Olson/Smith Debate on Salvation

 
 
 Proposition: 
Faith, repentance, confession and baptism are for (in order to obtain) the remission of 
sins according to Acts chapter 2.
Affirm: J. T. Smith
Deny: Lloyd Olson

I  INTRODUCTION – FIRST THINGS FIRST
II  ROMANS 6
III.  COLOSSIANS 2
IV.  ROMANS 6
V.  ACTS 2:38
VI.  CORNELIUS
VII.  OT SALVATION
VIII.  MARK 16
CONCLUSION

FIRST THINGS FIRST
Before beginning my second affirmative, I have several things to say about Dr. Olson’s 
first negative.

Dr. Olson says he is in complete agreement with my definition of faith, repentance and 
confession. But according to Dr. Olson, I have utterly failed in my definition of baptism. 
He says his grandson who is eight years old knows about Holy Spirit baptism. That’s 
good. Now since his grandson knows that much, maybe he can teach his granddad 
something. Son, teach your granddad that 1+1=2. Dr. Olson believes that the “one 
baptism” of Ephesians 4:5 is the baptism of the Spirit. He believes that everyone must 
receive Holy Spirit baptism in order to be saved. In fact, he says that when he cites I 
Corinthians 12:13.

I know Dr. Olson believes in water baptism because he has said it is a part of his theory 
of sanctification. Now if his grandson will just say, “Granddad, if you have Holy Spirit 
baptism and water baptism you have TWO baptisms, yet Paul says there is ONE” then 
maybe, just maybe he will listen to his grandson. (I am sure that is just wishful thinking on 
my part).

Dr. Olson tries to get two baptisms out of John 3:3-5. Again, Dr. Olson has missed the 
point. There is just one baptism in John 3:3-5 with TWO ELEMENTS – water and Sprit. 
These make up the new birth. What does the passage say? John 3:3-5, “Jesus answered 
and said unto him, ‘Verily, verily, I say unto thee, Except a man be born again, he cannot 
see the kingdom of God.’ 4Nicodemus saith unto him, ‘How can a man be born when he 
is old? can he enter the second time into his mother’s womb, and be born?’ 5Jesus 
answered, ‘Verily, verily, I say unto thee, Except a man be born of water and of the Spirit, 
he cannot enter into the kingdom of God’.” The new birth (being born again) involves two 
elements SO JESUS SAID Dr. Olson to the contrary notwithstanding. It is the same 
principle that Dr. Olson would force Colossians 2:11-13 to teach. You know, sometime 
these “Doctors” are not the easiest to teach. Maybe if I present him with a picture it would help him understand.

COLOSSIANS 2
First of all Paul wrote, “For he is not a Jew, which is one outwardly; neither is that 
circumcision, which is outward in the flesh: 29But he is a Jew, which is one inwardly; and 
circumcision is that of the heart, in the spirit, and not in the letter; whose praise is not of 
men, but of God” (Romans 2:28-29). People talk about what God is going to do for the 
Jews today. When they speak of this, they are speaking of Israel in the flesh. Not so! 
Read what he said in the above passages. Now Dr., here is the truth of the matter.

In Colossians 2:11-13, Paul specifies when our sins are forgiven. 

This is so simple that children can understand it. So, there is hope for Dr. Olson … well 
maybe not. 

The teaching is this.  When one is dead in trespasses and sins he is referred to as 
“uncircumcised.” While he is buried in baptism (having believed, repented and confessed 
his faith in Christ) God, via the Holy Spirit operates on him. It is not a physical operation, 
for we are not talking about physical Jews. We are talking about those who are Jews 
spiritually (Romans 2:28-29). This would include both male and female. While one is 
buried in baptism he/she receives the operation of God in removing the “sins of the flesh.” 
“WHEREIN”? – IN BAPTISM. That is what the text says. I don’t have an interpretation of 
the passage, I don’t even have an explanation of the passage. But, I can READ WHAT IT 
SAYS. Unless one can be saved without “having the body of the sins of the flesh cut off” 
one must be baptized. For, that is tbe where and the when of this being done. Of course 
we all know what Dr. Olson is going to say. (regardless of what the passage says) “Smith 
misses the distinction between the EVENT of justification which is in parallel with (yet 
distinct from) the PROCESS of sanctification.” We have the lyrics. Can someone out 
there write some music to this little ditty? Then we can let Dr. Olson sing it. 

You talk about a fellow who has set out, whether consciously or unconsciously, to destroy 
the Lord’s church and make a mockery of God’s teaching! Stand UP, Dr. Olson. Thou art 
the man.

ROMANS 6
Paul said of the Romans, “Know ye not, that to whom ye yield yourselves servants to 
obey, his servants ye are to whom ye obey; whether of sin unto death, or of obedience 
unto righteousness? 17But God be thanked, that ye were the servants of sin, but ye have 
obeyed from the heart that form of doctrine which was delivered you. 18Being then made 
free from sin, ye became the servants of righteousness” (Romans 6:16-18). Paul says 
when they obeyed that “form of doctrine,” whatever that was, they were “THEN made free 
from sin”.

