Baptism and Repentance For the Remission of Sins.
“John did baptize in the wilderness, and preach the baptism of repentance for (with a view to) the remission of sins (Mark 1:4).” (Emphasis in italics by G.E. Griffin)
“Repent, and be baptized everyone of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins” (Acts 2:38).
“Arise, and be baptized, and wash away thy sins” (Acts 22:16).
The word for in Mark 1:4 is taken from the Greek word eis which means with a view to. In studying the above Scriptures, without a view to the general scope of the Scriptures, it would seem as though baptism and repentance had something to do with remitting of sins. But, what about the blood of Christ?
“Unto Him that loved us, and washed us from our sins in His own blood” (Rev 1:5).
“Justified by His blood” (Rom 5:9).
“Redemption through His blood” (Eph 1:7).
“Without the shedding of blood is no remission” (Heb 9:22).
“The blood of Jesus Christ His Son cleanseth us from all sin” (1 John 1:7).
And since there is no blood shed in baptism, it does not, and can not possibly remit sins. Either baptism is a figure of the suffering of Christ, or the suffering of Christ is a figure of baptism. Since they both are a view to the remission of sins. If we say baptism remits sin, the blood of Jesus Christ failed. If we say the blood of Christ remits sin, washed us from them, justified us, redeemed us, and cleansed us from all sins, please tell me what sins baptism remits? Or repentance? We must take the position that baptism and repentance are only types or figures of the real, that is the suffering of Christ.
Peter says, Baptism is “The like figure” (1 Pet 3:21). The figure will never remit sins. Every child of faith should repent and be baptized with a view to Jesus the Lord, who “put away sins by the sacrifice of Himself” (Heb 9:26).
-G.E. Griffin
