Questions and Answers as a Berean

Questions and Answers as a Berean, studying Gods Word!

When rightly dividing the Word of God in this dispensation of Grace, there are questions that come to mind!

When one rightly divides the Word using all scripture in KJB, repentance and water baptism belong to the Kingdom (Jewish) program, and that Acts 2:38 is Jewish, not the Church doctrine.

QUESTION: Is repentance and water baptism part of the kingdom program?

ANSWER: Yes. Repentance and water baptism are requirements of the kingdom program given to Israel, not the gospel of grace given to the Church. Matthew 3:1–2 (KJB): “In those days came John the Baptist, preaching in the wilderness of Judaea, And saying, Repent ye: for the kingdom of heaven is at hand.” John the Baptist preached repentance because the kingdom promised to Israel was at hand.

QUESTION: Was John’s baptism directed to Israel?

ANSWER: Yes. John’s baptism was specifically for Israel, preparing them for their Messiah. Mark 1:4 (KJB): “John did baptize in the wilderness, and preach the baptism of repentance for the remission of sins.” Luke 1:16–17 (KJB): “And many of the children of Israel shall he turn to the Lord their God.” John’s ministry was national and Jewish, not Church doctrine.

QUESTION: Did Jesus teach repentance and baptism during His earthly ministry?

ANSWER: Yes, because Jesus ministered under the kingdom program to Israel. Matthew 4:17 (KJB): “From that time Jesus began to preach, and to say, Repent: for the kingdom of heaven is at hand.” John 4:1–2 (KJB): “…Jesus made and baptized more disciples than John.” This was still before the cross and under the kingdom offer to Israel.

QUESTION: Is Acts 2:38 Church doctrine?

ANSWER: No. Acts 2:38 belongs to the Jewish kingdom program. Acts 2:5 (KJB): “And there were dwelling at Jerusalem Jews, devout men, out of every nation under heaven.” Peter is addressing Israel, not the Body of Christ. Acts 2:14 (KJB): “But Peter, standing up with the eleven…”

QUESTION: What does Acts 2:38 say?

ANSWER: Acts 2:38 (KJB): “Then Peter said unto them, Repent, and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins, and ye shall receive the gift of the Holy Ghost.” This matches John’s baptism and kingdom repentance, not Paul’s gospel of grace.

QUESTION: Why does Acts 2:38 not apply to the Church today?

ANSWER: Because it requires repentance and water baptism for remission of sins, whereas the Church is saved by grace through faith alone. Ephesians 2:8–9 (KJB): “For by grace are ye saved through faith… not of works…” Romans 4:5 (KJB): “But to him that worketh not, but believeth on him that justifieth the ungodly, his faith is counted for righteousness.”

QUESTION: Did Peter later confirm this was Israel’s program?

ANSWER: Yes. Peter continued offering the kingdom to Israel after Acts 2. Acts 3:19–21 (KJB): “Repent ye therefore, and be converted, that your sins may be blotted out, when the times of refreshing shall come from the presence of the Lord; And he shall send Jesus Christ…” This is a national offer tied to Israel’s restoration.

QUESTION: Did Paul preach water baptism for salvation?

ANSWER: No. Paul separated baptism from the gospel. 1 Corinthians 1:17 (KJB): “For Christ sent me not to baptize, but to preach the gospel…” If baptism were required for salvation, Paul could not say this.

QUESTION: What repentance applies in the Dispensation of Grace?

ANSWER: Repentance today is a change of mind, resulting in faith in Christ — not ritual repentance tied to baptism. Acts 20:21 (KJB): “Testifying both to the Jews, and also to the Greeks, repentance toward God, and faith toward our Lord Jesus Christ.”

QUESTION: What saves today under the Dispensation of Grace?

ANSWER: Faith alone in the finished work of Christ. 1 Corinthians 15:1–4 (KJB): “…Christ died for our sins… And that he was buried, and that he rose again…” Romans 3:28 (KJB): “Therefore we conclude that a man is justified by faith without the deeds of the law.”

