Act_2:38

Acts 2:38
"Then Peter said unto them, Repent, and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins ..." This is one of the favorite passages used by the "Campbellites," or Church of Christ, also, Lutherans and Catholics, to endorse water baptism for salvation. The key to getting the proper understanding of this verse is found in the little Greek word, "EIS," translated "for." The Greek, "EIS," is translated various ways in the New Testament, depending on the context and the usage of the word itself, by demonstrating basis, ground, aim, or purpose. For example, in 1 Corinthians 2:7 "EIS DOXAN HEMON" is translated "unto our glory" (KJV). In the RSV, it is translated "for our glory." It is translated thus in demonstrating aim or purpose; that being, “our glory.” In Matthew 12:41, "EIS" is translated "at," demonstrating the basis or grounds; that being, the preaching of Jonah was the grounds for the repentance of Nineveh, "...because they repented at (or 'because of') the preaching of Jonas;..."

A.T. Robertson, a well-known Greek scholar, has pointed out that the "Greek preposition 'EIS', translated 'for' in the phrase 'for the remission of sin,' may also mean 'because of.'  An example of this can be found in Luke 11:32, where the text says that the people of Nineveh '...repented at the preaching of Jonas...'  The word 'at' is a translation of the same Greek term 'EIS' found in Acts 2:38.  The people of Jonah's day, you see, did not repent for his preaching; but, because of it."

Dr. John R. Rice, a worthy scholar, agrees with this translation of "EIS." For a complete quote on this subject from his book, Filled With The Spirit, The Book of Acts, please see Appendix A on Page 79. With this in mind, let us return to Acts 2:38 where the Greek "EIS" is translated "for" in the KJV and "unto" in the RSV. In these instances, the Greek "EIS" would be incorrectly translated "for" and "unto." The correct translation would be "BECAUSE OF," a more accurate rendering. Therefore, in Acts 2:38, "EIS" is showing the "basis or grounds" for baptism; that being their remission of sins BECAUSE OF their belief in Jesus Christ. This would then be in perfect agreement with all other Scripture concerning salvation. Here is how the verse would read in its proper translation,

"Then Peter said unto them, Repent, and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ (EIS) BECAUSE OF the remission of sins,..." In other words, "repent" or "change your mind" about the Christ you crucified with the wicked hands of unbelief (Acts 2:23) and receive Him as your Savior; then be baptized, thus publicly identifying yourself with Him in profession of your faith.

It would be contradictory of Peter to proclaim salvation in Christ only; then state you have to be baptized to be saved.  Notice Peter's words in Acts 4:12 :

"Neither is there salvation in any other: for there is none other name under heaven given among men, whereby we must be saved." Was it not Peter who stated in Acts 2:21 :

"And it shall come to pass, that whosoever shall call upon the NAME of the Lord shall be saved."

He did not instruct them to call upon baptism to save them!  Peter had instructed these Jews to be baptized AFTER they were saved, not only as a testimony to others, but also of having a good conscience within themselves by being obedient to the Lord.  Peter, later, expressed this in his first epistle, 1 Peter 3:21 :

"The like figure whereunto even baptism doth also now save us, (NOT THE PUTTING AWAY OF THE FILTH OF THE FLESH (i.e. our sins) but the answer of a GOOD CONSCIENCE toward God), by the resurrection of Jesus Christ?"

What does baptism save us from?  A guilty conscience before our Lord in not refusing to be publicly identified with Him by water baptism.  How wonderful for the child of God to always be able to proclaim,

"For I am NOT ASHAMED of the gospel of Christ: for it is the power of God unto salvation to everyone that believeth; to the Jew first, and also to the Greek." – Romans 1:16