Baptism "For the Forgiveness of Sins"

This page shows the weaknesses in an article titled WATER BAPTISM AND SALVATION: A Response to the Teaching of the Church of Christ written by Keith Johnson which can be found at http://www.mtd.com/exc/Groups/Boston-CC/baptism.txt. I have not been able to locate Mr. Johnson to discuss his article with him personally, although I have made efforts to do so. Allow me to commend Mr. Johnson on his research into what members of the churches of Christ generally regard as the Scriptural basis for believing that baptism is essential for salvation. He seems to understand better than anyone else I know, who has studied the Scriptural basis without agreeing with it. However, there are several things he clearly either still does not understand or does not accept as Scripture. Below, I present some of his statements preceded by his initials (KJ) followed by my comments that are preceded by my initials (JAH). I hope that you will find that these comments provide the proper explanation of what Mr. Johnson has misconstrued in his "refutation," if my explanations are true. On the other hand, if I am wrong about these things, please show me where and why I am wrong. I pray for everyone to know the truth about the significance of baptism. If I am wrong, I certainly want to know. We all want to be sure, right?

1) KJ: What must one do in order to be saved? In contrast with a handful of scriptures (Acts 2:38; Mark 16:15-16; I Pet. 3:21) that relate baptism (in some sense) to salvation are hundreds of verses on salvation that say nothing about baptism. JAH: Likewise there are hundreds of verses on salvation that say nothing about repentance, but does this mean that repentance is not necessary?

2) KJ: Second, although Peter linked repentance and water baptism to the forgiveness of sins it does not clearly make baptism a condition for salvation. The Greek preposition eiz (translated "for" by NAS) according to BAGD has a broad range of meanings which can include purpose ("in order that") or result ("with the result"). JAH: Jack P. Lewis B.A., M.A., S.T.B., Ph.D., Ph.D., one of the translators of the New International Version, surveyed 26 translations of Acts 2:38 and found that "not a one of them has any suggestion of 'because of'-- that is that eis is to be understood as starting what has already taken place" ("EIS," "For Forgiveness" or "Because of Forgiveness?"). Two recent translations should especially be noted on their translation of Acts 2:38: ". . . so that your sins may be forgiven" (New Revised Standard Version) and ". . . so that your sins will be forgiven" (Contemporary English Version). If "because of" is a reasonable translation of eis in Acts 2:38, why can I not find any translations of the Bible that say this? In all fairness, consider the Watchtower's translation of John 1:1. On what basis could you possibly say that translating "eis" in Acts 2:38 as "because of" has even as much scholarly backing as their stand that "theos" in John 1:1 should be translated "a god?" At least they can cite three translations [sic] that render it according to their interpretation (The Kingdom Interlinear Translation of the Greek Scriptures, Watchtower Bible and Tract Society, 1985, Appendix 2A). Jesus said that his blood would be poured out "for the forgiveness of sins" (eis aphesin hamartion; Matthew 26:28) and it was. You now can be baptized "for the forgiveness of your sins" (eis aphesin ton hamartion; Acts 2:38). The comparison of these two verses should tell us the meaning of the phrase "for the forgiveness of your sins." IMPORTANT: STUDY THE ARTICLE WRITTEN BY DR. LEWIS THAT CAN BE FOUND HERE at http://www.forgiveninchrist.org/eis.html.

3) KJ: Although Peter's command to repent and be baptized is clear, the logical connection to forgiveness of sins is somewhat cloudy. If I say, "Repent and come to the front of the church so that you may have eternal life," I may or may not believe coming forward is a necessary condition for salvation. But, if I clearly taught elsewhere that repentance/belief alone was sufficient no one would think coming forward is necessary for salvation. JAH: If the Bible actually taught that "repentance/belief alone" was sufficient without baptism, this would be plausible. However, as in this case, that would mean that the individual would have to be willing to find bad grammar acceptable. It means that the individual would have to ignore the fact that you did not mean what you actually said. Is this the way God inspired His Holy Word? I think not.

