The Power Of Repentance: Washing Away Sins

Paul's sins could be washed away through water baptism. Ananias instructed Paul to be baptized and wash away your sins, calling on his name (Acts 22:16). Water baptism is symbolic of the spiritual cleansing we receive in Christ. However, the act of repentance is outside of water baptism, and it is not necessary for salvation.

Saul's sins were washed away when he was baptised

Saul had already heard the gospel, and had cause to believe it, repent, and confess Christ as Lord. He had spoken to Christ, and did not eat or drink, which was not an act of trusting in God for salvation, but instead of reflection and response to the glory of God.

Saul's baptism was not the only thing that washed away his sins. He had also repented, confessed Christ, and obeyed the command to be baptised.

Saul spoke to Christ

Saul's sins were washed away when he was baptised without delay. Ananias told Saul that he would be "calling on the name of the Lord" – Jesus Christ. Ananias did not give baptism priority over hearing the gospel, faith, repentance, or verbal confession of Christ. Saul already had these things. He had heard the message of the Way that he persecuted. He had been given cause to believe it, repent, and confess Christ as Lord.

Ananias told Saul: "The God of our fathers has chosen you to know his will, to see the Just One, and hear words from his mouth. For to all people you shall be his witness and tell what you have seen and heard. And now why do you wait? Arise, and be baptised, and wash away your sins, calling on the name of the Lord."

Saul did not eat or drink

Saul's sins could be washed away through baptism, repentance, confession of Christ, and obedience to the command to be baptised. Saul's lack of eating and drinking is not described as an act of trusting in God for salvation, but instead of reflection and response to the glory of God.

Saul's sins were washed away when he was baptised without delay. Ananias told Saul that he would "wash away your sins, calling on the name of the Lord". Saul had already heard the gospel, had faith, had repented, and had confessed Christ as Lord.

Saul called on the name of the Lord

Saul's sins could be washed away by calling on the name of the Lord, Jesus Christ. Saul spoke to Christ, and he did not eat or drink. However, neither are described in a way that seems to be calling on the name of the Lord for salvation. Instead, his lack of eating seems to be an act of reflection and response to the glory of God.

Saul was told by Ananias that he would "wash away your sins, calling on the name of the Lord". Ananias also told Saul to be baptised without delay. Believers must repent, confess Christ, and obey the command to be baptised to wash away their sins. Ananias did not give baptism priority over hearing the gospel, faith, repentance, or verbal confession of Christ. Saul already had these things. He had heard the message of the Way that he persecuted and had been given cause to believe it, repent, and confess Christ as Lord.

Saul obeyed the command to be baptised

Paul's sins were washed away by the blood of Christ. Hebrews 9 contrasts the old methods of cleansing with the new covenant that came through Jesus Christ. The Bible makes it clear that every human being is born into this world as a sinner (Romans 3:23). That sin makes us ceremonially unclean and unfit to enter into the presence of God.

Saul's exalted status as a Pharisee did not make him exempt from sin. He was as sin-covered as the lowest tax collector.

Frequently asked questions