Almon Beach Green (1808-1886) grew up in Norton, Ohio in the 19th century – a time in which many were beginning to question the conflicting teaching among the denominations. He determined to investigate the Scriptures for himself and began reading through the New Testament. As he read, he became more convinced that the Bible was inspired and not the product of mere men. When he reached Peter’s statement in Acts 2:38, he sought some help in understanding it.
“Reading regularly on, with interest deepening at every step, he came to Acts ii:38; ‘Repent, and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins, and you shall receive the gift of the Holy Spirit.’ He asked Elder Newcomb what this Scripture means. ‘It means what it says,’ replied the Elder, with his characteristic promptness. This reply sent the meaning deep into his heart. In a few days he sent a letter to Elder Newcomb asking for baptism at his hands, which event took place December 28, 1828.” (Early History of the Disciples in the Western Reserve, p. 244-245)
Too often, those in the religious world want to discard the plain teachings of Scripture when they contradict their preconceived notions. Many preachers then, just as many preachers today, would have tried to explain away the plain teaching of the passage in question – that one must repent and be baptized to be saved – because they refuse to give up their preconceived notion that baptism is unnecessary for salvation.
Not only does the verse in question teach the necessity of baptism for salvation, many other New Testament passages do as well (Mark 16:16; John 3:3, 5; Acts 22:16; Romans 6:3-4; Galatians 3:27; 1 Peter 3:21).
Instead of accepting what a passage says, preachers in the churches of men “distort…the Scriptures, to their own destruction” (2 Peter 3:16). As “blind guides of the blind,” they lead others to the same fate (Matthew 15:14-15).
Rather than finding someone who would try to explain away the meaning of the passage in question, Green found Newcomb – a Baptist preacher in Wadsworth, Ohio who learned the truth and was honest enough to turn from Baptist doctrine to the simple gospel of Christ. Newcomb simply said, “It means what it says.” So Green did what the passage says – he was baptized into Christ for the remission of his sins.
If you have not done this, you can have your sins washed away in the same way today.
