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
II. DR. OLSON’S EFFORTS
III. CHRIST’S INSTRUCTIONS CARRIED OUT
IV. ACTS 8:5-12 – THE SAMARITANS
V. THE ETHIOPIAN EUNUCH
VI. SAUL OF TARSUS
VII. CORNELIUS
VIII. THE PHILIPPIAN JAILOR
IX. CONCLUSION

I. INTRODUCTION
Also, I want to express my appreciation to Dr. Lloyd Olson for having the courage to 
defend his doctrine as damnable as it is. He told a friend of mine before the debate, “If he 
agrees to debate me I will crush him.” We will let our readers be the judge of that. As we 
shall see in these final words, it takes a lot of courage to deny every passage in the New 
Testament regarding baptism. Yet that is exactly what he does. He is obviously a brilliant 
man in his thinking and articulation. It takes a lot of courage for a man to present the 
garbage he presents knowing that God will judge us all for what we teach. It makes one 
wonder if he truly believes in God. Paul speaks of such a man. II Timothy 4:2-4 “Preach 
the word; be instant in season, out of season; reprove, rebuke, exhort with all 
longsuffering and doctrine. 3For the time will come when they will not endure sound 
doctrine; but after their own lusts shall they heap to themselves teachers, having itching 
ears; 4And they shall turn away their ears from the truth, and shall be turned unto fables.” 
My deepest regret is that many who read Dr. Olson’s will be so enthralled with his 
eloquence that they will not give the truth a fair hearing. I pray this will not be the case. 
Romans 16:18 “For they that are such serve not our Lord Jesus Christ, but their own 
belly; and by good words and fair speeches deceive the hearts of the simple.” May God 
help those who read this discussion to have an open mind. May they consider what both 
sides have said. Paul said of the Bereans, “These were more noble than those in 
Thessalonica, in that they received the word with all readiness of mind, and searched the 
scriptures daily, whether those things were so” (Acts 17:11). May we all ever have that 
attitude.
   
II. DR. OLSON’S EFFORTS ARE LAUGHABLE IF THE SUBJECT WERE NOT SO SERIOUS
If one didn’t know better he would think Dr. Olson needed a keeper. (Actually, I think he 
does). For example, in his effort to ridicule me and the truth he feigns that I think there is 
one baptism but then mention Holy Spirit baptism and water baptism. Dr. Olson, your 
dishonesty is showing. We both know that the New Testament teaches at least six (that’s 
6) baptisms. John’s (Mark 1:4); Christ’s during John’s ministry in the Gospels (John 4:1-
2), baptism of suffering (Luke 12:50); the baptism of fire (Luke 3:16) and the water 
baptism commanded by Christ (Matthew 28:19 that the eunuch submitted to). Or are you 
going to say that the eunuch’s baptism was Holy Spirit baptism even though they went 
down BOTH into the WATER both Philip and the eunuch and he baptized him? We can 
all see what you are doing to the truth, Dr. Olson. Can you actually sleep at night having 
treated the Lord’s word as you do?

I will try this last time. Yes, Dr. Olson, it is a spiritual birth (John 3), it is a spiritual 
circumcision on spiritual Israel (Colossians 2). But WHEN – look Dr. Olson at the word 
W-H-E-N does this take place? Paul tells us. GOD PERFORMS THIS OPERATION ON 
THE INNER MAN WHEN WE ARE BURIED IN BAPTISM. This is the ONE BAPTISM 
that the eunuch received in Acts 8. Dr. Olson, that is what Paul said. Thus, when you 
ridicule me you are ridiculing the word of God and YOU WILL ANSWER FOR IT. I am 
just quoting what Paul said. 

III. CHRIST’S INSTRUCTIONS CARRIED OUT
As I pointed out in my last affirmative, the apostles carried out Christ’s instructions. “And 
that repentance and remission of sins should be preached in his name among all nations, 
beginning at Jerusalem” (Luke 24:47). He told them that they were to begin in Jerusalem, 
then Judaea, Samaria, and unto the uttermost parts of the earth (Acts 1:8).

In every case of conversion the same teaching was presented to the people. 
Romans 10:17 “So then faith cometh by hearing, and hearing by the word of God.”
Hebrews 11:6 “But without faith it is impossible to please him: for he that cometh to God 
must believe that he is, and that he is a rewarder of them that diligently seek him.”
Romans 10:10 “For with the heart man believeth unto righteousness; and with the mouth 
confession is made unto salvation.”
Acts 2:38 “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.”
There are several cases of conversion in the Acts of the apostles. Each of the above 
things were either specified or implied in every case of conversion.