4) KJ: In contrast to this one statement by Peter are many other examples in the Scriptures where forgiveness of sins is connected to repentance alone. Consider Peter's second sermon in Acts 3:19. he said, "Repent and return, that your sins may be wiped away...(no mention of baptism)." JAH: Although Acts 3:19 does not mention baptism, in order to be fair we must turn to a verse where forgiveness of sins and baptism are mentioned in the same verse in order to determine their relationship. In Acts 22:16, nothing is said about repentance but we know that repentance is necessary to have one's sins washed away, and in Acts 10:43 only belief is mentioned as necessary but we know that repentance is necessary also -How did you miss that? Similarly, I know of at least one denomination that teaches that one is saved by grace alone and that faith is not even necessary. They take Ephesians 2:5 and say that because this verse says nothing about faith, it is unnecessary. Yet, Ephesians 2:8 says that we are "saved by grace through faith." No one (among churches of Christ) is arguing that baptism alone is necessary for forgiveness of sins. Clearly, just because something alone is connected to forgiveness of sins in a single passage does not mean that other things are not just as validly connected to it in the Bible.

5) KJ: While preaching to Cornelius in Acts 10:43 Peter said, "Of Him all the prophets bear witness that through His name everyone who believes in Him receives forgiveness of sins." Again no mention of baptism. The example of Cornelius is significant because Cornelius received the Holy Spirit before he was baptized. Peter responded (v. 47), "Surely no one can refuse the water for these to be baptized who have received the Holy Spirit just as we did, can he?" Here we have clear evidence of a genuine believer who had not been baptized. JAH: We need to examine the context found in Acts 10:43-48. Up to this point the apostles did not understand that the blood of Jesus was shed for everyone -- both Jews and Gentiles (cf. Acts 10:9-23, 28, 34-35; 11:16). God made an exception in the order of endowment of the Holy Spirit to show the apostles that yes, even the Gentiles were to be baptized into Christ (Acts 10:47,48; 11:18). Thank God for that! Also, note that Cornelius received the outpouring of the Holy Spirit before the "message through which you and all your household will be saved." (Acts 11:14) was completed. Although the enactment of the gospel i.e., the death, burial and resurrection was preached (Acts 10:39-40), the re-enactment of the gospel i.e., baptism was not yet taught and obeyed (Acts 10:47). Peter said the outpouring of the Spirit came "As I began to speak" (Acts 11:15); before he had spoken the words that would save them, therefore before they were saved.

6) KJ: A Philippian jailer asked (Acts 16:30) an important question to Paul and Silas: "Sirs, what must I do to be saved?" In response (v. 31) Paul and Silas said, "Believe in the Lord Jesus, and you shall be saved." Paul didn't include water baptism! After the jailer responded Paul baptized him. The more consistent pattern therefore seems to be this. Unbelievers heard the gospel and responded. . . JAH: Notice what happened after Paul stated, "Believe in the Lord Jesus, and you will be saved--you and your household." In verse 32 we find that "they spoke the word of the Lord to him and to all the others in his house." I think you will agree that the jailer was not saved until after "the word of the Lord" (the Gospel) was passed on to him; for ". . . how can they believe in the one of whom they have not heard? And how can they hear without someone preaching to them" (Romans 10:14)? Then, in verse 33 of Acts 16 we find, "At that hour of the night the jailer took them and washed their wounds; then immediately he and all his family were baptized." If "the word of the Lord" (the Gospel), that brought forth the faith to save him, did not include baptism, how did he know to get baptized?

7) KJ: . . .then they were immediately baptized (immersed) in water at moment of faith. (See footnote 9 in KJ's article). JAH: In response to your footnote about the thief on the cross, allow me to point out that we are clearly told in the book of Hebrews that Christ's plan of salvation did not take effect until after his death. Concerning the institution of Christ's covenant, the Hebrew writer tells us, "In the case of a will, it is necessary to prove the death of the one who made it, because a will is in force only when somebody has died; it never takes effect while the one who made it is living" (Hebrews 9:16,17). Because Jesus was still living, the thief could not have been required to obey the terms of admission (Jesus' will) into God's kingdom as outlined by Peter (cf. Acts 2). However, the sacrifice that Jesus made (his death) ". . . set them free from the sins committed under the first covenant" (Hebrews 9:15) and therefore, although the thief was still under the old covenant, he could have eternal life by hearing and putting faith in God, just as Abraham, Isaac, David, etc.

