"Peter replied, "Repent and be baptized, every one of you, in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins. And you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit." -- Acts 2:38
There are some people who would answer that question, "Both". Some people do indeed teach baptism is that which saves us, and Acts 2:38 is often used as their 'holy grail' from scripture. Any scriptural rebuttal showing Jesus as our source of salvation is said to be false because it contradicts Acts 2:38. This verse is most always used by itself, with the occasional use of verses 37 and 39 when they want to take it 'in context'. I would like to examine this verse in the context of its passage, and the Bible as a whole. After looking at it in context we will look at two problems with the way they use this verse. Then, we will look at what baptism is and why Jesus commands it.1When the day of Pentecost came, they were all together in one place. 2Suddenly a sound like the blowing of a violent wind came from heaven and filled the whole house where they were sitting. 3They saw what seemed to be tongues of fire that separated and came to rest on each of them. 4All of them were filled with the Holy Spirit and began to speak in other tongues as the Spirit enabled them." -- Acts 2:1-4The day of Pentecost. The Holy Spirit had arrived and come upon Jesus' followers, just as He had promised when He left. Then they all got up and started speaking in different languages. Who were they speaking to?
"Now there were staying in Jerusalem God-fearing Jews from every nation under heaven. -- Acts 2:5
"9Parthians, Medes and Elamites; residents of Mesopotamia, Judea and Cappadocia, Pontus and Asia, 10Phrygia and Pamphylia, Egypt and the parts of Libya near Cyrene; visitors from Rome 11(both Jews and converts to Judaism); Cretans and Arabs--we hear them declaring the wonders of God in our own tongues!" -- Acts 2:9-11
They were preaching to the Jews. Jews from every nation. This is important to note and we will see why in just a moment. For now, let's keep looking at what happened. At this point, Peter got up and started to speak. I would encourage you all to read Acts chapter 2 in its entirety....for brevity, I will only post portions of Peter's speech:
"22"Men of Israel, listen to this: Jesus of Nazareth was a man accredited by God to you by miracles, wonders and signs, which God did among you through him, as you yourselves know. 23This man was handed over to you by God's set purpose and foreknowledge; and you, with the help of wicked men, put him to death by nailing him to the cross. 24But God raised him from the dead, freeing him from the agony of death, because it was impossible for death to keep its hold on him." -- Acts 2:22-24God sent Jesus Christ, the promised Messiah to the Jews, and the Jews rejected and killed Him. The Jews were responsible for....took responsibility for the death of Jesus. We can see this in Matthew's account of the crucifixion:"32God has raised this Jesus to life, and we are all witnesses of the fact. 33Exalted to the right hand of God, he has received from the Father the promised Holy Spirit and has poured out what you now see and hear." -- Acts 2:32-33
"Therefore let all Israel be assured of this: God has made this Jesus, whom you crucified, both Lord and Christ." -- Acts 2:36
"22"What shall I do, then, with Jesus who is called Christ?" Pilate asked.The Jews were responsible for Killing God's Messiah. This is another important note. Jesus' followers were talking to Jews, and Peter was talking to Jews, the very people who killed Christ. God sent His Son to His own people and they rejected and killed Him. God used that for good of course; because of that, we all have eternal life, but what was the reaction of the Jews when they heard this?
They all answered, "Crucify him!"
23"Why? What crime has he committed?" asked Pilate.
But they shouted all the louder, "Crucify him!"
24When Pilate saw that he was getting nowhere, but that instead an uproar was starting, he took water and washed his hands in front of the crowd. "I am innocent of this man's blood," he said. "It is your responsibility!"
25All the people answered, "Let his blood be on us and on our children!"
26Then he released Barabbas to them. But he had Jesus flogged, and handed him over to be crucified." -- Matthew 27:22-26
"When the people heard this, they were cut to the heart and said to Peter and the other apostles, 'Brothers, what shall we do?'" -- Acts 2:37They felt bad. They took Peter's words to heart and actually felt guilty. Look at their response: "Brother's, what shall we do?" My daughter often has the same response, when I tell her about something she did wrong. I will catch her in the act and send her to her room, and after a few minutes go in and explain that she did something wrong. Her response will be, "Oh, but now what do I do?" She is convicted and wants to know how to make up for the wrong she did. The Jews, the people responsible for the death of our Savior had the same response. They were convicted and basically replied, "Oh, now we do we do?" They wanted to know how to make up for the wrong they did. At this point, Peter answered them:
"Repent and be baptized, every one of you, in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins. And you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit." -- Acts 2:38The Jews killed God, they felt guilty for it, they asked what they needed to do to fix it, and at that point Peter told them. Repent and be baptized...two things: 1) they needed to repent, 2) they needed to be baptized. Then they would be forgiven and would receive the gift of the Holy Spirit. Then they would have made up for killing God's only Son, their Messiah.
