Prior Book | Prior Chapter | Prior Verse | Next Verse | Next Chapter | Next Book | Viewing NASB and Amplified 2015 | |
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: Acts 2:38 Repentance and Baptism? |
Bible Note: Greetings Rowdy! Fortunately (or unfortunately), I don't have a PhD! :-) Having read the various interpetations of these verse though, I am much more comfortable with the one which follows the rules of grammar than the one which does not simply because God's Word is written in a language. :-) As for Mark 16, you have already noted that there are a couple of ways of looking at it which do not violate the grammar. Plus, there is the whole question of whether or not the long ending was even original or not. For my part, I stake my claim on the many verses which do not include any mention of baptism as being necessary for salvation. I'm not going to list them all again, but you can search the archives for some of my old posts if you would like (if you have lots of time on your hands)! :-) But, I would simply say this: I do believe that all believers should be baptized because there is no doubt that God commands us to do so. The only point I would differ on is the relationship between salvation and baptism. I believe that Scripture is clear that baptism is a response to salvation, not the other way around. The only problem I have with the better safe than sorry approach is that it puts the burden on our works rather than God's grace. This was the same situtation that Paul faced in Galatians. He could have taken your approach for those who felt that circumcision was necessary for salvation. But, he didn't. In fact, he went so far as to say that they were preaching 'another' gospel other than what they had first heard. There are simply too many Scriptures which teach that salvation is 100 percent a gift which must only be accepted, not a wage which can or must be earned. From my perspective, when we attach some thing that we must 'do' as a condition for salvation, that thing is now a 'work'. I appreciate your gentle spirit my friend! Your Brother in Christ, Tim Moran |