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.

throughfaith

Well-known member
Aug 4, 2020
10,467
1,593
113
#1
Acts 2.38 is sadly one of ,the most twisted scriptures in the NT .

Again ,why is Acts 2.38 used as the plan of salvation today ?
-Its chapter 2 in a book of 28 chapters ?
- Its a transitional book
- Peter is addressing Israel/ Jews
36¶Therefore let all the house of Israel know assuredly, that God hath made that same Jesus, whom ye have crucified, both Lord and Christ.

- The objection is this part.
39For the promise is unto you, and to your children, and to all that are afar off, even as many as the Lord our God shall call.

But in context, as Peter has no Gentile in mind ,he's saying " For the promise is unto you( Jews ) , and to your children( Jews ) , and to all that are afar off,( Jews ) even as many as the Lord our God shall call.( Jews ,as Gentiles are not in the picture until After Israels rejection in Acts 7 )

- The Order is rightly seen as reading 38¶Then Peter said unto them,
1 Repent,
2and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins
3) , and ye shall receive the gift of the Holy Ghost.

This is not found in any description Paul gives later.
The commentaries literally do linguistic gymnastics, with 'the greek ' to try make it sound like what we see after in the epistles. Its hilarious the amount of dancing around is made of this verse to make it say something it actually doesn't say . The verse scarcely stands as it reads ,given by so many commentaries.

Peter is saying things to this crowd that doesn't apply to us . " whom ye have crucified , both Lord and Christ.
This is specific to this audience.
Yes they are saved when they do what's required. My point is that what is required today is not Acts 2.38 .
Rather its 1.cor 1.21
Eph 1.13
Rom 10,9 -15
1 cor 15 : 1-4

thoughts ?
 

GRACE_ambassador

Well-known member
Feb 22, 2021
3,215
1,614
113
Midwest
#2
Acts 2.38 is sadly one of ,the most twisted scriptures in the NT .

Again ,why is Acts 2.38 used as the plan of salvation today ?
-Its chapter 2 in a book of 28 chapters ?
- Its a transitional book
- Peter is addressing Israel/ Jews
36¶Therefore let all the house of Israel know assuredly, that God hath made that same Jesus, whom ye have crucified, both Lord and Christ.

- The objection is this part.
39For the promise is unto you, and to your children, and to all that are afar off, even as many as the Lord our God shall call.

But in context, as Peter has no Gentile in mind ,he's saying " For the promise is unto you( Jews ) , and to your children( Jews ) , and to all that are afar off,( Jews ) even as many as the Lord our God shall call.( Jews ,as Gentiles are not in the picture until After Israels rejection in Acts 7 )

- The Order is rightly seen as reading 38¶Then Peter said unto them,
1 Repent,
2and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins
3) , and ye shall receive the gift of the Holy Ghost.

This is not found in any description Paul gives later.
The commentaries literally do linguistic gymnastics, with 'the greek ' to try make it sound like what we see after in the epistles. Its hilarious the amount of dancing around is made of this verse to make it say something it actually doesn't say . The verse scarcely stands as it reads ,given by so many commentaries.

Peter is saying things to this crowd that doesn't apply to us . " whom ye have crucified , both Lord and Christ.
This is specific to this audience.
Yes they are saved when they do what's required. My point is that what is required today is not Acts 2.38 .
Rather its 1.cor 1.21
Eph 1.13
Rom 10,9 -15
1 cor 15 : 1-4

thoughts ?
Amen! All I can offer in thoughts is my own "study" of the matter, which
has had not many takers, but MANY critics, but, here is my Summary:

Baptisms Scriptural Summary!:

And, Please Be Very Richly Blessed In CHRIST, And HIS Word Of Truth!:

LORD JESUS, please open our hearts to All of Thy Truth. Amen:

Q: Does God Still Require water baptism, Today, Under HIS PURE GRACE?:

Prophecy/Law:

►►► The Twelve Were Sent to {water} baptize! ◄◄◄

The TWO Main (of 12) baptismS =

A) water, For remission of sins!:
(Matthew_3:5-6; Mark_1:4; Luke_3:3; John_1:31; Luke_7:29-30; Acts_10:37)
(Matthew_28:19; Mark_16:16; Acts_2:38, 22:16; Ezekiel_36:25)
+
B) WITH The Holy Spirit, Poured Out By CHRIST, for power, signs And wonders!
(Isaiah_44:3; Matthew_3:11; Mark_1:8, 16:17-18;
Luke_24:49; Acts_2:17-18, 38, 8:15-17, 11:16)

Rightly Divided (2 Timothy 2:15 KJB!) From Things That Differ!:

Mystery/GRACE!:

►►► Paul Was Not Sent to {water} baptize! Why Not?: ◄◄◄

Today: Only ONE Baptism = "BY" The ONE Spirit = God's OPERATION,

Spiritually Identifying members In (The ONE Body Of) CHRIST!!
(Ephesians_4:5; Colossians_2:12; Galatians_3:27;
Romans_6:3-4; 1_Corinthians_12:13 KJB!)
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Conclusion: God's ONE Baptism Today? = ONE {MOST Important}?

