By: Robert Serreyn

Question? I have heard some use Acts 22:16 for salvation, can you explain?

(Acts 22:16) And now why tarriest thou? arise, and be baptized, and wash away thy sins, calling on the name of the Lord.

Answer:

Those that teach (Catholic, Church of Christ, Lutheran etc) the FALSE DOCTRINE of baptismal regeneration (saved by baptism) use this verse among a few others OUT OF CONTEXT to teach, and preach their FALSE GOSPEL.

The Context:

The Apostle Paul while traveling to the city of Damascus (Chp 9) to see the High Priest to get the permission to bring Christians (The Way) back to Jerusalem for trial before the Council of the Sanhedrin of which the High Priest was president.

While on that road Christ appeared to Paul – Chp. 9:3,4

(3) And as he journeyed, he came near Damascus: and suddenly there shined round about him a light from heaven: (4)And he fell to the earth, and heard a voice saying unto him, Saul, Saul, why persecutest thou me?

The Apostle Paul being convienced of his wrong doing (having christians prisioned and killed) BELIEVED ON CHRIST as his messiah (saviour).

(Acts 9:5,6) And he said, Who art thou, Lord? And the Lord said, I am Jesus whom thou persecutest: it is hard for thee to kick against the pricks. (6) And he trembling and astonished said, Lord, what wilt thou have me to do? And the Lord said unto him, Arise, and go into the city, and it shall be told thee what thou must do.

The Apostle Paul was struck with blindness – V8, & 9 (a figurative lesson showing that he was once lost (blind) – 2 Corinthians 4:4.

(Acts 9:8,9) And Saul arose from the earth; and when his eyes were opened, he saw no man: but they led him by the hand, and brought him into Damascus. (9) And he was three days without sight, and neither did eat nor drink.

(2 Corinthians 4:4) In whom the god of this world hath blinded the minds of them which believe not, lest the light of the glorious gospel of Christ, who is the image of God, should shine unto them.

The Apostle Paul was taken to Damascus and there a Christian named Ananias was told by the Lord to meet up with Paul (Saul) – V10 – 12 to give him his sight (a figurative lession showing that Paul was a believer) – 1 Corinthians 1:18

(Acts 9:10 – 12) And there was a certain disciple at Damascus, named Ananias; and to him said the Lord in a vision, Ananias. And he said, Behold, I am here, Lord. (11) And the Lord said unto him, Arise, and go into the street which is called Straight, and enquire in the house of Judas for one called Saul, of Tarsus: for, behold, he prayeth, (12) And hath seen in a vision a man named Ananias coming in, and putting his hand on him, that he might receive his sight.

(1 Corinthians 1:18) For the preaching of the cross is to them that perish foolishness; but unto us which are saved it is the power of God.

Now the Verse in Question Chp.22, V16:

What is the meaning of:

arise, and be baptized, and wash away thy sins, calling on the name of the Lord.

– It was to show (as a PUBLIC TESTIMONY – arise, and be baptized) that he (Paul) had Believed on the Lord Jesus Christ as his personal Saviour (Chp 9, V5, & 6) trusting in him alone for his salvation and payment for all his sins.

– That he would NO LONGER persecute and kill christians (wash away thy sins).

– God used the Apostle Paul GREATLY to preach the gospel (calling on the name of the Lord).

(Acts 9:15, 20 – 22) But the Lord said unto him, Go thy way: for he is a chosen vessel unto me, to bear my name before the Gentiles, and kings, and the children of Israel: (20) And straightway he preached Christ in the synagogues, that he is the Son of God. 21) But all that heard him were amazed, and said; Is not this he that destroyed them which called on this name in Jerusalem, and came hither for that intent, that he might bring them bound unto the chief priests? (22) But Saul increased the more in strength, and confounded the Jews which dwelt at Damascus, proving that this is very Christ.

The MOST IMPORTANT thing to know IS Jesus Christ as savior, just simply believe that Jesus Christ went to the cross and DIED and shed his blood, was BURIED and three days later RESURRECTED from the dead to pay for your sins.

-Christ DIED for you – Romans 5:8

-Christ PAID your sins in full – 2 Corinthians 5:21,1 Peter 2:24

-BELIEVE (Trust In Completely) in Christ ALONE as the complete payment of sin for salvation – John 3:16, Acts 16:31, Ephesians 2:8,9

“For the wages(payment) of sin is death (eternal torment in hell); but the GIFT(salvation) of God is eternal life THROUGH Jesus Christ our Lord”. Romans 6:23

IT IS THAT SIMPLE – THE GOSPEL TRUTH