Does "For" Mean "Because Of"?
The reason for the question above is that some contend that “for” means “because of” in Acts 2:38. The Bible says, “Then Peter said unto them, Repent, and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins, and ye shall receive the gift of the Holy Ghost” (Acts 2:38).
But why would anyone take the position that “for” means “because of”? The reason is that some deny that baptism is essential to salvation, and, admittedly, Acts 2:38 “seems” to teach that baptism is necessary for salvation. Therefore, some attempt to explain away the obvious meaning of the verse by stating the “for” means “because of.” According to their doctrine, one is to be baptized “because of” the remissions of sins, not “in order to obtain” the forgiveness of sins.
Nevertheless, in an attempt to run from the teaching of Acts 2:38, those who deny its teaching run into many scriptural difficulties. First, if one is to be baptized “because of” the remission of sins, then one is to repent “because of” the remission of sins also. Repentance and baptism are linked together by the word “and.” Where baptism goes, repentance goes because the two are linked together. However, it makes no sense at all to teach that one is to repent because one’s sins have already been forgiven. In reality, the position that “for” means “because of” has the same word, meaning two different things in the same verse. With regard to “repentance” they say that for means “in order to be forgiven.” With reference to baptism they say that for means “because” one’s sins have been forgiven. Who can believe such irresponsible teaching? The word “for” does not mean “in order to obtain” and “because of” in the same verse! The bottom line: if one is to repent “in order to be forgiven,” then one is to be baptized “in order to be forgiven.”
Second, notice that in the same context, after Peter had said to repent and be baptized, he then continued trying to persuade the people by preaching, “Save yourselves…” (Acts 2:40). The next verse states that about 3,000 people gladly received the word and were baptized (verse 41). But why were they baptized? The answer: they were baptized “in order to be saved.” That is what Peter had just said: “Save yourselves.” I know we can all see that.
Friend, all reputable scholars translate “for” in Acts 2:38 to mean “in order to obtain” or “in order to receive,” et al. the forgiveness of sins. This is the clear teaching of the verse. Why not accept it, since we will one day be judged by the Word of God (John 12:48)?
