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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. |
AMPLIFIED 2015 | Acts 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. |
Subject: WHY? |
Bible Note: Greetings Grace and Truth! That's it! :-) Your quote said: "However, the argument is futile. It is a fundamental form of grammatical construction that a group may be addressed with a general command; and then, as a matter of emphasis, a second injunction may be issued to each individual within the group — both commands being equally obligatory." However, no one is debating that more than one command can be given! The issue is whether or not the plural phrase can be associated with a singular command. Mr. Hardeman apparently does not address this issue at all. Nor does he provide any documentation for what he says. The grammaticall point I have mentioned is supported by Greek Grammarians. A. T. Robertson writes in his "Word Pictures of the New Testament": "Change of number from plural to singular and of person from second to third. This change marks a break in the thought here that the English translation does not preserve. The first thing to do is make a radical and complete change of heart and life. Then let each one be baptized after this change has taken place, and the act of baptism be performed "in the name of Jesus Christ"" This is not a gimmick, but a simple point of grammar. If Luke had wanted both commands to apply to the 'eis' clause, he would have simply written: "Repent (plural) and be baptized (plural) for the forgiveness of your (plural) sins..." In this case, there would not be any doubt that the 'eis' phrase was assoiated with both imperatives. However, the actual text says: "Repent (plural) and let each one be baptized (singular) for the forgiveness of your (plural) sins..." This point, along with the fact that 'eis' does indicate cause in some contexts, must be addressed before one can say that Acts 2:38 teachs that repentance AND baptism result in forgiveness of sins. Your Brother in Christ, Tim Moran |