Acts 22:6-16 (NRSV)

To believe that this verse means that baptism washes away our sins is a grave error. R. A. Long wrote a booklet titled Cambellite Doctrine Denied. Brother Long pointed out something that proves that Paul’s sins were washed away before he was baptized. He wrote:

We know that Paul was born of God (received the new birth) on the road to Damascus, and not three days later when he was baptized. We know this because: (1) he says in 1 Corinthians 15:8 (NRSV) [⁸Last of all, as to one untimely born, he appeared also to me.] that he was born again when the Lord appeared unto him. (Note: Acts 9:17 (NRSV) ¹⁷So Ananias went and entered the house. He laid his hands on Saul and said, “Brother Saul, the Lord Jesus, who appeared to you on your way here, has sent me so that you may regain your sight and be filled with the Holy Spirit.”).

Long continues: Ananias called him, “Brother Saul” before he was baptized (Acts 9:17 (NRSV) says:

Yes, Paul was called a brother by a fellow Christian before he was baptized.

To understand this verse better, I paraphrase to like this:

Paul, get up. Wash away your sins by calling upon the name of the Lord and be baptized.

This is consistent with several other verses of Scripture:

Joel 2:32 (NRSV)

Then everyone who calls on the name of the LORD shall be saved; for in Mount Zion and in Jerusalem there shall be those who escape, as the LORD has said, and among the survivors shall be those whom the LORD calls.

Acts 2:21 (NRSV)

Then everyone who calls on the name of the Lord shall be saved.’

Romans 10:13 (NRSV)

For, “Everyone who calls on the name of the Lord shall be saved.”

Clearly our sins are washed away by calling upon the Name of the Lord and not by being baptized.

If we can’t wash away our sins by baptism, then how can our sins be washed away? Let us consider what the Bible teaches about washing our sins away.

In the first place, we have already shown the Bible teaches that our sins are washed away by calling upon the name of the Lord. Let us say a little more about Paul’s conversion to show that He was saved when he called upon the name of the Lord. Acts 9:6 (KJV)

And he trembling and astonished said, Lord, what wilt thou have me to do? And the Lord said unto him, Arise, and go into the city, and it shall be told thee what thou must do.

This is where two things happened, the Lord appeared to Paul and Paul called upon the Name of the Lord. I repeat Paul wrote in 1 Corinthians 15:8 (NRSV)

[⁸Last of all, as to one untimely born, he appeared also to me.]

This shows that Paul was born again when the Lord appeared unto him three days before he was baptized. At that time Paul called upon the Name of the Lord, and was saved as the Scriptures say:

“Everyone who calls on the name of the Lord shall be saved.”

An important event in the ministry of Jesus was His washing the feet of the disciples. Let us read John 13:1-11 (NRSV)

In this foot washing service conducted by Jesus, we learn something very important about washing away our sins. When Peter observed Jesus taking a basin and a towel he asked very excitedly, “Lord, are you going to wash my feet?” Jesus knew Peter didn’t understand at the moment what He was doing, but applesured Peter that he would understand later. Again, Peter loudly protested, “You will never wash my feet.” Jesus surprised Peter with His reply: “Unless I wash you, you have no share with me.” Well, that just about scared Peter to death and I can almost hear Peter yell: “Lord, not my feet only but also my hands and my head!”

Jesus calmed him down saying: “One who has bathed does not need to wash, except for the feet, but is entirely clean. And you are clean....”

We learn some powerful truth about washing away our sin here. First of all, Jesus washes away our sin. Jesus said, “Unless I wash you, you have no share with me.” and I preach this message, Baptism does not wash away your sins, Jesus washes away our sin and if He doesn’t wash away our sins, we have no part with Him, we are not a Christians.

If baptism washes away our sin, then Jesus did not wash away any sins because Jesus Himself did not baptize:

John 4:1 - 2 (NRSV)

Another truth we learn about washing away our sin is that after Jesus has washed away our sins; after Jesus has bathed us in His blood we are clean. However, sometimes our feet get dirty and He, Jesus has to wash our feet. Even though we have been washed by Jesus, we do sin and have to take a spit bath so to speak. 1 John 1:8-10 (NRSV) helps us here:

Some times we get discouraged because we fail the Lord so often, some of us more often than others. At a time of such discouragement in my life I read 1 Samuel 12:20 (NRSV)

When we backslide and have done a lot of evil, God admonishes us not to turn away from following the Lord, but to serve the Lord with all our heart. We do this by repenting of our backslidings, confessing our sins, and rededicating ourselves to follow the Lord and serve Him with all our heart.

Don’t give up.

Back to some Scriptures on washing away our sins:

Ephesians 5:26 (NRSV)

in order to make her holy by cleansing her with the washing of water by the word,

Now, the emphasis the Bible gives to washing away our sins is “washing of water by the word”, not washing away your sins by baptism. The Word of God is a fundamental element in washing away our sins.

