by Robert C. Veil, Jr.
In Response to the question of what they must do in order to be saved, Peter told the crowd
on the day of Pentecost, “Repent, and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ for
the remission of sins, and ye shall receive the gift of the Holy Ghost,” (Acts 2:38KJV). The phrase
“for the remission of sins” has been debated by denominationalists who have been taught to believe
that it means “because of the remission of sins.” If it means “because of” the remission of sins,
then baptism is not here said to be necessary for salvation, but merely an act occurring after one is
already saved.
In support of the denominational position, it must be admitted that the flexible English word
“for” can be sometimes used to mean “because.” For example, a person might say, “I am going to
eat now, for I am hungry.” Although Webster does not give this meaning as the first, or most
common definition of the word, it is listed as a possible, albeit more unusual definition of the
English word “for.” A person might say they cried “for joy,” and, again, the word in that usage
carries the meaning of “because.”
Further, in the very next verse, we have this: “For to you is the promise, and to your children,
and to all that are afar off, even as many as the Lord our God shall call unto him.” Here, the English
word “for” is obviously being used in the sense of giving the reason for something, or “because.”
So the question legitimately arises, Was Peter teaching that baptism is “for” the remission of
sins in the sense of “because” or in the more common sense of “in order to obtain?”
First, it should be remembered that proper understanding of any passage of Scripture requires
consideration of the context. It has been truly observed that “a passage taken out of context
becomes a pretext.” The context of Peter’s command in verse 38 is in response to an urgent
question by a crowd standing in need of salvation. Peter had just preached a masterful sermon
showing their guilt, and the fact that they had crucified the Messiah. In response, the text tells us
that they were “pricked” in their heart, or convicted by the message they had just heard. “Now
when they heard this, they were pricked in their heart, and said unto Peter and the rest of the
apostles, Brethren, what shall we do?” Their question shows that they were not saved yet. In fact,
they were convicted, pricked, convinced of their guilt. If they were already saved, it might make
sense for Peter to respond telling them what to do “because” they were saved. But that is not what
was happening. They knew they were lost; they knew they needed to be saved, and their question
is calculated to learn what they must do in order to be saved.
The English word “for” translates a Greek word, eis, which literally means “in order to.” The
word appears in the exact same construction in Matthew 26:28KJV, “For this is my blood of the
new testament, which is shed for many for the remission of sins.” The American Standard Version
translates both verses with the English word “unto,” which removes any question about the
meaning. Baptism is “unto” (in order to get to) the remission of sins.
Further, understanding the word “for” in verse 38 to mean “in order to” accords with the first
and primary meaning of the English word. Webster gives the meaning of the word “for” as used
as a function word to indicate purpose, as in “money for studying.” Next, the word may be used as
a function word to indicate any intended destination, as in “left for home.” Next, the word may be
used as a function word to indicate the object toward which one’s desire or activity is directed, as
in “now for a good rest.” All of these examples show the first and primary meaning of the English
word “for” as a function, and this comports well with the context of Acts 2:38.
Also, notice that Peter couples baptism with repentance, “Repent ye, and be baptized.” If
forgiveness is granted before baptism, then forgiveness is also granted before repentance. But the
Scriptures say that one must repent before forgiveness is granted, (cf. Acts 3:19). So again, baptism
is “for” or “unto” or “in order to obtain” the remission of sins.