8) KJ: The preaching of the apostles does not demonstrate that baptism is a necessary condition for salvation. Paul in fact drew a clear distinction between the preaching of the gospel and baptism when he said, "For Christ sent me not to baptize, but to preach the gospel..." (I Cor 1:17) JAH: Concerning Paul's teaching about baptism, let us consider the context of what Paul was telling the church at Corinth in the first chapter of the first letter to them. The church was plagued by quarrels and divisions with some saying that they were disciples of certain men rather than Christ. They were putting men who had led them to salvation and baptized them, ahead of Christ. When Paul said, "I am thankful that I did not baptize any of you...so no one can say that you were baptized into my name" (1 Corinthians 1:14-15) was he saying that baptism was not necessary for salvation? I missed where he said that! Some seem to think this should be translated "I am thankful baptism is not essential" but the Koine Greek clearly does not support it. Did he say that they had not been baptized? We can see that they had indeed been baptized "into Christ" (Romans 6:3, Galatians 3:27) from the question, "Were you baptized into the name of Paul" (1 Corinthians 1:13)? Paul did say that it was not necessary, and even undesirable for Paul himself, to baptize those he had led to Christ although he did baptize Crispus, Gaius, and the household of Stephanas (1 Corinthians 1:14-16). His emphasis was on proclaiming the gospel (including baptism), others could baptize for him because it does not matter who does the baptizing. What does matter is into whom one is being baptized for the forgiveness of sins, because only Christ can save us (cf. Acts 4:12) and bring forgiveness of our sins (Acts 2:38).

9) KJ: The claim that Jesus made water baptism a necessary condition for salvation is also false. Although it is possible that John 3:5 is an allusion by Jesus to water baptism it is unlikely. JAH: The Bible interprets itself for us. The Koine Greek word translated as "washing," found in the phrase "washing of rebirth" at Titus 3:5, always refers to water. If the "rebirth" or the process of being born again referred to in the New Testament is something that happens in "water" (baptism), then it should be evident that in John 3:5 Jesus is indeed making an allusion to water baptism. Research this for yourself, if you doubt it. Many people try to tie this water to the water being released from the mother's womb at birth. Contextually this does not fit. Such would have nothing to do with being "born again" and would only be a meaningless statement of the obvious. For Jesus to actually state that someone must first be born into this world to enter the kingdom of God is extremely unlikely. Furthermore, the washing of "regeneration" (2nd birth) would instead have to be a washing of "generation" (1st birth) if this referred to water released from the mother's womb.

You should also note that if you lived in the 1st, 2nd or 3rd centuries A.D. it is evident that your belief that baptism is not essential would be considered cultic. Statements by writers of the early 2nd and 3rd centuries indicate that baptism for the forgiveness of sins was endorsed, as far as I can tell, universally by all Christians of this period (See http://www.bible.ca/H-baptism.htm, and "The Early Christians Speak," Everett Ferguson, ACU Press, 1987). Writers, such as, Justin Martyr, Irenaeus, Barnabas, and Clement of Alexandria who, as far as I know are accepted as being true Christians by all modern day denominations, wrote as if there was no question about baptism being essential - and many wrote dogmatically that Jesus was saying that baptism was essential in John 3:5. They wrote as if there was no controversy at all -- as if everyone agreed that baptism was essential. Generally, they were not writing in defense of their belief that baptism is essential, but merely mentioned it in passing as if it was accepted by all Christians. If any significant number of professed Christians had believed that baptism was not essential up to the 3rd century A.D., logic would dictate that there would be written record of this. You see, acceptance of baptism as an essential step in salvation is a part of the "historic Christian faith." In light of this, it is evident that the doctrine of "faith only - without obedience through baptism" that is found in most denominations today is a result of an over-reaction to Roman Catholic excesses in the Middle Ages. The sale of indulgences and corruption in the Roman Catholic Church, among other things, promoted an atmosphere where "works salvation" was common teaching. "Salvation by grace through faith" was essentially supplanted by "salvation through obedience to rules of men." As often happens, extremism breeds extremism which, although diametrically opposed to the first extreme, is just as extreme.

10) KJ: Let us then consider Jesus' statement in Mk. 16:16, "He who has believed and has been baptized shall be saved..."11 Does this prove that Jesus believed water baptism was a necessary condition for salvation? The position of the Church of Christ with regard to this passage can be stated via a syllogism:

However, this argument is not a valid one.12 The invalidity of this argument form can be shown by considering a different example.

Premise #1: Anyone who confesses with his mouth, "Jesus is Lord," and believes in his heart that God raised him from the dead will be saved.

Premise #2: Although Joe confessed with his mouth, "Jesus is Lord," he does not believe that God raised him from the dead.

