Journal: Reformed Baptist Theological Review
Volume: RBTR 08:1 (Jan 2011)
Article: Acts 2:39 In Its Context (Part II): Case Studies In Paedobaptist Interpretations Of Acts 2:39
Author: Jamin Hübner

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Acts 2:39 In Its Context (Part II):
Case Studies In Paedobaptist Interpretations Of Acts 2:39

Jamin Hübner

Jamin Hubner, B.A. Theology (Dordt College), MAR (Reformed Theological Seminary, pursuing), Providence Reformed Baptist Church, Black Hills, SD, is founder of RealApologetics.org and the author of several books.

Introduction

In the first part of this study, we examined the text of Acts 2:39 and drew a number of conclusions that were relevant to the paedobaptist/credobaptist debate. Some of the main points of that discussion include the following:

1. The primary meaning of “the promise” in Acts 2:39 is the promise of the Spirit (2:38, 33, 17–21), which is the Spirit.1 There may (or may not) be specific allusions to the Abrahamic covenant and its mentioning of children. If there are allusions, the context is generally clear that they are not what Peter immediately has in mind.2 His primary focus is on the New Covenant reality prophesied in Joel 2 that is specifically fulfilled in Acts 2:17–21: the Spirit’s outpouring on all of God’s repentant people.3

2. The “children” of 2:39:

a. Are perhaps a familiar category to the Jews (especially after Peter just cited Joel 2, with “sons and daughters”), but cannot be properly understood apart from the rest of

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the verse: “everyone whom the Lord our God calls to himself.” Peter’s whole argument revolves around Joel 2 and the fulfillment of those promises in the church; he is asserting something unique about the New Covenant church as a fulfillment of the promise (“Spirit will be poured out on all flesh,” “everyone who calls upon the name of the Lord shall be saved,” “the promise is for…everyone whom the Lord our God calls to Himself,” etc.), not re-establishing or re-asserting an Old Testament feature (e.g. “covenant community” that includes children, etc.).

b. Hence, the final result in verse 41 is that “those who received his word were baptized,” not “those who received his word and their children were baptized” or some other such variant.

c. Infants are not being discussed since (a) the children being referred to are probably the “sons and daughters” prophesying (...