[B-Greek] "EIS" in Ac. 2:38
AJBIRCH
AJBIRCH at terra.es
Sat Jan 8 03:15:13 EST 2005
Regarding the meaning of "EIS" in Ac. 2:38, it's obviously not easy keeping separate from each other the different relevant disciplines (exegesis, hermeneutics, systematic theology, etc.). But in strictly exegetical terms, if we take the (so far) consensus view that "EIS" means, basically, 'with a view to', etc., "Repent, and be baptized...with a view to forgiveness of your sins" (which is clearly compatible with the 'arrow-analogy', which seems to me a good analogy), there is, in practice, only a very fine distinction between the ideas of 'with a view to' and 'for', 'in order to get', etc. I don't think the meaning of "EIS" is the real problem here. And in the context it seems pretty clear what was happening: Peter was telling people under conviction of sin how to get forgiveness and peace. I think that what 'muddies the exegetical water' is the (theological) question of the exact relationship between (a) repentance, (b) baptism, and (c) forgiveness. Even though I personally take the view that it's (a) repentance, and not (b) baptism, that really 'triggers' (c) forgiveness (thus taking water-baptism as the (natural) outward manifestation of the (more important) inward spiritual change, I don't see any need to be afraid of 'exegeting' "EIS" as indicating how to go about getting forgiveness - what to do 'with a view to' being forgiven.
Andrew (Palma de Mallorca, Spain).
More information about the B-Greek
mailing list