What does 'Repent' mean ?
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Acts is not a jigsaw puzzle of 29 conversion accounts that we need to somehow piece together to figure how we are to preach the Gospel today. 1 cor 15 .1-4 including Pauls letters is clearer. We go from the clear to the unclear . Acts is historical not prescriptive. Its a transitional account . Every bad doctrine and many denominations ,cults and groups from the wacky to the weird have taken the Book of Acts prescriptively to one degree or another .
"On the surface" Acts 2:38 appears to teach that receiving the remission of sins and the gift of the Holy Spirit is the result of repentance and baptism (as taught by Roman Catholics and other works-salvationists) just like "on the surface" James 2:24 appears to teach that we are saved by works (once again, as taught by Roman Catholics and other works-salvationists) yet those "on the surface" interpretations result in contradictions with other scripture. (Acts 3:19; Acts 10:43-47; 15:7-9; 26:18; Romans 4:2-6; 5:1; Ephesians 2:8,9 etc..). Certain dispensationalists may argue that those "on the surface" interpretations are correct FOR JEWS ONLY, but I don't buy that.
I believe that in Acts 2:38, "for the remission of sins" does not refer back to both clauses, "you all repent" and "each one of you be baptized," but refers only to the first. Peter is saying "repent unto the remission of your sins," the same as in Acts 3:19. The clause "each one of you be baptized" is parenthetical. This is exactly what Acts 3:19 teaches except that Peter omits the parenthesis.
*Also compare the fact that these Gentiles in Acts 10:45 received the gift of the Holy Spirit (compare with Acts 2:38 - the gift of the Holy Spirit) and this was BEFORE water baptism (Acts 10:47).
In Acts 10:43 we read ..whoever believes in Him receives remission of sins. Again, these Gentiles received the gift of the Holy Spirit - Acts 10:45 - when they believed on the Lord Jesus Christ - Acts 11:17 - (compare with Acts 16:31 - Believe in the Lord Jesus Christ and you will be saved) BEFORE water baptism - Acts 10:47. This is referred to as repentance unto life - Acts 11:18.
So after properly harmonizing scripture with scripture I believe that faith in Jesus Christ "implied in genuine repentance" (rather than water baptism) brings the remission of sins and the gift of the Holy Spirit (Luke 24:47; Acts 2:38; 3:19; 5:31; 10:43-47; 11:17,18; 15:8,9; 16:31; 26:18). *Perfect Harmony*
I believe that in Acts 2:38, "for the remission of sins" does not refer back to both clauses, "you all repent" and "each one of you be baptized," but refers only to the first. Peter is saying "repent unto the remission of your sins," the same as in Acts 3:19. The clause "each one of you be baptized" is parenthetical. This is exactly what Acts 3:19 teaches except that Peter omits the parenthesis.
*Also compare the fact that these Gentiles in Acts 10:45 received the gift of the Holy Spirit (compare with Acts 2:38 - the gift of the Holy Spirit) and this was BEFORE water baptism (Acts 10:47).
In Acts 10:43 we read ..whoever believes in Him receives remission of sins. Again, these Gentiles received the gift of the Holy Spirit - Acts 10:45 - when they believed on the Lord Jesus Christ - Acts 11:17 - (compare with Acts 16:31 - Believe in the Lord Jesus Christ and you will be saved) BEFORE water baptism - Acts 10:47. This is referred to as repentance unto life - Acts 11:18.
So after properly harmonizing scripture with scripture I believe that faith in Jesus Christ "implied in genuine repentance" (rather than water baptism) brings the remission of sins and the gift of the Holy Spirit (Luke 24:47; Acts 2:38; 3:19; 5:31; 10:43-47; 11:17,18; 15:8,9; 16:31; 26:18). *Perfect Harmony*
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I agree there is a transition going on in the book of Acts and certain cults have come up with some wacky doctrines from the book of Acts. My wife grew up in the RLDS church (similar to LDS) and I remember them teaching that EVERYONE (must or else) have hands laid on them by the elders of their church in order to receive the Holy Spirit and they got this from Acts 8:17 and Acts 19:6. They fail to realize this was the exception and not the rule.
S
The false understanding that Acts is merely historical and not profitable for doctrine is a teaching that has been debunked for many years. Today most theologians in Bible College and Seminaries no longer teach that nonsense. We already know that all scripture is profitable for doctrine because the scripture says that but also there has been much work done by theologians on Lucan Pneumatology and it has been proven that Luke was a theologian in his own right.
