Part Two - When did the early church baptize new converts?

 

When Saul (that later was called Paul) was on his way to Damascus to persecute Christians, suddenly there shined round about him a light from heaven and the voice of Jesus spoke to him. He then told Saul to go into the city, and it would be told him what he must do.

"And he was three days without sight, and neither did eat nor drink." - Acts 9:9 KJV

Jesus then appeared in a vision to Ananias, a disciple, sending him to Saul to pray for him.

"And Ananias went his way, and entered into the house; and putting his hands on him said, Brother Saul, the Lord, even Jesus, that appeared unto thee in the way as thou camest, hath sent me, that thou mightest receive thy sight, and be filled with the Holy Ghost. And immediately there fell from his eyes as it had been scales: and he received sight forthwith, and arose, and was baptized." - Acts 9:17-18 KJV

We see that Saul (Paul) was baptized at the same time Ananias prayed for him to receive his sight and to be filled with the Holy Ghost.

At a later time, Paul testified to Jews of his conversion.

"And one Ananias, a devout man according to the law, having a good report of all the Jews which dwelt there, Came unto me, and stood, and said unto me, Brother Saul, receive thy sight. And the same hour I looked up upon him." - Acts 22:12-13 KJV

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

When God called Peter to preach to the Gentiles (see Acts 10:1-48), the Holy Ghost fell on all those which heard the word.

And the Jewish believers that came with Peter were astonished, because that Gentiles also was poured out the gift of the Holy Ghost.

"For they heard them speak with tongues, and magnify God.

“Then answered Peter, Can any man forbid water, that these should not be baptized, which have received the Holy Ghost as well as we?

“And he commanded them to be baptized in the name of the Lord..." - Acts 10:46-48 KJV

When the Gentiles received the Holy Ghost, Peter immediately COMMANDED them to be baptized.

To be continued…