Why Be Baptized? (Acts 2:38)

The ICC (International Church of Christ AKA The Boston Movement) contends Acts 2:38 supports their view that water baptism is necessary for salvation.
By the way, if you are new to this discussion, only baptism by this one group will count toward your salvation (according to the ICC)
Baptism is Secondary to God's Work of Salvation
Here is a quick and hopefully not too intense look at how this passage in fact aligns with the balance of the New Testament witness that water baptism is secondary to the inner work of salvation by the Spirit of God.

Acts 2:38 NAS Peter said to them, "Repent, and each of you be baptized in the name of Jesus Christ for [the Greek word is EIS] the forgiveness of your sins; and you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit.

The ICC argues, this passage says the first believers were baptized in order to get forgiveness.

[EIS] Is a preposition {accusative}

Only the context can define the meaning.
Some ways this preposition can be use:

1. When used concerning PLACE, it means; into, toward on, in , among.

2. When used concerning TIME, it means; to, up to, until.

3. When used in GENERAL, it means; to, into, toward, with reference to, in response to [because], in, for.

The uniform testimony of the New Testament demonstrates that forgiveness of sin is in response to a change of heart, a change of mind concerning who Jesus is, a response of faith, trusting in God.

For Example:

Luke 7:50 And He said to the woman, "Your faith has saved you; go in peace."

Eph 2:8 By grace you have been saved through faith; and that not of yourselves, it is the gift of God;

John 1:12 But as many as received Him, to them He gave the right to become children of God, even to those who believe in His name,

Rom 10:9 that if you confess with your mouth Jesus as Lord, and believe in your heart that God raised Him from the dead, you will be saved; 10 for with the heart a person believes, resulting in righteousness, and with the mouth he confesses, resulting in salvation.

Rom 10:11 For the Scripture says, "WHOEVER BELIEVES IN HIM WILL NOT BE DISAPPOINTED." 12 For there is no distinction between Jew and Greek; for the same Lord is Lord of all, abounding in riches for all who call on Him; 13 for "WHOEVER WILL CALL ON THE NAME OF THE LORD WILL BE SAVED."

The NT demonstrates salvation, forgiveness of sin is not contingent upon baptism.

For Example:

Acts 10:44 While Peter was still speaking these words, the Holy Spirit fell upon all those who were listening to the message.

Acts 10:45 All the circumcised believers who came with Peter were amazed, because the gift of the Holy Spirit had been poured out on the Gentiles also....Then Peter answered, 47 "Surely no one can refuse the water for these to be baptized who have received the Holy Spirit just as we did, can he?" 48 And he ordered them to be baptized in the name of Jesus Christ. Then they asked him to stay on for a few days.

Acts 16:30 and after he brought them out, he said, "Sirs, what must I do to be saved?" 31 They said, "Believe in the Lord Jesus, and you will be saved, you and your household." 32 And they spoke the word of the Lord to him together with all who were in his house. 33 And he took them that very hour of the night and washed their wounds, and immediately he was baptized, he and all his household. 34 And he brought them into his house and set food before them, and rejoiced greatly, having believed in God with his whole household.

1 Cor 1:14 I thank God that I baptized none of you except Crispus and Gaius....16 Now I did baptize also the household of Stephanas; beyond that, I do not know whether I baptized any other. 17 For Christ did not send me to baptize, but to preach the gospel, Salvation is heart related not "water related".

Notice the problem with Simon in Acts 8:13

It is not that he had not been baptized. There was a heart problem, he was yet in sin, still in need of receiving forgiveness. Faith is the antecedent to baptism not something confused with it.

Acts 8:13 Even Simon himself believed; and after being baptized, he continued on with Philip, and as he observed signs and great miracles taking place, he was constantly amazed.... 22 "Therefore repent of this wickedness of yours, and pray the Lord that, if possible, the intention of your heart may be forgiven you. 23 "For I see that you are in the gall of bitterness and in the bondage of iniquity."

Then Why Are Believers Baptized?

In Acts 2:38 believers are baptized because of, or in response to the repentance [change of thinking] a response of faith to who Jesus is.

How is "EIS" used in the balance of the Bible?
Compare the same use [accusative] of the preposition EIS, in Matthew 12:41. Ask yourself "According to Jesus, did Nineveh repent because of the preaching of Jonah? Or, in order to get Jonah to preach?"

Matthew 12:41"The men of Nineveh will stand up with this generation at the judgment, and will condemn it because [EIS] they repented at the preaching of Jonah; and behold, something greater than Jonah is here."

The meaning of Acts 2:38

The meaning of Acts 2:38 is Repent and be immersed, each one of you, in the name of Jesus Christ, because of [or in response to] the forgiveness of your sins... Peter said to them,

1. "Repent, [as in John 1:12... as many as received Him... gift of redemption]

2. and each of you be baptized in the name of Jesus Christ [outward response]

3. for [because of] the forgiveness of your sins; [i.e. the reason for outward response is the gift of redemption received by faith in

What does it mean to repent in Acts 2:38?
A. It is my right response to Gospel. I repent. I.e. instead of not believing Jesus is who He claimed to be, I put my faith or trust in Him.
B. God responds. God forgives me as a result of repentance [my faith].
C. I respond to God's gift of forgiveness. Baptism is the my outward response to God's response. It is not to get forgiven. It is because, or in response to the forgiveness I have already received.

4. and you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit.
Again this gift is attached to repentance, the right response of faith, not baptism.