OBSERVATION OF ACTS 2:40-47
Introduction
Post 24 reports the results of my observations of Acts 2:40-47. Verses 40-41, 44, and 47 comprise the verses that appear to be the most pertinent to my analysis. The relevant takeaways from Acts 2:40-47 comprise:
(1) the Greek verb sōzō (“be saved”) in verse 40 is in the second person plural so as to be in agreement with the following expressions in verse 39: “repent,” “each of you,” the forgiveness of your sins”, and “you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit.”
(2) the usage of the second person plural for the Greek verb sōzō (“be saved”) in verse 40 evidences its relative importance in view of Jewish thought on repentance.
(3) the Greek verb apodebhomai (“had received”) in verse 41 refers to the conversion that occurs before baptism.
(4) Verse 44 uses pisteuō alone in such a context that does not support baptismal regeneration.
(5) When read through the lens of other NT usages of sōzō, the use of sōzō in verse 47 does not teach water baptism.
The Complete Text
Acts 2:40–47 (NASB95) reads [emphasis added]:
40 And with many other words he solemnly testified and kept on exhorting them, saying, “Be saved from this perverse generation!” 41 So then, those who had received his word were baptized; and that day there were added about three thousand souls. 42 They were continually devoting themselves to the apostles’ teaching and to fellowship, to the breaking of bread and to prayer. 43 Everyone kept feeling a sense of awe; and many wonders and signs were taking place through the apostles. 44 And all those who had believed were together and had all things in common; 45 and they began selling their property and possessions and were sharing them with all, as anyone might have need. 46 Day by day continuing with one mind in the temple, and breaking bread from house to house, they were taking their meals together with gladness and sincerity of heart, 47 praising God and having favor with all the people. And the Lord was adding to their number day by day those who were being saved.
Acts 2:40-41
Verses 40-41 read (NASB95) [emphasis added]:
40 And with many other words he solemnly testified and kept on exhorting them, saying, “Be saved from this perverse generation!” 41 So then, those who had received his word were baptized; and that day there were added about three thousand souls.
The first expression that appears most pertinent to the issue of water baptism is, “Be saved from this perverse generation!” The NASB95 translates the Greek verb sōzō as “Be saved,” and it means, “to cause someone to experience divine salvation—‘to save.” See Louw, J. P., & Nida, E. A. (1996). In Greek-English lexicon of the New Testament: based on semantic domains (electronic ed. of the 2nd edition., Vol. 1, p. 241). United Bible Societies. It is an aorist passive imperative verb in the second person and plural number.
You will note that the person and number agree with the person and number of the verbs “repent” and “you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit” in Acts 2:38. As mentioned before, the emphasis on the individual evidenced by the use of the second person verb makes sense in light of the Jewish belief in corporate repentance rather than individual repentance.
The NASB95 translates the Greek verb apodeohomai as “had received,” and according to Louw et al., supra, at Vol. 1, p. 371, it means:
to come to believe something to be true and to respond accordingly, with some emphasis upon the source—‘to accept, to receive, acceptance, reception.’
The precptaustin.org website (link: https://www.preceptaustin.org/acts-2-commentary#2:41 ) defines apodeohomai reads as follows:
Received(“Welcomed” – Phillips)(588)(apodechomai from apo = from or intensifier + dechomai = to take from another for oneself, to receive, to welcome) means to receive kindly or hospitably (Luke 8:40; Acts 15:4; 18:27); of God’s Word, to receive or embrace heartily, put out the “welcome mat” for it (Acts 2:41); of benefits, to receive or accept gratefully (Acts 24:3). Robertson says “Peculiar to Luke. To receive with pleasure.”
James uses the root verb dechomai in a similar sense writing “Therefore, putting aside all filthiness and all that remains of wickedness (WHAT WOULD WE CALL THAT? IS THAT NOT A PICTURE OF REPENTANCE!), in humility (THE 3000 HUMBLED THEMSELVES TO) receive (dechomai = TO PUT OUT THE “WELCOME MAT” FOR) the word implanted, which is able (dunamis = HAS THE INHERENT POWER = THE GOSPEL IS THE POWER OF GOD = Ro 1:16+) to save your souls.” (James 1:21+)
In addition to James 1:21, several other usages of dechomai (the root of apodeohomai) refer to the conversion of a believer. These usages include:
Acts 8:14 (NASB95) – 14 Now when the apostles in Jerusalem heard that Samaria had received the word of God, they sent them Peter and John,
Acts 11:1 (NASB95) – 1 Now the apostles and the brethren who were throughout Judea heard that the Gentiles also had received the word of God.
1 Thessalonians 2:13 (NASB95) – 13 For this reason we also constantly thank God that when you received the word of God which you heard from us, you accepted it not as the word of men, but for what it really is, the word of God, which also performs its work in you who believe.
