Article by: Kenneth J. Ester
Understanding - Acts 2:38
Sometimes a single verse is used to support multiple false doctrines simply because people interpret it to mean what they want it to mean instead of supporting primary scriptures.
Acts 2:38 (NASB)
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.
The first misinterpretation in this verse comes from the definition of the word "repent". Quite often in today's churches, pastors and preachers are teaching that it means to turn away from sin. The truth is the word "repent" has nothing to do with sin in of itself. The word means nothing more than to have a change of mind, or a change of heart. The only time it means to turn away from sin is if it literally is used in a sentence saying to repent of sin. In this instance, it is not used in that way. This verse does not say to repent of your sin and be baptized. It says to repent and be baptized.
The next point of interest in this verse is the word "baptized". Many accept this means to be baptized by water, but it simply never actually says that. It only says to be baptized. It is completely in the realm of possibility that it is speaking of baptism of the Spirit.
Of course many dont believe that because it clearly says to repent and be baptized for the forgiveness of your sins and you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit. How can you be baptized by the Spirit in order to receive the Gift of the Holy Spirit right? Believe it or not, they are two different things.
Ephesians 1:13 (NASB)
13 In Him, you also, after listening to the message of truth, the gospel of your salvation—having also believed, you were sealed in Him with the Holy Spirit of promise,
I want to use this verse to clarify a couple things...
1) After hearing the message of truth, the gospel of your salvation, having also believed,... This right here is the definition of repent. Hearing the message of truth and having a change of heart and believing is to repent. That is what this verse is talking about when it says to repent.
2) After believing, it says you are sealed in Him, with the Holy Spirit of promise. What promise could that possibly be other than the promise of salvation? So this verse is also telling us that upon believing, God sends the Holy Spirit to enter you. This is also supported by another scripture....
Ezekiel 36:26-27 (NASB)
26 Moreover, I will give you a new heart and put a new spirit within you; and I will remove the heart of stone from your flesh and give you a heart of flesh. 27 And I will put My Spirit within you and bring it about that you walk in My statutes, and are careful and [a]follow My ordinances.
This is what the Lord does when He changes us so we can turn to Him. He gives us a new heart and puts a new spirit within us. And He puts His Spirit within us. There is no mention of needing to have hands laid on us or being baptized by water or anything.
So if God sends the Holy Spirit to enter us upon believing the message of truth, the only way we can be baptized to receive the gift of the Holy Spirit is if the baptism of the Spirit and the gift of the Holy Spirit is two different things. And it is.
Baptism of the Holy Spirit is when the Holy Spirit enters us and dwells within us upon believing. He seals us with the promise of salvation. The gift of the Holy Spirit is when the Holy Spirit wells up inside us and fills us with His power and gives us a special gift to use. Speaking in tongues (which is used very wrong today in many churches), wisdom, knowledge, prophecy among others.
Finally there is the part about the forgiveness of your sins. This is often assumed to mean that if you repent and get baptized, you will be forgiven for your sins. The problem is that is only one way of interpreting this.
I would argue this is telling you to repent. And because that will result in the forgiveness of your sins, you should be baptized.
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.
(Paraphrased) -- Peter said to them, "Have a change of heart and believe, and each of you be baptized in the name of Jesus Christ because your sins are forgiven; and you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit.
In the end, you can interpret this how you want. The truth is however, that this verse can be interpreted different ways. It is not so plainly stated. It is not a primary scripture, but it is only an interpreted scripture.
Acts 2:38 (NASB)
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.
The first misinterpretation in this verse comes from the definition of the word "repent". Quite often in today's churches, pastors and preachers are teaching that it means to turn away from sin. The truth is the word "repent" has nothing to do with sin in of itself. The word means nothing more than to have a change of mind, or a change of heart. The only time it means to turn away from sin is if it literally is used in a sentence saying to repent of sin. In this instance, it is not used in that way. This verse does not say to repent of your sin and be baptized. It says to repent and be baptized.
The next point of interest in this verse is the word "baptized". Many accept this means to be baptized by water, but it simply never actually says that. It only says to be baptized. It is completely in the realm of possibility that it is speaking of baptism of the Spirit.
Of course many dont believe that because it clearly says to repent and be baptized for the forgiveness of your sins and you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit. How can you be baptized by the Spirit in order to receive the Gift of the Holy Spirit right? Believe it or not, they are two different things.
Ephesians 1:13 (NASB)
13 In Him, you also, after listening to the message of truth, the gospel of your salvation—having also believed, you were sealed in Him with the Holy Spirit of promise,
I want to use this verse to clarify a couple things...
1) After hearing the message of truth, the gospel of your salvation, having also believed,... This right here is the definition of repent. Hearing the message of truth and having a change of heart and believing is to repent. That is what this verse is talking about when it says to repent.
2) After believing, it says you are sealed in Him, with the Holy Spirit of promise. What promise could that possibly be other than the promise of salvation? So this verse is also telling us that upon believing, God sends the Holy Spirit to enter you. This is also supported by another scripture....
Ezekiel 36:26-27 (NASB)
26 Moreover, I will give you a new heart and put a new spirit within you; and I will remove the heart of stone from your flesh and give you a heart of flesh. 27 And I will put My Spirit within you and bring it about that you walk in My statutes, and are careful and [a]follow My ordinances.
This is what the Lord does when He changes us so we can turn to Him. He gives us a new heart and puts a new spirit within us. And He puts His Spirit within us. There is no mention of needing to have hands laid on us or being baptized by water or anything.
So if God sends the Holy Spirit to enter us upon believing the message of truth, the only way we can be baptized to receive the gift of the Holy Spirit is if the baptism of the Spirit and the gift of the Holy Spirit is two different things. And it is.
Baptism of the Holy Spirit is when the Holy Spirit enters us and dwells within us upon believing. He seals us with the promise of salvation. The gift of the Holy Spirit is when the Holy Spirit wells up inside us and fills us with His power and gives us a special gift to use. Speaking in tongues (which is used very wrong today in many churches), wisdom, knowledge, prophecy among others.
Finally there is the part about the forgiveness of your sins. This is often assumed to mean that if you repent and get baptized, you will be forgiven for your sins. The problem is that is only one way of interpreting this.
I would argue this is telling you to repent. And because that will result in the forgiveness of your sins, you should be baptized.
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.
(Paraphrased) -- Peter said to them, "Have a change of heart and believe, and each of you be baptized in the name of Jesus Christ because your sins are forgiven; and you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit.
In the end, you can interpret this how you want. The truth is however, that this verse can be interpreted different ways. It is not so plainly stated. It is not a primary scripture, but it is only an interpreted scripture.