“Acts 2:38 Peter says to be baptized and you will receive the Holy Spirit - a future event.”
In Acts 2, Peter promises the Holy Spirit to all who repent and believe the promise of God. But in Acts 2, the Apostles had been baptized (probably) long before Pentecost.
“be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins”
As I have pointed out to you before, that can be interpreted 2 ways:
1 - be baptized to receive forgiveness, or
2 - be baptized in response to your forgiveness.
The Greek allows either possibility. I interpret it #2 because that makes it agree with 500 verses on belief and faith. You interpret it #1 because that agrees with the Catholic Church.
Also:
“Rather, “And let each one of you be baptized.” Change of number from plural to singular and of person from second to third. This change marks a break in the thought here that the English translation does not preserve. The first thing to do is make a radical and complete change of heart and life. Then let each one be baptized after this change has taken place, and the act of baptism be performed “in the name of Jesus Christ” (en twi onomati Ihsou Xristou).”
http://www.studylight.org/com/rwp/view.cgi?book=ac&chapter=002&verse=038
It says ‘Y’all repent (and individuals be baptized [either to cause or in recognition of forgiveness]) and y’all will receive the Holy Spirit - now and future generations.
That also agrees with Peter in Acts 10 saying, “43 To him all the prophets bear witness that everyone who believes in him receives forgiveness of sins through his name.”
“Acts 8: the eunuch was not baptized until done so by Philip”
True. But this says nothing about when the eunuch received the Holy Spirit, although the fact that he WANTED to be baptized indicates some influence of the Holy Spirit, at a minimum.
“Acts 10: Cornelius was not baptized by the Holy Spirit, that is why Peter commanded they be baptized.”
False. You are grossly incorrect in spite of the obviousness of the truth.
“44 While Peter was still saying these things, the Holy Spirit fell on all who heard the word. 45 And the believers from among the circumcised who had come with Peter were amazed, because the gift of the Holy Spirit was poured out even on the Gentiles. 46 For they were hearing them speaking in tongues and extolling God. Then Peter declared, 47 “Can anyone withhold water for baptizing these people, who have received the Holy Spirit just as we have?” 48 And he commanded them to be baptized in the name of Jesus Christ.”
“Acts 9 does not say Paul was baptized by the Holy Spirit when he regained his sight. Acts 22 specifically states he had his sight, but was still dead in his sins as he was told ( after receiving his sight ) to rise , be baptized and wash away his sins calling on his name.”
Acts 22 & 9. Acts 9 says, ““ Brother Saul, the Lord Jesus, who appeared to you on the road by which you were coming, has sent me so that you may regain your sight and be filled with the Holy Spirit.” 18 And immediately there fell from his eyes something like scales, and he regained his sight, and he got up and was baptized; 19 and he took food and was strengthened.”
Sorry, it DOES link sight and filling.
Acts 22: It is possible to take this as a sequential list, with water baptism washing away sin, but that would conflict with everything else Paul says in Acts and his epistles. It is also possible to consider it simultaneous acts: do these things. That interpretation agrees with all the rest of what Paul says in Acts and his epistles.
One can interpret scripture by reading Catholic theology and imposing it on the text, or allowing 500 verses on believing and faith to interpret the 2-3 that mention water baptism.
“far from making Paul and Silas liars, what they said matches up perfectly with Christian teaching since if you believe in Jesus Christ, you will want to have your sins remitted, receive the Holy Spirit and be in Christ, ALL OF WHICH HAPPENS IN BAPTISM.”
Except Paul never says that. He says, “Therefore, having been justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ, 2 through whom also we have obtained our introduction by faith into this grace in which we stand; and we exult in hope of the glory of God.” and
“13 For by one Spirit we were all baptized into one body, whether Jews or Greeks, whether slaves or free, and we were all made to drink of one Spirit.” and
“4 There is one body and one Spirit, just as also you were called in one hope of your calling; 5 one Lord, one faith, one baptism, 6 one God and Father of all who is over all and through all and in all.” and
“13 In Him, you also, after listening to the message of truth, the gospel of your salvation—having also believed, you were sealed in Him with the Holy Spirit of promise, 14 who is given as a pledge of our inheritance, with a view to the redemption of God’s own possession, to the praise of His glory.” and
“14 I thank God that I baptized none of you except Crispus and Gaius, 15 so that no one would say you were baptized in my name. 16 Now I did baptize also the household of Stephanas; beyond that, I do not know whether I baptized any other. 17 For Christ did not send me to baptize, but to preach the gospel, not in cleverness of speech, so that the cross of Christ would not be made void.”
