My Bible, the New Living Translation, has Acts 2:38 saying baptism is to "show that our sins have been forgiven." But no other translation says this. What is happening? -- Shawn
The original NLT passage in question reads, "Each of you must turn from your sins and turn to God, and be baptized in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins." This is from the 1996 version. It seems the 2004 revision has taken certain liberties, bringing it into line with the original paraphrase, the Living Bible (1971). But this has not happened consistently, since (I believe) most revised versions agree with the original. Alas, prejudice can and does affect Bible translation.
The Greek NT reads: "repent... and be baptized... for the forgiveness of sins." In other words, although some evangelicals would like to reword this passage, the original is quite clear. Baptism is the final step in receiving Christ, in becoming a Christian.
