The perennial Acts 2.38 confusion .

  • Christian Chat is a moderated online Christian community allowing Christians around the world to fellowship with each other in real time chat via webcam, voice, and text, with the Christian Chat app. You can also start or participate in a Bible-based discussion here in the Christian Chat Forums, where members can also share with each other their own videos, pictures, or favorite Christian music.

    If you are a Christian and need encouragement and fellowship, we're here for you! If you are not a Christian but interested in knowing more about Jesus our Lord, you're also welcome! Want to know what the Bible says, and how you can apply it to your life? Join us!

    To make new Christian friends now around the world, click here to join Christian Chat.

Wansvic

Well-known member
Nov 27, 2018
4,767
1,038
113
Thats one thing I love about our church. their baptism cermonies are that. They have the one being baptized to try to bring all their friends and family. Many have come to christ by witnessing the testimony of the one being baptized.. It is a power tool for sure.
Where is water baptism used for that purpose in the bible?
 
E

eternally-gratefull

Guest
Repent & be Baptized Dogma

Repent & be baptized isn't the correct message for today's Church/body of Christ.

Acts 2:22. Peter say's "YE MEN OF ISRAEL hear these words".
(MY NOTE: Context - Peter say's: YE MEN OF ISRAEL. This takes place during Pentecost. A mandatory pilgrimage feast for every male Jew of age. The Temple Mt. is full of Jews, NO GENTILE WAS BAPTIZED in Acts 2:4. YE MEN OF ISRAEL. Peter is speaking to the circumcision-Israelites only)

Context, Context, Context: Peter’s is telling them to REPENT from UNBELIEF/in & killing their long promised Messiah/Redeemer.

Acts 2: [paraphrasing]
22 YE MEN OF ISRAEL, Jesus was a man approved by, via miracles, sings & wonders

23 This same Jesus that you had crucified & killed:

24 This same Jesus, God raised from the dead

33 He's now sits at the right hand of God exalted. You are today eyewitness, that the Father's promise of the Holy Ghost is hear & now

36 Therefore let all the [context here] HOUSE of ISRAEL know, this same Jesus, you crucified is our long promised Messiah/redeemer

37 when the MEN of ISRAEL heard this, they asked Peter, what shall we do?

38 Peter says Repent from UNBELIEF & KILLING your Messiah. Then be baptized in the name of Jesus Christ & u will receive God's indwelling H/S & ALL your sins will receive full pardon.

Ok, for a Jew to allow himself to be be baptized in the name of Jesus Christ. Was likened to an act of suicide. Just ask Stephen, Saul's job was to find Jews that allowed himself to be be baptized in the name of Jesus Christ. Put them in chains & bring the back for punishment.

Saul becomes Paul & Jews did this to him:
Acts 9:29 Jews attempt to put him to death, 13:50 Jews expelled Paul & Barnabas out of their coasts, 14:5 Jews stone him, 16:22-23 beaten with many stripes, 18:12 Jews haul him into court, 20:23 bondage awaits in Jerusalem, 21:31 & 22:22 life threatened, 23:3 beaten, 2 Cor 11:24 Of the Jews five times received I forty stripes save one. 25 Thrice was I beaten with rods, once was I stoned, 26 in perils by mine own countrymen, perils among false brethren.

Recap Jews only/no gentile received the baptism of the H/S at the Acts 2:4 Pentecost. These MEN of ISRAEL were told to Repent [not from everyday sins, they had a sacrificial system for that]. They were to from REPENT from UNBELIEF as to who Jesus was & having their Messiah killed.

Sin & Repentance for todays Church

Acts 20:21 Testifying both to the Jews, and also to the Greeks, repentance toward God, and faith toward our Lord Jesus Christ.
(NOTE: The key to this verse is found in the article "TOWARD". Repentance TOWARD God & faith TOWARD Christ)

Repentance nor water ISN'T a work that earns salvation, repentance is a change of mind "TOWARD" God. For the Jew of the time repent/turn back to the Lord your.

For the gentile that had NO relationship with God. Acknowledge that God IS, that you've sinned against a sovereign creator & are in need of a savior. Turning to God, when mixed with faith in Christ's sin payment & resurrection results in a change of actions.

