THE ACTS 2:38 DECEPTION by steve finnell

Preachers who preach that immersion in water is not essential to have sins forgiven first have to deceive their listener of the accuracy of Acts 2:38.

Example: Is Baptism Necessary for Salvation by John MacArthur. Ref: Crosswalk.com May 11,2007

John MacArthur "In Acts 2:38, Peter appears to link forgiveness of sins to baptism. But there are several plausible interpretations of this verse that do not connect forgiveness of sin with baptism. It is possible to translate the Greek preposition eis-"because of, or "on the basis of," instead of "for."

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There is no translation of the Bible that I am aware of that translates "eis" of Acts 2:38 as "because of, or "on the basis of." In order to teach that as fact you have to be honestly ignorant or willfully deceitful.

TRANSLATION EXAMPLES:

1. Acts 2:38 And Peter said to them, "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. (English Standard Version)

2. Acts 2:38 Peter 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. (New International Version)

3. Acts 2:38 Peter said to them, "Repent, and each of you be baptized in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins; and you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit. (New American Standard Bible)

4. Acts 2:38 Then Peter said to them, Repent, and let every one of you be baptized in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins; and you shall receive the gift of the Holy Spirit.(New King James Version)

5. Acts 2:38 Then Peter said to 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.(King James Version)

6. Acts 2:38 Peter answered them, All of you must turn to God and change the way you think and act, and each of you must be baptized in the name of Jesus Christ so that your sins will be forgiven. Then you will receive the Holy Spirit as a gift. (God's Word Translation)

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If a preacher told you it appears that in John 14:6 Jesus was saying He was the only way to the Father, however, it could be translated as-- Jesus said to him, "I am the way, the truth, and the life and I am one of many ways to the Father.

Would you believe the preacher or would you believe the translations of the Bible?