Luke clearly chose to record things and not record things based on this theological intent and those things he recorded were designed to emphasize certain truths that are most assuredly doctrinal. You should google Lucan Pneumatology as a starter and go from there, you will find that the statement that "Acts is not meant for church doctrine" is no longer being taught by most seminaries because it has been thoroughly debunked. You can cleave to the idea because it fits your narrative if you want to, but just realized that educated bible students know that is not true.
Of course it does not take a seminary degree to know that Acts is useful for doctrine and for rules of church faith and practice as long as one uses common sense hermeneutics to interpret what the Holy Spirit intended in it's original context.
Luke clearly chose to record things and not record things based on this theological intent and those things he recorded were designed to emphasize certain truths that are most assuredly doctrinal. You should google Lucan Pneumatology as a starter and go from there, you will find that the statement that "Acts is not meant for church doctrine" is no longer being taught by most seminaries because it has been thoroughly debunked. You can cleave to the idea because it fits your narrative if you want to, but just realized that educated bible students know that is not true.
Of course it does not take a seminary degree to know that Acts is useful for doctrine and for rules of church faith and practice as long as one uses common sense hermeneutics to interpret what the Holy Spirit intended in it's original context.
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I find it interesting how all the major false religions and cults that teach salvation by works unanimously uphold and cherish Acts 2:38 as a "pet verse" and use it to teach baptismal regeneration/remission and relentlessly teach that we absolutely must be water baptized in order to be saved (baptized or condemned) which has always been a red flag for me.
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The contents of the gospel of the kingdom, under the ot prophecy is clear.
If the 70th week was to begin soon after the cross, as peter quoted joel in acts 2, there is urgency for Israel to prepare for Jesus 2nd coming.
That was why peter was pleading with Israel to get on with the program in acts 2 and 3.
If the 70th week was to begin soon after the cross, as peter quoted joel in acts 2, there is urgency for Israel to prepare for Jesus 2nd coming.
That was why peter was pleading with Israel to get on with the program in acts 2 and 3.
The Jews that responded to Peter's sermon were men that had already been quickened to a new spiritual life with the indwelling of the Holy Spirit, else, they could not have had a new fleshy heart that their conscience could have been "PRICKED" to feel guilty.
Saved, according to Greek means "delivered". In acts 2:38 when they said "what must we do", Peter told them to repent, and be baptised for (because of) the remission of sins (Matt 26:28, For this is my blood of the new testament, which is shed for many, for the remission of sins), and ye shall receive the GIFT (of forgiveness) from the Holy Ghost. This was Peter's advice, as to how they could be delivered (saved) from their guilty feelings.
All scripture must harmonize in order to understand the doctrine that Jesus preached.
1 Pet 3:21, The like figure whereunto even baptism doth also now save (deliver) us (not the putting away of the filth of the flesh, BUT THE ANSWER OF A GOOD CONSCIENCE TOWARD GOD), by the resurrection of Jesus Christ.
Saved, according to Greek means "delivered". In acts 2:38 when they said "what must we do", Peter told them to repent, and be baptised for (because of) the remission of sins (Matt 26:28, For this is my blood of the new testament, which is shed for many, for the remission of sins), and ye shall receive the GIFT (of forgiveness) from the Holy Ghost. This was Peter's advice, as to how they could be delivered (saved) from their guilty feelings.
All scripture must harmonize in order to understand the doctrine that Jesus preached.
1 Pet 3:21, The like figure whereunto even baptism doth also now save (deliver) us (not the putting away of the filth of the flesh, BUT THE ANSWER OF A GOOD CONSCIENCE TOWARD GOD), by the resurrection of Jesus Christ.
Repentance is the fruit of believing. It is found in doing the instructions instead of convincing yourself that you heard the story and you believe.
It is a gift we receive from God as He draws us to Christ and Salvation.
There is a lot of work to be done in Salvation. Its kind of a misnomer to say Salvation is not of works. Its just not our works that are done. It is the Work of God. From start to finish.
It is a gift we receive from God as He draws us to Christ and Salvation.
There is a lot of work to be done in Salvation. Its kind of a misnomer to say Salvation is not of works. Its just not our works that are done. It is the Work of God. From start to finish.