Samaritans - Acts 8:5-12 – Believed, 8:12 – Baptized, 8:12 – Saved, cf. Mark 16:16
Eunuch - Acts 8:36-40 – Believed, 8:37 – Confessed, 8:37 – Baptized,  8:38 – Rejoiced, 
8:38
Saul - Acts 9:1-18; 22:16 – Believed, 9:5-6 – Confessed, 8:37 – Baptized, 22:16 - Wash 
Away Sins, 22:16
Cornelius - Acts 10 – 11:18 – Believed, 11:17 – Repented, 11:17 - Baptized 11:18 – 
Saved, 11:18
Jailor Acts 16: 30-34 – Believed, 16:31 – Repented, 16:33 - Baptized 16:33 – Rejoiced, 
16:34

There are other examples given in the book of Acts, but these should be sufficient to 
prove to any honest-minded person.

Let’s examine each of the conversions in some detail.

First, we have already given attention to Acts 2 in detail in our second affirmative.

ACTS 8:5-12 – THE SAMARITANS
When Philip went down to the city of Samaria, he preached unto the Jesus. What did 
preaching Jesus include? Verse 12 explains it to us. Acts 8:12 “But when they believed 
Philip preaching the things concerning the kingdom of God, and the name of Jesus 
Christ, they were baptized, both men and women.” We learn this from verse 12. 
Preaching Jesus includes teaching belief, the kingdom of God, the name (or authority) of 
Jesus Christ and baptism. If you say no, then I will ask a question. How did they know to 
believe these things if Philip didn’t preach them? By necessary implication he explained 
all these things to the people. They accepted his teaching and believed it and were 
baptized. That’s what Jesus told His apostles to preach when He told them to go preach 
the gospel. “And he said unto them, Go ye into all the world, and preach the gospel to 
every creature. 16He that believeth and is baptized shall be saved; but he that believeth 
not shall be damned” (Mark 16:15-16).

Regardless of the fact that Dr. Olson vehemently denies that baptism is a part of the 
gospel, JESUS SAID THEY WERE TO PREACH BAPTISM AND THAT’S WHAT THEY 
PREACHED.  That’s not all they preached, as we can see above. 
   
Dr. Olson also believes that the one baptism is Holy Spirit baptism. Yet in Acts 8 the 
writer (Luke) denies this.  Acts 8:14-16 “Now when the apostles which were at Jerusalem 
heard that Samaria had received the word of God, they sent unto them Peter and John: 
15Who, when they were come down, prayed for them, that they might receive the Holy 
Ghost: 16(For as yet he was fallen upon none of them: only they were baptized in the 
name of the Lord Jesus.). Now here’s what we have. These people had been baptized in 
the name of the Lord Jesus. Yet they had not received the Holy Spirit. Therefore baptism 
in the name of Jesus was not Holy Spirit baptism. What will Dr. Olson say about this? 
Nothing! And if he should make some comment he will probably say “this is justification 
an EVENT that occurs in connection with (yet distinct from) sanctification which is a 
JOURNEY.  Come on, Dr. Olson; deny what Luke said of those who had obeyed the Lord 
at Samaria. 
   
Also let your eight-year-old grandson read this. Then he can make the comment, as you 
will, that this answers nothing. Sounds like a chip off the same old block to me. You 
wouldn’t know a reply to an argument if it jumped up and bit you on the nose. Thank God 
there are more people reading this than you.
   
Now that Luke has settled that, let’s go to the next case of conversion in Acts.
   
V.  THE ETHIOPIAN EUNUCH
The Spirit charged Philip that he should join himself to a certain chariot. When he did this, 
he heard the man reading from Isaiah 53. Philip began at the same Scripture and 
preached Christ unto him. As they were riding along they came to certain water. The 
eunuch said, “…See, here is water; what doth hinder me to be baptized? 37And Philip 
said, If thou believest with all thine heart, thou mayest. And he answered and said, I 
believe that Jesus Christ is the Son of God. 38And he commanded the chariot to stand 
still: and they went down both into the water, both Philip and the eunuch; and he baptized 
him. 39And when they were come up out of the water, the Spirit of the Lord caught away 
Philip, that the eunuch saw him no more: and he went on his way rejoicing” (Acts 8:36-
39). When did he rejoice? AFTER he had believed and been baptized. Why do you 
suppose that was true? What did Jesus say? “He that believeth and is baptized shall be 
saved; but he that believeth not shall be damned” (Mark 16:16). He had no reason to 
rejoice until he had done ALL that the Lord said do. 

