In the Scriptures we have what may seem to be incoherent teachings on the means of forgiveness. It is clear that Jesus came to forgive his people from their sins. Before his birth, Jesus’ mission was proclaimed to his mother, Mary. “She will bear a son, and you shall call his name Jesus, for he will save his people from their sins” (Matt. 1:21). Just before his death, Jesus proclaimed his mission to the disciples. “And he took a cup, and when he had given thanks he gave it to them, saying, ‘Drink of it, all of you, for this is my blood of the covenant, which is poured out for many for the forgiveness of sins'” (Matt. 26:27-28).
We cannot miss this fact: forgiveness of sin is accomplished by the saving work of Jesus Christ, not by any work of our own. And yet, some may think that baptism is a requirement to receive forgiveness. That is, one cannot be forgiven unless baptized. This is due in part to what we have recorded in Scripture. Peter announced to the Jews in Jerusalem at Pentecost, “Repent and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins,” (Acts 2:38). Even the great forerunner, John the Baptist, came preaching a baptism of repentance for the forgiveness of sins (see Mark 1:4).
So we cannot miss this second fact: baptism goes hand-in-hand with the gospel message. But we ought not to interpret the words in Acts 2:38 to mean that forgiveness of sins is a result of baptism. The verse does not state, “repent and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ in order to be forgiven of your sins.” That would mean baptism in and of itself secures forgiveness. But we cannot take someone and baptize them Nacho Libre style and believe they are forgiven of their sins, even though that person has not repented nor believes in Christ. Instead, the verse says, “Repent and be baptized each one of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins.”
Understanding How Prepositions Work
The key to theological accuracy is often found in the details. Those details are what grammarians call prepositions: through, from, out of, and yes, even the pesky word around baptism, for. The English preposition for can be used to explain or clarify something. “Little Timmy hobbled on crutches, for he was crippled.” In this case, for explains why Timmy was using crutches – he was a cripple. For can also be used to specify a beneficiary of certain acts. “The batter got hit by a 100mph fastball. He took one for the team.” The team benefitted an advance of base runners at the expense of the batter’s pain. The word for can also be used to express a purpose or intention; “The entire South went into the grocery store before a snow storm for some milk and bread.” The intention of the trip was acquiring milk and bread.
The preposition for is used in these three ways when Jesus instituted the Last Supper. He had his disciples eat the bread and drink of the cup for it was his blood of the covenant that was going to be poured out (explanation), for the many (beneficiaries), for the forgiveness of sins (intention/purpose). I write all this to make one simple point: the preposition for does not de-facto mean in order to.
Check Your Surroundings
Too often we can fall into theological error by zooming in on one verse, or one word in a verse, and then building our theology on that one word. That may sound contradictory to the whole discussion above that zoomed in on the one word for. But theological clarity is achieved by using a microscope and a fish-eye lens, a telescope and the naked eye. We need the minute details, and we need the view of the horizon. Now that we have zoomed in, we need to zoom out and check the literary surroundings.
In the gospels we have a move towards redemption. That is, forgiveness in Christ’s name has yet to be accomplished, but the story is going there. The teachings are future-oriented. Jesus will die, he will save his people from their sins, his blood will be poured out for forgiveness. In Acts we look backwards towards redemption. Christ has died and rose again, his blood has been poured out for many for forgiveness of sins. Forgiveness has been accomplished in Christ’s work alone.
So when the men of Israel who crucified and killed Jesus by the hands of lawless men, when those men asked Peter what they should do, Peter answered, “Repent and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins.” This is not because baptism would accomplish forgiveness of sins; only Christ can do that. Rather, we must read that the right response to Christ’s resurrection was twofold: repent and be baptized. But this is not just any baptism. The baptism Peter refers to is clarified as baptism “in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins.” That whole phrase goes together. That is the kind of baptism Peter is referring to. It is not “be baptized in the name of Jesus Christ” so that you may be forgiven. It is be baptized “in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins.” This baptism, Christian baptism, is the baptism that says forgiveness of sins is in the name of Jesus Christ. Being baptized is faith responding to the teaching that in Christ alone is forgiveness.
A Voice from our Past
Hear these words from St. Basil the Great in his work, On the Holy Spirit. “Now Faith and baptism are two ways of salvation that are naturally united with each other and indivisible. While faith is perfected by baptism, baptism is established by faith, and is carried out by the same names. For as we believe in the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit, so also we are baptized in the name of the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. The confession that brings salvation comes first and there follows baptism which seals our ascent.” (ss. 12,28).
Concluding Thoughts with a Question
Here is the key distinction: Baptism has no power of its own to wash away sins; but Jesus Christ does. So Baptism does not forgive sins, for only Christ can do that. Baptism in Christ’s name for the forgiveness of sins, then, is faith responding to the question “What can wash away my sins?” with the resounding, “Nothing but the blood of Jesus!”
So then, should you be baptized? If you believe Christ alone has accomplished forgiveness of your sins, then…
Sound Teaching, Sound Living 