The facts of the matter are these. Paul has already explained “that form of doctrine” in 
Romans 6:3-6. “Know ye not, that so many of us as were baptized into Jesus Christ were 
baptized into his death? 4Therefore we are buried with him by baptism into death: that 
like as Christ was raised up from the dead by the glory of the Father, even so we also 
should walk in newness of life. 5For if we have been planted together in the likeness of 
his death, we shall be also in the likeness of his resurrection: 6Knowing this, that our old 
man is crucified with him, that the body of sin might be destroyed, that henceforth we 
should not serve sin.”

As you can see, the form of doctrine is the death, burial and resurrection of Christ. Christ 
died, was buried and then arose. While He was buried He was “quickened” (made alive.) 
“For Christ also hath once suffered for sins, the just for the unjust, that He might bring us 
to God, being put to death in the flesh, but quickened by the Spirit:” (I Peter 3:18).

The truth of the matter is, before we are born again, born of water and the spirit (one birth 
– two elements) we are dead in trespasses and sins. “And you hath he quickened, who 
were dead in trespasses and sins;” (Ephesians 2:1). Now, that is exactly what Paul said. 
Just as Christ was quickened (made alive) while He was buried, so we are quickened 
(made alive) while we are buried. (Observe the discussion above of Colossians 2:11-13). 

Observe Dr. Olson’s error. He would have a man baptized in the Holy Spirit who is dead 
in trespasses and sins. He would then be alive.  But, if he is already alive and then Dr. 
Olson baptizes him (buries him in water – which is a part of your obedience to 
sanctification) it would not be in the likeness of the death, burial and resurrection of 
Christ. For now, you are burying a LIVE MAN (one who has had his sins forgiven 
BEFORE he is buried) and not one who is “dead” as Christ was when He was buried. 
Burying one who is alive is a crime in Oklahoma as I am sure it is in Alabama. Therefore 
it would not be in the likeness of the death, burial and resurrection of Christ. Christ was 
dead when He was buried. While in the tomb, He was quickened or made alive. He was 
then raised from the dead. We, as did the Romans, obey the FORM of doctrine of the 
death, burial and resurrection of Christ. Dr. Olson both you and your grandson can 
understand that. Ask him and see.

REMISSION OF SINS IN ACTS 2:38
Dr. Olson has to overlook or rearrange every passage that he uses. Now he says, that 
Acts 2 only applies to the nation of Israel. Just one thing wrong – IT ISN’T SO. Dr. Olson 
just gets out of the context what he HAS TO in order to sustain his theory whether or not 
it fits the immediate or greater context. Yet he is the one who is always talking about 
context.

What about Dr. Olson’s theory that the apostles instruction in Acts 2 was only to national 
Israel and does not apply to us today? Listen to Jesus. “And said unto them, Thus it is 
written, and thus it behoved Christ to suffer, and to rise from the dead the third day: 
47And that repentance and remission of sins should be preached in His name among all 
nations, beginning at Jerusalem” (Luke 24:46-47). The apostles were to preach 
repentance and remission of sin to ALL NATIONS. They were to begin at Jerusalem. 
That’s what they did, Dr. Olson. Yet you try to “doctor it up” and make Jesus out a liar by 
saying “oh, that instruction was just for national Israel.” Who said so? Dr. Olson! Not 
Christ, not the apostles, DR. OLSON! But he certainly feels the weight of the passage 
(Acts 2:38). Otherwise why try to make it only apply to national Israel?

Then, what else did Jesus say, Dr. Olson? Acts 1:6-8 “When they therefore were come 
together, they asked of him, saying, Lord, wilt thou at this time restore again the kingdom 
to Israel? 7And he said unto them, It is not for you to know the times or the seasons, 
which the Father hath put in his own power. 8But ye shall receive power, after that the 
Holy Ghost is come upon you: and ye shall be witnesses unto me both in Jerusalem, and 
in all Judaea, and in Samaria, and unto the uttermost part of the earth.” 

Yes, Dr. Olson, Jesus said they were to preach repentance and remission of sins FIRST 
in Jerusalem, then in Judaea, Samaria and then unto the uttermost parts of the earth. 
What is there about such a plain statement that you won’t understand? Ask your eight-
year-old grandson – he will explain it to you.

Now, there are two things just here I want to address. 

CORNELIUS.
Dr. Olson seems to think that I don’t know the difference in water baptism and Holy Spirit 
baptism. I know this much, there are only two cases of Holy Spirit baptism in the New 
Testament. The first one in Acts 2. Its purpose was to prove  to the Jews that the 
apostles were speaking by the Holy Spirit. In fact, Peter so stated by quoting Joel 2. 
Peter said, this is the fulfillment of Joel’s prophecy.

The second time one was baptized with the Holy Spirit was in Acts 10. Was the purpose 
of this outpouring of the Holy Spirit to save them? No! Peter in reporting this incident to 
the Jews in Jerusalem said in Acts 11:13-15 “And he (Cornelius – jts) shewed us how he 
had seen an angel in his house, which stood and said unto him, Send men to Joppa, and 
call for Simon, whose surname is Peter; 14Who shall tell thee words, whereby thou and 
all thy house shall be saved. 15And as I began to speak, the Holy Spirit fell on them, as 
on us at the beginning.” 

