Luke emphasizes repentance. In Matthew (28:19), Jesus commands, “Make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in [literally, into] the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit.” In Mark, Jesus makes related promises.
Go into all the world and proclaim the Gospel to the whole creation. Whoever believes and is baptized will be saved, but whoever does not believe will be condemned. (Mark 16:15-16)
Brought together, the initial response to “be saved” is believing, repenting and receiving baptism—the same responses as reported by Acts from Pentecost on. Even Cornelius was no exception. The Spirit’s action was approval for him and his family—the first test case about Gentile converts—to receive baptism in water (Acts 10:47-48).
Even Paul, the great apostle of faith and freedom, was no exception. His conversion is recounted three times (Acts 9, 22, 26). These three accounts together give the full story. As Saul, he violently opposed Christians (Acts 8:1-3; 9:1-2). Then, going to Damascus, he saw the risen Lord whose splendor blinded Saul. Saul asked, “What shall I do, Lord?” Jesus replied, “Rise, and go into Damascus, and there you will be told all that is appointed for you to do” (Acts 22:10). Saul did so and spent three days fasting and praying (Acts 9:9, 11). He received a vision from Jesus (Acts 9:12). Jesus sent Ananias who healed Saul’s blindness and told of his future ministry (Acts 9:17-18; 22:13-15). Was Saul saved when he first saw Jesus, or when he fasted and prayed, or when he saw a vision, or when he received a miraculous healing? After all these remarkable and exceptional experiences, Ananias concluded by telling Saul, “And now why do you wait? Rise and be baptized and wash away your sins, calling on His name” (Acts 22:16). Saul’s terrible sins still needed to be washed away! How? He had to rise and receive baptism, calling on the Lord’s name.
Much later, the apostle Paul discussed the significance of baptism. He affirmed that “all of us” who came into Christ did so through baptism (Romans 6:3-4). He showed that this obedience to the Gospel was the standard practice.
Thanks be to God, that you who were once slaves of sin have become obedient from the heart to the standard of teaching to which you were committed. (Romans 6:17)
The word “standard”—also translated “pattern”—shows that basic Christian teachings for entry into Christ were the same, even in different places and circumstances. In such matters, the New Testament’s consistency helps us understand how we, even today, should obey the commands of Jesus.