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Baptism BECAUSE of Forgiveness?
Baptism BECAUSE of Forgiveness?
Scripture best interprets Scripture. When Peter told the crowd to be “baptized FOR the forgiveness of sins”, did Peter mean “BECAUSE of forgiveness” or “INTO forgiveness”? Did Peter mean baptism comes AFTER or BEFORE forgiveness of sins?
Since Scripture best interprets Scripture, we do not need to go any further than two verses further into Peter’s sermon:
“For the forgiveness of sins” (2:38) equals “be saved from this corrupt generation” (2:40).
“Repent and be baptized” (2:38) equals “were baptized” (2:41).
So when Peter urged them to be saved, what did they do? They were baptized. Do you want to be saved? Then be baptized! Therefore, “FOR the forgiveness of sins” means “INTO the forgiveness of sins”. Do you want forgiveness? Then be baptized.
Acts 2:38,40-41 – And Peter said to them, “Repent, and each of you be baptized in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins; and you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit. And with many other words he solemnly bore witness and kept on exhorting them, saying, “Be saved from this crooked generation!” So then, those who had received his word were baptized; and that day there were added about three thousand souls.
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