e.r.m.
Church of Christ
1. In first century Judaism, the mikveh (immersion in living water, such as their pools, the ocean, and rivers) had a central place in cleansing of sin. Acts 2:38 immersion in Yeshua's name for forgiveness of sins, now that he was made Lord and Christ, fit into their beliefs. Peter did the unheard of and gave this same baptism in water to the gentiles in Acts 10 (although it was actually Jesus who did via his vision to Peter). A rabbi also confirmed to me that the mikveh was for the purpose of conversion and not for commemoration of what God has already done for you.
At the event of Acts 2:38 the baptism in water is the overwhelmingly likely scenario
2. Acts 2:38 was a command:
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."
Peter could not command people to be baptized with the Holy Spirit. That is not something people could 'do'. Baptism with the Holy Spirit is 'done to them' by God alone.
3. If Peter's "command" had been baptism in the Holy Spirit, then Acts 2:38 would read:
Peter said to them, "Repent, and each of you baptize yourselves in the Holy Spirit in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins; and you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit."
Saying that Acts 2:38 is baptism in the Holy Spirit was a desperate attempt by somebody to avoid water baptism for forgiveness of sins and didn't think it through.
At the event of Acts 2:38 the baptism in water is the overwhelmingly likely scenario
2. Acts 2:38 was a command:
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."
Peter could not command people to be baptized with the Holy Spirit. That is not something people could 'do'. Baptism with the Holy Spirit is 'done to them' by God alone.
3. If Peter's "command" had been baptism in the Holy Spirit, then Acts 2:38 would read:
Peter said to them, "Repent, and each of you baptize yourselves in the Holy Spirit in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins; and you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit."
Saying that Acts 2:38 is baptism in the Holy Spirit was a desperate attempt by somebody to avoid water baptism for forgiveness of sins and didn't think it through.
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