Jn 16:
7 Nevertheless I tell you the truth; It is expedient for you that I go away: for if I go not away, the Comforter will not come unto you; but if I depart, I will send him unto you.

8 And when he is come, he will reprove the world of sin, and of righteousness, and of judgment:
(NOTE: The Holy Spirit will reprove/expose/convict everyone of, sins? NO of "SIN" singular.)

9 Of sin, because they believe not on me;

(MY NOTE: The only SIN that condemns one to eternal separation/damnation is UNBELIEF/rejecting Christ's sin atoning sacrifice & resurrection until life's end. Faith in Jesus sin payment & resurrection takes away/removes/pardons/forgives every other sin.

Jn 8:24 Jesus said; ye shall die in your sins: for if ye believe not that I am he, ye shall die in your sins.
(MY NOTE: Only FAITH [not works] is salvations requirement.)

The Gospel of Salvation for Jew of Gentile

Source Amplified Bible
1 Cor 15
1 Now brothers and sisters, let me remind you [once again] of the good news [of salvation] which I preached to you, which you welcomed and accepted and on which you stand [by faith].

2 By this faith you are saved [reborn from above—spiritually transformed, renewed, and set apart for His purpose], if you hold firmly to the word which I preached to you, unless you believed in vain [just superficially and without complete commitment].

3 For I passed on to you as of first importance what I also received, that Christ died for our sins according to [that which] the Scriptures [foretold],

4 and that He was buried, and that He was [bodily] raised on the third day according to [that which] the Scriptures [foretold],
https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=1 Corinthians+15&version=AMP

(MY NOTE: Vrs 1-4 Recap: The gospel of Salvation is: "Christ died for our sins was buried & rose again the third day")
Peter did NOT, I repeat NOT tell any jew to be baptized to recieve the gift of the spirit and remission of sin.

It does not matter how it would be to them. Jews had been being baptized since john the baptist first came.

To say that Peter told them they were required to do both to be saved is to say Peter told them a different gospel.
 
E

eternally-gratefull

Guest
Where is water baptism used for that purpose in the bible?
It started with Johns baptism. what was it doing? was it not looking forward to Jesus, preparing the way so when Jesus came they would know him>

The only difference is we look back, they looked forward.

what I fail to see is how no jew was ever saved by works of the law. But all of a sudden. We have to be onedient to one command to be saved?

talk about confusion and contradicting oneself.
 

FlyingDove

Senior Member
Dec 27, 2017
1,260
431
83
Peter did NOT, I repeat NOT tell any jew to be baptized to recieve the gift of the spirit and remission of sin.

It does not matter how it would be to them. Jews had been being baptized since john the baptist first came.

To say that Peter told them they were required to do both to be saved is to say Peter told them a different gospel.
These Bibles disagree
KJV
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 Ghost.
https://www.kingjamesbibleonline.org/Acts-Chapter-2/

NASB
Acts 2:38 Peter said to them, “Repent, and each of you be baptized in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins; and you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit.
https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Acts+2&version=NASB

New American Standard Bible
Acts 2:38 38 Peter said to them, “Repent, and each of you be baptized in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins; and you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit.
https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Acts+2&version=NASB

AMP
Act 2:38 And Peter said to them, “Repent [change your old way of thinking, turn from your sinful ways, accept and follow Jesus as the Messiah] and be baptized, each of you, in the name of Jesus Christ because of the forgiveness of your sins; and you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit
https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Acts+2&version=AMP

Douay-Rheims
Acts 2:38 But Peter said to them: Do penance, and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ, for the remission of your sins: and you shall receive the gift of the Holy Ghost.
https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Acts+2&version=DRA
 

throughfaith

Well-known member
Aug 4, 2020
10,467
1,593
113
Peter did NOT, I repeat NOT tell any jew to be baptized to recieve the gift of the spirit and remission of sin.

It does not matter how it would be to them. Jews had been being baptized since john the baptist first came.

To say that Peter told them they were required to do both to be saved is to say Peter told them a different gospel.
//Peter did NOT, I repeat NOT tell any jew to be baptized to recieve the gift of the spirit and remission of sin.//

The Bible .
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 Ghost.
 