OR, EQUALS TWO?

Is it not Possible That God's Answer Of "No water baptism, for us Today," Under
HIS Pure GRACE, absolutely vanquishes Satan's Confusion into oblivion!?

FULL "studies" here: 12 baptisms and here: ONE Baptism All critics welcome!

Precious friend(s), Please Be Very RICHLY Blessed!

See you in God’s Great GloryLand! ↑ :)
 

Blik

Senior Member
Dec 6, 2016
7,312
2,428
113
#3
Acts 2.38 is sadly one of ,the most twisted scriptures in the NT .

Again ,why is Acts 2.38 used as the plan of salvation today ?
-Its chapter 2 in a book of 28 chapters ?
- Its a transitional book
- Peter is addressing Israel/ Jews
36¶Therefore let all the house of Israel know assuredly, that God hath made that same Jesus, whom ye have crucified, both Lord and Christ.

- The objection is this part.
39For the promise is unto you, and to your children, and to all that are afar off, even as many as the Lord our God shall call.

But in context, as Peter has no Gentile in mind ,he's saying " For the promise is unto you( Jews ) , and to your children( Jews ) , and to all that are afar off,( Jews ) even as many as the Lord our God shall call.( Jews ,as Gentiles are not in the picture until After Israels rejection in Acts 7 )

- The Order is rightly seen as reading 38¶Then Peter said unto them,
1 Repent,
2and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins
3) , and ye shall receive the gift of the Holy Ghost.

This is not found in any description Paul gives later.
The commentaries literally do linguistic gymnastics, with 'the greek ' to try make it sound like what we see after in the epistles. Its hilarious the amount of dancing around is made of this verse to make it say something it actually doesn't say . The verse scarcely stands as it reads ,given by so many commentaries.

Peter is saying things to this crowd that doesn't apply to us . " whom ye have crucified , both Lord and Christ.
This is specific to this audience.
Yes they are saved when they do what's required. My point is that what is required today is not Acts 2.38 .
Rather its 1.cor 1.21
Eph 1.13
Rom 10,9 -15
1 cor 15 : 1-4

thoughts ?
The entire controversy boils down to this: when we get so caught up in Israel, Jew, gentile, Hebrew, nations, told of in scripture that we completely lose sight of God's perspective of these, we simply don't know at all what God is telling us. God loves every human He created and wants the best for every human, and that best is to live with Him forever. God sees us all the same--we are the ones dividing us into hard and fast groups.
 
Jun 9, 2021
1,871
425
83
#4
The one thing we do know for certain here, Yeshua, all of the Apostles were Water Baptized. Paul explains this in Romans.

Now, that [same Grace] existed the Moment Yeshua died, Buried, Resurrected, and still all of the Apostles, and many examples of others are Water Baptized.

So, if that Same Grace existed 2,000 years ago, and Paul was still Water Baptized, how did that concept change 2,000 years later?
 
Mar 17, 2021
560
165
43
#5
There is the story of a mugger who attacked an old woman on the street. She was a committed Christian and quite assertive, As the mugger ran at her, she shouted "Acts 2:38!" Abruptly, the mugger turned and ran for his life. Later on, when the police caught up with him and arrested him, they asked why he ran away from such a little old lady. He replied:
"She yelled at me that she had an axe and two 38s, and I wasn't going to stick around when she that weaponry!"
 

p_rehbein

Senior Member
Sep 4, 2013
30,700
6,885
113
#6
The one thing we do know for certain here, Yeshua, all of the Apostles were Water Baptized. Paul explains this in Romans.
Can you show me in Scripture where the Apostles were water baptized?
 

p_rehbein

Senior Member
Sep 4, 2013
30,700
6,885
113
#7
So, if that Same Grace existed 2,000 years ago, and Paul was still Water Baptized, how did that concept change 2,000 years later?
Water baptism is important for new believers. Why? Because Jesus told us to be water baptized. Why would Jesus tell us to be water baptized? For the same reason He was water baptized.

