What does "forgiveness of your sins" in Acts 2:38 mean for personal salvation? Setting: Pentecost and Peter’s Call Acts 2 describes the first gospel proclamation after Jesus’ resurrection. The crowd, cut to the heart, asks, “Brothers, what shall we do?” Peter answers with the now-famous words: “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) Key Phrase in Focus • “For the forgiveness of your sins” (Greek: εἰς ἄφεσιν τῶν ἁμαρτιῶν ὑμῶν) • εἰς (eis) points forward—“into,” “resulting in,” “with a view to.” • Peter ties forgiveness directly to the response of repentance and baptism, not to religious heritage or personal merit. Repentance: The Turning Point • Repentance (μετανοέω) means a decisive change of mind and direction. • It acknowledges guilt before God (Psalm 51:3–4). • It trusts God’s provision in Christ rather than personal effort (Isaiah 55:6–7). Baptism: Public Identification with Christ • Baptism does not earn forgiveness; it confesses it. • Romans 6:3–4 shows baptism picturing union with Christ’s death, burial, and resurrection. • The early hearers would not separate inward repentance from outward baptism; both formed one obedient response of faith. For the Forgiveness of Your Sins: What It Means • Full pardon grounded in Jesus’ shed blood (Matthew 26:28: “This is My blood of the covenant, which is poured out for many for the forgiveness of sins.”). • Removal of guilt before God (Colossians 2:13–14). • Release from the penalty of sin—eternal death—bestowed at the moment of genuine repentance and faith. • Baptism serves as the God-ordained sign and seal that this forgiveness has truly been received (1 Peter 3:21). Personal Salvation: Immediate and Complete When Peter says “for the forgiveness of your sins,” he declares that: 1. Forgiveness is not theoretical but personal—“your sins.” 2. Forgiveness is immediate—no probationary period exists (John 5:24). 3. Forgiveness is complete—past, present, future sins are covered by Christ’s atoning work (Hebrews 10:14–17). 4. Forgiveness ushers the believer into a new covenant relationship with God (Hebrews 8:12). Gift of the Holy Spirit: Seal of Forgiveness • The Spirit indwells all who receive forgiveness (Ephesians 1:13–14). • He assures us we are God’s children (Romans 8:15–16). • His presence empowers holy living—the practical outworking of forgiven lives (Galatians 5:16–25). Connecting Scriptures • Luke 24:46–47—“repentance for the forgiveness of sins will be preached in His name.” • Acts 10:43—“Everyone who believes in Him receives forgiveness of sins through His name.” • 1 John 1:9—confession rests on God’s promise: “He is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.” Living in the Reality of Forgiveness • Reject lingering shame; Christ’s sacrifice is sufficient (Romans 8:1). • Extend the same grace to others (Ephesians 4:32). • Walk in thankful obedience, not to earn forgiveness, but because it is already granted (Titus 2:11–14). |
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