What we find in the attempt to separate these concepts through semantical cunningness is what happens when we allow a 100 year old soteriological model to be framed by the lens of the King James Version phraseology only to fit a paradigm for salvation and unique revelation. This paradigm has become more exclusivistic and intolerant among many as we enter 4th and 5th generations of the movement.
Every expert on the matter will tell you the same thing ... aphesis means just that aphesis ... forgiveness, pardon, bearing away of sin, remission .... no change in focus either.
Growing up we read the bible in Spanish ... there was no confusion in trying to play with word meanings between forgiveness and remission....
Aphesis is translated in all verses in the Reina Valera w/ the same word "perdon" ... or pardon.
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Some Examples - Example 1:
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KIV:
38Then 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.
NIV:
38Peter replied, "Repent and be baptized, every one of you, in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins. And you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit.
Reina Valera:
38 Pedro les dijo: Arrepentíos, y bautícese cada uno de vosotros en el nombre de Jesucristo para perdón de los pecados; y recibiréis el don del Espíritu Santo.
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Example 2:
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Mark 1:4
4John did baptize in the wilderness, and preach the baptism of repentance for the remission of sins.
NIV:
4And so John came, baptizing in the desert region and preaching a baptism of repentance for the forgiveness of sins.
Reina Valera:
4 Bautizaba Juan en el desierto, y predicaba el bautismo de arrepentimiento para perdón de pecados.
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Example 3:
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Reina Valera:
Luke 24
47 y que se predicase en su nombre el arrepentimiento y el perdón de pecados en todas las naciones, comenzando desde Jerusalén.
KJV:
47And that repentance and remission of sins should be preached in his name among all nations, beginning at Jerusalem.
NIV:
4And so John came, baptizing in the desert region and preaching a baptism of repentance for the forgiveness of sins.
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I could go on and on.... it applies to all verses with this root word. With one exception in Romans.
To say that repentance brings forgiveness and baptism brings remission only works in a KJV setting .... not in the original Greek ... other English versions ... NIV, NASB, ESV ... or in other languages that use the one word to mean the same as the Apostles expressed it.
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Baptism provides no " sin washing"
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The false premise that remission is a result of a washing that happens at baptism .... while forgiveness is the result of repentance ... is patently false ... and borders on the mysticism found in the doctrine of transubstantiation of the Eucharist.
As is the idea that the blood is only applied in a properly administered baptism in which salvation hangs on the words of the baptizer.
Why do go against the doctrine of the Apostles and their words?
The writer to the Hebrews (chapter 6) tells us blood remits/forgives/washes/ wipes away our sins. Peter, the preacher at Pentecost, tells us that when we repent and turn to God our sins are wiped/blotted away (
Acts 3:19)
Inevitably ... some one will ask
What about
Acts 2:38 ... ? "For the remission of sins".
Dr. Seagraves adds:
Quote:
Quote:
It would be useful in any current discussion of the relationship between water baptism and the remission of sins to recognize and respond to an objection that is current among some scholars of our day. It is perhaps best expressed in The Bible Knowledge Commentary and suggests that the clause "and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ" is parenthetical, based on the following factors: "
(a) The verb makes a distinction between singular and plural verbs and nouns. The verb `repent' is plural and so is the pronoun `your' in the clause so that your sins maybe forgiven (lit., `unto the remission of your sins,' eis aphesin ton hamartion hymon).
Therefore the verb `repent' must go with the purpose and forgiveness of sins.
On the other hand the imperative `be baptized' is singular, setting it off from the rest of the sentence.
(b) This concept fits with Peter's proclamation in Acts 10:43 in which the same expression `sins may be forgiven' (aphesin harmation) occurs. There it is granted on the basis of faith alone.
(c) In Luke 24:47 and Acts 5:31 the same writer, Luke, indicates that repentance results in remission
of sins."
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Peter, "the holder of the keys", even tells us in his epistle tells us that it does not put away filth. (
1 Peter 3)
Lastly,
The following quote holds true to any extrabiblical approach :
"Any doctrine which cannot be solidly supported by scripture must be laid aside, lest we be found to add to or take away from God’s holy Word."