In the context of Acts 2:41 it appears that the verb apodeohomai represents an exercise of biblical saving faith. Nothing more was necessary for the salvation of those new converts who “had received” the substance of Peter’s message.
Because water baptism was an important rite, it makes sense that after their exercise of biblical saving faith, the converts experienced baptism. Robertson (Robertson, A. T. (1933). Word Pictures in the New Testament (Ac 2:41). Broadman Press) says that the baptism was of believers:
Were baptized (ἐβαπτισθησαν [ebaptisthēsan]). First aorist passive indicative, constative aorist. Note that only those who had already received the word and were converted were baptized.
Lange (Lange, J. P., Schaff, P., Gotthard, V. L., Gerok, C., & Schaeffer, C. F. (2008). A commentary on the Holy Scriptures: Acts (p. 53). Logos Bible Software) observes, in the context of Matthew 28:19, that baptism follows conversion [emphasis added]:
But it fully accorded with the commandment of Jesus, Matt. 28:19, that all those who received the witness concerning Jesus in sincerity, should at once be baptized; the principle was recognized, that every one who honestly desired to be a disciple of Jesus, should be baptized; fuller instructions in the doctrine could afterwards be appropriately imparted.
Finally, the preceptaustin.org website (link: https://www.preceptaustin.org/acts-2-commentary#2:41 ) reads:
They received it because they believed it! Then they testified to the their belief by being baptized.
The expression “those who had received his word were baptized” is evidence against the doctrine of baptismal regeneration because conversion took place before water baptism. In other words, Acts 2:41 supports what some call “believer’s baptism.”
Acts 2:44
Acts 2:44 (NASB95) reads:
44 And all those who had believed were together and had all things in common;
The NASB95 translates the Greek verb pisteuō as “had believed,” and according to Louw et al., supra at Vol. 1, p. 378, it means:
to believe in the good news about Jesus Christ and to become a follower—‘to be a believer, to be a Christian, Christian faith.’
Acts 2:44 uses pisteuō alone in such a context that it supports the position that belief or faith alone is all that is necessary for salvation.
Acts 2:47
Acts 2:47 (NASB95) reads:
47 praising God and having favor with all the people. And the Lord was adding to their number day by day those who were being saved.
The NASB95 translates the Greek verb sōzō as “were being saved.” It is used many times in the New Testament. Some of these usages clearly indicate that water baptism has nothing to do with salvation. Some examples comprise:
Romans 5:9–10 (NASB95) – 9 Much more then, having now been justified by His blood, we shall be saved from the wrath of God through Him. 10 For if while we were enemies we were reconciled to God through the death of His Son, much more, having been reconciled, we shall be saved by His life.
Romans 10:9–10 (NASB95) – 9 that if you confess with your mouth Jesus as Lord, and believe in your heart that God raised Him from the dead, you will be saved; 10 for with the heart a person believes, resulting in righteousness, and with the mouth he confesses, resulting in salvation.
1 Corinthians 1:21 (NASB95) – 21 For since in the wisdom of God the world through its wisdom did not come to know God, God was well-pleased through the foolishness of the message preached to save those who believe.
1 Peter 3:21 (NASB95) – 21 Corresponding to that, baptism now saves you—not the removal of dirt from the flesh, but an appeal to God for a good conscience—through the resurrection of Jesus Christ,
When read through the lens of the above usages, it is apparent that Acts 2:47 does not require water baptism for salvation.
CONCLUSION
In conclusion, Acts 2:40-41, 44, and 47 comprise the verses that appear to be the most pertinent to my analysis of Acts 2:40-47. The relevant takeaways from Acts 2:40-47 comprise:
(1) the Greek verb sōzō (“be saved”) in verse 40 is in the second person plural so as to be in agreement with the following expressions in verse 39: “repent,” “each of you,” the forgiveness of your sins”, and “you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit.”
(2) the usage of the second person plural for the Greek verb sōzō (“be saved”) in verse 40 evidences its relative importance in view of Jewish thought on repentance.
(3) the Greek verb apodebhomai (“had received”) in verse 41 refers to the conversion that occurs before baptism.
(4) Verse 44 uses pisteuō alone in such a context that does not support baptismal regeneration.
(5) When read through the lens of other NT usages of sōzō, the use of sōzō in verse 47 does not teach water baptism.
VERY IMPORTANT IF YOU BELIEVE IN BAPTISMAL REGENERATION
Finally, let me quote gotquestions.org (link: https://www.gotquestions.org/baptism-Mark-16-16.html ):
If you believe in baptismal regeneration, you would do well to prayerfully consider whom or what you are really putting your trust in. Is your faith in a physical act (being baptized) or in the finished work of Christ on the cross? Whom or what are you trusting for salvation? Is it the shadow (baptism) or the substance (Jesus Christ)? Our faith must rest in Christ alone. “We have redemption through His blood, the forgiveness of our trespasses, according to the riches of His grace” (Ephesians 1:7).
