Acts 2:38

Wayne Jackson wrote this timeless article which appeared in the April 1974 edition of the "Christian Courier"; published by the East Main Street Church of Christ in Stockton, California and edited by Jackson.

For years the religious world has been embroiled in controversy over whether the rite of immersion in water (baptism) is an essential condition for receiving the forgiveness of sins. Views regarding this subject have frequently been rather misinformed and extreme. For example, Catholicism has placed a magical aura around baptism, alleging that water alone, properly administered will save, even in the absence of faith (as in the case of infant baptism). Meanwhile, many have over reacted, claiming that baptism has no connection with salvation whatsoever. As the case often is, the truth lies between these extremes.

One of the clearest expressions of the importance of baptism is found at the conclusion of Peter's discourse on the day of Pentecost. In response to the Jewish query: "What shall we do?" (i.e., to be saved), the apostle replied, "Repent and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ unto (for) the remissions of your sins..." (Acts 2:38) This declaration is so remarkably lucid, it is truly difficult to see how a misunderstanding of it could arise.

These believing Jews (their faith evidenced by their question) were commanded to (1) repent; (2) be baptized. The express design of this compound command was "unto (or 'for') the remission of your sins." Let us briefly study this phrase. the preposition "unto" derives from the Greek term eis. Eis is found more than 1,700 times in the Greek New Testament and is always in the accusative case, i.e., the case of motion toward a place or state. A parallel usage of eis in connection with the expression "remission of sins" is clearly seen in Matthew 26:28. Jesus said (regarding His imminent death), "This is My blood of the covenant, which is poured out for many unto (eis) remission of sins." Now it is here very obvious that the shedding of Christ's blood was a prerequisite to the reception of redemption! And the same is true concerning Acts 2:38. Both repentance and baptism are conditions necessary to the reception of salvation. The renowned scholar J. H. Thayer translated the phrase in Acts 2:38, "to obtain the forgiveness of sins." (Greek Lexicon, p. 94.)

Surely a casual review of Acts 2:38 reveals the essentiality of baptism, for if obedience to this command were merely optional, repentance would have to be assessed similarly because it is connected to baptism by the conjunction "and". Some have sought to escape the force of this by claiming that two separate groups are here addressed by Peter, namely the lost (who are urged to repent) and the saved (who are allegedly admonished to be baptized as a sign of salvation already received). Baptist ministers are quite fond of making this plea, but it will not stand up as the following will abundantly show.

When Baptist writers are opposing infant baptism, they will cite Acts 2:38 in support of their argument. J. M. Pendleton writes: "No man will say that the command 'Repent' is applicable to infants, and it is certain the same persons were called on to repent and be baptized." (Baptist Church Manual, p. 84.) Why is it that only one group is being addressed when "infant baptism" is under discussion, yet two groups are in view when "baptism for remission of sins" is being challenged? This is very inconsistent! It is unworthy of honest men.

One of the greatest scholars ever to live among the ranks of the Baptists was Horatio B. Hackett. In his excellent Commentary on Acts, Hackett translates the phrase in 2:38, "in order to the forgiveness of sins," and then says, "we connect naturally with both preceding verbs." (p. 54) Several years ago, J. W. Shepherd asked J. Thayer himself for his scholarly opinion regarding the design of eis in Acts 2:38 and Thayer replied: "I accept the rendering of the Revised Version 'unto the remission of your sins.' The eis expressing the end aimed at and secured by 'repentance' and 'baptism' just previously enjoined." (Handbook of Baptism, p. 356.)

A few years back I wrote to Professor F. W. Gingrich of Albright College and asked: "Is it grammatically possible that the phrase 'for forgiveness of sins' as used in Acts 2:38 expresses the force of both verbs, 'repent ye and be baptized each one of you' even though these verbs differ in both person and number?" Dr. Gingrich, who is co-translator of the famous Arndt-Gingrich Greek Lexicon replied: "Yes. the difference between 'repent' and 'be baptized' is simply that in the first the people are viewed together in the plural while in the second the emphasis is on each individual." (Letter to WJ, Feb. 21, 1968.)

Those clergymen therefore who suggest that "the Greek of Acts 2:38 does not imply that baptism is essential to salvation," are tragically mistaken.