Acts 2:38

And Peter said unto them, Repent ye, and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ unto the remission of your sins; and ye shall receive the gift of the Holy Spirit.

'REPENT'-3340. metanoeo met-an-o-eh'-o; from 3326 and 3539; to think differently or afterwards, i.e. reconsider (morally, feel compunction): -repent.

-'Change your mind and your life. Turn right about and do it now' (Robertson p. 34) McGarvey notes, '"Brethren, what shall be do?" shows plainly that repentance is not mere sorrow for sin, but. change which follows after it.' (p. 38) For. great definition of repentance see 2 Corinthians 7:10.

'BAPTIZED'-907. baptizo bap-tid'-zo; from. derivative of 911; to immerse, submerge; to make overwhelmed (i.e. fully wet); used only (in the N.T.) of ceremonial ablution, especially (technically) of the ordinance of Christian baptism: -Baptist, baptize, wash.

'EVERYONE OF YOU'-One cannot be baptized for another individual.

'IN THE NAME OF JESUS CHRIST'-(Matthew 28:19; Acts 10:48; Acts 8:16; Acts 19:5). Which means by His authority, which recognizes that baptism is something that Jesus Himself had commanded (Mark 16:16). We should note that here we have one more evidence that Jesus is God, for 'baptism in the name of one of the Persons of the Trinity (Godhead) involves the names of the other Persons also (Matthew 28:19).' (Gr. Ex. N.T. p. 91) Stott notes, 'which means "by his authority, acknowledging his claims, subscribing to his doctrines, engaging in his service..' (p. 78)

Points to Note:

Certain Pentecostal groups argue that it is only Scriptural to baptize in the name of Jesus. They must ignore Matthew 28:19.

The baptism being commanded is water baptism. For this is the baptism that is commanded (Acts 10:48), and the baptism that is linked with salvation (Acts 8:35-38). In addition, the mode of baptism is immersion, for that is the correct meaning of the Greek word rendered 'baptize'. In addition, various passages dealing with baptism infer that baptism is an immersion from what is stated in the context: Acts 8:38 'they both went down into the water'; Matthew 3:16 'went up immediately from the water'; Romans 6:4 'buried with Him through baptism'; Colossians 2:12.

Some argue that baptism is simply something cultural, i.e. how people in the First Century manifested their obedience to God. And that we can be saved today without being baptized. But Jesus removed baptism from the cultural realm, when He demanded this of people from all cultures and nations (Mark 16:15).

Neither can it be argued that baptism is simply. Jewish practice (the Jewish ritual cleansing baths) which the Church copied. For the ritual baths of the Jews were frequent for the individual, while baptism is. one-time event. And baptism is linked with the forgiveness of sins--and not some mere ceremonial impurity.

'UNTO'-

Points to Note:

Some have argued that the word "unto", actually means "because of". Hence Peter is telling these people, 'repent and be baptized...because you have already been forgiven', i.e. one is saved prior to baptism.

But if that is true: (a) Then one is saved prior to repentance, for repentance and baptism are both linked with "unto the remission of your sins". 'both repentance and baptism have the same relationship to remission of sins here in Peter's instructions. If there is no remission before repentance (and. know of no faith-only teacher who would so hold), then there is no remission before baptism.' (Reese p. 78) (b) Then why is Peter commanding them to be baptized? (c) According to Acts 2:40, prior to anyone being baptized (Acts 2:41), the text tells us that nobody has been saved yet. (d) Jesus plainly placed baptism prior to salvation (Mark 16:16).

Boles in his commentary notes. whole list of denominational scholars which render the Greek word here, "for the putting away..in order to..aim, purpose, the object to be obtained, in order to receive, to this end,.." (p. 47)

Reese notes, 'Edgar J. Goodspeed (Baptist scholar), in his version of the Scriptures, translated "You must repent and be baptized every one of you in order to have your sins forgiven". When he was asked about this very un-baptist translation (it certainly does not uphold the doctrine of faith-only as the way to salvation), he replied, "I am first. Greek scholar, and then. theologian". In other words, the faith-only theology will just have to suffer, for Acts 2:38 makes baptism essential to salvation.' (pp. 77-78)

Other Scriptures demonstrating the necessity of baptism: Mark 16:16; Acts 10:48; Acts 22:16 (compare with Acts 9:1)--even essential after Saul had seen Jesus, sincerely repented and had been engaged in fervent prayer); Romans 6:3; Galatians 3:26; Ephesians 4:5 (one unimportant baptism??); Colossians 2:12.