QUESTION: What at the Covenants and there signs?

ANSWER:

The King James Bible (KJV) describes several major covenants (agreements or promises) that God makes with humanity or specific people/groups. These are primarily in the Old Testament, with the New Covenant prophesied and fulfilled in the New Testament.

The most commonly recognized covenants with explicit signs (often called "token" or "sign" in KJV language, from Hebrew 'ot) are:

1. 1. Noahic Covenant (with Noah and all living creatures/every living thing on earth)
    - Description — God promises never again to destroy the earth with a flood; the seasons and natural order will continue. This is a universal covenant.
    - Sign/Token — The rainbow (bow in the cloud).
    - KJV Reference — Genesis 9:12-17: "And God said, This is the token of the covenant which I make between me and you and every living creature that is with you, for perpetual generations: I do set my bow in the cloud, and it shall be for a token of a covenant between me and the earth... And the bow shall be in the cloud; and I will look upon it, that I may remember the everlasting covenant between God and every living creature..."
  2. Abrahamic Covenant (with Abraham and his seed/descendants)
    - Description — God promises to make Abraham the father of many nations, give his descendants the land of Canaan forever, and bless all families of the earth through his seed. It is everlasting.
    - Sign/Token — Circumcision in the flesh (performed on every male child at eight days old).
    - KJV Reference — Genesis 17:9-14: "And God said unto Abraham, Thou shalt keep my covenant therefore, thou, and thy seed after thee in their generations. This is my covenant, which ye shall keep, between me and you and thy seed after thee; Every man child among you shall be circumcised. And ye shall circumcise the flesh of your foreskin; and it shall be a token of the covenant betwixt me and you..."
    (Note: Genesis 15 also describes a related covenant ceremony with divided animals, but no ongoing sign like circumcision is specified there.)
  3. Mosaic (or Sinaitic) Covenant (with Israel/the children of Israel at Mount Sinai)
    - Description — God promises to make Israel a peculiar treasure, a kingdom of priests, and a holy nation if they obey His voice and keep His covenant (including the Ten Commandments and the Law).
    - Sign/Token — The Sabbath (keeping the seventh day holy as a perpetual sign).
    - KJV Reference — Exodus 31:13-17: "Speak thou also unto the children of Israel, saying, Verily my sabbaths ye shall keep: for it is a sign between me and you throughout your generations; that ye may know that I am the LORD that doth sanctify you... Wherefore the children of Israel shall keep the sabbath, to observe the sabbath throughout their generations, for a perpetual covenant. It is a sign between me and the children of Israel for ever..."

Other notable covenants in the KJV do not have an explicitly stated visible or ongoing "sign/token" in the same way:

- - Edenic Covenant (with Adam in Eden, Genesis 1:28-30; 2:15-17) — No specific sign mentioned.
  - Adamic Covenant (after the fall, Genesis 3:14-19) — Promises/prophecies (including protoevangelium in 3:15), but no sign.
  - Davidic Covenant (with David, 2 Samuel 7:8-16) — Eternal throne/kingdom through his seed; no explicit sign/token.
  - New Covenant (prophesied in Jeremiah 31:31-34; fulfilled in Christ, referenced in Hebrews 8-10, Luke 22:20) — God will write His law on hearts, forgive sins; the sign in the New Testament is often linked to the Lord's Supper (Communion) as remembrance, but not presented as a single visible token like the Old Testament examples.

These three (Noahic, Abrahamic, Mosaic) are the primary ones where the KJV explicitly uses "token" or "sign" language for a visible/reminder element. The covenants form a progressive revelation of God's plan, culminating in the New Covenant through Jesus Christ.

FINAL STATEMENT: Repentance and water baptism belong to Israel’s kingdom program, preached by John, Jesus, and Peter. Acts 2:38 is Jewish, addressed to Israel, and requires repentance and baptism for remission of sins. The Church today is saved by grace through faith alone, apart from baptism, according to the gospel revealed to Paul.