The Timing of Cornelius’ Baptism of the Holy Ghost

[TK Burk]

Originally Posted by hometown guy

Sin has always been forgiven at true repentance. Remission of sins is what happens at baptism not forgiveness of sins.

Those hearing Peter on the Day of Pentecost asked how they could be saved from the guilt of their sin. He answered them with the Acts 2:38 message of salvation. The question here is whether the “remission” in Acts 2:38 is the same word as “forgiveness.”

The first evidence they're the same is found in the Greek word aphesis (see Strong’s G859). The King James Version (KJV) translates aphesis as “remission” in Acts 2:38. The KJV also translates aphesis six times as “forgiveness” (See Mark 3:29, Acts 5:31, Acts 13:38, Acts 26:18, Ephesians 1:7, Colossians 1:14). Thus, aphesis means both “remission” and “forgiveness” in the KJV. This same word is also translated as both “deliverance” and “liberty” in Luke 4:18. The reason for these differences is purely due to a translator’s preference when trying to convey the meaning of the context where aphesis is found. Therefore, aphesis can properly be translated as “remission” or as “forgiveness.”

Another evidence for their similarity is found in the biblical meaning of “remission” and forgiveness.” For this, I'll use the Webster's Dictionary of American English (1828) definition. Please, pay special attention to the words I underlined.

Remission: 5. Forgiveness; pardon; that is, the giving up of the punishment due to a crime; as the remission of sins. Mat 26. Heb 9

Forgiveness: 2. The pardon or remission of an offense or crime; as the forgiveness of sin or of injuries.

Thus, remission means forgiveness, and forgiveness means remission, so they carrying the same message.