Why Acts 2:38?

[mizpeh]

Originally Posted by Jason Badejo

The problem is NOT Acts 2:38. Acts 2:38 is a legetimate call to repentance and instruction of the action should IMMEDIATELY follow repentance, namely water baptism. The point of reception of the Holy Ghost in this verse can be debated. As some think it happens afters steps one and two (hence the name three steppers) while others don't see this as a three-fold formula, but rather than the promise of the Spirit is given to those who obey Peter's command (namely to repent AND be baptized). I would say, that in the context all 3,000 that repented at Peters preaching followed that repentance with water baptism. However if we attempt to force tongues into their response (see Acts 2:41) that is indeed a stretch, which at the very best is an assumption based on Acts 2:1-4, but not necessarily supported by the text. However, I digress........

Almost anything we say about Acts 2:41 is a stretch since we aren't given the exact wording. The only things worth commenting on is "Save yourselves" and "perverse generation".

Back to what I wanted to say....the problem is NOT Acts 2:38 it is our interpretation of it, which seeks to force tongues into the passage. There is nothing wrong with using the words of Peter to appeal to sinners who need salvation, but Acts 2:38 doesn't contradict other passages where direct appeals are made to those who are in need of salvation. Furthermore if someone is willing to assume that the 3,000 DID all speak with tongues (about which the passage is silent) are they (you) also willing to make the same claim about the 5,000 in Acts 4? Furthermore, the results spoken of in Acts 4:4 don't seem to be very popular preaching material:

I haven't heard anyone say that Acts 2:38 teaches that speaking with tongues is the initial sign that a believer has received the baptism of the Holy Spirit. I'm certainly not forcing tongues into that verse.

1) I like to harmonize the scriptures since they are inspired by God I don't see any possible way that they could contradict one another.

2) I also think that the apostles all taught the same gospel. They all stood up on the day of Pentecost with Peter, in effect a tacit agreement with the words that Peter spoke when he explained what was happening. Though Paul received his revelation of Christ and the gospel independently of the twelve, Paul compared the gospel he preached with that of the twelve to make sure he was "orthodox".

3) I also understand Acts 2 to be a watershed account. An inauguration of the new covenant. The birth of the church. It's where we find the first message of salvation through Christ being taught to others. We should expect to hear the entire message, the full gospel (not bits and pieces that need harmonization). It's where the normative practice of the church is laid out.

Acts 2:38 contains only TWO commands/instructions to the hearers, the third "command" is not a command or instruction to obey at all, but is a gift from God. These commands are things that we can actually do within our own power of choice, or reject to do, namely 1)repent and 2)be baptized.

Why do you think these are the first commands (repent, be baptized) given to unbelievers if they don't play some part in our salvation?

Receiving the Spirit may not be a command but it is definitely distinct from repentance and baptism. IOW, one should not expect to receive the Spirit AT repentance nor should one expect to receive the Spirit AT water baptism although it might happen at those times. Peter is saying do this (repent) and do that (be baptized) and you shall receive the baptism of the Spirit. He is not saying you will be baptized with the Holy Spirit when you repent or when you are baptized. Peter is also not teaching that the baptism of the Holy Spirit happens at faith since it is obvious that those hearers who were pricked in their hearts BELIEVED what Peter had just told them.

I guess the bigger question is, can we prove that God DOESN'T give the Holy Spirit to the truly repentant sinner?

Of course God gives the Spirit to a truly repentant sinner but the question is when.