According to KJ's logic, Romans 10:9 cannot be given as evidence that belief in Christ is essential to salvation! Many seem to believe that what Jesus really meant in the Great Commission was "he that just believes shall be saved." Some later scribe must have injected "and is baptized" into the text because it is merely extraneous information as is Joe's living in a dorm room. Personally, I find it just as hard to believe that God intended for "and is baptized" to be an unimportant phrase in Mark 16:16 as I do to believe that "and believe in your heart" is unimportant in Romans 10:9. Another part of the problem comes from equating the present tense in the above syllogism about Joe with the future tense in Mark 16:16. The following is a better syllogism if you want something apart from the Bible:

Notice that we have a sequence of events: taking the bar exam and then passing it. One cannot pass the bar exam without taking it. Similarly, one cannot be baptized into Christ without believing in Christ.

I am certain that if General Motors should announce that "He that believeth and is baptized shall receive a new Cadillac" there would be such a stampede to the creeks, rivers, and baptisteries as the world has never witnessed, and Keith Johnson would be in that group along with every Sectarian Preacher in this land. Not a one of them would claim the Cadillac on his faith alone without baptism.

11) KJ: The overwhelming testimony of Scripture is that faith alone is both a necessary and sufficient condition for salvation. By necessary and sufficient I mean that not only is faith necessary for salvation (both sides agree about this), but that faith is also sufficient . . . In John 1:12 John wrote that all "who believe in His name" are children of God. John 3:16 recorded, "whoever believes in Him shall not perish but have eternal life." Also consider John 3:18 and 7:38, 39. JAH: In the sense of the full meaning of the Greek word for faith, "pisteuw" as found in John 1:12 and 3:16 one is saved by faith alone because what John is discussing is an obedient saving faith. However, the phrase "faith alone" is not found in Scripture with that meaning and I believe that God has intentionally inspired His word this way. There is another meaning of faith dealt with in Scripture that merely refers to the recognition of something as being so. For example, "even the demons believe . . . and shudder" (James 2:19), see also John 12:42-43 and Matthew 7:21-23. Although the Scripture is silent as to whether or not demons can even believe in order to be saved, salvation clearly is an issue in this passage when the question is asked, "can such faith save him?" (James 2:14) in reference to a man claiming to have faith without deeds. Belief, in this context, is the first step to a complete faith. It may lead to a saving faith manifested by repentance, confession of Christ and baptism or it may not as in the preceding passages. If a "saving faith" that includes repentance and baptism is not what John is referring to, then repentance is not necessary! We are clearly told that a person cannot be saved "by works so that no one can boast" (Eph. 2:9). But what type of works is this referring to? Even faith is called a "work" by Jesus (John 6:28,29). Belief, repentance, and baptism are all works, but they are works of God, not of men. How can any believer in good conscience actually call the obedience to God's command to be immersed into Christ for the forgiveness of sins a work of man? Actually, the Scriptures explicitly tell us that baptism is the work of God. For it is written in Colossians 2:12, that when we have been baptized into Christ we have been "buried with Him in baptism, in which you were also raised up with Him through faith in the working of God, who raised Him from the dead" (NASB-italics mine). In James 2:24 we find that "a person is justified by what he does and not by faith alone." This is the only place in Scripture where we find the phrase "faith alone" and it is preceded by "not by!"

Although the modern day concept of salvation by "faith alone" seems to have originated from writings of Martin Luther, he is misrepresented when one says that he meant this did not include baptism. In fact, I agree with what Luther said on the subject wholeheartedly,

We cannot earn our salvation. It is offered to us as a free gift, but no one can accept anything without doing something, whether it is the "act" of saying or at least thinking "I accept it," or of picking it up, etc. Yes, even a thought is an act and an act of any kind is a work. In fact, The American Heritage Dictionary gives as its first example of usage of the word act the following: "the act of thinking" and it defines work as "physical or mental effort or activity directed toward the production or accomplishment of something." Therefore, even from a human perspective, accepting the gift of salvation at the moment we are immersed into Christ can no more considered to be a work of man than accepting this gift mentally only. You see, Jesus Christ is "the source of eternal salvation for all who obey him" (Hebrews 5:9).

12) KJ: (Scriptures showing necessity of faith): In Rom.10:9 Paul stated, "if you confess with your mouth Jesus as Lord, and believe in your heart that God raised Him from the dead, you shall be saved..." JAH: This is an invalid argument if we wish to be consistent with KJ's logic on Mark 16:16 found in argument #10!

