PerryDox – BeJustAChristian

Thursday’s Thought – Peter, John, and Jesus

What did Peter mean when saying, “Repent and be baptized each of you in the name of Jesus Christ FOR the forgiveness of sins”? While people argue over the meaning of “for/eis” in Acts 2:38, as to whether “for” means “into” or “because”, vv.40-41 clarify and emphasize that Peter meant “into” as in purpose.

Notice how this flow:

• A – MANY WORDS: 40) And with many other words he solemnly testified and kept on urging them, saying,
  • B – WHAT TO DO: “Be saved from this perverse generation!”
  • B’ – WHAT THEY DID: 41) So then, those who had received his word were baptized;
• A’ – MANY SOULS: and that day there were added about three thousand souls.

Notice Peter:

• “urges them” (showing immediate action required; and not schedule it for the future)
• and says, “be saved” (the desired result)
• and the reaction to that is “those who received his word” (that is believed),
• were baptized (this is when they were saved)”.

Now notice how Acts 2:38 harmonizes with John the Baptist’s message:

• Luke 3:3 – He went into all the vicinity of the Jordan, proclaiming a baptism of repentance for/eis the forgiveness of sins,
• Acts 2:38 – Peter replied, “Repent and be baptized, each of you, in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins, and you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit.

Now notice how Acts 2:40-41 harmonizes with Jesus’s message:

• Mark 16:16 – Whoever believes and is baptized will be saved, but whoever does not believe will be condemned.
• Acts 2:40-41 – 40) And with many other words he solemnly testified and kept on urging them, saying, “Be saved from this perverse generation!” 41) So then, those who had received his word were baptized; and that day there were added about three thousand souls.

All this means is that Peter, John, and Jesus all taught the same message: baptism leads to salvation, not follows it.

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This entry was posted by PHall on Thursday, December 10th, 2020 at 12:13 pm and is filed under Bible. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. Both comments and pings are currently closed.