Appreciate the thoughtful pushback, Blue155. A few clarifications:
1) What “εἰς (eis)” can mean.
No one is claiming “because of” is the
default value of
eis. The point is that
eis is semantically flexible (into, to, toward, with reference to, resulting in—and on occasion causal/grounded-in). Context decides. Two quick examples often noted in the literature:
- Matthew 12:41 KJV: metenoēsan eis to kērugma—“they repented at/ in response to the preaching of Jonah.” That’s not purpose for a future event but repentance because of Jonah’s message (i.e., on the basis of it).
- Romans 10:10 KJV: Yes, “believeth unto righteousness” points forward. That only proves eis flexes with context—which is exactly the point.
So insisting that
eis must be strictly “in order to” in
every salvation text over-reads the preposition.
2) The grammar of Acts 2:38 KJV.
Peter says: “
Repent (2nd pl.)
and let each of you be baptized (3rd sg.) …
for the remission of your sins.” The shift in number naturally ties “for the remission of sins” to the plural
repent, not the singular
be baptized. This is why many grammarians (e.g., note discussions in advanced grammars) argue the forgiveness is grounded in repentance, with baptism as the subsequent sign/obedience. That reading also matches Luke’s normal order elsewhere (Luke 24:47; Acts 3:19; 10:43).
3) “Kai” links the verbs—but not necessarily the results.
Coordinating
kai can join two imperatives without making them co-causes of the same result. “Repent—and be baptized…” can mean: repent
for forgiveness, and (accordingly) be baptized. Peter makes that very order explicit in
Acts 3:19 KJV: “Repent ye therefore, and be converted,
that your sins may be blotted out.”
4) Matthew 26:28 KJV doesn’t decide Acts 2:38 KJV.
“
My blood… shed for (eis) the remission of sins” is sacrificial language about Christ’s atonement. Analogizing that 1:1 to baptism confuses categories (Christ’s atoning cause vs. our responsive sign). Different verbs, different actors, different theology.
5) The Lukan narrative settles the order.
Peter himself later preaches: “
Whosoever believeth in him shall receive remission of sins” (Acts 10:43 KJV). While he’s still speaking, the Spirit falls;
then they are baptized (10:44–48). That’s not an “exception that rewrites the rule”; it is Luke showing the
rule: forgiveness by faith in Christ, baptism as the obedient confession that follows. The same faith-then-seal pattern appears in
Ephesians 1:13 KJV.
6) Acts 22:16 KJV doesn’t teach water regenerates.
“Arise, and be baptized,
and wash away thy sins, calling on the name of the Lord.” The instrumental phrase is “
calling on his name” (cf. Joel 2:32; Romans 10:13). Baptism is the enacted confession of that appeal—not the agent that removes sin.
Bottom line:
- Repentance/faith → remission (Luke 24:47 KJV; Acts 3:19 KJV; 10:43 KJV).
- Baptism → the outward sign commanded to follow the inward reality (Acts 10:47–48; 16:30–33).
- Acts 2:38’s number shift and Luke’s broader context support this flow without forcing eis to carry a wooden “in order to obtain” every time.
If you’ve got specific lexical entries you think
require “in order to obtain” here (rather than allow the repentance-forgiveness link), feel free to quote them. I’m happy to compare the exact wording.
Grace and peace.