13) KJ: I want to consider two passages: Rom. 6:4, 5 and I Pet. 3:21. In Rom 6:1 Paul responded to an objection raised against justification by faith. The objection is that if we are under grace, won't our motivation be to sin? Paul argued that the reason being under grace is not an excuse for sin is because believers have died to sin. As evidence of this he pointed to baptism (v. 3). "do you not know that all of us who have been baptized into Christ Jesus have been baptized into his death?" Paul was saying, "Wait a minute; you don't understand. When you placed your faith in Christ you were joined to Christ. Just as he died, was buried, and was raised to new life so were you (see v. 4)." JAH: He is effectively saying that baptism = faith in this verse! If we can accept that here, why can we not accept that in John 3:16, etc.? Now, think about what it means to get "into Christ." Think, please, about what it means to be "in Christ." In Christ nothing "will be able to separate us from the love of God" (Romans 8:39); we are sanctified (1 Corinthians 1:2); we have "eternal life" (Romans 6:23); "we who are many form one body" (Romans 12:5); and "we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of sins" (Ephesians 1:7). Study all the passages that tell us what it means to be "in Christ," then ask yourself, "can one be saved outside of Christ?" Is it not true that "salvation is found in no one else" (Acts 4:12)? Now, consider how there are only two passages in the whole of Scripture that explicitly tell us how to get "into Christ," at least in the most popular and respected translations such as the New International Version, the American Standard Version, and the King James Versions ("into Jesus Christ" in one place). The same word precedes this phrase in both places. God has evidently so inspired His Word to make it clear to us exactly what event puts us "into Christ." Especially when you consider all the possible words that could have preceded this phrase in Scripture, such as "brought by faith into Christ," "by his blood into Christ," "called into Christ," among others. It is rather ironic that these phrases are not found in Scripture. What we do find in these two passages (Romans 6:3 and Galatians 3:27) is that we are "baptized into Christ." I ask you, if one cannot be saved outside of Christ, how can one be saved without being "baptized into Christ?"

14) KJ: From our survey of Acts we saw that individuals were baptized at the time of faith. Paul was pointing these believers back to their baptism (when many of them presumably placed their faith in Christ). He was saying , "Don't you know that when you were baptized you were taking place in the death, burial, and resurrection of Christ? While you were being baptized in water, something far more important happened--you were baptized into Christ." JAH: If we accept this symbology pointing to the moment one is "baptized into Christ" how can we believe that someone who has not been baptized, i.e. someone "outside" of Christ has any assurance of salvation? Furthermore lest we think the phrase "baptized into" may mean spiritual baptism alone, we should look at how Paul used it in 1 Corinthians 1:13 where he asked the rhetorical question, "Were you baptized into the name of Paul?" He goes on in that passage to emphasize how he was thankful that he had baptized only a few (vs. 14-16). We know that he would not say that he was thankful for others usually baptizing with the Holy Spirit, which is unseen and thereby impossible to glory in. He had to be talking about water baptism, that outward manifestation of what is happening inwardly at the same time.

15) KJ: I will now consider Peter's statement about baptism found in I Pet. 3:21. Peter wrote, "And corresponding to that baptism now saves you-not the removal of dirt from the flesh, but an appeal to God for a good conscience--through the resurrection of Jesus Christ." Regardless of one's views on water baptism, this confusing passage does not teach that water baptism (alone) saves.16 Peter said, "not the removal of dirt" (i.e. water baptism). JAH: No one among churches of Christ, to my knowledge, teaches that immersion into water alone saves. No, that is water regeneration generally associated with Roman Catholicism and the cleansing of original sin apart from faith. Mr. Johnson seems to have lost all understanding of how baptism saves in this passage. It is not the water that saves one but it is the re-enactment of the death, burial and resurrection of Jesus Christ through baptism into Christ (see Romans 6 3-6) that makes "an appeal to God for a good conscience--through the resurrection of Jesus Christ."

16) KJ: Yet, to what kind of baptism was Peter referring? Did he mean water baptism or was he using the term in a figurative way? JAH: Peter clearly is referring to water baptism or the phrase "not the removal of dirt from the flesh" is misleading.

17) KJ: If he was referring to water baptism, in what sense did it save? Peter compared baptism to Noah's experience (v. 20). Noah was saved by an ark through water. This water represented God's judgment upon wickedness. Peter suggested that this deliverance of Noah through the waters of God's judgment was symbolic of baptism. Hence we see another part of the imagery of baptism. JAH: Cyprian (200-258 A.D.) put it accurately as follows:

"Peter... said, 'In the ark of Noah, few, that is, eight souls, were saved by water; the like figure whereunto even baptism shall save you;' proving and attesting that the one ark of Noah was a type of the one Church. If, then, in that baptism of the world thus expiated and purified, he who was not in the ark of Noah could be saved by water, he who is not in the Church to which alone baptism is granted, can also now be quickened [made alive] by baptism." (Cyprian, "The Epistles of Cyprian," Ante-Nicene Fathers, vol. 5, pg. 398).