Water baptism IS NOT UNTO SALVATION!

Water baptism serves two purposes:
1) As a witness to the world that the person being baptized has become a believer in and a disciple of Jesus.
2) As a witness to the Church that the person being baptized has become a believer in and disciple of Jesus.

Spiritual baptism (baptism of the Holy Spirit/which IS unto salvation) can not be seen with the human eye. Neither the world, nor the Church can witness and testify to the person being baptized by the Holy Spirit. That is why water baptism is so important, and why Jesus told new believers to be water baptized.

Water baptism is the first act of obedience the new believer can preform as they begin their new life in Jesus.
 

Blik

Senior Member
Dec 6, 2016
7,312
2,428
113
#8
The one thing we do know for certain here, Yeshua, all of the Apostles were Water Baptized. Paul explains this in Romans.

Now, that [same Grace] existed the Moment Yeshua died, Buried, Resurrected, and still all of the Apostles, and many examples of others are Water Baptized.

So, if that Same Grace existed 2,000 years ago, and Paul was still Water Baptized, how did that concept change 2,000 years later?
John the Baptist baptized with water, and said Christ was greater than him and would baptize with the holy spirit. When Christ baptized with the holy spirit he still used water, yet it wasn't the water that was important but the spirit.
 
Jun 9, 2021
1,871
425
83
#10
Water baptism is important for new believers. Why? Because Jesus told us to be water baptized. Why would Jesus tell us to be water baptized? For the same reason He was water baptized.

Water baptism IS NOT UNTO SALVATION!

Water baptism serves two purposes:
1) As a witness to the world that the person being baptized has become a believer in and a disciple of Jesus.
2) As a witness to the Church that the person being baptized has become a believer in and disciple of Jesus.

Spiritual baptism (baptism of the Holy Spirit/which IS unto salvation) can not be seen with the human eye. Neither the world, nor the Church can witness and testify to the person being baptized by the Holy Spirit. That is why water baptism is so important, and why Jesus told new believers to be water baptized.

Water baptism is the first act of obedience the new believer can preform as they begin their new life in Jesus.
Amen!
 
Jun 9, 2021
1,871
425
83
#11
John the Baptist baptized with water, and said Christ was greater than him and would baptize with the holy spirit. When Christ baptized with the holy spirit he still used water, yet it wasn't the water that was important but the spirit.
Amen!
 

throughfaith

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

jb

Senior Member
Feb 27, 2010
4,940
591
113
#13
Acts 2.38 is sadly one of ,the most twisted scriptures in the NT .

Again ,why is Acts 2.38 used as the plan of salvation today ?
-Its chapter 2 in a book of 28 chapters ?
- Its a transitional book
- Peter is addressing Israel/ Jews
36¶Therefore let all the house of Israel know assuredly, that God hath made that same Jesus, whom ye have crucified, both Lord and Christ.

- The objection is this part.
39For the promise is unto you, and to your children, and to all that are afar off, even as many as the Lord our God shall call.

But in context, as Peter has no Gentile in mind ,he's saying " For the promise is unto you( Jews ) , and to your children( Jews ) , and to all that are afar off,( Jews ) even as many as the Lord our God shall call.( Jews ,as Gentiles are not in the picture until After Israels rejection in Acts 7 )

- The Order is rightly seen as reading 38¶Then Peter said unto them,
1 Repent,
2and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins
3) , and ye shall receive the gift of the Holy Ghost.

This is not found in any description Paul gives later.
The commentaries literally do linguistic gymnastics, with 'the greek ' to try make it sound like what we see after in the epistles. Its hilarious the amount of dancing around is made of this verse to make it say something it actually doesn't say . The verse scarcely stands as it reads ,given by so many commentaries.

Peter is saying things to this crowd that doesn't apply to us . " whom ye have crucified , both Lord and Christ.
This is specific to this audience.
Yes they are saved when they do what's required. My point is that what is required today is not Acts 2.38 .
Rather its 1.cor 1.21
Eph 1.13
Rom 10,9 -15
1 cor 15 : 1-4

thoughts ?
Complete and absolute piffle!
 
