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NASB | Acts 22:16 'Now why do you delay? Get up and be baptized, and wash away your sins, calling on His name.' |
AMPLIFIED 2015 | Acts 22:16 'Now, why do you delay? Get up and be baptized, and wash away your sins by calling on His name [for salvation].' |
Bible Question:
Why is the first imperative, "be baptized," followed by a second, "wash away your sins," if baptism hasn't a thing to do with the removal of sins? Why does Saul still need to have his sins washed away? Is baptism connected to washing away of sins? Many who post on this forum say they are connected symbolically: but they only allow that baptism is done later to symbolize an earlier spiritual cleansing. But I wonder if they can explain why Ananias commands that Saul both, "be baptized" and "wash away thy sins"? Help me to understand this verse. |
Bible Answer: Scripture ... Psa 51:2; Act 2:21, 8:14-17, 9:4-19, 16:31, 22:5-16, 26:12-19; Rom 2:28-29, 10:9, 13-15a; 1 Cor 1:17, 6:11, 9:19-23, 15:8; Gal 1:12; Eph 5:26, 2:8-9; Php 3:4-9; Tts 3:5; Heb 10:22 ... Disciplerami, There are two issues that must be viewed, when looking at this verse. First, we need to view at all three accounts of the same event (Act 9:4-19, 22:5-16, 26:12-19). Act 9:5. He called Him Lord. That may not make him a Christian. But, in 22:8 he says the same thing ... then in verse 22:10, Saul (Paul) says he is ready to serve Him. ... in 26:16, the Lord said Saul (Paul) a minister and witness. Verse 18 talks about Saul (Paul)'s preaching, for those who need it. Ananias recounted a similar thing (22:14-15) The Lord does say Saul (Paul) needed the message. He had to be a Christian in order to preach this message. Also, nonbeliever wouldn't serve Him or be a minister and witness Further support is that Saul (Paul) is saved at this point is said, "For I neither received it of man, neither was I taught it, but by the revelation of Jesus Christ" (Gal 1:12). 1 Corinthians 15:8 also says that Christ appeared to Him. Saul (Paul) made adjustments to win people (1 Cor 9:19-23) ... and since he did not baptize, he must have won them, for the Lord by his preaching (1 Cor 1:17). Act 9:15. When Ananias objected (vv 13-14) to the Lord's command (vv 11-12), the Lord said Saul (Paul) was a chosen instrument of His. It is impossible to be His chosen instrument without being a Christian. Act 9:17. Ananias was sent to Saul (Paul): (1) So he would receive his physical eyesight and (2) Get filled with the Holy Ghost. We have see this before (Act 8:14-17) ... Peter and John were sent to those in Samaria, who already were saved. Note that Ananias calls Saul (Paul), his brother, as he does in 22:13. Would he have called him that if he was just a Jew? Remember that Ananias didn't want to go ... but went because Saul (Paul) had a change of heart ... and called him is brother. Act 9:18. He is baptized, which is the final action of 22:16. Second, we need to view the Greek grammar The terms "arise" and "call" are aorist participles; "be baptized" and "be cleansed" are aorist imperatives. These terms form two sets--the first, "arise and be baptized," the second, "wash away your sins, calling upon the name of the Lord," or more literally, "wash away your sins, having called upon the name of the Lord." The remission of sins is effected by calling upon the name of the Lord in this passage--it is represented, as elsewhere, by baptism. See Titus 3:5 about one's sins are washed away, as well as other Scripture (Psa 51:2, 1 Cor 6:11, Eph 5:26, Heb 10:22). How could water wash sins if water, which is physical, could only touch man's flesh and not his spirit, that is intangible? There are a few verses that show inward grace is all that is needed (Rom 2:28-29, Eph 2:8-9, Php 3:4-9). Plus, I don't see baptism being needed to be saved (Act 2:21, 16:31, Rom 10:9, 13-15a). Searcher |