The commentaries of M. John Calvin upon the Acts of the Apostles, faithfully translated…The commentaries of M. Iohn Caluin vpon the Actes of the Apostles, faithfully translated…

Let us know therefore that forgiveness of sins is grounded in Christ alone, & that we must not think upon any other satisfaction save only that which he hath performed by the sacrifice of his death. And for this cause as we have already said, doth Peter express his name, whereby he doth signify unto us, that none of all these things can be rightly taught, unless Christ be set in the middest, to the end the effect of this doctrine may be sought in him. That needeth no long exposition, where he commandeth them to be baptised for the remission of sins. For although God hath once reconciled men unto himself in Christ, by not imputing unto them their sins, and doth now imprint in our hearts the faith thereof by his Spirit: yet notwithstanding because baptism is the seal, whereby he doth confirm ⟨p. 57⟩unto us this benefit,¹ and so consequently the earnest and pledge of our adoption, it is worthily said to be given us for the remission of sins. For because we receive Christs gifts by faith, and Baptism is a help to confirm and increase our faith, remission of sins which is an effect of faith is annexed unto it, as unto the inferior mean. Furthermore we must not fetch the definition of baptism from this place, because Peter doth only touch a part thereof. Our old man is crucified by baptism, as Paul teacheth, that we may rise unto newness of life. Rom. 6. And again, we put on Christ himself, 1. Cor. 12.² and the Scripture teacheth every where, that it is also a sign and token of repentance. But because Peter doeth not entreat in this place openly of the whole nature of baptism, but speaking of the forgiveness of sins, doth by the way declare that the confirmation thereof is in baptism, there doth no inconvenience follow, if he do omit the other part.

Let vs know therfore that forgiuenes of sins is grounded in Christe alone, & that we must not think vpon any other satisfaction saue only that which he hath performed by the sacrifice of his death. And for this cause as we haue alreadie said, doth Peter expresse his name, wherby he doth signifie vnto vs, that none of all these things can be rightly taught, vnles Christ be set in the middest, to the end the effect of this doctrin may be sought in him. That needeth no long exposition, where he commandeth them to be baptised for the remission of sinnes. For althogh God hath once reconciled men vnto himself in Christ, by not imputing vnto them their sinnes, and doth nowe imprint in our heartes the faith thereof by his Spirite: yet notwithstanding because baptisme is the seale, whereby hee doth confirme