Sept 9, 2019
READING TIME: 1-2 MINUTES
Dave, in Acts 2:38, what does Peter mean when he says that the listeners need to baptized for the forgiveness of sins? I know some people use this verse to support baptismal regeneration.
When we look at all the evidence, this verse does not teach that a person needs to be baptized before they can receive forgiveness of sins.
In both Greek and English, the word “for” can mean either “to get,” or it can mean “because of.” Those who teach that baptism is necessary for salvation, interpret the word “for” in Acts 2:38 to mean “in order to get.” Another possibility is that the word “for” in Acts 2:38 means “because of.” If that is the case, then Peter simply says that they should be baptized because their sins have been forgiven.
The question is which interpretation of the word “for” in Acts 2:38 is correct. Nothing in the context settles the issue. All must go to other passages to validate their position. Ideally, it would be nice if we could go to another passage spoken by Peter and recorded by Luke.
Such a passage exists. In Acts 10, while preaching in the house of Cornelius, Peter said, “to Him all the prophets witness that, through His name, whoever believes in Him will receive the remission of sins” (Acts 10:43). Clearly, Peter said and Luke recorded that faith is the key to receiving the remission of sins. In this passage, it is evident that Peter did not preach that baptism was necessary for the remission of sins. After the people who heard him believed in Christ in the middle of his message, Peter said “can anyone forbid water that these should not be baptized who have received the Holy Spirit just as we have” (Acts 10:47)? Unmistakably these people believed, were saved, and received the Holy Spirit before they were baptized.
Based on the data from Acts 10, it is safe to say that on the day of Pentecost, Peter did not mean one had to be baptized to receive the remission of sins. As Acts 10 demonstrates, Peter preached the remission of sins by faith and he practiced baptism after salvation.
Source Used
Cocoris, G. Michael. “Is Water Baptism Necessary for Salvation?” Chafer Theological Seminary Journal Volume 3 3.1 (1997): 10.