It's an interesting thing, when we look at all the verses that use this phrasing " remission of sin " you mentioned in Acts
( I personally like to look at
all the verses that use a phrase / term, and not just one, because I feel it gives a better basis for exegesis )
They really seem to diverge to two groups:
~ those that mention the sacrifice of Christ for remission of sin
~ those that speak of baptisms in addition to repentance
Starting with:
Mat 26:28 For this is
my blood of the new testament, which is
shed for many for the remission of sins.
Luk 1:77 To give knowledge of salvation unto his people by the remission of their sins
Luk 24:47 And that
repentance and remission of sins should be preached in his name among all nations, beginning at Jerusalem.
Act 10:43 To him give all the prophets witness, that
through his name whosoever believeth in him shall receive remission of sins.
Act 10:43 To him give all the prophets witness, that
through his name whosoever believeth in him shall receive remission of sins.
Rom 3:25 Whom God hath set forth
to be a propitiation (
atonement , ie; sacrifice ) through faith in his blood, to declare
his righteousness for the remission of sins that are past, through the forbearance of God;
Heb 9:22 And almost all things are by the law purged with blood; and
without shedding of blood is no remission.
Heb 10:18 Now
where remission of these ( sins ) is, there is no more offering for sin.
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Mar 1:4 John did baptize in the wilderness, and
preach the baptism of repentance for the remission of sins.
Luk 3:3 And he came into all the country about Jordan,
preaching the baptism of repentance for the remission of sins;
Act 2:38 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.
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You have verses like Hebrews 9:22 , which says there is " no remission of sin " ( without Christ's sacrifice ), then you have verses like Mark 1:4 and Luke 3:3 saying that " baptism of repentance " is
required for remission of sin
...so....even
if we were to baptize in water, ....
without Christ's sacrifice......baptism is merely a ritual washing that dates back to the High Priest's cleansing rituals ( Immersion into the ritual bath - the Mikveh )
Where verses like Mark 1:4 and Luke 3:3 do indeed mention baptisms, at surface level, they seem to only mention baptism "
of repentance " , ( as opposed to water )
The verses ( above )
as a whole, do not put forth a clause that implies:
" Without repenting, baptism is meaningless "
or
" Without baptism, repenting is meaningless "
...but they do indeed imply that without the sacrifice of Christ, ritual washing is just ......taking a bath
Where Hebrews ( the Call to maturity ) speaks of
not laying again a foundation ( of things like ritual washing ), it uses the word
βαπτισμος baptismos {bap-tis-mos'} from 907; T - washing 3, baptism ) a washing, purification effected by means of water 1a) of washing prescribed by the Mosaic law (Heb 9:10) which
seems to mean an exposition of the difference between the washings prescribed by the Mosaic law and Christian baptism
Where you have Mark 26:28 saying that the shedding of
Christ's blood is for the remission of sin, it also seems to imply that
first and foremost, remission of sin is by way of Christ's sacrifice, and not solely resting on ritual washing
You have really two types of baptisms laid forth in the scriptures:
~ Baptism of water
~ Baptism of repentance
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These are just my musings though, I personally think however God brings you into the fold,... is however he does ;)
I am certain that as members of the " cloud of witnesses ", that we all have our story of how we came to Christ, and that they are are different
I personally was never given a water baptism, for the record
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I also think it's interesting to note that:
" be baptized " βαπτιζω - baptizo ( Strong's 907 ) which is from Strong's 911:
βαπτω bapto {bap'-to} to dip, dip in, immerse 2) to dip into dye,
to dye, colour
....as there is a profound connection to the color
red and the practice of using the "
scarlet worm " to dye garments
( coccus ilicis )
Exo 16:24 And they laid it up till the morning, as Moses bade: and it did not stink, neither was there any worm therein.
Job 17:14 I have said to corruption, Thou
art my father: to the worm,
Thou art my mother, and my sister.
Job 24:20 The womb shall forget him; the worm shall feed sweetly on him; he shall be no more remembered; and wickedness shall be broken as a tree.
Job 25:6 How much less man,
that is a worm? and the son of man,
which is a worm?
Psa 22:6 But I
am a worm, and no man; a reproach of men, and despised of the people.
Isa 14:11 Thy pomp is brought down to the grave,
and the noise of thy viols: the worm is spread under thee, and the worms cover thee.
Isa 41:14 Fear not, thou worm Jacob,
and ye men of Israel; I will help thee, saith the LORD, and thy redeemer, the Holy One of Israel.
Isa 51:8 For the moth shall eat them up like a garment, and the worm shall eat them like wool: but my righteousness shall be for ever, and my salvation from generation to generation.
Isa 66:24 And they shall go forth, and look upon the carcases of the men that have transgressed against me: for their worm shall not die, neither shall their fire be quenched; and they shall be an abhorring unto all flesh.
Jon 4:7 But God prepared a worm when the morning rose the next day, and it smote the gourd that it withered.
Mar 9:44 Where their worm dieth not, and the fire is not quenched.
Mar 9:46 Where their worm dieth not, and the fire is not quenched.
Mar 9:48 Where their worm dieth not, and the fire is not quenched.
