Question about Acts 2:38

[Timmy]

To me, Acts 2:38 looks like a promise (the gift of the Holy Ghost) with two conditions (repent and be baptized). Oneness Pentecostals apparently see it as the way (the only way) to be saved, with four items in the list of requirements: repent, be baptized, receive the Holy Ghost, and speak in tongues (somehow implicit to the verse, but that's another topic!).

Can you explain how you get four (or even three) commands from it? Again, to me it looks like two commands, and a result of following the commands. And the promised result is a "gift". How can receiving a gift be considered a command? It's up to the giver of the gift to fulfill that part, not the recipient!

[Felicity]

Originally Posted by Timmy

To me, Acts 2:38 looks like a promise (the gift of the Holy Ghost) with two conditions (repent and be baptized). Oneness Pentecostals apparently see it as the way (the only way) to be saved, with four items in the list of requirements: repent, be baptized, receive the Holy Ghost, and speak in tongues (somehow implicit to the verse, but that's another topic!).

Can you explain how you get four (or even three) commands from it? Again, to me it looks like two commands, and a result of following the commands. And the promised result is a "gift". How can receiving a gift be considered a command? It's up to the giver of the gift to fulfill that part, not the recipient!

This is the only way many many many of us have ever understood it.

Even more than many many many.

[Timmy]

Originally Posted by Felicity

This is the only way many many many of us have ever understood it.

Even more than many many many.

Yeah, I kinda figured that!

But why?

(And by "this", you mean the Apostolic 4-command way, right?)

[Sam]

Some of us see two commands and a promise here
Command number one: get saved
Command number two: get baptized in water
Promise number one: you shall receive the HGB (Holy Ghost Baptism)

Others of us see four commands here:
Command number one: repent
Command number two: get baptized in water
Command number three: receive HGB
Command number four: follow the dress code and other rules

The idea of command number four comes from Acts 2:40 which says that Peter used many words to testify and exhort them and tell them to save themselves.

[Timmy]

But how do they see "receive the HGB" as a command?

"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."

[drummerboy_dave]

Originally Posted by Timmy

But how do they see "receive the HGB" as a command?

"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."

Timmy, see Romans 8:11. But if the Spirit of him that raised up Jesus from the dead dwell in you, he that raised up Christ from the dead shall also quicken your mortal bodies by his Spirit that dwelleth in you.

[Timmy]

Originally Posted by drummerboy_dave

Timmy, see Romans 8:11. But if the Spirit of him that raised up Jesus from the dead dwell in you, he that raised up Christ from the dead shall also quicken your mortal bodies by his Spirit that dwelleth in you.

This is supposed to explain how receiving a gift is a command? Or are you agreeing with me? Sorry, but I'm confused. (AGAIN! )

[drummerboy_dave]

Originally Posted by Timmy

This is supposed to explain how receiving a gift is a command? Or are you agreeing with me? Sorry, but I'm confused. (AGAIN! )

Are you thinking or just posting? Without the Spirit of God dwelling in you, you will not be changed. See also, 2 Corinthians 3:6 Who also hath made us able ministers of the new testament; not of the letter, but of the spirit: for the letter killeth, but the spirit giveth life.

[Timmy]

Originally Posted by drummerboy_dave

Are you thinking or just posting? Without the Spirit of God dwelling in you, you will not be changed. See also, 2 Corinthians 3:6 Who also hath made us able ministers of the new testament; not of the letter, but of the spirit: for the letter killeth, but the spirit giveth life.

Oh. So that's how "and ye shall receive the gift of the Holy Ghost" is a command, and not a promise. Uh huh.

Sigh. I guess I'm just posting and not thinking. I wish I could think, but I guess I can't.

[Sam]

Originally Posted by Timmy

But how do they see "receive the HGB" as a command?

"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."

Not all of us see it as a command. Some of us see it as a promise to those who are saved. We are called one-steppers.

Others who believe in a three-step salvation have to see it as a command in order to fit their doctrine.