E

eternally-gratefull

Guest
These Bibles disagree
KJV
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 Ghost.
https://www.kingjamesbibleonline.org/Acts-Chapter-2/

NASB
Acts 2:38 Peter said to them, “Repent, and each of you be baptized in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins; and you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit.
https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Acts+2&version=NASB

New American Standard Bible
Acts 2:38 38 Peter said to them, “Repent, and each of you be baptized in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins; and you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit.
https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Acts+2&version=NASB

AMP
Act 2:38 And Peter said to them, “Repent [change your old way of thinking, turn from your sinful ways, accept and follow Jesus as the Messiah] and be baptized, each of you, in the name of Jesus Christ because of the forgiveness of your sins; and you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit
https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Acts+2&version=AMP

Douay-Rheims
Acts 2:38 But Peter said to them: Do penance, and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ, for the remission of your sins: and you shall receive the gift of the Holy Ghost.
https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Acts+2&version=DRA
Thats ok

The greek does not agree with any of those bibles

dont you want to know the truth?
 
E

eternally-gratefull

Guest
//Peter did NOT, I repeat NOT tell any jew to be baptized to recieve the gift of the spirit and remission of sin.//

The Bible .
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 Ghost.
yeah whatever .

Your refusal to look deeper into the matter just hurts your own case.

You also are preaching dual gospels to different people. Which is false and preaching a false gospel.

Paul warned that those who do this should be anathema. I guess that does not worry you?
 

FlyingDove

Senior Member
Dec 27, 2017
1,260
431
83
Thats ok

The greek does not agree with any of those bibles

dont you want to know the truth?
I'll stick with the Bible & not an unknown forum source.

Acts 13:24 When John had first preached before his coming the baptism of repentance to all the people of Israel.
(NOTE: John the Baptist is sent to preach, the baptism of repentance to All the People of ISRAEL. To Prepare the way (PEOPLE) for the coming LORD. Through whom remission/pardon of sin would be realized)

KJ Bible
Acts 19:4 Then said Paul, John verily baptized with the baptism of repentance, saying unto the people, that they should believe on him which should come after him, that is, on Christ Jesus.
(NOTE: John is sent to preach the baptism of repentance. To PREPARE the people to believe on him which should come after him, that is, on Christ Jesus. Through whom the remission/pardon of sin would be realized)

5 On hearing this they were baptized [again, this time] in the name of the Lord Jesus.
(NOTE: Baptized 1st by John pre-sin payment in preparation to meet Jesus & Baptized again post-sin payment in Jesus name for the remission/pardon of sin)

John's water baptism didn't remove/pardon/forgive sin. The Jew had a sacrificial system that dealt with/covered - NOT REMOVED or FORGAVE SIN. Once a year the High Priest made sacrifices for the whole nation. Anyone could bring a personal (5 different types) sin sacrifice to the Temple. Again, these sacrifices only covered sin & only for 1 yr.

Water baptism doesn't remove/pardon/forgive sin, repentance remove/pardon/forgive sin, obedience doesn't remove/pardon/forgive sin, sabbath observance doesn't remove/pardon/forgive sin, tithing remove/pardon/forgive sin etc, etc.

Its not until after Jesus resurrection (Fathers receipt Jesus was Messiah/Sin Redeemer). That every past sin covered received remission/pardon/forgiveness.

Heb 9:22 And almost all things are by the law purged with blood; and without shedding of blood is no remission.
(NOTE: Without Christ's shed blood there is NO Remission/Pardon for sins.)

Mat 26:28 For this is my blood of the new testament, which is shed for many for the remission of sins.
(NOTE: It's Belief/faith in Christ's sinless shed blood that provides the Remission/Pardon for sins. NOT the act of repentance or water baptism)

Col 1:14 In whom we have redemption through his blood, even the forgiveness of sins:
(NOTE: Forgiveness of sins are realized thru Christ's atoning sacrifice)

Finally,
No place in John's teaching with you find Jesus death & resurrection. In Acts 2 Peter preaches todays message. Jesus died, was buried & rose again.
 

throughfaith

Well-known member
Aug 4, 2020
10,467
1,593
113
yeah whatever .

Your refusal to look deeper into the matter just hurts your own case.

You also are preaching dual gospels to different people. Which is false and preaching a false gospel.