The Bible interprets the meaning of Acts 2:38 for us. For the same speaker (Peter) wrote, 'baptism now saves you' (1 Peter 3:21). That should settle the meaning of the word "unto".

'REMISSION OF YOUR SINS'-859. aphesis af'-es-is; from 863; freedom; (figuratively) pardon: -deliverance, forgiveness, liberty, remission.

Points to Note:

This indicates that the New Covenant is now in force. For one of the benefits of that Covenant would be the forgiveness of sins (Jeremiah 2:31). Which also demands that at this point the First Covenant (the law of Moses), has been removed. (Hebrews 8:6; Hebrews 9:1; Hebrews 10:1) Thus these conditions for salvation apply to all who live and need salvation after the resurrection of Jesus Christ.

Seeing that Jesus linked forgiveness of sin with His blood (Matthew 26:28); and Peter linked forgiveness with baptism, we must conclude that baptism brings one into contact with the benefits of the sacrifice of Christ (Romans 6:3).

Since this message of forgiveness was proclaimed to devout Jewish individuals (Acts 2:5), this is one more proof that one cannot find salvation in Judaism-or in any other religion. Jesus is the only way (Acts 4:12).

'AND YOU SHALL RECEIVE THE GIFT OF THE HOLY SPIRIT'-

Points to Note:

The phrase "gift of the Holy Spirit", can either mean the Holy Spirit is the gift or the Holy Spirit gives the gift.

We already know what this passage isn't teaching: That everyone who was baptized, was then baptized in the Holy Spirit. For Holy Spirit baptism was. promise (Acts 1:5), to specific individuals (John 14:26) and was the rare exception, not the rule (Acts 8:16; Acts 11:15). Or, that following baptism the Christian automatically receives spiritual gifts. See Acts 8:14.

To say that this refers to. non-miraculous indwelling doesn't fit with Acts 8:15. For that passage is teaching that one can be baptized without receiving the Holy Spirit.

Two views seem reasonable: (a) The gift of the Holy Spirit does refer to the Spiritual gifts (same type of expression is used in Acts 8:20; Acts 10:45; Acts 11:17 of such an indwelling). But this verse doesn't give us the "how". This gift didn't happen automatically after one was baptized (Acts 8:12 ff), but came about through the laying on of the apostles hands (Acts 8:18). This view would also say that the "promise" of Acts 2:39 applies to the fulfillment of Joel's prophecy, i.e. that the Spirit would be poured out upon various individuals in the early Church. (b) The other view is that the gift of the Holy Spirit applies to all the blessings that the Holy Spirit has promised when. person becomes. Christian. And that the promise of Acts 2:39, is the promise given to Abraham, that in him all the families of the earth would be blessed (Acts 3:25; Galatians 3:15; Galatians 3:29; Acts 13:32; Acts 13:26).

Turner puts it this way, 'it is the sum total of blessings promised by the Spirit..he was saying, 'upon your submission to Christ, the past will be forgiven, and you will receive whatever blessings, and all blessings, God has for you in this Christian dispensation.' (Plain Talk 17/3/7)

In the end we must allow other passages to properly define the "gift of the Spirit" in this passage. For the apostles received the baptism of the Spirit (Acts 1:5); the household of Cornelius received something similar (I say similar because it wasn't the exact same thing that happened at Pentecost for it didn't qualify them to be the official eyewitnesses or enable them to pass on the spiritual gifts Acts 1:15-17); other Christians received the Spirit and spiritual gifts through the laying on of the apostles hands (Acts 8:17) (although all did not- 1 Corinthians 12:29 ff).