“What about the word Acts 2:38 “eis” in verse 38?” Meaning of eis in Acts 2:38 Some, in wishing to deny the importance and purpose of baptism in Jesus name, claim that the original Greek word eis in Acts 2:38 means be baptized because you already have remission of sins. But such a translation and interpretation cannot be supported with a responsible study of Scripture and the Greek language. In Acts 2:38 (KJV), Peter said, Repent, and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ FOR (Greek eis) the remission of sins. According to one source, eis is translated in this way in the King James Version: Into – 571 times To -- 282 times Unto -- 208 times In -- 131 times For -- 91 times On -- 57 times Toward -- 32 times That -- 30 times Against -- 25 times Upon -- 25 times At -- 20 times Among -- 16 times Concerning -- 5 times “because of” – 0 times According to Thayers lexigon, eis means entrance into, or direction and limit: into, to, towards, for, among. The majority of the words listed above are consistent with that meaning. Many wish to believe/teach that Peter said repent and be baptized because of the remission of sins. There is, however, not a single instance of the Greek word eis in the KJV ever translated as because of. Nor is there apparently any version of the Bible that translates Acts 2:38, Repent, and be baptized . . . because of the remission of sins. To better understand the meaning, consider the entire phrase for the remission of sins. In the original Greek it reads: eis aphesin ton hamartion humon. That phrase is also found in Mark 1:4 and Luke 3:3 where John preached the baptism of repentance for the remission of sins. Did John preach and baptize because they already had forgiveness, or was it leading up to that time of forgiveness through Christ? The real test, though, is found in Matthew 26:28. There Jesus said His blood is shed for many for the remission of sins. What did He mean by that? Would He shed His blood because people already had forgiveness or in order that they might obtain it? If Jesus used the word/phrase to mean in order to receive remission of sins, then is it not reasonable to conclude that Peter, by inspiration of the Spirit sent by Jesus, would mean the exact same thing when he used the exact same phrase? Surely Peters command to be baptized in Acts 2:38 means what it clearly says: baptism is for/in order to obtain the forgiveness of sins. Furthermore, if their sins were already forgiven, why in the world would Peter tell them to repent and be baptized for the remission of sins? Repentance is for those who still have their sins counted against them. If their sins were already forgiven, (and they were therefore already saved) why would Peter (in verse 40) tell them to “save yourselves…”? READ -Acts 22:16-And now why do you wait? Rise and be baptized, and wash away your sins,calling on his name. This verse, like Acts 2:38, again confirms that baptism IN JESUS NAME is when our sins are washed away. Baptism IN JESUS NAME is how we “call on the name of the Lord.” That is why when people are baptized the person who baptizes them proclaims aloud and invoked the NAME JESUS CHRIST at water Baptism- when baptizing baptismal candidates! ( The New Testament Church- always invoked the name of Jesus at water baptism- Acts 2:38;8;16;10:48; 19:5; 22:16; Gal 3;27; Romans 6:3-5; Col 3:17; Luke 24:47; Acts 10:43; Acts 4;12). We see in Acts 2:21,38 how closely the phrase “calling on the name of the Lord” is associated with baptism. This calling on the name of Lord - which is Jesus ( Acts 4;12;Phil 2;10-11; Ephe 4;5-6) (coupled with faith and repentance) is what distinguishes biblical baptism in Jesus name from merely getting wet. Ananias spoke these words to Paul three days after Jesus struck down Paul on the road to Damascus. Paul had believed and acknowledged Jesus as Lord for three days at this point in time. If belief alone brought forgiveness, then his sins would have already been washed away. Let’s take a closer look at this situation: Here is Paul, who, after having persecuted the APOSTOLIC CHRISTIAN, is confronted by none other than Jesus Christ Himself in his glorified state. Jesus tells Paul he will be told what he must do (Acts 22:11). Jesus did not tell him what it was he must do. No, Paul would be told by someone else what it is he must do. So while waiting for three days Paul: 1.) had faith and believed in Jesus AS the Lord God Almighty ( Phil 2:9-11; Acts 4:12; Col 2:9-10;3:17; Ephe 4:5-6). 