QUESTION: Will you please explain what is meant by Peter’s statement in Acts 2:38?
ANSWER: Acts 2:38 is Peter’s response to an audience of Jews whose rejection of their Messiah had put them into a lost state and who thus needed salvation (vs. 22-24). Their question to Peter (v.37) was “What shall we do?” That is, what shall we do to be saved? Peter named two things they must do: repent and be baptized. He also listed two things they would receive as a result: forgiveness of sins and the gift of the Holy Spirit.
This verse specifically says that baptism is “for the forgiveness of sins.” Forgiveness (or remission) is equivalent to justification; it is the cancellation of all guilt by the power of the blood of Christ (Ephesians 1:7; Acts 22:16; Revelation 1:5). A key word in this verse is “for,” which translates the Greek preposition eis. This word signifies purpose, intention or result. In other words, Peter said to be baptized for the purpose of bringing about the forgiveness of sins. It is used exactly the same way in Matthew 26:28.
Acts 2:38 also says that those who are baptized “will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit.” This is that which Jesus promised in John 7:37-39; the direct result of this gift is the new birth promised in John 3:3-5. The Spirit’s presence raises the spiritually dead sinner to a state of spiritual life (Romans 6:4). Thus, Acts 2:38 makes the meaning of baptism crystal clear. It is the time God has appointed for removing the sinner’s guilt and for bestowing upon him the regenerating effects (i.e., new birth – John 3:3-5) of the Holy Spirit.
