God, “I have done this, so I deserve salvation.” Rather, we humbly acknowledge, “Lord, I cannot save myself. According to Your mercy, please cleanse me and renew me.”
Obedience to the Lord’s command is our response of trust in His grace.
6. Baptized into the Lord, We Must Also Live a New Life
Baptism is related to forgiveness and salvation, and it also concerns how we live afterward.
In Romans 6, Paul explains that those baptized into Christ YESU are baptized into His death. Through baptism, we are buried with Him so that we may walk in newness of life. (Romans 6:3–4)
After baptism, therefore, we cannot continue comfortably in sin as though baptism had nothing to do with our daily lives.
If we once habitually lied, we must now learn to speak truthfully. If we once held grudges and refused to forgive, we must now learn mercy. If we once allowed sinful desires to guide us, we must now put to death the deeds of the body through the Spirit.
This does not mean that all weakness immediately disappears after baptism. It means that we now belong to the Lord and can no longer regard sin as acceptable. When we fall, we should confess our sins to the Lord and repent. When we face temptation, we should rely on Him. Each day, we should allow God’s Word to guide us.
We should remember not only the date of our baptism, but also this truth:
I belong to the Lord, and I should walk in newness of life.
Conclusion: Why Do You Delay?
Dear brothers and sisters, and dear friends, today we have seen from Scripture:
After Paul encountered the Lord, he was still commanded to be baptized and wash away his sins. The people who were cut to the heart at Pentecost were urged to repent and be baptized in the Lord’s name. Even though Cornelius and his household received the Holy Spirit first, they still received water baptism.
Together, these accounts remind us not to substitute our own ideas for the way the Lord has shown us.
If we already believe in the Lord, let us continue learning the truth and respond to Him with repentance and obedience. If we have already been baptized, let us treasure the grace of forgiveness and live in newness of life through the Holy Spirit.
Ananias’s words to Paul also invite us to examine ourselves: Once the Lord’s will has become clear, what am I still waiting for? What am I still unwilling to entrust to Him?
May we all respond to the Lord’s call with humble and trusting hearts:
“Arise, be baptized, and wash away your sins, calling on His name.”
May all glory be given to the Lord who saves us. Amen.