The first problem is, nowhere in that exchange was salvation mentioned. Nowhere in that exchange was eternal life mentioned. Salvation by works contenders will tell you that baptism answers the question, "What must we do?" But always leave off the salvation part. Why? Because it is not mentioned. How can someone claim that salvation comes from being baptized specifically for the forgiveness of sins using a passage that does not mention salvation or eternal life? Especially when there is a passage that asks very specifically, "What must we do to be saved?" There is a passage where the Apostle Paul was asked that, and his reply did not mention baptism:
"27The jailer woke up, and when he saw the prison doors open, he drew his sword and was about to kill himself because he thought the prisoners had escaped. 28But Paul shouted, "Don't harm yourself! We are all here!"Look at Paul's answer: "Believe in the Lord Jesus, and you will be saved". Then Paul taught about the Lord, they believed and they were saved. Notice where the baptism is: After they believed. Notice why the Jailer and his family were celebrating: "because he had come to believe in God--he and his whole family." The Jailer asked what he needed to do to be saved. The answer was that he should believe in the Lord Jesus Christ! Then him and his family believed and they were saved!
29The jailer called for lights, rushed in and fell trembling before Paul and Silas. 30He then brought them out and asked, "Sirs, what must I do to be saved?"
31They replied, "Believe in the Lord Jesus, and you will be saved--you and your household"; 32Then they spoke the word of the Lord to him and to all the others in his house. 33At that hour of the night the jailer took them and washed their wounds; then immediately he and all his family were baptized. 34The jailer brought them into his house and set a meal before them; he was filled with joy because he had come to believe in God--he and his whole family." -- Acts 16:27-24
It is important to note that he and his family were baptized, as well. All Christians should be baptized. It is a holy sacrament instituted by God, a command of Jesus and it should be followed, but it is not what saves us - only Jesus can save us. So why then? Why institute the sacrament? We will go into that in a little bit, however, for now, let us continue with our study of Acts 2:38 and look at the second problem with baptism for forgiveness of sins bringing about salvation. Baptism for the forgiveness of sins was, in fact, the baptism of John:
"1In the fifteenth year of the reign of Tiberius Caesar--when Pontius Pilate was governor of Judea, Herod tetrarch of Galilee, his brother Philip tetrarch of Iturea and Traconitis, and Lysanias tetrarch of Abilene-- 2during the high priesthood of Annas and Caiaphas, the word of God came to John son of Zechariah in the desert. 3He went into all the country around the Jordan, preaching a baptism of repentance for the forgiveness of sins." -- Luke 3:1-3John went around the country baptizing people for the forgiveness of sins. John was preparing the way for Christ and, in doing so, baptized people specifically for the forgiveness of sins. The problem is, John's baptism has no power over us:
"1While Apollos was at Corinth, Paul took the road through the interior and arrived at Ephesus. There he found some disciples 2and asked them, "Did you receive the Holy Spirit when you believed?"These people were not taught very well. They didn't even know there as a Holy Spirit! But wait, they were baptized for the forgiveness of their sins. According to some, they should have been saved! But they were not. John's baptism was a baptism of repentance and that baptism has no power over us. Only Jesus can save us. That is what Paul told the Ephesians. Even John told people that:
They answered, "No, we have not even heard that there is a Holy Spirit."
3So Paul asked, "Then what baptism did you receive?"
"John's baptism," they replied.
4Paul said, "John's baptism was a baptism of repentance. He told the people to believe in the one coming after him, that is, in Jesus." 5On hearing this, they were baptized into the name of the Lord Jesus. 6When Paul placed his hands on them, the Holy Spirit came on them, and they spoke in tongues and prophesied. 7There were about twelve men in all." -- Acts 19:1-7
"John answered them all, "I baptize you with water. But one more powerful than I will come, the thongs of whose sandals I am not worthy to untie. He will baptize you with the Holy Spirit and with fire." -- Luke 3:16John told people that his baptism would not save people, but rather the one who came after Him, Jesus Christ, would. Jesus Christ would baptize with spirit and with fire. We see evidence of this as well in the early church, both at Pentecost, with the Samaritans, and the house of Cornelius:
Cornelius and his family were baptized with the Holy Spirit after they believed in Jesus. It was not until after they received the Holy Spirit that they were baptized in water. The Samaritans were baptized by water, and they still had not recieved the Holy Spirit. John's baptism, the baptism of forgiveness did not save any of them or bring any of them gifts of the Holy Spirit, but rather Jesus Christ did. That is what Paul told the Ephesians too. He told them that John's baptism does not save, only Jesus. That is what saved them all, Jesus Christ, not the baptism for forgiveness of sins. The baptism of forgiveness of sins is John's baptism, and John's baptism cannot and will not save us. Only our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ and save us."14When the apostles in Jerusalem heard that Samaria had accepted the word of God, they sent Peter and John to them. 15When they arrived, they prayed for them that they might receive the Holy Spirit, 16because the Holy Spirit had not yet come upon any of them; they had simply been baptized in the name of the Lord Jesus. 17Then Peter and John placed their hands on them, and they received the Holy Spirit." -- Acts 8:14-17
"43All the prophets testify about him that everyone who believes in him receives forgiveness of sins through his name."
