Lesson 688

(Lesson 688)(07-08-13) The next two applications of a form of the term "baptize" are found in Acts 2:36-42, "Therefore let all the house of Israel know assuredly, that God hath made that same Jesus, whom ye have crucified, both Lord and Christ. Now when they heard this, they were pricked in their heart, and said unto Peter and to the rest of the apostles, Men and brethren, what shall we do? 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. For the promise is unto you, and to your children, and to all that are afar off, even as many as the Lord our God shall call. And with many other words did he testify and exhort, saying, Save yourselves from this untoward generation. Then they that gladly received his word were baptized: and the same day there were added unto them about three thousand souls. And they continued stedfastly in the apostles' doctrine and fellowship, and in breaking of bread, and in prayers."

This is another one of the most misunderstood and misapplied passages of scripture to be found in the New Testament.

There are many who profess that the term "baptized", as it is applied in verse 38, is in reference to a water immersion, that notion is simply wrong, the context of the passage does not allow it,

therefore, we will inject the established context.

After hearing Peter's message, "Therefore let all the house of Israel know assuredly, that God hath made that same Jesus, whom ye have crucified, both Lord and Christ." Those who believed that Jesus was the son of God, asked the Apostles, "what shall we do", Peter then said "Repent" (Turn away from the old and accept the new), "and be baptized" (Immersed) every one of you in the NAME OF JESUS CHRIST FOR THE REMISSION OF SINS". In essence, Peter told them to enwrap themselves in the saving grace of Jesus Christ crucified.

We should pay very close attention to exactly what Peter answered, he told them to immerse themselves in THE NAME OF JESUS CHRIST, not water. Peter did not say, 'immerse yourselves into water into Jesus, he very clearly stated that they were to immerse themselves in the name of Jesus Christ.

NOTE:The English word "in" that appears in Peter's instruction, "and be baptized every one of you "IN", is transliterated from the Greek term, "eIpio" to "epi", which, in the King James version of the bible is translated to our English word "in". Be sure to emember that this application refers to the same medium into which the listeners were to be "baptized" (immersed), which was "in the name of" or concept of.

For comparison and clarification refer to that same word "in", as it is applied in Matt. 28:19, the words uttered by Jesus Himself, Go ye therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing them "IN" the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost:". In this example, "in" is transliterated from the original Greek term "eiIv" to "ies", then to our English "in".

My point is that when Jesus used the term "in" it meant into, or toward, and in contrast, when Peter used the same term, it implied by, or upon.

Demonstrating that the context of this message, in comparison to what was taught by Jesus, Himself, we find that the context would have to be greatly altered to allow for the term "baptized", as it is applied herein, to suggest that water is the medium into which Peter instructed these Jews to be "baptized" since Jesus had commanded they be "baptized" (immersed, or placed)" INTO the concept of the Father, the Son, and the Holy Ghost.

I know that this is getting very complicated and will be hard for some to understand, however, if one mistakenly places their faith in water immersion, as opposed to placing their faith wholly in the concept of the divine appointment, death, burial, and resurrection of Jesus Christ, ones soul remains lost for eternity.~
*Since this has run long, I will cover the usage in verse 41 tomorrow, it ties directly in to today's lesson in that it tells us what those Jews did with that "baptism".