2.) fasted and prayed in repentance (Acts 9:9,11) 3.) Yet his sins were still counted against him (Paul is told, “…wash your sins away”) So for three days Paul was repenting and prayed. Do you think that just maybe, possibly, any of his prayers were asking God to forgive him? But when Ananias comes to him, Paul is told he still has sins that need to be washed away. This is indisputable Scriptural evidence that the “sinner’s prayer” is insufficient to save someone and we are NOT saved before baptism in Jesus name ( Mark 16:16; I Peter 3;20-21; Acts 2:38-42) even if we have faith and repentance! Notice also, Paul is not told to “pray for Jesus to come into your life.” He is not led in a prayer requesting salvation. No! But Paul is told to “be baptized!” And the reason he was told to “be baptized” was that his sins were still counted against him--and it is in baptism in Jesus name ( Acts 2:38) that they are washed away ( Acts 22;16)!. According to both the Bible and history, the New Testament church invoked the name of Jesus at water baptism. Its baptismal formula was in the name of Jesus Christ or Lord Jesus; not in the name of the Father, Son, and Holy Ghost. The Scriptural Record Every time the Bible records the name or formula associated with an actual baptism in the New Testament church, it was the name Jesus. All five such accounts occur in the Book of Acts, the history book of the Early Church. It records that the following people were baptized in Jesus name. • The Jews. Then Peter said unto to them, Repent, and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins, and ye shall receive the gift of the Holy Ghost. (Acts 2:38). • The Samaritans. They were baptized in the name of the Lord Jesus (Acts 8:16). • The Gentiles. And he commanded them to be baptized in the name of the Lord (Acts 10:48). (The earliest Greek manuscripts say, in the name of Jesus Christ, as do most versions today.) • The disciples of John (rebaptized). They were baptized in the name of the Lord Jesus (Acts 19:5). • The Apostle Paul. Arise, and be baptized, and wash away thy sins, calling on the name of the Lord (Acts 22:16). • Moreover, the Epistles contain a number of references or allusions to baptism in Jesus name. See Romans 6:3-4; I Corinthians 1:13; 6:11; Galatians 3:27; Colossians 2:12; James 2:17. The only verse of Scripture that our Trinitarian beloved Brethren, could appeal to in support of a threefold baptismal formula is Matthew 28:19, in which Jesus commanded baptism in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost: The word name in this verse is singular, however, indicating that the phrase describes one supreme name by which the one God is revealed, not three names of three persons. The apostles understood Christs words as a description of His own name, for they fulfilled His command by baptizing in the name of Jesus. There is only one God (Deuteronomy 6:4), and He has one supreme name today (Zechariah 14:9). Jesus is the incarnation of all the fulness of the Godhead (Colossians 2:9). Jesus is the only saving name, the name in which we receive remission of sins, the highest name made known to us, and the name in which we are to say and do all things (Acts 4:12; 10:4-3; Philippians 2:9-11; Colossians 3:17). Thus the one supreme, saving name of Matthew 28:19 is Jesus. We are to fulfill the command of that verse as the Early Church did, by invoking the name of Jesus at baptism. The Historical Record Respected historical sources verify that the early Christian church did not use a threefold baptismal formula but invoked the name of Jesus in baptism well into the second and third centuries. • Encyclopedia of Religion and Ethics (1951), II, 384, 389: The formula used was in the name of the Lord Jesus Christ or some synonymous phrase; there is no evidence for the use of the trine name. . . . The earliest form, represented in the Acts, was simple immersion . . . in water, the use of the name of the Lord, and the laying on of hands. To these were added, at various times and places which cannot be safely identified, (a) the trine name (Justin), . . • Interpreters Dictionary of the Bible (1962), I, 351: The evidence ...suggests that baptism in early Christianity was administered, not in the threefold name, but in the name of Jesus Christ or in the name of the Lord Jesus. • Otto Heick, A History of Christian Thought (1965), I, 87: At first baptism was administered in the name of Jesus, but gradually in the name of the Triune God: Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. • Hastingss Dictionary of the Bible (1898), I, 24-1: (One could conclude that) the original form of words was into the name of Jesus Christ or the Lord Jesus: Baptism into the name of the Trinity was a later development. • Williston Walker, A History of the Christian Church (1947), page 58: The trinitarian baptismal formula . . . was displacing the older baptism in the name of Christ. • The New Schaff-Herzog Religious Encyclopedia (1957), I, 435: The New Testament knows only baptism in the name of Jesus . . . , which still occurs even in the second and third centuries. • Canneys Encyclopedia of Religions (1970), page 53: Persons were baptized at first in the name of Jesus Christ . . . or in the name of the Lord Jesus: . . . . Afterwards, with the development of the