• June 5, 2026

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Copeland, M. – Acts Conversions

Conversions in the Book of Acts

Acts Conversions
By Mark Copeland

mark-copelandThis is a set of sermons examining different conversions in the book of Acts. Copeland is Church of Christ, so immersion is included in his view of the necessary elements for one to be saved. Be wary.

Contents of Conversions in Acts

01 The 3000 On Pentecost
02 The 2000 On Solomon’s Porch
03 The Samaritans
04 The Ethiopian Eunuch
05 Saul Of Tarsus
06 Cornelius And His House Hold
07 The Two Households At Philippi
08 The Athenians
09 The Corinthians
10 The Twelve Disciples Of John

Note his comment points on “baptism”


Brown The Devil's Mission of Amusement 7 page article from 1889. Hollywood in the church and her ministries. Brown was a student of C.H Spurgeon.
Excerpts:
Different days demand their own special testimony. The watchman who would be faithful to his Lord and to the city of his God needs to carefully note the signs of the times and to emphasize his witness accordingly. Concerning the testimony needed now, there can be little if any doubt. An evil is in the professed camp of the Lord, that is so gross, so brazen in its impudence, that the most shortsighted of spiritual men can hardly fail to notice it....  Amusement for the people is the leading article advertised by each... until the hideous fact has been proved up to the hilt, that "amusement" is ousting "the preaching of the Gospel" as the great attraction... The Concert is fast becoming as much a recognized part of church life as the Prayer Meeting; and it is already, in most places, far better attended.

"Providing recreation for the people" will soon be looked upon as a necessary part of Christian work, and as binding upon the Church of God, as though it were a Divine command, unless some strong voices are raised which will make themselves heard.
Read the 7-page article: Brown, The Devil's Mission of Amusement.

3. The purpose of their baptism was explained: “for the remission of sins”
a. The identical phrase was used by Jesus in Mat. 26:28.
b. His blood was shed for many “for the remission of sins”
c. In both cases, the preposition “for” means “with a view toward, in order to”
1) Jesus shed His blood in order to provide remission of sins
2) One is baptized in order to receive remission of sins (for in baptism we are baptized into Christ’s death – cf. Rom. 6:3-6)

4. Those who are baptized were promised “the gift of the Spirit”
a. I take the gift to be the Spirit Himself – cf. Act. 5:32.
1) Not something the Spirit gives (such as salvation or spiritual gifts)
2) All who become Christians receive the Spirit – Gal. 4:6; 1Co. 12:13.
b. The Spirit is therefore “the promise” referred to in Act. 2:39.
1) Who was promised by the Father and received by Christ – Act. 2:33.
2) Who was poured out by Christ on the day of Pentecost – Act. 2:33.
3) Thus poured out, one can now receive the “washing of regeneration and renewal of the Spirit” in baptism, resulting in justification – cf. Tit. 3:5-7.

The grand problem with Pastor Copeland and most Church of Christ people is that they confuse the physical water baptism that brings a person into fellowship and membership in a local church, and the spiritual baptism of the Holy Spirit that happens at the moment of salvation, and brings the person into fellowship with the Holy Spirit and the entire body of Christ (those truly saved).

Although the Bible does not make the difference between these two baptisms always clear in every mention of “baptism” or “being baptized”, there is a difference between the two, and the difference is great.

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