Some claim Matthew 3:11 and 12:41 support a causal reading of eis in Acts 2:38—suggesting baptism follows forgiveness. In this episode, we take a closer look at these texts and show why they don't overturn the forward-pointing meaning of eis. Careful interpretation reveals a consistent message about baptism, repentance, and forgiveness. Read: https://ready4eternity.com/acts-238-an-inconvenient-truth-too-clear-to-ignore/ https://x.com/Ready4Eternity https://www.facebook.com/ready4eternity The presence of any advertisements in connection with this content is determined solely by the hosting platform. I have no control over whether ads appear or not. I appreciate your understanding.

Why do some scholars insist that eis in Acts 2:38 means “because of”? In this episode, we examine whether that interpretation is driven by the Greek text—or by theological assumptions. We’ll explore key arguments, responses from leading scholars, and why this matters for how we understand baptism and forgiveness. Read: https://ready4eternity.com/why-some-christians-cant-let-acts-238-mean-what-it-says/ https://x.com/Ready4Eternity https://www.facebook.com/ready4eternity The presence of any advertisements in connection with this content is determined solely by the hosting platform. I have no control over whether ads appear or not. I appreciate your understanding.

Is baptism essential for forgiveness—or just a symbol of what's already happened? This episode breaks down the Greek word eis in Acts 2:38 to uncover its true meaning. We explore how New Testament Greek lexicons define it and why the direction it points matters. If you’ve ever wondered what Peter really meant by “repent and be baptized…for the forgiveness of your sins,” this episode gives you a clear, biblical answer. Read: https://ready4eternity.com/acts-238-baptized-for-forgiveness-or-because-of-it/ https://x.com/Ready4Eternity https://www.facebook.com/ready4eternity The presence of any advertisements in connection with this content is determined solely by the hosting platform. I have no control over whether ads appear or not. I appreciate your understanding.

What does "baptismal regeneration" really mean—and does it align with the New Testament? In this episode, we unpack three key views on baptism and regeneration: the sacramental model, the faith-response framework, and a common critique that conflates timing with causation. We explore historical perspectives from Justin Martyr to Calvin and challenge assumptions rooted in tradition rather than Scripture. Ultimately, we argue that the New Testament presents regeneration as the work of the Holy Spirit—not the water—received through faith at baptism. Join us for a thoughtful dive into theology, clarity, and biblical precision. Read: https://ready4eternity.com/baptismal-regeneration-how-it-misses-the-mark/ https://x.com/Ready4Eternity https://www.facebook.com/ready4eternity The presence of any advertisements in connection with this content is determined solely by the hosting platform. I have no control over whether ads appear or not. I appreciate your understanding.

What role does baptism play in salvation? Is it part of the gospel, or a response to it? In this episode, we examine what the New Testament really teaches about baptism—from the conversions in Acts to the plain words of Jesus and the apostles. We’ll confront common misunderstandings, explore the urgency of spontaneous baptism, and show how faith, repentance, confession, and baptism all work together in responding to the gospel. Read: https://ready4eternity.com/is-baptism-a-part-of-the-gospel/ Dr. Stein's paper: https://equip.sbts.edu/publications/journals/journal-of-theology/sbjt-21-spring-1998/baptism-and-becoming-a-christian-in-the-new-testament/ https://x.com/Ready4Eternity https://www.facebook.com/ready4eternity The presence of any advertisements in connection with this content is determined solely by the hosting platform. I have no control over whether ads appear or not. I appreciate your understanding.

Many churches treat baptism like an optional symbol, often rushing to add, “But baptism doesn’t save you.” Why the disclaimer? Because they’ve misunderstood it as a human work. In this episode, we explore how baptism is God’s way of making grace tangible—something we can see, feel, and remember. Let’s talk about why that matters more than we think. Read: https://ready4eternity.com/baptism-matters/ https://x.com/Ready4Eternity https://www.facebook.com/ready4eternity The presence of any advertisements in connection with this content is determined solely by the hosting platform. I have no control over whether ads appear or not. I appreciate your understanding.

In this episode, we continue exploring the intriguing cases in Acts where the Holy Spirit’s indwelling did not coincide with baptism. Why did Paul have the twelve disciples in Ephesus re-baptized, while Apollos—who also knew only John’s baptism—was not? What does this tell us about faith, baptism, and receiving the Spirit? We also examine how God sometimes makes exceptions to His usual methods of salvation, demonstrating His sovereignty and mercy throughout Scripture. Don’t miss this thought-provoking discussion! Read: https://ready4eternity.com/why-was-the-spirit-not-given-at-baptism-part-2/ https://x.com/Ready4Eternity https://www.facebook.com/ready4eternity The presence of any advertisements in connection with this content is determined solely by the hosting platform. I have no control over whether ads appear or not. I appreciate your understanding.

The New Testament sets the expectation that the indwelling of the Holy Spirit normally coincides with baptism. However, Acts records a few key exceptions. In this episode, we explore two of these exceptions: the Samaritans and Cornelius' household. Why did the Spirit delay for one group and arrive early for the other? We examine the possible reasons, from Peter's role in opening the kingdom to overcoming deep-seated biases between Jews, Samaritans, and Gentiles. Understanding these moments helps us see how the Spirit worked to unify the early church. Stay tuned for Part 2, where we’ll explore a third unique case! Read: https://ready4eternity.com/why-was-the-spirit-not-given-at-baptism-part-1/ https://x.com/Ready4Eternity https://www.facebook.com/ready4eternity The presence of any advertisements in connection with this content is determined solely by the hosting platform. I have no control over whether ads appear or not. I appreciate your understanding.

