It is truly perplexing and inexplicable how so many well-meaning folks have been taught and convinced that immersion is not essential for one’s salvation from sin. Of all the doctrines of the New Testament, that one is exceptionally clear, to the point that God considers it one of “the elementary principles of Christ” (Heb. 6:1-2). Let us consider just one verse (Acts 2:38), and let us look at how the “small” words of the verse teach a “major” Bible doctrine.
“Them.” The verse begins, “Then Peter said to them.” Only the KJV and NKJV have the word, “Then,” which is significant, but look at the word, “them.” To whom is Peter speaking? He is answering a group of sincere Jews who had been “cut to the heart” and had asked, “What shall we do”? (2:37). There is no greater question! Therefore, Peter’s response was going to be THE answer to the most important of all questions!
“And.” The word “repent” is understood (i.e., a change of mind that leads to a change of life). The word “baptized” is understood (i.e., immersion into water). The little word “and” is a copulative, coordinating conjunction, which joins two items of equal grammatical or syntactic importance. Therefore, repentance “and” baptism are inseparably connected in accomplishing their joint purpose!
“In the name of.” This phrase was used by New Testament Christians and inspired men to emphasize that the authority of their words and actions was not their own. Peter and John were asked in Acts 4, “By what power or by what name have you done this?” (i.e., healing the lame man). Note carefully that the “name” by which they did this act was the “power” by which they did it. Peter replied, “By the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth…this man stands here” (Acts 4:7-10). Therefore, the act of immersion (and whatever purpose is assigned to it) is by the authority of Jesus Christ and not by any man!
“For.” The English word “for” is from the Greek preposition “eis,” which is found over 1,700 times in the Greek New Testament. Every use of the word is always prospective, looking forward (and never looking backward in a causal sense to mean “because of”). Greek-English Lexicons clearly define the word in Acts 2:38 to mean, “to obtain, to denote purpose, indicating motion into a thing, in order to, so that sins might be forgiven.” Jesus used the exact same expression in Matthew 26:28, “This is My blood of the new covenant, which is shed for many for the remission of sins.” Therefore, the “purpose” of immersion is “in order to obtain” the remission of sins!
The inspired answer equally necessitates repentance and immersion by Christ’s authority for the remission of sins!