VI. SAUL OF TARSUS
Notice: Acts 22:16 “And now why tarriest thou? arise, and be baptized, and wash away 
thy sins, calling on the name of the Lord.
Revelation 1:5 “And from Jesus Christ, who is the faithful witness, and the first begotten 
of the dead, and the prince of the kings of the earth. Unto him that loved us, and washed 
us from our sins in his own blood,
Saul asked the Lord, “what will you have me do?” The Lord told Saul, “go into the city and 
there it will be told thee what thou must do.” Ananias came to him and told him what he 
MUST do. I am amazed at Dr. Olson’t attitude about Saul. Anyone who can understand 
two words, WHAT and WHEN should be able to understand WHEN Saul was saved. 
WHAT? – Saul’s sins were washed away by the blood of Christ (See above - Revelation 
1:5).
WHEN? – Saul was cleansed by the blood of Christ when he was baptized – immersed in 
water- (Acts 22:16. In fact, the Bible uses the same word “cleansed” in both instances. 
Dr. Olson, if you can’t understand that, God will poke you through the “baby hole” that he 
has prepared for babies and the feeble-minded.  

VII.  CORNELIUS
In the second affirmative I spent a great deal of space discussing Cornelius. (Look back 
at that affirmative). Dr. Olson insists that he and his household were saved when they 
received the baptism of the Holy Spirit. But he has the cart before the horse. His 
proposition was that we are saved at the point of faith before and without water baptism. 
In fact he says the one baptism of Ephesians 4:5 is Holy Spirit baptism. But what does 
this conclusion suggest? Every person has to receive Holy Spirit baptism before he can 
be saved. Yet, Dr. Olson denies that any kind of baptism is necessary to salvation. He 
wants to have his cake and eat it too. 

Here is the truth. Peter said (I think we should listen to Peter instead of Dr. Olson) Acts 
11:15 “And as I began to speak, the Holy Spirit fell on them, as on us at the beginning.” 
According to Peter’s testimony, before he was able to tell Cornelius about Jesus (so he 
could believe) the Holy Spirit fell on them. Even according to Dr. Olson one cannot be 
saved until he believes. And one can’t believe until he hears. Romans 10:17 “So then 
faith cometh by hearing, and hearing by the word of God.” Will Dr. Olson be able to see 
his dilemma? Not at all! He doesn’t even know how to spell the word much less realize he 
is involved in one.
   
VIII.  THE PHILIPPIAN JAILOR
For years Acts 16:31 has been the sugar stick for the salvation by faith only advocates. 
And although Dr. Olson has never told us where repentance comes in, I assume that one 
has to repent before he can be saved. (Of course if he brings this up in his last speech – 
though he has already had four speeches to answer it but has not – I will not be able to 
reply). Let’s look at Acts 16:31 and see what it says.

First, let me give you the background. Paul and Silas had been charged by the 
magistrates and cast into prison. Acts 16:20-31 “And brought them to the magistrates, 
saying, ‘These men, being Jews, do exceedingly trouble our city, 21And teach customs, 
which are not lawful for us to receive, neither to observe, being Romans.’ 22And the 
multitude rose up together against them: and the magistrates rent off their clothes, and 
commanded to beat them. 23And when they had laid many stripes upon them, they cast 
them into prison, charging the jailor to keep them safely: 24Who, having received such a 
charge, thrust them into the inner prison, and made their feet fast in the stocks. 25And at 
midnight Paul and Silas prayed, and sang praises unto God: and the prisoners heard 
them. 26And suddenly there was a great earthquake, so that the foundations of the 
prison were shaken: and immediately all the doors were opened, and every one's bands 
were loosed. 27And the keeper of the prison awaking out of his sleep, and seeing the 
prison doors open, he drew out his sword, and would have killed himself, supposing that 
the prisoners had been fled. 28But Paul cried with a loud voice, saying, ‘Do thyself no 
harm: for we are all here.’ 29Then he called for a light, and sprang in, and came 
trembling, and fell down before Paul and Silas, 30And brought them out, and said, ‘Sirs, 
what must I do to be saved?’ 31And they said, ‘Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ, and 
thou shalt be saved, and thy house’.”