doctrine of the Trinity, they were baptized in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Ghost. • Encyclopedia Bibilca (1899), I 4-73: It is natural to conclude that baptism was administered in the earliest times in the name of Jesus Christ; or in the name of the Lord Jesus: . . . This view is confirmed by the fact that the earliest forms of the baptismal confession appear to have been single-not triple, as was the later creed. • The Catholic Encyclopedia, II, 263: The baptismal formula was changed from the name of Jesus Christ to the words Father, Son, and Holy Spirit by the Catholic Church in the second century. True Christians today should use the biblical baptismal formula as found in the New Testament. Everyone should be baptized by immersion in the name of the Lord Jesus Christ for the remission of sins. Lastly but not the least, remember this that,the book of the Acts of the Apostles is an historical record of the birth and development of the original Church. It records examples of the disciples baptizing people and also the formula for baptism which was In the name of Jesus. You may say We baptize in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost because Jesus said so Matthew 28: 19. BUT Remember! Jesus never wrote a word of the New Testament, but his words were recorded by his disciples. Let us take a careful look at what Jesus actually said. Go ye therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing them in the NAME (singular, not names-not plural) of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost. We know that, Jesus did not tell his disciples to repeat his words as a baptismal formula.The focus of Jesus command was to baptize in a single name, and not three titles, eg Father, Son and Holy Ghost. There is a difference between a name and a title. Father is a title meaning Male parent , Son is a title meaning Male child , Holy Ghost is describing the purity of GODs Spirit. None of these are GODs name. JESUS is the name of the Father, and of the Son and of the Holy Ghost (John 5:43; Matt 1:21; Jn 14:26; Acts 4:12; Col 3:17; Col 2:9; Zechariah 14:9;Ephe 4:5-6). The terms Father, Son and Holy Ghost refer to the three manifestations (Not persons) of the one God whose name is Jesus. GOD has many titles, but only one name, which is JESUS. And they stoned Stephen, calling upon God, and saying, Lord Jesus , receive my spirit Acts 7:59. I do understand, you might argue that the concept of the Trinity is taught in the Bible. I certainly agree that the concept of the plurality of Gods Might and Majesty cannot be denied in scripture. Nor can we deny the fact that the One True God created all human beings after his own image and likeness. Since man is a tripartite being of spirit, soul, and body - so also God is a tripartite Being manifested to us as Father, Son (The Word Incarnate), and Holy Spirit. The fact that Adam was created as one person in the image and likeness of God (not three persons with three heads) proves that God is also One Person. The whole concept of calling God three divine co-equal, co-eternal persons is completely foreign to the Bible. It is a false and misleading invention of the devil. It leads to a pseudo form of Christian Baptism which takes the saving Name of Jesus Christ out. THE APOSTLES AND EVANGELISTS OF THE NEW TESTAMENT CHURCH ALWAYS BAPTIZED IN THE NAME OF JESUS ALONE! • Repent and be baptized everyone of you in the name of Jesus Christ. Acts 2:38 • They were baptized in the Name of the Lord Jesus. Acts 8:16 • And he commanded them to be baptized in the name of the Lord Jesus. Acts 19:5 • . . . so many of us as were baptized into Jesus Christ, were baptized into his death.Romans 6:3. • For as many of you as have been baptized into Christ have put on Christ. Gal. 3:26,27 • And whatsoever you do in word or deed, do all in the name of the Lord Jesus. Col.3:17. There is absolutely no instance in the entire New Testament where the apostles and evangelists of the early church ever baptized in the titles Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. The actions of the apostles prove that the name of the Father, Son and Spirit has to be Jesus, which literally means Jehovah Saves. Sometimes, Im wondering, WHY most so-called Christian churches believe in praying, casting out devils and healing the sick in the name of Jesus, but reject or even become offended at the thought of being baptized in JESUS name. Paul said And whatsoever ye do in word or deed (baptism is a deed), do all in the name of the Lord Jesus” READ Colossians 3 : 17 & Acts 19 : 5! We must make a choice between tradition and truth. Paul has given to us these words of warning: Beware lest any man spoil you through philosophy and vain deceit, after the tradition of men, after the rudiments of the world, and not after Christ. For in him dwelleth all the fulness of the Godhead bodily. And ye are complete in him