IN THE LIDDELL AND SCOTT LEXICON OF 1843 THE WORD “EIS, ” TRANSLATED AS “ FOR ” IN ACTS 2:38, IS USED: (1) OF PLACE, (2) OF TIME, (3) TO EXPRESS MEASURE OR LIMIT, (4) TO EXPRESS RELATION – “ IN REGARD TO, ” OR (5) OF AN END OR LIMIT.
Acts 2:38
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.
THE WORD “EIS,” TRANSLATED AS “FOR” IN ACTS 2:38, IS USED TO SHOW THE RELATIONSHIP BETWEEN THE REMISSION OF SINS AND BAPTISM. ONE IS SAID TO BE IMMERSED “IN REGARD TO” SOMETHING THAT HAS ALREADY OCCURRED, THE REMISSION OF SINS BECAUSE OF REPENTANCE.
IN THE KJV OF THE NEW TESTAMENT, “EIS” IS TRANSLATED AS:
AGAINST (25 TIMES)
THAT (30 TIMES)
AMONG (16 TIMES)
ON (57 TIMES)
AT (20 TIMES)
TO (282 TIMES)
FOR (91 TIMES)
TOWARD (32 TIMES)
IN (131 TIMES)
UNTO (208 TIMES)
INTO (571 TIMES)
UPON (25 TIMES)
REMISSION OF SINS IS A STATE OR CONDITION. ONE IS ONLY TO IMMERSE UPON, IN, OR IN REGARD TO, THAT STATE OR CONDITION.
ACTS 2:38
REPENT, AND BE BAPTIZED EVERY ONE OF YOU IN THE NAME OF JESUS CHRIST IN REGARD TO THE REMISSION OF SINS, AND YE SHALL RECEIVE THE GIFT OF THE HOLY GHOST.
SUPPOSE THAT YOU WERE TO SAY TO A GROUP OF MEN STANDING ON TOP OF A 50 STORY BUILDING; JUMP YE, AND BE SMILING EVERY ONE OF YE IN THE NAME OF HAPPINESS FOR THE FULFILLMENT OF JOY, AND YE SHALL RECEIVE THE GIFT OF A SMASHED BODY. WOULD THEY RECEIVE THE SMASHED BODIES BECAUSE THEY “SMILED IN THE NAME OF HAPPINESS FOR THE FULFILLMENT OF JOY,” OR SIMPLY BECAUSE THEY JUMPED? THEY WOULD HAVE RECEIVED THE SMASHED BODIES NO MATTER WHAT THEY DID AFTER THEY JUMPED. WE RECEIVE THE GIFT OF THE HOLY GHOST NO MATTER WHAT WE DO AFTER WE REPENT BY PLACING OUR FAITH IN THE ONE OF WHOM PETER TESTIFIED.
Acts 10:42-45
And he commanded us to preach unto the people, and to testify that it is he which was ordained of God to be the Judge of quick and dead.43 To him give all the prophets witness, that through his name whosoever believeth in him shall receive remission of sins. 44 While Peter yet spake these words, the Holy Ghost fell on all them which heard the word. 45 And they of the circumcision which believed were astonished, as many as came with Peter, because that on the Gentiles also was poured out the gift of the Holy Ghost.
DID THEY RECEIVE THE GIFT OF THE HOLY SPIRIT BECAUSE THEY REPENTED, OR BECAUSE THEY WERE BAPTIZED, OR BECAUSE THEY DID BOTH?
Acts 10:47-48
Can any man forbid water, that these should not be baptized, which have received the Holy Ghost as well as we? 48 And he commanded them to be baptized in the name of the Lord. Then prayed they him to tarry certain days.
Matthew 3:1-2 In those days came John the Baptist, preaching in the wilderness of Judaea, 2 And saying, Repent ye: for the kingdom of heaven is at hand.
Matthew 4:17 From that time Jesus began to preach, and to say, Repent: for the kingdom of heaven is at hand.
Acts 20:20-21
And how I kept back nothing that was profitable unto you, but have shewed you, and have taught you publickly, and from house to house, 21 Testifying both to the Jews, and also to the Greeks, repentance toward God, and faith toward our Lord Jesus Christ.
THIS GROUP OF INDIVIDUALS RECEIVED THE GIFT OF THE HOLY GHOST WITHOUT BEING BAPTIZED. IN ALL HONESTY, WHAT DOES THE SPIRIT OF GOD DESIRE FOR ALL MEN TO DO ?
Acts 2:38-42
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. 39 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. 40 And with many other words did he testify and exhort, saying, Save yourselves from this untoward generation. 41 Then they that gladly received his word were baptized: and the same day there were added unto them about three thousand souls. 42 And they continued stedfastly in the apostles’ doctrine and fellowship, and in breaking of bread, and in prayers.