Are Acts 2:38 and Acts 3:19 parallel?
Introduction. There are a number of verses in the Bible which teach identically the same thing even though they were spoken or written on different occasions (see Eph. 5: 19 and Col. 3: 16).
A brief examination of Acts 2: 38. The verse reads (KJV): "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." Peter is addressing mainly Jews (vss. 1, 5). Peter charged them with the murder of Jesus (vss. 23, 36). Two acts are enjoined, repentance and baptism. "Repent" and "be baptized" are coupled by "and," showing equal importance. Each person was under the obligation to repent and be baptized ("every one of you"). These acts were imposed in Jesus' name (His authority, cf. 4: 7-12). The goal of "repent" and "be baptized" was the "remission of sins" and "the gift of the Holy Spirit" ("for," eis, forward action). The teaching is universal (vs. 39).
A brief examination of Acts 3: 19. The verse reads as follows: "Repent ye therefore, and be converted, that you sins may be blotted out, when the times of refreshing shall come from the presence of the Lord." Peter is addressing Jews (vs. 12). He charged them with Jesus' murder (vss. 14,15). Two acts are required, "repent" and "be converted." "Repent" and "be converted" (Gk. "turn again") are joined by "and," indicative of equal importance. The goal of "repent" and "be converted" was "sins...blotted out" and "times of refreshing." The teaching was universal (vs. 25).
Conclusion. By comparing these verses we learn that "baptism" is "conversion," "remission of sins" is the "blotting out" (total erasure) of sin, and "the gift of the Spirit" is "times of refreshing from the Lord." Yes, Acts 2: 38 and 3: 19 are parallel verses.
A brief examination of Acts 2: 38. The verse reads (KJV): "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." Peter is addressing mainly Jews (vss. 1, 5). Peter charged them with the murder of Jesus (vss. 23, 36). Two acts are enjoined, repentance and baptism. "Repent" and "be baptized" are coupled by "and," showing equal importance. Each person was under the obligation to repent and be baptized ("every one of you"). These acts were imposed in Jesus' name (His authority, cf. 4: 7-12). The goal of "repent" and "be baptized" was the "remission of sins" and "the gift of the Holy Spirit" ("for," eis, forward action). The teaching is universal (vs. 39).
A brief examination of Acts 3: 19. The verse reads as follows: "Repent ye therefore, and be converted, that you sins may be blotted out, when the times of refreshing shall come from the presence of the Lord." Peter is addressing Jews (vs. 12). He charged them with Jesus' murder (vss. 14,15). Two acts are required, "repent" and "be converted." "Repent" and "be converted" (Gk. "turn again") are joined by "and," indicative of equal importance. The goal of "repent" and "be converted" was "sins...blotted out" and "times of refreshing." The teaching was universal (vs. 25).
Conclusion. By comparing these verses we learn that "baptism" is "conversion," "remission of sins" is the "blotting out" (total erasure) of sin, and "the gift of the Spirit" is "times of refreshing from the Lord." Yes, Acts 2: 38 and 3: 19 are parallel verses.