Colossians 2:9-10). If we are complete in Him, we should be willing to take upon ourselves His name in water baptism- Gal 3:27! When we truly repent of our sins, and are willing to be baptized in Jesus name, the Holy Ghost is promised unto us! Peter said: Repent, and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins, and ye shall receive the gift of the Holy Ghost (Acts 2:38). The church is built on the teaching of the apostles, which is nothing other than the teaching of Christ, made known through them and subsequently recorded in the New Testament. Together with Christ, the apostles and prophets form the foundation of the church: Now, therefore, you are no longer strangers and foreigners, but fellow citizens with the saints and members of the household of God, having been built on the foundation of the apostles and prophets, Jesus Christ Himself being the chief cornerstone (Ephesians 2:19,20). Like some Trinitarian brethren today, even in the first century there were false teachers who rejected the authority of the apostles. Paul warned: If anyone thinks himself to be a prophet or spiritual, let him acknowledge that the things which I write to you are the commandments of the Lord (1 Corinthians 14:37). • Acts 2:42 - The first disciples continued steadfastly in the apostles doctrine. The teaching of the apostles was their standard of authority, because it was the word of God. • Luke 10:16 - If we accept the teaching of inspired prophets, we are listening to Jesus (because they taught His will). If we reject the Apostles, we reject Jesus! ( Lk 10:16; Jn 20:22-23; Matt 28:20;Matt 16:18-20), because Jesus guided them in what they taught ( Mark 16:20;Matt 28:20). Remember! That our Lord Jesus called and sent the apostles to teach ( Matt 28:19-20; Mark 16:15-17). The Apostles, who were taught by JESUS, administered water baptism “in the name of Jesus” ( Acts 2;38; 8:16;10:48; 19:5; Gal 3:27; Romans 6:3; Acts 22;16; Col 3:17). The apostles never baptized believers according to the Roman Catholic man-made formula!!! • ACTS 2 : 38 : Then Peter said unto them, REPENT, AND BE BAPTIZED EVERY ONE OF YOU IN THE NAME OF JESUS CHRIST FOR THE REMISSION OF SINS, AND YE SHALL RECEIVE THE GIFT OF THE HOLY GHOST. • ACTS 8 : 16 For as yet he was fallen upon none of them: only they were baptized in the NAME of the LORD JESUS. • ACTS 19 : 5 When they heard this, they were baptized in the NAME of the LORD JESUS. The Apostles NEVER repeated the words In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost as a formula for water baptism. And they continued steadfastly in the APOSTLES DOCTRINE Acts 2 : 42! They taught what God through the Holy Spirit guided them to teach. If we hear what they (Apostles) say, we are of God. Otherwise, we are not of God but we are of the DEVIL! “Ye are of your father the devil, and the lusts of your father ye will do. He was a murderer from the beginning, and abode not in the truth, because there is no truth in him. When he speaketh a lie, he speaketh of his own: for he is a liar, and the father of it” (John 8:44). The names of the twelve apostles are on the foundations of the wall of Zion (Revelation 21:14). We will not gain entrance to the heavenly city unless we continue steadfastly in the apostles doctrine ( Acts 2:17-42). Honest hearts, receive the truth! It is of utmost importance that water baptism be applied in the Name of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ ( Galatians 3:27)! Neither is there salvation in any other; for there is NONE OTHER NAME under Heaven given among men, whereby we must be saved (Acts 4:12). • Beware lest any man spoil you through philosophy and vain deceit, after the tradition of men, after the rudiments of the world, and not after Christ. For IN HIM DWELLETH ALL the fullness of the Godhead bodily. And ye are COMPLETE IN HIM, which is the head of all principality and power: In whom also ye are ... BURIED WITH HIM IN BAPTISM, wherein also ye are risen with Him through the faith of the operation of God, who hath raised Him from the dead (Col. 2:8-12). • YE ARE WASHED, ye are sanctified, ye are justified IN THE NAME OF THE LORD JESUS, and by the Spirit of our God (I Cor. 6:11). • Whatsoever ye do in word or deed, DO ALL IN THE NAME OF THE LORD JESUS (Col. 3:17). There is only ONE LORD, ONE FAITH, AND ONE BAPTISM (Eph. 4:5). The argument that we are saved before baptism IN JESUS NAME is NOTHING BUT a lie! It originates from the father of lies - THE DEVIL who was a murderer from the beginning and in whom is no truth. You must make a choice between tradition (man-made doctrines) and truth (biblical apostles Doctrines)! Heaven or Hell? The Choice is Yours….! Ye shall know the truth and the truth shall make you free (John 8:32). I hope this helps! Bro.Paogin Mangte atsseminaryindia.webs
Posted on: Sat, 18 Oct 2014 17:38:01 +0000
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