E

eternally-gratefull

Guest
#15
The whole issue with acts 2:38 is the translation. If the verse was translated correctly we probably would not have these discussions,

repent, Greek metanoesati - verb, Aorist, active, imperative, second person, plural

be baptized baptistheto - verb, aorist, passive, imperative, third person, singular

the reader should already notice these two verbs are different, first off we have the 3rd person in repent, vs the second person baptize. This alone shows Peter is speaking to different people when giving these commands, he is telling everyone (plural) to repent and active command they must do, however he is telling individuals (singular) to be baptized,

if, as any people say, peter demanded both were required, he would have used both in the second person plural.

second thing to not is the gift of the spirit is also 2nd person plural, hence, be baptized is not related to this gift, it only related to repent.

Finally, baptized for the remission of sin (Kai)

the word for can be used, multiple ways,

I call the doctor for medicine (I called in order to recieve medicine)

I called for my daughter (I called on account of my daughter)

and since the gift of the spirit is not related to baptism, we MUST assume remmision of sin is recieved by repent nance (faith) and Peter is hence telling those who recieved remission of sin to be baptized (on account of)

and this is seen in the next verse, and those who believed were baptized,

hence we answer why Peter said in 3rd person singular to be baptized, he was talking to those who had repentance which led to remission
 

throughfaith

Well-known member
Aug 4, 2020
10,467
1,593
113
#16
Romans 6
The whole issue with acts 2:38 is the translation. If the verse was translated correctly we probably would not have these discussions,

repent, Greek metanoesati - verb, Aorist, active, imperative, second person, plural

be baptized baptistheto - verb, aorist, passive, imperative, third person, singular

the reader should already notice these two verbs are different, first off we have the 3rd person in repent, vs the second person baptize. This alone shows Peter is speaking to different people when giving these commands, he is telling everyone (plural) to repent and active command they must do, however he is telling individuals (singular) to be baptized,

if, as any people say, peter demanded both were required, he would have used both in the second person plural.

second thing to not is the gift of the spirit is also 2nd person plural, hence, be baptized is not related to this gift, it only related to repent.

Finally, baptized for the remission of sin (Kai)

the word for can be used, multiple ways,

I call the doctor for medicine (I called in order to recieve medicine)

I called for my daughter (I called on account of my daughter)

and since the gift of the spirit is not related to baptism, we MUST assume remmision of sin is recieved by repent nance (faith) and Peter is hence telling those who recieved remission of sin to be baptized (on account of)

and this is seen in the next verse, and those who believed were baptized,

hence we answer why Peter said in 3rd person singular to be baptized, he was talking to those who had repentance which led to remission
There's two problems with that . Aside from this being the mental gymnastics/ The greek game ,I was referring to . This ignores the context . There's absolutely nothing wrong with how its translated . What's wrong is how its applied .
 
Mar 4, 2020
8,614
3,691
113
#17
Acts 2.38 is sadly one of ,the most twisted scriptures in the NT .

Again ,why is Acts 2.38 used as the plan of salvation today ?
-Its chapter 2 in a book of 28 chapters ?
- Its a transitional book
- Peter is addressing Israel/ Jews
36¶Therefore let all the house of Israel know assuredly, that God hath made that same Jesus, whom ye have crucified, both Lord and Christ.

- The objection is this part.
39For the promise is unto you, and to your children, and to all that are afar off, even as many as the Lord our God shall call.

But in context, as Peter has no Gentile in mind ,he's saying " For the promise is unto you( Jews ) , and to your children( Jews ) , and to all that are afar off,( Jews ) even as many as the Lord our God shall call.( Jews ,as Gentiles are not in the picture until After Israels rejection in Acts 7 )

- The Order is rightly seen as reading 38¶Then Peter said unto them,
1 Repent,
2and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins
3) , and ye shall receive the gift of the Holy Ghost.

This is not found in any description Paul gives later.
The commentaries literally do linguistic gymnastics, with 'the greek ' to try make it sound like what we see after in the epistles. Its hilarious the amount of dancing around is made of this verse to make it say something it actually doesn't say . The verse scarcely stands as it reads ,given by so many commentaries.

Peter is saying things to this crowd that doesn't apply to us . " whom ye have crucified , both Lord and Christ.
This is specific to this audience.
Yes they are saved when they do what's required. My point is that what is required today is not Acts 2.38 .
Rather its 1.cor 1.21
Eph 1.13
Rom 10,9 -15
1 cor 15 : 1-4

thoughts ?
I don't think it's as black and white as you say. What can we gather from the context? Let's look at it:

Acts 2:37-41, 44
37Now when they heard this, they were pricked in their heart, and said unto Peter and to the rest of the apostles, Men and brethren, what shall we do? 38Then 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. 39For the promise is unto you, and to your children, and to all that are afar off, even as many as the Lord our God shall call. 40And with many other words did he testify and exhort, saying, Save yourselves from this untoward generation. 41Then they that gladly received his word were baptized: and the same day there were added unto them about three thousand souls.

