For What Reason? - Acts 2:38 and Matthew 26:28 (by Dan Peters)

Jesus said, "for this is My blood of the covenant, which is poured out for many for forgiveness of sins" (Mat. 26:28). Jesus' blood was "poured out" on the cross as he gave up his life. The shedding of His blood was "for the forgiveness of sins". If someone says it was not for that reason, we would surely wonder why Jesus said this if it were not true.Peter also said "for the forgiveness of your sins". He said this is what baptism is for. "And Peter said to them, "Repent, and let each of you be baptized in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins". But many denominations tell us that baptism is not for this reason. Then I must wonder why Peter said it if this is not true.Then a preacher will step forward, as has been done many times and try to tell us the Greek words here are different, with different meanings. Well you don't have to know Greek to see that the phrases are the same."for forgiveness of sins" (Mat. 26:28)."for the forgiveness of your sins" (Acts 2:38).The only difference between these two phrases is one is general - "of sins", and one is more specific - "of your sins" . If the blood of Jesus was shed "for the forgiveness of sins" then baptism is also "for the forgiveness of your sins".Baptism without the blood of Jesus would be worthless. But also the blood of Jesus without access to it does a person no good. Jesus chose and decreed baptism as our means of access to His blood. Baptism is a work of faith, says Paul, "having been buried with Him in baptism, in which you were also raised up with Him through faith in the working of God..." (Col. 2:12). Do we have enough faith to believe in His blood? Do we have enough faith to be baptized? Do we have enough faith to follow God's word and not the preacher?