What does it mean to “call on His name,” and what does it have to do with baptism? In Acts 22:16, Ananias tells Saul to “be baptized and wash away your sins, calling on His name.” But is this about saying a prayer, or is something deeper happening? In this episode, we explore how Peter connects baptism with an appeal to God for a good conscience (1 Peter 3:21) and what this means for salvation. We’ll also dive into the translation challenges of the Greek word eperotema and how different Bible versions shape our understanding of baptism. Is baptism the true sinner’s prayer? Join us as we examine Scripture, challenge assumptions, and uncover the powerful role of baptism in responding to the gospel. Read: https://ready4eternity.com/baptism-calling-on-his-name/ https://x.com/Ready4Eternity https://www.facebook.com/ready4eternity The presence of any advertisements in connection with this content is determined solely by the hosting platform. I have no control over whether ads appear or not. I appreciate your understanding.

Saul of Tarsus saw the risen Christ, spent three days in prayer and fasting, and yet was still in his sins. Only after Ananias told him to “rise and be baptized” were his sins washed away. What does Saul’s conversion reveal about the connection between baptism and salvation? In this episode, we examine the biblical evidence, harmonize the different accounts in Acts, and challenge common objections. Does baptism play a role in salvation? Let’s take a closer look. Read: https://ready4eternity.com/sauls-conversion/ https://x.com/Ready4Eternity https://www.facebook.com/ready4eternity The presence of any advertisements in connection with this content is determined solely by the hosting platform. I have no control over whether ads appear or not. I appreciate your understanding.

At what point are we saved? The Bible teaches that we transition from lost to saved when the Holy Spirit comes to dwell within us—but when does that actually happen? In this episode, we explore key passages that shed light on the timing of the Spirit’s indwelling and the forgiveness of sins. Looking closely at Acts 2 and Romans 8, we examine how immersion (baptism) is consistently linked with both the gift of the Holy Spirit and the remission of sins. Is baptism just a symbolic act, or is it the moment when Jesus cleanses us and gives us His Spirit? Join us as we dig into Scripture and challenge some common assumptions about salvation. Read: https://ready4eternity.com/at-what-point-are-we-saved/ https://x.com/Ready4Eternity https://www.facebook.com/ready4eternity The presence of any advertisements in connection with this content is determined solely by the hosting platform. I have no control over whether ads appear or not. I appreciate your understanding.

Paul may not use the phrase “born again,” but in Romans 6, he describes a transformation that sounds a lot like rebirth—being “buried with Him in baptism” and rising to “walk in newness of life.” But what exactly is happening in that moment? What role does the Holy Spirit play in our conversion? In this episode, we explore baptism as both a burial and a resurrection, drawing connections to spiritual circumcision, regeneration, and the washing of renewal by the Spirit. Is Paul intentionally paralleling proselyte conversion? What does it mean for the “body of sin” to be cut away? And how does all of this fit into the larger question of salvation? Join us as we unpack these questions and examine how baptism, faith, and the work of the Spirit come together in the moment of rebirth. Read: https://ready4eternity.com/buried-with-him-in-baptism/ https://x.com/Ready4Eternity https://www.facebook.com/ready4eternity The presence of any advertisements in connection with this content is determined solely by the hosting platform. I have no control over whether ads appear or not. I appreciate your understanding.

In this episode, we discuss Jesus' conversation with Nicodemus in John 3:5 and what it means to be "born again." Was Jesus referring to water baptism? How would a first-century Jew have understood His words? We explore the connection between being "born of water and Spirit" and other key passages, such as Titus 3:5-7 and Ephesians 5:25-27. Does the biblical language support the idea that baptism plays a role in salvation? Join us as we examine the evidence and challenge modern assumptions about baptism and rebirth. Read: https://ready4eternity.com/baptism-you-must-be-born-again/ https://x.com/Ready4Eternity https://www.facebook.com/ready4eternity The presence of any advertisements in connection with this content is determined solely by the hosting platform. I have no control over whether ads appear or not. I appreciate your understanding.

Baptism wasn’t a new idea in the first century. While many assume immersion originated with John the Baptist, the Jewish people had been practicing ritual washings for centuries. In this episode, we explore the historical and religious roots of baptism, from the ritual mikva’ot of the Second Temple period to the proselyte conversions that shaped early Christian understanding. Why did God choose immersion as the means of entering a new life in Christ? Join us as we uncover the rich background behind this ancient practice and how Jesus redefined it for His followers. Read: https://ready4eternity.com/why-baptism/ ▬ Special Thanks ▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬ The first four mikveh images courtesy of bibleplaces.com. The remainder were taken by Eddie Lawrence. ► Website: https://www.bibleplaces.com/ ▬ Website & Social Media ▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬▬ ► Website: https://www.ready4eternity.com ► Twitter: https://twitter.com/Ready4Eternity ► Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/ready4eternity The presence of any advertisements in connection with this content is determined solely by the hosting platform. I have no control over whether ads appear or not. I appreciate your understanding.

A simple question. A moment of silence. A room full of people caught between what they had always been taught and what they had just read in Scripture. This episode introduces a series on baptism—not to defend traditions, but to examine what the New Testament truly says. Is baptism essential? Is it just a symbol? What if the answer isn’t as simple as we’ve been told? Before jumping to conclusions, let’s start by asking the right questions. Join me as we begin this journey of discovery, weighing the evidence and challenging assumptions along the way. Read: https://ready4eternity.com/they-said-baptism-does-not-save-then-we-read-the-verses/ The presence of any advertisements in connection with this content is determined solely by the hosting platform. I have no control over whether ads appear or not. I appreciate your understanding.