Please read and take to heart what I write in the section entitled “IF YOU ARE NOT A CHRISTIAN.”
IF YOU ARE UNSURE ABOUT YOUR SALVATION
If you are unsure about your salvation, you need to check out my book The Salvation Meter: Biblical Self-Diagnostic Tests to Examine Your Salvation and Spiritual Growth (book link at Xulon Press: https://www.xulonpress.com/bookstore/bookdetail.php?PB_ISBN=9781662828638 ). At Amazon the book link is https://www.amazon.com/Salavation-Meter-Biblical-Self-Diagnostic-Spiritual/dp/1662828632 . I also have a website in which I am updating the content in the book. The link to my website for the book is https://thesalvationmeter.com .
IF YOU ARE NOT A CHRISTIAN
… please (1) read through “God’s Plan of Salvation” so you can understand what God did for you through His only unique Son, Jesus Christ, and (2), from the bottom of your heart, pray the “Sinner’s Prayer” meaning every word. If you do, you will be reconciled to God – saved – through Jesus Christ.
God’s Plan of Salvation
In the beginning, God, who is holy, created the entire universe. As a part of His creative actions, He made humans in His image to know Him. For a while, everything was right between God and our ancestors, Adam and Eve. But Adam sinned, and his sin was passed down to all of humankind whereby we became separated from God. Nothing we could do on our own could bridge that separation so that without God’s intervention, hell would be our eternal destination.
Fortunately for us, in His great love and mercy God provided humankind with the only means of salvation, which is through Jesus Christ who is God’s only unique Son. While retaining His deity, God the Son became a man in Jesus, lived a perfect life, and died on the cross, thus fulfilling the law Himself and taking on Himself the punishment for the sins of all those who would ever repent and trust in Him for their salvation. Jesus rose from the dead, showing that God the Father accepted Christ’s sacrifice and that God’s wrath against us has been exhausted. He now calls us to repent of our sins and trust alone in what Christ did to save us.
If we repent of our sins and completely trust in Christ alone that He died for our sins and rose to life from the dead, we are born again into a new life, an eternal life with God.
Scripture References: Genesis 1:1, 27, 31; Habakkuk 1:13; Genesis 2:7, 18, 21-25; Genesis 3:1-7, 23-24; Isaiah 59:2; Romans 3:19-20, 23; 5:17-19; Ephesians 2:8-9; Romans 6:23; John 14:6; Acts 4:12; 1 Corinthians 15:3; 1 John 4:10; John 3:16-18; Mark 1:15; Romans 1:4; 4:25; John 3:5-8; 1 Peter 1:3.
“Sinner’s Prayer”
Lord, Jesus Christ, the only unique Son of God, thank You for Your free gift of eternal life. I know I’m a sinner who cannot save myself no matter what I do, and I deserve to spend eternity in hell. But, I know that because You loved me so much, You voluntarily died on the cross for me taking my sins upon Yourself, and You physically bodily rose from the grave showing that Your sacrificial death was sufficient payment to give me eternal life in Heaven. I now repent of my sins and trust alone in what You did for my eternal salvation. Please take control of my life as I now receive You as my Lord and Savior. Thank You so much for saving me. I am now Yours forever! (Scripture references: John 1:1-4, 11-14; John 3:16; Romans 6:23; Ephesians 2:8-9; Romans 3:21-26; Isaiah 53:4-6; Mark 1:15; Acts 16:31; Acts 4:12; Romans 10:9-10, 13; 1 Corinthians 15:3-4; John 10:27-29).
Upon your salvation, you must find a spiritually solid Bible-believing church that (1) teaches that the sixty-six books of the Bible are the inspired, inerrant, and infallible Word of God, (2) believes in the doctrine of the Trinity, which means that there is one God who eternally exists as three distinct Persons — the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit – and each Person is fully God, and (3) teaches that salvation is by grace through faith and not by works (e.g., water baptism by immersion).
ONE CAUTIONARY POINT. Please do not make the mistake of thinking that once you become a Christian, your life will become easy. Most likely, it will become more difficult. God’s blessing of salvation and life’s difficulties are not mutually exclusive. Jesus told His disciples, “If the world hates you, remember that it hated me first.” John 15:18 (NLT). Always keep in mind that you have an eternal home in heaven waiting for you per John 14:2–4 (NLT):
2 There is more than enough room in my Father’s home. If this were not so, would I have told you that I am going to prepare a place for you? 3 When everything is ready, I will come and get you, so that you will always be with me where I am. 4 And you know the way to where I am going.”
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