This post contains what I think is an interesting, but neglected, feature of remission of sins. Remission of sins is something everyone who comes to Christ desires and something nearly everyone who names the name of Christ claims to have received. Many of them claim it by mere association with Christ. They know Jesus died to take away the sins of the world, so they assume that, by acknowledging Christ as their Savior, they automatically receive remission of sins. That reasoning, however, not only lacks biblical grounds, but is contrary to biblical revelation.
Christ commissioned ministers to effect the remission of sins.
The Gospel of Jesus Christ clearly offers remission of sins to every person who turns from sin to Christ. Most people agree with that statement. But what many people do not understand is that Jesus gave His ministers the role of effecting remission of sins at a person’s conversion. He did this in the Great Commission through the tenet of baptism in Jesus’ name (John 20:23; Mark 16:15-16; Luke 24:47). It superseded the former remission of sins that came through John the Baptist’s baptism (Mark 1:4; Acts 19:1-6). From the beginning of New Testament revelation, remission of sins has come through the agency of ministers. Of course, Christ, in His Own Person, as He walked on this earth, could forgive people’s sins with His very word (e.g., Mark 2:5). But, in using the ministry of human agents, which is solely the case since Jesus ascended to heaven, Christ ordained that remission of sins comes through baptism in His name.
Fulfillment in the evangelism of Acts
We see this Christ-ordained role of remission of sins fulfilled for the first time in the Christian era on the Day of Pentecost when remission was offered through baptism in Jesus’ name (Acts 2:37-38). About three thousand people followed through that day and were baptized (Acts 2:41). It was again explicitly expressed by Ananias, who attended the conversion of the Apostle Paul (Acts 22:16). In both of these cases, the candidates for salvation were told that baptism would remove their sins. Since there is only one faith (Ephesians 4:5), remission of sins for one person in the Christian era must be the means for all persons to obtain it. Therefore, since the Day of Pentecost, baptism in Jesus’ name is the exclusive means to receive remission of sins. That makes baptism vital. And that is why we see such emphasis on water baptism in the New Testament (John 20:23; Acts 8:37-40; 10:44-48; 22:16; Mark 16:15-16; 1Peter 3:21). Virtually every record of evangelism in Acts records the persons converted being baptized.
The two baptisms of Christian salvation
There are two baptisms that are vital to Christian salvation— water baptism and Spirit baptism. They are each administered by different entities— one by a minister, the other by God Himself. This was noted by John the Baptist when he contrasted his baptism with Christ’s (Matthew 3:11). John’s baptism was with water. And, remember that it was for the remission of sins. Christ’s baptism was, and continues to be, spiritual. He baptizes with the Holy Ghost. Plainly, remission of sins is for ministers to effect (John 20:23). Spiritual baptism is for Christ to effect.
How is baptism efficacious to remit sins?
Baptism is unequivocally the means Christ chose for the remission of sins. It is apparent in the Great Commission and in the book of Acts where the Great Commission was fulfilled. One may ask, “How does remission of sins take place when a person is baptized?” The efficacy of baptism was explained by Paul in Romans. He taught that candidates are buried in a watery, mystical grave into Christ’s death (Romans 6:3-5). This burial into His death brings us into contact with His blood, accomplishing remission. Of course, ultimately, it is Christ’s blood that washes away sins (Matthew 26:28; 1John 2:2; Revelation 1:5). But the prescribed medium by which we choose to have Christ’s blood applied is baptism in His name. That’s why baptism was said by Jesus and by Peter to save (Mark 16:15-16; 1Peter 3:21).
Keep sight of important biblical tenets.
Oftentimes, the medium Christ chose for remission gets overlooked by focusing only on the ultimate efficacy of the blood. Of course, focusing on the blood of Christ is great and should be maintained. But sole focus on the ultimate sense of remission is how people lose sight of the important tenet of baptism by which the precious blood is applied. The Bible could not be clearer that baptism is for the remission of sins (Mark 1:4; Acts 2:38; 22:16). Therefore, a person serious about salvation should regard this prescribed word. It is the only biblical assurance, backed up be real examples of conversion, that the blood of Christ has been applied.
The purpose of the Gospel
Jesus commissioned His Apostles to remit sins because He wouldn’t be here to do it. In fact, the Gospel is precisely given to us to effect salvation in Christ’s absence. We are His ambassadors who have been given the very ministry and word of reconciliation (2Corinthians 5:18-20). Therefore, by Christ’s own plan, He cannot remit sins without a human agent. That is why He led Philip to the Ethiopian eunuch and then miraculously transported him away after Philip baptized the eunuch (Acts 8:37-40). That is why Christ told the repentant Saul of Tarsus he would be told what he must do when he arrived in Damascus (Acts 9:6). Upon meeting Paul three days later, Ananias immediately told him to be baptized in order to wash away his sins. The imperative Paul heard from Ananias was the very one Peter announced on the Day of Pentecost.
The potent example of Paul’s conversion
Though Christ spoke audibly with Paul one on one, He didn’t wash away his sins because He gave that assignment to His ministers in the Great Commission. Christ simply told Paul to heed the instructions that he would receive from Ananias. And those instructions were about baptism. Therefore, Paul’s conversion powerfully illustrates the point that Christ does not effect the remission of our sins when we come to Him. That role is given to ministers. Like John the Baptist, we baptize with water for the remission of sins. Christ baptizes with the Holy Ghost. That is one way we are laborers together with God (1Corinthians 3:9). And once the blood is applied, Christ continues to cleanse us when we confess our sins (1John 1:7-9).
Conclusion
Implicit faith in Christ is obedience to His teaching regarding salvation in all its aspects. It is not just faith in His Person or faith in His blood, as important as those are. It is also faith in what He prescribed for salvation. Jesus is the author and finisher of our faith (Hebrews 12:2). Forgiveness is already granted by Christ to those who turn to Him (Luke 23:34). All that is left regarding sins is for them to be remitted by the application of His blood that comes through baptism in Jesus’ name. This is what He has authored. It is expressed clearly and prominently in His Word.