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REMISSION OF SIN

Of Him all the prophets bear witness that through His name everyone who believes in Him receives forgiveness of sins.  Acts 10: 43

 And Peter said to them, “Repent, and let each of you be baptized in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins, and you shall receive the gift of the Holy Spirit.”   Acts 2: 38

 Does God forgive sins in several different ways?  Did He forgive Cornelius and his household (Acts 10) at the moment they believed and those at Pentecost (Acts 2) after they repented and were baptized?  A gentleman, with whom I was corresponding, theorized that God forgives sins of the Jews through repentance and baptism and the Gentiles through faith. (See the article on Cornelius)

Was Cornelius and his household saved in a way different from others?

 We do not have to speculate and wonder about this. The Scriptures tell us plainly that they were saved in the same way as others (Acts 15: 11).

 If God did, He would be showing partiality.  God does not do this.  (Acts 10: 34)

Was Cornelius and his household saved before they were baptized in water?

 If you read the account carefully, you will conclude, I believe, that the Scriptures simply do not tell us when they were saved.  To affirm that they were saved before baptism is to assume that which they are affirming.  All we can say with certainty is that God changed the order of events in regard to the reception of the Holy Spirit.

 Some argue that reception of the Spirit is proof of salvation.  As proof they cite passages in which the Spirit was received after baptism in water.  This can hardly be offered as proof.  We do know that Jesus said one must be born of both water and the Spirit to enter the Kingdom.  (John 3: 5)

Is there any reason to think that Acts 2: 38, 39 is normative?

 Yes there is:

• The events of Acts 2 are first in time in regard to preaching the gospel.  (Luke 24: 47)
• We usually recognize the first to be precedent setting.
• Beyond this the passage tells us that this applies to the Jews and their children, and for all who are far off (Gentiles including Cornelius), as many as the Lord shall call. 

To whom was Acts 2: 38, 39 addressed?

 The passage was addressed to believers.  The Jews had been pierced to the heart by Peter’s words when they asked, “Brethren, what shall we do?”  Peter told those who had believed to repent and let themselves be baptized for the remission of sins and they would receive the gift of the Holy Spirit.  Please note, these people believed and yet their sins had not been forgiven as the advocates of Acts 10: 43 propose.  God gives remission of sins to those that believe, because true believers will repent and be baptized as God has commanded.

How can we know this with certainty?

 There are several things that are life or death issues.  If we don’t do them, the Scriptures say we are not going to make it.  These include:

• Faith  (John 8: 24)
• Repentance  (Luke 13: 3)
• Confession  (Matthew 10: 32, 33)
• Being born of water and the Spirit. Presupposes baptism/  (John 3: 5)
• Partaking of Christ  (John 6: 53, 54)
• Being converted  (Matthew 18: 3)

But isn’t faith the sole basis for the remission of sins?

 No, faith is not the basis of the remission of sins.  That distinction belongs to the grace of God and more specifically to the shedding of the blood of our Savior in His death. By the grace of God Jesus tasted death for everyone.  (John 1:29; Matthew 26: 28; Romans 6: 11, 23; Hebrews 2: 9; 9: 22; 1 John 1: 7)

 Faith is our access or connection to the grace of God.  We must believe that Jesus is the One who died for the remission of our sins.  Salvation is by grace through faith.

(Romans 5: 1, 2; John 8: 24; Ephesians 2: 8)

 But faith alone will not save.  Faith without love is nothing.  Faith must be activated and made effective when combined with love.  Faith is perfected and validated by the obedience of faith.  Thus repentance and baptism brings about the remission of sins in perfecting faith.  (James 2: 14-26; 1 Corinthians 13: 2; Acts 2: 38)

How did John the Baptist prepare us to accept these realities?

 John came preaching a baptism of repentance for the forgiveness of sins.  (Matthew 1: 4; Luke 3: 3; Acts 13: 24; 19: 4)

 You say, “I need more.”

 Good, there is more.  If you are truly interested in the truth, then look up these Scriptures.  They show us that obedience is a necessary factor in salvation.  (Matthew 21: 7; Mark 16: 16; Romans 6: 17, 18; Galatians 3: 26, 27; Colossians 2: 12, 13; 2 Thessalonians 1: 8, 9; Hebrews 5: 9; 1 Peter 1: 22)  Faith without obedience is dead and useless.  Consider  (Acts 6: 7; Romans 1: 5: 16: 26) 

 Get a good concordance and look up “saved” and “salvation.”  You will find that there are approximately twenty factors that are factors in salvation.  This doesn’t support the “faith alone” doctrine.

Conclusion:  There is no conflict between Acts 10: 48 and Acts 2: 38.  Far from conflict Acts 2: 38 complements and completes Acts 10: 43.  By faith we repent and are baptized for the remission of sins.  There are at least three aspects to the remission of sins, the blood of the Savor, faith and obedience.  To select one aspect and declare it to be the entire picture misses the point.  Yes, we can say with Peter, we have in obedience to the truth purified our souls, if we remember that is not the complete story either.  (1 Peter 1: 22)

 God bless.

Arland  Pafford