How was Saul, the Apostle Paul saved?
To make it simple and clear. Let me put it this way.
Was Saul, the Apostle Paul saved before he was baptized or he was saved at the time when he was baptized?
Denomination Theologians and preachers said, Saul, the Apostle Paul was saved before he was baptized.
A. These are their reasons!
1. They said, on the road into Damascus, Saul said to Jesus: Lord, what shall I do?
He was saved at this time! Acts 22:10
2. They reasoned, according to Romans 10:9--> if you confess with your mouth, Jesus is Lord and believe in
your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved.
3. They reason according to Romans 10:13--> for, everyone who calls on the of the Lord will be saved.
Plus --> For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith... Eph.2:8
Thus they all firmly believe Saul, the Apostle Paul was saved before he was baptized!
4. Then they think, the messages in Acts 9:17-18 were theseà a. Saul, the Apostle Paul could see again.
b. He was filled with the Holy Spirit. c. He got up and was baptized.
5. Then they think, since he was filled with the Holy Spirit he had to be saved.
6. Some may say, how about the thief on the cross. Jesus said to him today, you and I will be in paradise! Luke 23:43
He was saved! He was no baptized with water!
To this please read Mark 2:10 and figure it out for yourselves.
7. Some may say, how about the family of Cornelius! Acts 10:1-11:18
Jesus baptized them with the Holy Spirit. Then Peter ordered them to be baptized with water!
Please study Acts 11:1-18 for Peter's own explanation!
Jesus baptized them was to tell Peter, he can baptized them with water.
Jesus baptized with the Holy Spirit was not to prove that they were saved!
Jesus baptized them with the Holy Spirit was to tell Peter that he can baptized with water to wash away their sins!
8. If you still not able to understand, please always remember Jesus' command in Mark 16:16.
He who believes and is baptized will be saved. He who believes not will be condemned!
Believe--> is baptized--> will be saved.
B. Now let us make this clear once forever.
1. Acts 9:18 says, Immediately, something like scales fell from Saul's eyes, and he could see again.
He got up and was baptized.
2. Now let us start with he got up and was baptized.
a. Who baptized him? Ananias. Acts 22:12-16 b. Was it water baptism or Holy Spirit baptism?
Human baptized with water. Jesus Christ baptize with the Holy Spirit. John 1:33
c. Philip, the Evangelist baptize with water. Acts 8:38
d. Peter baptized with water. Acts 10:47-48
e. Anyone who preach a different gospel will be condemned. Gal.1:8
Ananias had to baptize Saul, the Apostle Paul with water.
3. For what was Saul, the Apostle Paul was baptized?
a. Acts 2:38, baptism is for the forgiveness of sins and receive the gift of the Holy Spirit.
b. Acts 22:16 Saul's personal witness, he was baptized for the washing away of his sins.
C. Now let us correctly handle the word of truth in Acts 9:17-18. 2 Tim.2:15
1. Let no one be ignorant and unstable people distort the word to their own destruction! 2 Peter 3:16
2. Let us take one verse at a time. Acts 9:17-->
Ananias said: The Lord Jesus sent me so that you may see again and be filled with the Holy Spirit.
Here we get: Jesus sent Ananias to do two things for Saul-->
a. So that he may see again. b. be filled with the Holy Spirit. Acts 9:18-->
Immediately, something like scales fell from Saul's eyes, and he could see again. He got up and was baptized.
Here we get: Two things were done for Saul --> a. He could see again. b. He got up and was baptized.
3. The messages in Acts 9;17-18 were a. b. and a. b. not a. b. c.!
4. To say, the messages in Acts 9:17-18 are a. b. c. is distorting the word of truth to their own destruction!
D. No wonder these people call themselves as denominations! This fit perfectly into Titus 3:10-11.
Denomination is warped, sinful and self-condemned!
Yes, they distort the word of truth for 500 to 1500 years to their own destruction!
E. Conclusion: All who deserve to be saved in the Lord, will now able to figure this out the time when Saul,
the Apostle Paul was saved!
1. Why did Ananias tell Saul to get up and be baptized? Acts 22:12-16
It was to wash away his sins, so he can be filled with the Holy Spir1t. Acts 2:38
2. Let me repeat one more time.
Ananias knew exactly what to do to accomplish the two things Jesus sent him to do for Saul, the Apostle Paul.
a. To help him to see again he has to lay hand.
b. To help him be filled with the Holy Spirit, he had to baptized him first to wash away his sins!
3. What was the one original respond to à To believe Jesus? Acts 19:4
Here was the respondà On hearing this, they were baptized into the name of the Lord Jesus!
Ask Jesus’ believers around the world nowadays and see what are their respond?
4. Forever remember Jesus’ simple commandà
Whoever believes and is baptized will be saved. Whoever does not believe will be condemned. Mark 16:16
May the Lord bless you and keep you always. Preach this March 22, 2015