Paul warned that those who do this should be anathema. I guess that does not worry you?
So is Acts 8 also a different Gospel?
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.)

17Then laid they their hands on them, and they recieved the Holy Ghost .

Is God not allowed to do this also ?
 

Wansvic

Well-known member
Nov 27, 2018
4,767
1,038
113
It started with Johns baptism. what was it doing? was it not looking forward to Jesus, preparing the way so when Jesus came they would know him>

The only difference is we look back, they looked forward.

what I fail to see is how no jew was ever saved by works of the law. But all of a sudden. We have to be onedient to one command to be saved?

talk about confusion and contradicting oneself.
Water baptism of repentance was never part of the OT law.
John's water baptism of repentance for the remission of sins was put into place as an introduction to what would later require the use of Jesus' name. (Luke 3:3) Jesus stated that repentance and remission of sin would be preached in his name beginning in Jerusalem. (Luke 24:47) Peter commanded everyone be baptized the the name of the Lord Jesus for remission of sin in Jerusalem just as Jesus said. This was the first time Jesus' name was used in connection with water baptism. Paul's command that the Ephesus disciples to be re-baptized in the name of the Lord speaks to water baptism being much more than some public display. Only after Jesus death, burial and resurrection could mankind's sins be remitted. There is none other name under heaven whereby we must be saved. (Acts 4:12)
 
E

eternally-gratefull

Guest
I'll stick with the Bible & not an unknown forum source.

Acts 13:24 When John had first preached before his coming the baptism of repentance to all the people of Israel.
(NOTE: John the Baptist is sent to preach, the baptism of repentance to All the People of ISRAEL. To Prepare the way (PEOPLE) for the coming LORD. Through whom remission/pardon of sin would be realized)

KJ Bible
Acts 19:4 Then said Paul, John verily baptized with the baptism of repentance, saying unto the people, that they should believe on him which should come after him, that is, on Christ Jesus.
(NOTE: John is sent to preach the baptism of repentance. To PREPARE the people to believe on him which should come after him, that is, on Christ Jesus. Through whom the remission/pardon of sin would be realized)

5 On hearing this they were baptized [again, this time] in the name of the Lord Jesus.
(NOTE: Baptized 1st by John pre-sin payment in preparation to meet Jesus & Baptized again post-sin payment in Jesus name for the remission/pardon of sin)

John's water baptism didn't remove/pardon/forgive sin. The Jew had a sacrificial system that dealt with/covered - NOT REMOVED or FORGAVE SIN. Once a year the High Priest made sacrifices for the whole nation. Anyone could bring a personal (5 different types) sin sacrifice to the Temple. Again, these sacrifices only covered sin & only for 1 yr.

Water baptism doesn't remove/pardon/forgive sin, repentance remove/pardon/forgive sin, obedience doesn't remove/pardon/forgive sin, sabbath observance doesn't remove/pardon/forgive sin, tithing remove/pardon/forgive sin etc, etc.

Its not until after Jesus resurrection (Fathers receipt Jesus was Messiah/Sin Redeemer). That every past sin covered received remission/pardon/forgiveness.

Heb 9:22 And almost all things are by the law purged with blood; and without shedding of blood is no remission.
(NOTE: Without Christ's shed blood there is NO Remission/Pardon for sins.)

Mat 26:28 For this is my blood of the new testament, which is shed for many for the remission of sins.
(NOTE: It's Belief/faith in Christ's sinless shed blood that provides the Remission/Pardon for sins. NOT the act of repentance or water baptism)

Col 1:14 In whom we have redemption through his blood, even the forgiveness of sins:
(NOTE: Forgiveness of sins are realized thru Christ's atoning sacrifice)

Finally,
No place in John's teaching with you find Jesus death & resurrection. In Acts 2 Peter preaches todays message. Jesus died, was buried & rose again.
Since when is the greek an unknown forum source?

You can stil with whatever your heart desires.. Just know your eternity may be at stake, You better do all you can to find the right answer.
 
E

eternally-gratefull

Guest
So is Acts 8 also a different Gospel?
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.)

17Then laid they their hands on them, and they recieved the Holy Ghost .

