Study Section VII, Acts Ch. 11, Colossians Ch. 2, The Saving Grace Of Jesus Name Water Baptism.

Acts Ch. 11:1 The Apostles and brethren that were in Judaea heard that the Gentiles had also received the word of God. And when Peter was come up to Jerusalem, They that were of the circumcision (the Jews) contended with him. Saying thou went in to men uncircumcised and did eat with them.  [4-16] Peter reiterates the coarse of events that took place from the time that he was on the rooftop, to the actual vision that he received until that very moment. (If you have not read my previous entry, Study Section VI, I would strongly urge you to do so now.It gives an in depth description of the circumcision and the importance thereof, also of other things pertaining to this particular entry. If you have not read the previous entry you will likely not be able to follow from this point on.

[17] Forasmuch then God gave them the like gift as he did unto us, who believe on the Lord Jesus Christ (talking about the gift of the Holy Ghost) what was I that I could withstand God. When they heard these things they held their peace, and glorified God, saying, Then has God also to the Gentiles granted repentance unto life.

Back it up to the beginning of this entry. They heard the Gentiles (house of Cornelius) had received the word. At this point in the study you should start to realize that receiving, in this context does not mean to merely hear but also accept. Furthermore what were the actions (if any) that were taken that enabled this acceptance?
Well, in retrospect we know that the Jews accepted these men at the house of Cornelius for one reason and one reason only. They SAW that the Holy Ghost had fallen on them (Gentiles) as it had with them (Jews) on the day of Pentecost. They knew this because there is an undeniable evidence that takes place when the Holy Ghost falls on an individual. [They spake with new/other tongues]. As I've mentioned in earlier entries the baptism of the Holy Ghost is a study unto itself. I will say this. When someone receives the Holy Ghost they will speak with new tongues. This is a fact, this is the evidence. These Jews would have never accepted those Gentiles otherwise. Peter goes on to plead his case in verse [17] Stating, to deny these men after hearing them speak with tongues (receive the Holy Ghost) would be to withstand God. To be more exact, what was it that he would have withstood had he denied them. (Baptism) "How then was I to withstand baptizing these men" is what Peter is referring to here. If you back it up to Acts10:45-48 you'll see that the Holy Ghost falls on these Gentiles and the Jews are astonished. Remember the Gentiles were uncircumcised, unclean, vile, not to be associated with. It was crazy to them that the Lord God of Israel was pouring out his spirit upon all flesh. Even though they were told by Jesus that this would happen, there is still an extremely high level of deniability
on the part of the Jew. They did not want to accept or believe that this was possible (uncircumcised = unclean). So what do they do, they (Gentiles) are Commanded to be baptized. Now they are accepted, now they are clean. This is what Jesus was referring to in the vision. Do not call unclean that which God has made clean. (To be more exact) [9] What God has cleansed, that call not thou common.
They are made clean by the (spiritual) circumcision that is made without hands. Buried with the Lord in (Jesus Name) water baptism.

I've been trying to stay within the confines of the book of Acts for this particular study, I cannot however resist the temptation of flipping over to the Epistle (letter) written to the Colossions. Lets go to Col. 2:8-13
[8] Beware lest any man spoil you through philosophy and vain deceit. (i.e. Don't believe the hype.  
Stay with what these Apostles taught from day one, If you notice I keep referring back to this throughout this study. Don't get away from this message.) after the traditions of men, after the rudiments of the world, and not after Christ. The traditions of men in this context would be none other than all of the paganistic ideals that we have,  in this day and age,  mingled with Christianity. The rudiments of the world are vain traits that have been passed on from generation to generation. And although these things are very much a part of the church world today, they have absolutely NOTHING to do with Christ Jesus. (To begin to explain, I wouldn't know where to begin, so I'm not going to touch that topic at the present moment. Know this It's Endless, and we should be ashamed)! 


Did you know that most (I mean MOST) of the church world today, this same church world that lays claim to be spreading the gospel of Christ will tell you that baptism is not necessary for salvation. And yet every time, contrary to this belief, in the book of Acts, ( as this is where the church began), when someone is brought out of the world and in unto the newness of life that is in Christ Jesus, they are baptized. Not only are they baptized, they are commanded to be baptized. If the Apostles thought it of absolute necessity, why do we part with it today. [9] for in him (talking about Jesus), dwell all the fullness of the Godhead bodily. 
Get this now, in HIM, not them. Christ doesn't dwell in the Godhead, rather the fullness (ALL OF IT) of the Godhead dwell in him.( i.e. HE IS GOD) When you baptize in Jesus name you are following the command that Jesus gave to his apostles in Matt. 28:19. The Apostles knew what they were doing.As I've mentioned by baptizing in Jesus name they were following this command. All to many in the church world today do not follow this command they simply repeat it, or echo it. Christ never meant for us to repeat what he said as much as he did to OBEY this command. And that's exactly what these apostles did, they obeyed this command, and so must we. Also let me say this, if baptizing in the name of Jesus was contrary to the command that Jesus gave in Matt 28:19 why didn't Matthew, or any of the other Apostles stand up on the day of Pentecost and say "Hold on there Peter, that isn't what the Lord said to us 50 days ago promptly before his ascension. He didn't tell us to baptize in his name, rather he commanded us to baptize in the titles of his name". On the converse they backed every word Peter was preaching, i.e. Acts 2:38. They understood that when you baptize in Jesus name, it covers the titles of Father, Son, and Holy Ghost. (There was absolutely no ambiguity in regard to this matter, why do so many struggle with it today)?   [10] And you are complete in him, who is head of ALL principality and 
power. (Complete In Him. (JESUS). He's the head, He's the one in charge. HEAD OF ALL principality and power).  [11] In whom also ye are circumcised, with the circumcision made without hands.   ( Jesus Name Baptism) in putting off the body of the sins of the flesh by the circumcision of Christ: [12] Buried with him (Jesus) in baptism, wherein also you are risen with him through the faith of the operation of God (spirit) who hath raised him from the dead. 

There you have it, by going down in the water in his name YOU ARE CIRCUMCISED (spiritually) Buried with him (JESUS), you are then risen unto new life. i.e BORN AGAIN , through the faith of operation of God. This is your faith. By taking this step, by being buried with ,him, you are taking/showing the ultimate step through faith, "THIS IS YOUR FAITH IN ACTION", (Obedience to the word). Without this step, you are not spiritually circumcised, and you WILL BE CUT OFF. [13] And you being dead in your sins, and the uncircumcision of your flesh, hath he quickened together with him, having forgiven you all trespasses. Even though your flesh is uncircumcised you are counted worthy due to your spiritual circumcision (baptism) You are forgiven your trespasses, a cleansing of the most high. 

• This is the way that it was done. 
• This was the message when the church began. 
• This was the only way that we were made clean.
  
• These Jews would have never accepted anyone otherwise 

You must need be spiritually circumcised in the name of Jesus Christ. This is how we identify with the mans burial, this is the only way whereby we receive remission for our sins. If anyone tells you otherwise, they have obviously never cracked into the book of Acts.  We are only up to the tenth chapter and already it is obvious that this is something that took place every time someone believed. Obey Acts 2:38