If baptism gains us forgiveness, then it is mighty odd that Paul preached the Gospel, converting much of the heathen world, and yet did not baptize anyone (almost) - and was GLAD that he didn’t baptize!
Acts 2:38
Young’s Literal Translation (YLT)
38 and Peter said unto them, `Reform, and be baptized each of you on the name of Jesus Christ, to remission of sins, and ye shall receive the gift of the Holy Spirit,
there is only one way to understand Peter, the way everyone who read it understood it meant to be baptized for the remission of sins and to receive the Holy Spirit. this was the faith and practice the Universal Church recieved from the Apostles and no one disputed it until the 16th century. also, please note Peter only mentions one baptism. he does not say to believe and the Holy Spirit will baptize you ( that’s the first baptism ) and then after that be water baptized as a first act of obedience ( that would be baptism number two ) NO, HE JUST SAYS “BE BAPTIZED”.
Acts 8 - the eunuch wished to be baptized because Philip preached the same message to him, that Peter preached in Acts 2. be baptized for the remission of sins and receiving the Holy Spirit. AGAIN, WE ONLY FIND ONE BAPTISM MENTIONED, NOT TWO.
Acts 10 - please read this carefully. Peter was accompanied on the trip to Cornelius’s house by other BELIEVERS ( if they were believers, they had already been baptized and received the Holy Spirit ) now watch what v44 says “while Peter was still saying this, the Holy Spirit fell on ALL who heard the word”
do you see what it says, the Holy Spirit fell on ALL ( believer and Gentile alike ) who heard the word. THE HOLY SPIRIT DID NOT BAPTIZE EVERYONE, SINCE THE BELIEVERS WERE ALREADY BAPTIZED. well, what was the gift the Holy Spirit gave? v46 tells us, it was the gift of tongues.
the Holy Spirit was showing Peter salvation was for the Gentiles, just as much as it was for the Jews. “receiving the Holy Spirit just as we had “ refers to the gift of tongues. it does not say the Holy Spirit was given to the Gentiles when they believed. it also doesn’t say the Holy Spirit baptized the Gentiles, if they were baptized already, Peter would not have commanded they be baptized again.
Acts 22 “ sorry it does link sight and filling” yes it does, we agree. however, IT DOES NOT SAY PAUL WAS BAPTIZED BY THE HOLY SPIRIT WHEN HE REGAINED HIS SIGHT.
Acts 22 is very clear, Paul regained his sight, but HE WAS STILL DEAD IN HIS SINS. 22:13 “ brother Saul, receive your sight” so after v13 Paul HAS HIS SIGHT, YET HE IS STILL DEAD IN HIS SINS SINCE ANANIAS GOES ON TO TELL HIM IN V16, “AND NOW WHY DO YOU WAIT? RISE AND BE BAPTIZED, AND WASH AWAY YOUR SINS, CALLING ON HIS NAME.
the baptism and remission of sins occurred seperate and after receving his sight. Ananias accomplished what the Lord wanted him to do, have Paul regain his sight and receive the Holy Spirit.
by the way, did Paul regain his sight by the power of Ananias or by the power of the Holy Spirit? did Paul wash away his sins by the power of Ananias or by the Holy Spirit working thru Ananias? the answer is obvious, both instances were by the power of the Holy Spirit given to Ananias. this is what is meant by 1 Corinthians 12:13 “ for by one Spirit, we were all baptized into one body....”
i completely disagree with your thinking that the passages that teach baptismal regeneration conflict with over 500 other passages which discuss believing and faith. THIS IS A FALSE CHOICE, IT IS NOT AN EITHER OR PROPOSITION. ALL THE SCRIPTURES HARMONIZE VERY WELL TOGETHER IN THE HISTORICAL, ORTHODOX UNDERSTANDING OF BAPTISM.
finally, you miss the point over Paul saying he baptized none of the Corinthians other than Crispus and Gaius. the point he was making was that by everyone else being baptized by someone other than Paul, the chances for dissension was diminished. clearly, Paul baptized, and all he Corinthian Christians WERE BAPTIZED. he is only stating he baptized two CORINTHIANS, we know he baptized many more than that across the known world and we know that all the heathens he converted WERE BAPTIZED.
i do want to commend you for the respectful way you are approaching this dialogue and i hope you feel the same way about me. i find your attitude to be rare on this site, and i think it speaks very well of you.