hisway wrote:And when we look at Acts 2:38 we find "repentance", "water baptism in the name of Jesus", and "infilling of the Holy Ghost" all lumped together as terms for entry into the New Covenant.
However, Acts 10 demonstrates your understanding is flawed:
Acts 10:44-48
44 While Peter was still speaking these words, the Holy Spirit fell upon all those who were listening to the message. 45 And all the circumcised believers who had come with Peter were amazed, because the gift of the Holy Spirit had been poured out upon the Gentiles also. 46 For they were hearing them speaking with tongues and exalting God. Then Peter answered, 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?" 48 And he ordered them to be baptized in the name of Jesus Christ. Then they asked him to stay on for a few days. NAS
Cornelius and those who attended him were "filled" or "baptized" with the Holy Spirit
prior to baptism.
You are also ignoring what Scripture teaches concerning repentance.
Romans 2:4
4 Or do you think lightly of the riches of His kindness and forbearance and patience, not knowing that the kindness of God leads you to repentance? NAS
2 Timothy 2:23-26
24 And the Lord's bond-servant must not be quarrelsome, but be kind to all, able to teach, patient when wronged, 25 with gentleness correcting those who are in opposition, if perhaps God may grant them repentance leading to the knowledge of the truth, 26 and they may come to their senses and escape from the snare of the devil, having been held captive by him to do his will. NAS
You are also ignoring what Scripture teaches concerning the gifts of the Spirit. The only way you can rationalize you belief is to ignore what the balance of Scripture teaches. Baptism does not save and a tongues is not the only sign of being gifted by the Holy Spirit.
Circumcision was (is) a physical sign imposed on all Hebrews males when they were (are) 8 days old. If baptism is equal to circumcision then infant baptism would guarantee salvation and the fact is infant baptism does not guarantee salvation.
Living an obedient life requires a new believer be baptized but baptism is not and never has been the “entry point” to the Kingdom of God. Faith and faith alone is all that is required to be saved or this is an outright lie:
Ephesians 2:7-10
8 For by grace you have been saved through faith; and that not of yourselves, it is the gift of God; 9 not as a result of works, that no one should boast. 10 For we are His workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand, that we should walk in them. NAS