Peter was supposed to “tell them words whereby they could be saved. Yet he said, “as I 
began to speak”. Why then did they receive the baptism of the Holy Spirit? For the same 
reason the apostles received it in the beginning in Acts 2. To prove to the Jews that the 
Gentiles had been accepted just as they had. So now, Jesus’ instructions to them in Luke 
24 is coming to pass. Repentance and remission of sins had been preached in 
Jerusalem, in Judaea and Samaria. Now as the gospel is, preached to the Gentiles, 
Christ’s instructions “unto the uttermost parts of the earth” is being carried out. In other 
words, all nations were receiving it just as Jesus said they should in Matthew 28:18-20, 
“And Jesus came and spake unto them, saying, All power is given unto me in heaven and 
in earth. 19Go ye therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the 
Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit: 20Teaching them to observe all things 
whatsoever I have commanded you:
and, lo, I am with you alway, even unto the end of the world.”.
   
Doctor Olson gives his little example:
(1)           My nose runs.
(2)                 I run in a race.

Dr. Olson is trying to teach me the different usages of the word “run”. Now, Dr. I can 
understand that and your grandson can understand it. But that has nothing to do with 
your problem. Your nose could run and your feet could smell and that still wouldn’t solve 
the problem. What you need to understand is that Holy Spirit baptism was a PROMISE 
given by Christ while water baptism was a COMMAND. Acts 10:46-48 “For they heard 
them speak with tongues, and magnify God. Then answered Peter, 47Can any man 
forbid water, that these should not be baptized, which have received the Holy Spirit as 
well as we? 48And he commanded them to be baptized in the name of the Lord. Then 
prayed they him to tarry certain days.” The command to be baptized is given throughout 
the New Testament. If Dr. Olson’s theory is correct and the one baptism of Ephesians 4 
is Spirit baptism, then Peter’s command to Cornelius would be nonsensical. He would be 
commanding people who had already been baptized with the Spirit to be baptized with 
the Spirit. Such nonsense! 

Observe what did happen at the household of Cornelius. Even though Cornelius was told 
that Peter would tell him words whereby he and his house could be saved, Peter said “as 
I began to speak” they received the Holy Spirit. For what purpose? It was to convince the 
Jews that the Gentiles could hear and obey the gospel as well as the Jews. (Read Acts 
11:17-18). He then tells them words whereby they can be saved. 

OT SALVATION
This is supposed to be a debate. How can you have a debate when your opponent will 
not consider pertinent arguments? I will try again.

In my second negative I stated,
“How then could God say of those who had not yet been cleansed by the blood of Christ 
that they were saved or justified? In the same way that He spoke of all nations being 
blessed through Abraham’s seed when Abraham had no children. “(As it is written, I have 
made thee a father of many nations,) before him whom he believed, even God, who 
quickeneth the dead, and calleth those things which be not as though they were” 
(Romans 4:17). When God promises something it is so certain that it is as if it had 
already happened.”

Dr. Olson, that is my reply to all you have said about salvation in the Old Testament.

MARK 16
Dr. Olson gives us a sentence that he thinks is parallel with Mark 16:16.
“Whoever overcomes the opponent in a game and celebrates wins.” But Dr. Olson admits 
that “celebrates” has nothing to do with whether one wins or not.
   
Let’s see if I can write a parallel sentence. Whoever enters a game and overcomes his 
opponent wins. The words “enters” and “overcomes” are both pertinent to winning. This is 
parallel to Mark 16:16. Dr. Olson is too intelligent to miss this. 
   
Mark 16:16 “He that believeth and is baptized shall be saved; but he that believeth not 
shall be damned.”
Dr. Olson knows and I know (and probably his eight year old grandson knows) that in my 
sentence and Mark 16:16 there are two things necessary to the outcome. Also in the 
sentence these two things are tied together with the coordinating conjunction “and” and 
therefore cannot be separated. Dr. Olson is not as dumb as he acts. If he were he could 
not invent all these ways to circumvent what God has said.
Dr. Olson continually tries to get me sidetracked to talk about justification and 
sanctification. Sorry sir! That is not my proposition.
   
CONCLUSION
As I have already stated, Jesus said “repentance and remission of sins was to be 
preached among all nations beginning at Jerusalem.” Whatever was preached in 
Jerusalem was to be preached to all nations. In Acts 2 they began, under the direction of 
the Holy Spirit, to preach to those in Jerusalem “repentance and remission of sins.” When 
these people heard that they had crucified the Lord of glory, they believed it and cried out 
“men and brethren what shall we do.” Peter’s answer. “Then Peter said unto them, 
Repent, and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission 
of sins, and ye shall receive the gift of the Holy Spirit” (Acts 2:38). That is my proposition 
and it is proven by this one passage of Scripture. Dr. Olson is not arguing with me, he is 
arguing with the apostle Peter who was directed by the Holy Spirit.