Is God not allowed to do this also ?
so these people were saved by faith plus works? They were told that they had to repent. be baptized AND have the apostles lay their hands on them?
 

throughfaith

Well-known member
Aug 4, 2020
10,467
1,593
113
so these people were saved by faith plus works? They were told that they had to repent. be baptized AND have the apostles lay their hands on them?
Saved by the blood of christ . The prerequisite is as described. The prerequisite Today is not Acts 2.38 . That was for Israel. Today its as we see in Eph 1.13 . 1 cor 15 .1-4 ..Rom 10 .9 . 1 cor 1.21 ect ect .
 
E

eternally-gratefull

Guest
Saved by the blood of christ . The prerequisite is as described. The prerequisite Today is not Acts 2.38 . That was for Israel. Today its as we see in Eph 1.13 . 1 cor 15 .1-4 ..Rom 10 .9 . 1 cor 1.21 ect ect .
It was not a prerequisite for Israel. God did not give them the law. and say they could not be saved by the law

then give them salvation by baptism.

and then tell gentiles we just need saving faith.

Your teaching two gospels. Thats false.
 

throughfaith

Well-known member
Aug 4, 2020
10,467
1,593
113
It was not a prerequisite for Israel. God did not give them the law. and say they could not be saved by the law

then give them salvation by baptism.

and then tell gentiles we just need saving faith.

Your teaching two gospels. Thats false.
What Peter tells them to do in Acts 2.38 is what they had to do . The results were immediate.
41Then they that gladly received his word were baptized: and the same day there were added unto them about three thousand souls.
They that gladly received his word were baptized:

' Gladly ' . Why are you moaning about it ? They were glad. I'm Glad about Eph 1.13 .
 
E

eternally-gratefull

Guest
Water baptism of repentance was never part of the OT law.
John's water baptism of repentance for the remission of sins was put into place as an introduction to what would later require the use of Jesus' name. (Luke 3:3) Jesus stated that repentance and remission of sin would be preached in his name beginning in Jerusalem. (Luke 24:47) Peter commanded everyone be baptized the the name of the Lord Jesus for remission of sin in Jerusalem just as Jesus said. This was the first time Jesus' name was used in connection with water baptism. Paul's command that the Ephesus disciples to be re-baptized in the name of the Lord speaks to water baptism being much more than some public display. Only after Jesus death, burial and resurrection could mankind's sins be remitted. There is none other name under heaven whereby we must be saved. (Acts 4:12)
Your right, It was not part of the old

Johns was to point to Jesus, to prepare the way. Just like the law was to lead us to christ. As the law not only showed us WHY we need saved (for all have sinned) but HOW we are saved (the lamb of God)

water was never p[art of the salvation process.. Nor was it meant to be
 

throughfaith

Well-known member
Aug 4, 2020
10,467
1,593
113
Your right, It was not part of the old

Johns was to point to Jesus, to prepare the way. Just like the law was to lead us to christ. As the law not only showed us WHY we need saved (for all have sinned) but HOW we are saved (the lamb of God)

water was never p[art of the salvation process.. Nor was it meant to be
Water doesn't save them . Recieving the Holy Spirit does .
 
E

eternally-gratefull

Guest
What Peter tells them to do in Acts 2.38 is what they had to do . The results were immediate.
41Then they that gladly received his word were baptized: and the same day there were added unto them about three thousand souls.
They that gladly received his word were baptized:

' Gladly ' . Why are you moaning about it ? They were glad. I'm Glad about Eph 1.13 .
But he did not tell them that. He told them to repent to recieve the gift. Baptism was not part of that.

Yes, they GLADLY recieved the word in faith. And BECAUSE they recieved and was saved, They aboyed the command to be baptized.

Funny how the same thing happens to us..

I was baptized because I GLADLY recieved the message.

wern't you?
 
E

eternally-gratefull

Guest
Water doesn't save them . Recieving the Holy Spirit does .
yep

And they recieved the holy spirit because they repented. NOT because they were baptized.. They were baptized BECAUSE they had faith. and were saved.
 

Wansvic

Well-known member
Nov 27, 2018
4,767
1,038
113
Peter is not addressing anyone but Israel. They are surprised by Cornelius.
God wasn't surprised. And surely it was God who made the prophesy come forward from Peter that the promise was "for as many as the Lord our God shall call." (Acts 2:39)