The argument begins with Beisner
noting that the verb “repent” is plural, and that the “your” in “for the
remission of your sins” is also plural. (Beisner inserts “plural” that
these points.) But, he says, the verb “be baptized” is singular: “Let each
one [hekastos] be baptized.” Beisner concludes, “This makes it clear
that ‘remission of your (plural) sins’ is the result of ‘you (plural)
repenting,’ not of “each one (singular) being baptized.’”
John MacArthur agrees that this is a
proper interpretation. “Support for that interpretation comes from the fact
that ‘repent’ and ‘your’ are plurals, while ‘be baptized’ is singular, thus
setting it off from the rest of the sentence [as parenthetical]. If that interpretation
is correct, the verse would read ‘Repent (and let each of you be baptized in
the name of Jesus Christ) for the forgiveness of your sins.’ Forgiveness is
thus connected with repentance, not baptism.” (in a letter from MacArthur
shared with me by Don Wallace, spring 2001.)
Those who use this argument seem to deliberately
ignore the fact that the singular verb “be baptized” is emphatically pluralized
by the word hekastos humōn, “each one OF YOU (plural). The word humōn,
“of you,” is the exact same plural word used in the phrase “remission of your
(plural) sins,” But Beisner chooses not to insert “(plural”) after this humōn,
because this would basically show that his argument is without foundation. (See
John 7:53 for a similar combination of plural verb with a singular hekastos.)
The only reason for ignoring the obvious is the tyrant of the sola fidei paradigm.
(Jack Cottrell, One Baptism Into Christ [The Collected Works of Jack
Cottrell 5; Mason, Ohio: The Christian Restoration Association, 2018], 75-76,
emphasis in original)