“According to verse 31 all you have to do is believe,” we are told. Do tell! Notice what 
Paul said if you believe on the Lord Jesus Christ. What was he to believe about the Lord 
Jesus Christ?  He was a heathen. What would he know about Christ? Nothing! READ 
THE NEXT VERSE! Acts 16: 32 “And they spake unto him the word of the Lord, and to all 
that were in his house.” Now both he and his household know what to do. But before we 
go any further, let’s notice another problem Dr. Olson has.

In verse 31 Paul said,  “and thou shall be saved AND THY HOUSE. Does Dr. Olson 
believe in SALVATION BY PROXY? Could the Jailor believe and his house be saved? I 
will not charge him with that. I will give him more credit than that. 

Don’t you see, dear readers, when we begin to tamper with God’s word the predicament 
we get in? How did they know what to believe about the Lord Jesus Christ? Verse 32 
(above) tells us. When they “spake unto him the word of the Lord and to all that were in 
his house” do you suppose they mentioned that they needed to be baptized? It is 
necessarily inferred that they knew it or they wouldn’t have done it. Paul and Silas must 
have told them.

But again! It was after midnight when this event took place. Yet the text says, “And he 
took them the same hour of the night, and washed their stripes; and was baptized, he 
and all his, straightway” (Acts 16:33). What is your explanation of that, Dr. Olson? Was 
this Holy Spirit baptism? If so, why did they have to go out of their house after midnight in 
order to receive this baptism? Couldn’t they receive Holy Spirit baptism in their house? 
Cornelius did! 

I expect the same treatment from Dr Olson I received in his last five efforts.  He won’t try 
to answer anything that I have asked. He can’t! Get on your horse and ride off in all 
directions at the same time singing your little ditty, “the EVENT of justification which is in 
parallel with (yet distinct from) the PROCESS of sanctification” as has been your practice. 
(I have found it amusing that Dr. Olson began by referring to me as Mr. Smith. In his 
latest effort he has simply referred to me as Smith. Perhaps he thinks that I am even 
unworthy of the title “Mr.”)  I certainly have not failed to call him Dr. Olson. If I ever met a 
man who “doctored” up God’s word, he is the man.

Look at the above chart. You will observe that in every case of conversion all of God’s 
conditions of salvation are either SPECIFICALLY MENTIONED or IMPLIED. Belief (faith) 
is mentioned four times, repentance four times, confession twice. But baptism is 
SPECIFICALLY mentioned IN EVERY CASE OF CONVERSION. Do you suppose God 
knew that men like Dr. Lloyd Olson would come along and DENY THAT BAPTISM WAS 
A PART OF SALVATION? Could be that He wanted us to know the importance HE 
placed on baptism by specifying it in every case of conversion in the Acts of the Apostles.
   
IX.  CONCLUSION
I appreciate the patience of you all in reading what I have had to say and what Dr. Olson 
has had to say. I want to conclude with one other thought.

God Says
Mark 16:16 – Believe – Baptized – Saved 
Acts 2:38 – Repent – Baptized – Remission of Sins
Acts 22:16 – Arise – Baptized - Wash Away Sins
Romans  6:3-4 – Dead in Sin – Baptized – Walk In New Life
Galatians 3:27 – As Many As – Baptized - Put on Christ
I Corinthians 12:13 – All – Baptized – One Body
Colossians 2:12 – Dead – Baptized – Arisen
I Peter 3:21 – Figure – Baptism – Saved 
Matthew  28:18 – Teach – Baptize – Teach
Notice that baptism stands squarly between the sinner and salvation, remission of sins, 
rejoicing.
Man Says  
Mark 16:16 – Believe – Saved – Baptized 
Acts 2:38 – Repent – Remission of Sins – Baptized 
Acts 22:16 – Arise – Wash Away Sins – Baptized  
Romans  6:3-4 – Dead in Sin – Walk In New Life – Baptized 
Galatians 3:27 – As Many As – Put on Christ – Baptized 
I Corinthians 12:13 – All – One Body – Baptized 
Colossians 2:12 – Dead – Arisen – Baptized 
I Peter 3:21 – Figure – Saved – Baptism 
Matthew  28:18 – Teach – Teach – Baptize 

What Man Says About Every Passage Is Exactly Backward To What God Says

In this final affirmative, I appeal to those of you who read this, to accept what God says, 
not what man says. For Jesus said, “He who rejects Me, and does not receive My words, 
has that which judges him--the word that I have spoken will judge him in the last day” 
(John 12:48).