44While Peter was still speaking these words, the Holy Spirit came on all who heard the message. 45The circumcised believers who had come with Peter were astonished that the gift of the Holy Spirit had been poured out even on the Gentiles. 46For they heard them speaking in tongues and praising God.
47Then Peter said, "Can anyone keep these people from being baptized with water? They have received the Holy Spirit just as we have." 48So he ordered that they be baptized in the name of Jesus Christ. Then they asked Peter to stay with them for a few days." -- Acts 10:43
First and formost, it is a command of God:
"18Then Jesus came to them and said, "All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. 19Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, 20and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age." -- Matthew 28:18-20As you can see, by Jesus' own words, we are commanded to be baptized. Notice, however, that it is unbelief that condemns a man, not failure to be baptized. So why did Jesus say, "Whoever believes and is baptised will be saved?" Why did he mention baptism in that verse? Indeed, why would He command it and mention it if it was not a requirement of salvation? Well, it is not the baptism itself that brings about salvation, but rather the faith in Christ demonstrated. Baptism is a demonstration of faith. It is for this reason it is not mentioned in the second clause of that passage. Those who do not believe will be condemned. It doesn't mention baptism because baptism is an evidencing of belief. If one doesn't believe, then one obviously will not evidence belief via an act of baptism. Thus, no need to mention it. However, if one does believe, then one needs to show that belief in the manner prescribed. This, then, links it with one's ultimate "saving," although the act itself is not what saves!"15He said to them, "Go into all the world and preach the good news to all creation. 16Whoever believes and is baptized will be saved, but whoever does not believe will be condemned. 17And these signs will accompany those who believe: In my name they will drive out demons; they will speak in new tongues; 18they will pick up snakes with their hands; and when they drink deadly poison, it will not hurt them at all; they will place their hands on sick people, and they will get well." -- Mark 16:15-18
Baptism is an act of man. It is a symbolic ritual that has dual significance. One: It symbolizes the death, burial and resurrection of Jesus Christ, and two: it symbolizes the inner change that takes place when we put all our hope and trust in the Lord Jesus Christ:
All rituals have been nailed to the cross with Jesus Christ and have no power to save us. We can see from the passage in Colossians that it is not the act of baptism, but, rather, the faith that saves us. Baptism is an outward expression of that inner faith:"1What shall we say, then? Shall we go on sinning so that grace may increase? 2By no means! We died to sin; how can we live in it any longer? 3Or don't you know that all of us who were baptized into Christ Jesus were baptized into his death? 4We were therefore buried with him through baptism into death in order that, just as Christ was raised from the dead through the glory of the Father, we too may live a new life." -- Romans 6:1-4
"26You are all sons of God through faith in Christ Jesus, 27for all of you who were baptized into Christ have clothed yourselves with Christ. 28There is neither Jew nor Greek, slave nor free, male nor female, for you are all one in Christ Jesus. 29If you belong to Christ, then you are Abraham's seed, and heirs according to the promise." -- Galations 3:26-29
"11In him you were also circumcised, in the putting off of the sinful nature, not with a circumcision done by the hands of men but with the circumcision done by Christ, 12having been buried with him in baptism and raised with him through your faith in the power of God, who raised him from the dead. 13When you were dead in your sins and in the uncircumcision of your sinful nature, God made you alive with Christ. He forgave us all our sins, 14having canceled the written code, with its regulations, that was against us and that stood opposed to us; he took it away, nailing it to the cross. 15And having disarmed the powers and authorities, he made a public spectacle of them, triumphing over them by the cross." -- Colossians 2:11-15
"18For Christ died for sins once for all, the righteous for the unrighteous, to bring you to God. He was put to death in the body but made alive by the Spirit, 19through whom also he went and preached to the spirits in prison 20who disobeyed long ago when God waited patiently in the days of Noah while the ark was being built. In it only a few people, eight in all, were saved through water, 21and this water symbolizes baptism that now saves you also--not the removal of dirt from the body but the pledge of a good conscience toward God. It saves you by the resurrection of Jesus Christ, 22who has gone into heaven and is at God's right hand--with angels, authorities and powers in submission to him." -- 1 Peter 3:18-22So, why be baptized? 1) We are commanded by God, and 2) Baptism is a ritual that is symbolic of the death, burial, and ressurection of our Lord and Saviour, Jesus Christ, as well as the inner change that takes place when we put our trust and hope in Him.