The phrase “for the remission of sins” is eternally important because one’s understanding of it materially affects not only his beliefs but his actions respecting preparation to meet God at the Judgment. Baptists readily admit their contention that in Acts 2:38 the phrase “for the remission of sins” means “because of the remission of sins.” Hence, Baptists understand Acts 2:38 to teach that one ought to be baptized because he already has the forgiveness of sins – rather than to be baptized in order to receive the forgiveness of sins. One can easily discern that there is a world of difference – an eternity of difference, really – in those two contrary propositions. Therefore, it does matter what one understands and practices regarding Acts 2:38.
Notice Matthew 26:28, “For this is my blood of the new testament, which is shed for many for the remission of sins (eis afesin hamartioon)” (KJV emphasis added). The same phrase in English and Greek appears in Acts 2:38. Now, at the institution of the Lord’s Supper in Matthew 26:28, our Lord was not teaching that He was about to shed His blood because mankind already had the forgiveness of sins. That would be absurd and invalidate the sacrifice of Jesus Christ on the cross. Rather, our Savior was about to shed His blood in order that people could have the forgiveness of sins. In Matthew 26:28, “because of the remission of sins” instead of “in order to receive the forgiveness of sins” will not work. Likewise, “because of the remission of sins” rather than “in order to receive the remission of sins” is incorrect in Acts 2:38.
The place of Bible baptism in God’s plan of salvation is clearly seen from numerous passages throughout the New Testament. The simplicity of our Lord’s statement in Mark 16:16 is difficult to misconstrue. “He who believes and is baptized will be saved…” (NKJV emphasis added). This declaration is comparable to the mathematical equation of 1 + 2 = 3; belief (faith) + baptism = salvation. Further, notice when the man we best know as the apostle Paul received the removal of his sins. “And now why are you waiting? Arise and be baptized, and wash away your sins, calling on the name of the Lord” (Acts 22:16). It should be no surprise, then, that the apostle Peter pointed to baptism as the point of salvation. Comparing the salvation of the eight souls on Noah’s ark, Peter said they “were saved through water” (1 Peter 3:20), but then he wrote, “There is also an antitype which now saves us — baptism…” (1 Peter 3:21).
These biblical citations harmonize with other references to baptism in the New Testament. Rather than “faith only,” “faith alone” or at the point of “faith,” true faith that Jesus is the Christ (John 8:24) leads to repentance (Luke 13:3) and acknowledging before others one’s confidence that Jesus is the Christ (Matthew 10:32), prior to being baptized “for [in order to receive – not because of] the remission of sins.” Faith alone is a dead faith (James 2:14, 17, 26), and the single occasion of the words “faith only” appearing in the Bible is in James 2:24 where Scripture reads, “not by faith only” (emphasis added).
The clear meaning of “for the remission of sins” in both Matthew 26:28 and Acts 2:38 is “in order to receive the remission of sins.” The relationship of repentance to baptism in Acts 2:38 is that both repentance and baptism precede the forgiveness of sins or salvation.
