The Radtrad Anti-Semitism problem
Before we get started, please my previous article, here; Defending Anti-Semitism isn't Christian, and, hey, I wrote a book, you can find out more about that, here; Elisabeth and the other man (paperback) Elisabeth and the other man (ebook)
Recently I went to Sam's Club with my mom. Costco is better.
Now that I've mentioned that, I think that I should mention this. There was an electronic billboard and gave text in English and Hebrew and said “True baptism, Acts 2:38”.
Well, I'll take that as a challenge.
Since all heresies start with isolating verses of context, let's see what this verse says.
Let's go with Douay Rheims, since my DR literally survived a hurricane, we're going to use that.
“But Peter said to them: Do penance and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ, for the remission of sins: and you shall receive the gift of the Holy Ghost” (Acts 2:38)
Okay, so what's the first problem?
It's that it's a verse divorced from its context.
Instead of giving you the proceeding verses, I'm giving you the succeeding verses.
“For the promise is to you, and to your children, and all that are afar off, whomsoever the Lord our God shall call “(Acts 2:39).
So, we have a problem here. Most “Jesus's name only” groups don't baptize young children. Yet, this seems to imply this isn't just for adults.
Regardless, there's some verses that the “Jesus's name” baptism folks are going to have to deal with.
“And Jesus coming spoke to them, saying: All power is given to me in heaven and in earth. Go: therefore, teach all nations; baptizing them in the name of the Father, and, of the Son and of the Holy Ghost (Matthew 28:18-19).
Now, you might think that Luke (the traditional author of Acts) and Matthew contradict each other.
You'd be wrong.
Let's read the next verse;
“Teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I have commanded you: and behold I am with you all days, even to the consummation of the world (Matthew 28:20).
So, Jesus explicitly told his disciples to use a Trinitarian formula for baptism.
So, why the difference? And why does Peter mention a baptism that seems to contradict Jesus?
Because Peter isn't giving a formula (something that Jesus had already done).
No, Peter is distinguishing it from other types of baptism.
The Book of Acts itself.
“And it came to pass, while Apollo was at Corinth, that Paul, having passed through the upper coasts, came to Ephesus, and found certain disciples and he said them Have you received the Holy Ghost since ye believed? But they said to him, we have not so much as heard whether there be a Holy Ghost. And he said what then were yo baptized? Who said: In John's baptism.
Then Paul said: John baptize the people with the baptism of penance, saying that they should believe in him who was to come after him, that is to so say, in Jesus. (Acts 19:1-4)
Jesus says how to do it, Peter is saying what it is, Paul is telling you that it's not the same as John's baptism.
There's no contradiction.
Adam Charles Hovey is the founder of the Catholicism, news, and whatever community on Locals, and, if you want to help him out, go to Help with medical bills