Just as faith in Jesus Christ accepts God's grace, baptism into Christ is the final step - the completion of faith - that accepts God's grace (cf. James 2:22). While it is certainly true that the "water" is not what saves us, it can also be said that it is not our "faith" that saves us. In both cases it is Jesus Christ who saves us!

18) KJ: It is unfortunate that those who teach this doctrine often rob genuine believers of an assurance of their salvation and a rich understanding of what water baptism rally pictures--namely, a person's new identity in Christ. JAH: We who believe in baptism for the forgiveness of sins do not rob any genuine believers of an assurance of their salvation. We only want everyone who acknowledges Christ to become genuine believers -- to become sure of their salvation by being baptized into Christ. Do not misunderstand me. I am not saying that God will always refuse to save someone because that person is not baptized into Christ, even under the new covenant. God will be the judge in the end. I will not stand in His place nor do I want to do so. God is a God of grace and love. Exceptions can be made and God clearly has made exceptions to His direct commands, as in the case of His command to Abraham to sacrifice Isaac. An interesting parallel can be drawn here. Abraham was commanded by God to sacrifice Isaac and only at the last moment was stopped from carrying out this command. If Abraham had failed to obey God at any point in this test of his faith he would have shown that he did not have the faith that God requires. Although Abraham did not carry out God's original command, he was totally obedient in making every effort to obey God exactly as he was commanded. He did not delay at all (cf. Genesis 22:2,3). "Was not our ancestor Abraham considered righteous for what he did when he offered his son Isaac on the altar? You see that his faith and his actions were working together, and his faith was made complete by what he did. And the scripture was fulfilled that says, "Abraham believed God, and it was credited to him as righteousness," and he was called God's friend. You see that a person is justified by what he does and not by faith alone" (James 2:21-24). In the same way, if a person has every intention of obeying, without delay, Jesus' command (cf. Matthew 28:19,20) and the terms for admission into God's kingdom (cf. Acts 2:14-41) as passed on to us through Peter by the authority given him (cf. Matthew 16:18,19), but then God stops him by taking his life before being baptized, we have precedence for believing that God will make an exception. Exceptions may be made to the rule, but no mistake should be made as to what the rule is! Therefore, if a person willfully disobeys God's command on how to get into Christ but in all other respects believes and obeys God, that person has no promise and should have no expectation whatever of receiving eternal life!

Acts 22:16 (MKJV) And now what do you intend? Arise and be baptized and wash away your sins, calling on the name of the Lord.

Eph 2:5 (MKJV) (even when we were dead in sins) has made us alive together with Christ (by grace you are saved)

Eph 2:8 (MKJV) For by grace you are saved through faith, and that not of yourselves, it is the gift of God

Acts 10:9-23 (MKJV) On the next day, as these went on the road, and drawing near the city, Peter went up on the housetop to pray, about the sixth hour. (10) And he became very hungry and desired to eat. But while they made ready, an ecstasy fell on him. (11) And he saw the heaven opened and a certain vessel like a sheet coming down to him, being bound at the four corners and let down to the earth; (12) in which were all the four-footed animals of the earth, and the wild beasts, and the reptiles, and the birds of the heaven. (13) And a voice came to him, saying, Rise, Peter! Kill and eat! (14) But Peter said, Not so, Lord, for I have never eaten anything that is common or unclean. (15) And the voice spoke to him again the second time, What God has made clean, you do not call common. (16) This happened three times, and the vessel was received up again into the heaven. (17) And while Peter doubted within himself what the vision which he had seen might be, even behold, the men who were sent from Cornelius had asked for Simon's house and stood on the porch. (18) And they called and asked if Simon whose last name is Peter was staying there. (19) And while Peter thought on the vision, the Spirit said to him, Behold, three men are looking for you. (20) Therefore arise and go down and go with them without doubting, for I have sent them. (21) And going down to the men, those sent to him from Cornelius, Peter said, Behold, I am the one you are seeking. For what reason have you come? (22) And they said, Cornelius the centurion, a just man and one who fears God, and one of good report among all the nation of the Jews, was warned from God by a holy angel to send for you to come to his house and to hear words from you. (23) Then he called them in and lodged them. And on the next day Peter went away with them, and certain brothers from Joppa went with him.

Acts 10:28 And he said to them, You know that it is an unlawful thing for a man, a Jew to keep company with or to come near to one of another nation. But God has shown me not to call any man common or unclean.