44And all that believed were together, and had all things common;

While you are correct that the audience he was addressing were Jewish people, whether proselytes or ethnic Jews. The things Peter tells them to do are actually repeated elsewhere for Gentiles.

So what did he tell them to do?
1. Repent (2 Corinthians 7:10)
2. Be baptized (1 Corinthians 1:14-17)
3. They believed (1 Corinthians 15:1-4)


So what I'm getting at is that the message surrounding Acts 2:38 not only applies to Jews, but to Gentiles as well. I just showed you the evidence.

I do not think it is necessary to attempt to separate this message from the context of the New Testament message to Gentiles. Why are you doing this?
 

throughfaith

Well-known member
Aug 4, 2020
10,467
1,593
113
#18
I don't think it's as black and white as you say. What can we gather from the context? Let's look at it:

Acts 2:37-41, 44
37Now when they heard this, they were pricked in their heart, and said unto Peter and to the rest of the apostles, Men and brethren, what shall we do? 38Then 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. 39For the promise is unto you, and to your children, and to all that are afar off, even as many as the Lord our God shall call. 40And with many other words did he testify and exhort, saying, Save yourselves from this untoward generation. 41Then they that gladly received his word were baptized: and the same day there were added unto them about three thousand souls.

44And all that believed were together, and had all things common;

While you are correct that the audience he was addressing were Jewish people, whether proselytes or ethnic Jews. The things Peter tells them to do are actually repeated elsewhere for Gentiles.

So what did he tell them to do?
1. Repent (2 Corinthians 7:10)
2. Be baptized (1 Corinthians 1:14-17)
3. They believed (1 Corinthians 15:1-4)


So what I'm getting at is that the message surrounding Acts 2:38 not only applies to Jews, but to Gentiles as well. I just showed you the evidence.

I do not think it is necessary to attempt to separate this message from the context of the New Testament message to Gentiles. Why are you doing this?
I disagree. And this is the problem with the majority of bible teaching today. Loosey goosey hermanutucs . Its like " ok Paul mentions Baptism over here , so if I take that and add it to where the bible mentioned repent , double back to where believe was said and mash them together, with no reguard to the context I found them in and , hey presto we have a match for Acts 2.38 . Ta Darrrr!!!
 

throughfaith

Well-known member
Aug 4, 2020
10,467
1,593
113
#19
I don't think it's as black and white as you say. What can we gather from the context? Let's look at it:

Acts 2:37-41, 44
37Now when they heard this, they were pricked in their heart, and said unto Peter and to the rest of the apostles, Men and brethren, what shall we do? 38Then 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. 39For the promise is unto you, and to your children, and to all that are afar off, even as many as the Lord our God shall call. 40And with many other words did he testify and exhort, saying, Save yourselves from this untoward generation. 41Then they that gladly received his word were baptized: and the same day there were added unto them about three thousand souls.

44And all that believed were together, and had all things common;

While you are correct that the audience he was addressing were Jewish people, whether proselytes or ethnic Jews. The things Peter tells them to do are actually repeated elsewhere for Gentiles.

So what did he tell them to do?
1. Repent (2 Corinthians 7:10)
2. Be baptized (1 Corinthians 1:14-17)
3. They believed (1 Corinthians 15:1-4)


So what I'm getting at is that the message surrounding Acts 2:38 not only applies to Jews, but to Gentiles as well. I just showed you the evidence.

I do not think it is necessary to attempt to separate this message from the context of the New Testament message to Gentiles. Why are you doing this?
Show me a message to a gentile thats the same as Acts 2.38 ? Then show me where it is after Acts also . The most crucial teaching to the body of Christ and what we find is Eph 1.13 .
 
Mar 4, 2020
8,614
3,691
113
#20
I disagree. And this is the problem with the majority of bible teaching today. Loosey goosey hermanutucs . Its like " ok Paul mentions Baptism over here , so if I take that and add it to where the bible mentioned repent , double back to where believe was said and mash them together, with no reguard to the context I found them in and , hey presto we have a match for Acts 2.38 . Ta Darrrr!!!
Actually, that's exactly how the Bible works. There are messages spread out over many different writings, rarely every concisely stated in a singular place. This is called studying the scriptures and it's necessary.