Page 20 - Acts Student Textbook

Forsaking
All
I

Take
Him!

This implies repentance! Now I am ready to make a statement: Initial repentance and faith are God's
requirements for salvation (cf. Mark 1:15; Acts 3:16, 19; 20:21). Jesus said "Unless you repent, you
will all perish" (cf. Luke. 13:3,5). Repentance is God's will for fallen man (cf. 2 Pet. 3:9, Ezek. 18:23,
30, 32). It is at initial repentance that we forsake everything we had previously believed for salvation
and take on Christ; we do not add Christ to previous salvific beliefs.

Is baptism also a requirement for Salvation? (2:38)

Good question! Glad you asked! Curtis Vaughan has an interesting footnote on p. 28 related to Acts
2:38."The Greek word for 'baptized' is a third person imperative; the word for 'repent,' a second
person imperative. This change from the more direct second person command to the less direct third
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person of 'baptized' implies that Peter's basic primary demand is for repentance."

This follows the preaching emphasis of John the Baptist (cf. Matt. 3:2) and Jesus (cf. Matt. 4:17).
Repentance seems to be a spiritual key and baptism is an outward expression of this spiritual change.
The New Testament knew nothing of unbaptized believers! To the early church baptism was the
public profession of faith. It is the occasion for the public confession of faith in Christ, not the
mechanism for salvation! It needs to be remembered that baptism is not mentioned in Peter's
second sermon, though repentance is (cf. 3:19; Luke 24:17). Baptism was an example set by Jesus (cf.
Matt. 3:13-18). Baptism was commanded by Jesus (cf. Matt. 28:19). Uttly says, “The modern question
of the necessity of baptism for salvation is not addressed in the New Testament; all believers are
expected to be baptized. However, one must also guard against a sacramental mechanicalism!
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Salvation is a faith issue, not a right-place, right-words, right-ritual act issue!”

How should we understand the general call to Salvation? (2:39)

Luke says "as many as the Lord our God will call to Himself" (2:39). Here Uttly helpfully comments
that, “This is an AORIST MIDDLE (deponent) SUBJUNCTIVE. It originally referred to scattered Judaism. God
always takes the initiative (MIDDLE VOICE, cf. John 6:44, 65). From Ezek. 18:32; John 3:16; 1 Tim. 2:4; 2
Pet. 3:9 we know He calls all humans, at some level, to Himself. But, they must respond (i.e.,
SUBJUNCTIVE MOOD). The terms "many" and "all" are biblically parallel (compare Isa. 53:6, "all" with Isa.
53:11, 12, "many" or Rom. 5:18, "all" with Rom. 5:19, "many"). God's heart beats for a lost humanity
made in His image (cf. Gen. 1:26-27), created for fellowship with Him (cf. Gen. 3:8)!”
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Finally, Luke gives us a figure, "three thousand souls"(2:41). This is a round number, but a large
number. Peter's message struck home to these eyewitnesses. This first response sets up pace at
which outsiders would join Christianity. This is clear evidence that Christian community grew based
on the gospel message, not by force of sword. Each one had to make a free choice even when they
were aware that such a decision would put their lives at stake.

14 Curtis Vaughan, Acts: A Study Guide Commentary, Zondervan, 1974, (p. 28)
15 Uttly, (Acts 2: 38).
16 Ibid, (Acts 2:39).
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