Psalms 119:9-16 (NRSV)

How can young people keep their way pure? By guarding it according to your word. With my whole heart I seek you; do not let me stray from your commandments. I treasure your word in my heart, so that I may not sin against you. Blessed are you, O LORD; teach me your statutes. With my lips I declare all the ordinances of your mouth. ¹⁴ I delight in the way of your decrees as much as in all riches. I will meditate on your precepts, and fix my eyes on your ways. I will delight in your statutes; I will not forget your word.

Psalms 19:7-14 (NRSV)

The law of the LORD is perfect, reviving the soul; the decrees of the LORD are sure, making wise the simple; the precepts of the LORD are right, rejoicing the heart; the commandment of the LORD is clear, enlightening the eyes; the fear of the LORD is pure, enduring forever; the ordinances of the LORD are true and righteous altogether. More to be desired are they than gold, even much fine gold; sweeter also than honey, and drippings of the honeycomb. Moreover by them is your servant warned; in keeping them there is great reward. But who can detect their errors? Clear me from hidden faults. Keep back your servant also from the insolent; do not let them have dominion over me. Then I shall be blameless, and innocent of great transgression. Let the words of my mouth and the meditation of my heart be acceptable to you, O LORD, my rock and my redeemer.

These verses tell us how important the Word of God is for the people of God to keep clean. But let us remember the importance of the Word of God in becoming a Christian.

Titus 3:5 (NRSV)

he saved us, not because of any works of righteousness that we had done, but according to his mercy, through the water of rebirth and renewal by the Holy Spirit.

The KJV translates that verse:

Not by works of righteousness which we have done, but according to his mercy he saved us, by the washing of regeneration, and renewing of the Holy Ghost;

The Christians in this service were saved by “the washing of regeneration, and renewing of the Holy Ghost.” And if there is anyone here who does not know the Lord, to be saved you must be saved not by baptism washing away your sins, but by “the washing of regeneration, and renewing of the Holy Ghost.”

Listen to Jesus as He explains the place of the Scriptures in washing away our sins, in saving us and providing for us to go to heaven: Luke 16:19-31 (NRSV)

“There was a rich man who was dressed in purple and fine linen and who feasted sumptuously every day. And at his gate lay a poor man named Lazarus, covered with sores, who longed to satisfy his hunger with what fell from the rich man’s table; even the dogs would come and lick his sores. The poor man died and was carried away by the angels to be with Abraham. The rich man also died and was buried. In Hades, where he was being tormented, he looked up and saw Abraham far away with Lazarus by his side. He called out, ‘Father Abraham, have mercy on me, and send Lazarus to dip the tip of his finger in water and cool my tongue; for I am in agony in these flames.’ But Abraham said, ‘Child, remember that during your lifetime you received your good things, and Lazarus in like manner evil things; but now he is comforted here, and you are in agony. Besides all this, between you and us a great chasm has been fixed, so that those who might want to papples from here to you cannot do so, and no one can cross from there to us.’ He said, ‘Then, father, I beg you to send him to my father’s house— for I have five brothers—that he may warn them, so that they will not also come into this place of torment.’ Abraham replied, ‘They have Moses and the prophets; they should listen to them.’ He said, ‘No, father Abraham; but if someone goes to them from the dead, they will repent.’ He said to him, ‘If they do not listen to Moses and the prophets, neither will they be convinced even if someone rises from the dead.’”

There are many who are boldly denying that the Bible is the Word of God. They have bought into the Da Vinci Code and the so called discoveries of the caskets of Jesus family. These things are proven false but many people would rather believe a lie that accept accountability before God for their unbelief. 2 Thessalonians 2:10-12 (NRSV)

and every kind of wicked deception for those who are perishing, because they refused to love the truth and so be saved. For this reason God sends them a powerful delusion, leading them to believe what is false, ¹²so that all who have not believed the truth but took pleasure in unrighteousness will be condemned.

Because people refuse to love the truth and be saved, He will send a powerful delusion to believe what is false. It is a fearful thing not to believe the truth and to take pleasure in unrighteousness and be condemned.

As the author of Hebrews says in Hebrews 10:31 (NRSV)

It is a fearful thing to fall into the hands of the living God.

You do not have to fall into the hands of the living God in judgment. Arise, wash away your sins by repenting, turning away from sin, calling upon the Name of the Lord. Escape the judgment to come through “the washing of regeneration, and renewing of the Holy Ghost.” and “the washing of water by the word.”

Finally, we wash away our sins by repentance. Repentance is turning away from sin and turning to righteousness. God was turning us from our sin in repentance by what He did in Christ:

Acts 3:26 (NRSV)

When God raised up his servant, he sent him first to you, to bless you by turning each of you from your wicked ways.”

When we take the Lord’s supper the Minister says, “...the blood of Jesus Christ cleanses us from all sin.” The blood of Jesus Christ turns us from sin in repentance. Has the blood of Jesus Christ cleansed you from all sin? Have you turned from your sins in repentance?

Have you been washed in the blood by turning from your sins, your wicked ways? That is what washed in the blood means. It means that the blood of Jesus Christ has washed our sins away by turning us away from our sins.

Are you washed in the blood? Will you come to Jesus?