The Importance of Acts 2:38 Chapter One From: Does the Word “For” In “For the Remission of Sins" In Acts 2:38 Signify that Water Baptism Remits Sin? By Bernie L. Gillespie

Introduction: What is at Issue? 

Does Acts 2:38 teach us that one’s sins are only remitted in the act of water-baptism? Does it mean that we cannot appropriate the work of the Cross unless we keep the command to be baptized? Should we understand that one cannot be forgiven and thus saved, unless one obeys the correct pattern of baptism? Does true faith consist of obeying the “three-step” pattern of Acts 2:38? The United Pentecostal Church, International (hereafter UPCI) would answer “Yes,” to each of these questions. The issue I wish to address is whether the Bible also answers yes. Does Peter intend his listeners, in Acts 2:38, to believe the above statements, or does he intend us to understand that water-baptism is?  

In this paper we will: (1) look at the importance of Acts 2:38 in the UPCI’s doctrine of salvation; (2) characterize the place of Acts 2:38 in salvation history; (3) weigh some of the grammatical considerations for interpreting Acts 2:38 properly; (4) examine the UPCI’s unique hermeneutic for their understanding of Acts 2:38; (5) analyze the roots of the UPCI’s baptismal remission teaching; (6) explore the UPCI view of the “language of appropriation” in their practice of water-baptism; (7) study the possible meanings of eis in Acts 2:38; (8) follow that by giving attention to the phrase “for the remission of sins” asking if it means that one is only forgiven by water-baptism; (9) look at other key passages cited by the UPCI to support baptismal remission; (10) talk about the disjunction in the UPCI view of the sacraments; (11) assert the need to seek the balance of Scripture for a proper understanding that faith is the means of the remission of sins. 

The Importance of Acts 2:38 in the UPCI

Doctrine of Salvation 

The United Pentecostal Church places a massive amount of weight on their interpretation of Acts 2:38 for their doctrine of salvation. Within this verse, much of the force for their distinctives rests upon one single word. That word is “for,” which is part of the phrase, “for the remission of sins.” They insist that the word “for” means that the remission of one’s sins occur when one is water baptized, and in that, by the formula “in the name of Jesus Christ” only. As a result, those who are not water-baptized in this manner are not forgiven of their sins. The implications of this position are far reaching and of great consequence. It is not simply an argument over words. It is life and death, because either one’s sins are forgiven by God or they are not. This makes the issue of how we understand the word “for” in Acts 2:38 of tremendous importance.  

If the Bible teaches that one is forgiven only through baptism, then all who are not baptized, or are not baptized in the correct formula, are not forgiven. On the other hand, if the Bible does not teach that baptism forgives sins, then all who teach such are guilty of denying the salvation of millions of people who confess their faith in Christ alone as their salvation. Even more, the UPCI teaches that it is not just enough to be baptized but one must use the correct formula for baptism to be effective. Thus, one could trust in Christ alone and even submit to a form of Christian baptism but their sins are still not forgiven because they have not followed the UPCI teaching. What is at issue is the very meaning of the Gospel, the nature of salvation, the identity of the Body of Christ, and the eternal destiny of people’s souls. All this hangs on the meaning of one single word – the word “for” in Acts 2:38. 

It is my conviction, as a former ordained minister of the UPCI, their teaching in incorrect. I personally repent that I taught this for many years. I did so in sincerity and with a sense of godly passion and boldness, just as my former colleagues do today. But I was wrong, and in facing the impact of my sin against God, I flee to His Cross and the righteousness of Jesus for my refuge. I now believe the Bible teaches that it is God who remits our sins on the basis of Christ’s death on the Cross. We receive forgiveness through faith in the work of the Cross. Thus, it is not water-baptism, by any formula, that remits sins. It is God, on the basis of Christ alone, without any means beyond true faith, Who remits or forgives[1] sins. I am convinced this is what the Bible plainly teaches. Then, we must ask: “What does “for” mean in Acts 2:38?” 

The Place of Acts 2:38 in Salvation History 

One of the problems we have in understanding Acts 2:38 and important parts of the Book of Acts is that it was spoken at a unique time in salvation history. The time period of Acts chapter one and two was between the time of Christ’s death on the Cross, and God’s initial baptizing of believer’s with the Holy Spirit. Occurring in this time period was the very unique reality of one hundred and twenty believers in Jesus, who had not yet been baptized with the Spirit. This was because Jesus had not yet ascended. The same is true of those hearing Peter’s sermon. They stood at a unique juncture in salvation history and it was a crossroads that is not and cannot be repeated today.  

In Acts chapter two, the Jewish core of the Church was being formed for the first time. The Spirit was not poured out on those who repented and submitted to baptism before this day. That was Peter’s focus. Now, for the first time, those who repent of their rejection of Jesus as Messiah could be converted to Christianity through the sign of water-baptism and expect to joined to the Body of Christ through God’s baptizing work of the Spirit. This is the larger picture of salvation history as presented by Luke. To make Acts 2:38 a formula to be universally applied, without taking into consideration the context and unique moment in history, is to fail to give people the proper context and understanding of Acts 2:38.