Since this Greek word,
εἰς is found in the new Testament: -
according to the
BIBLEHUB web site
1774 times (Link: -
Strong's Greek: 1519. εἰς (eis) -- to or into (indicating the point reached or entered, of place, time, fig. purpose, result) ) with the following variations: -
Forms and Transliterations
εις εἰς εἴς εν ἐν ἓν επί πρὸς eis eís en hen hèn pros pros
while Biblesoft suggests that it is found only
1767 times.
The definitions given suggest the following understanding,
Strong's Exhaustive Concordance
against, among, as, at, backward, before
A primary preposition; to or into (indicating the point reached or entered), of place, time, or (figuratively) purpose (result, etc.); also in adverbial phrases -- (abundant-)ly, against, among, as, at, (back-)ward, before, by, concerning, + continual, + far more exceeding, for (intent, purpose), fore, + forth, in (among, at, unto, -so much that, -to), to the intent that, + of one mind, + never, of, (up-)on, + perish, + set at one again, (so) that, therefore(-unto), throughout, til, to (be, the end, -ward), (here-)until(-to),...ward, (where-)fore, with. Often used in composition with the same general import, but only with verbs (etc.) Expressing motion (literally or figuratively).
Found on the same link above.
The reference that was provided in the OP is: -
Acts 2 : 38: - 38 Then Peter said to them, "
Repent, and let every one of you be baptized in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins;
and you shall receive the gift of the Holy Spirit.
So the translation of
εἰς as "for" in this verse indicates the position that will be reached if the people repent of their iniquities and also are baptized {
in the name of Jesus Christ}, is a reasonable translation in this case. However, if we look at the context of this verse and the circumstances in which this statement is made, then it is possible to see that there are other acceptable way of translating
εἰς that will indicate the position reached, i.e. the outcome achieved, of what Peter was preaching.
The expanded context of the verse is (without quoting all of what Peter said):-
Acts 2 : 34 - 39: - 34 "For David did not ascend into the heavens, but he says himself:
'The Lord said to my Lord,
'Sit at My right hand,
35 Till I make Your enemies Your footstool."'
36 "Therefore let all the house of Israel know assuredly that God has made this Jesus, whom you crucified, both Lord and Christ."
37 Now when they heard this, they were cut to the heart, and said to Peter and the rest of the apostles, "Men and brethren, what shall we do?"
38 Then Peter said to them, "Repent, and let every one of you be baptized in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins; and you shall receive the gift of the Holy Spirit.
39 For the promise is to you and to your children, and to all who are afar off, as many as the Lord our God will call."
Now, this was the normal procedural model that the Disciples had learned during their time with Christ. When the people were repentant, that they should then be baptised as soon as possible afterwards.
The translation could have easily been done in this manner without changing the contextual understanding: -
"
Repent, and let every one of you
be baptized in the Name of Jesus Christ,
to gain, the remissions of your sins, and to
receive for oneself the gift of the
Holy Spirit, as the promise is to you, your children and to all who are afar off, (i.e. the gentiles), as many as the Lord God will call."
Now, Christ also directly forgave the sins of people with the prevision that they should go and sin no more, and for this He drew the ire of the religious leaders of His day.
Now in the Old Testament, if people repented of their sins, then they would also receive the promises, but if a righteous man sinned and he did not repent of his sins then he would lose all of the promises that had been available to him before he had sinned.
Sadly, we can attempt to make a case for a particular process requirement to receive salvation, but there are many variation of the salvation process recorded in the scriptures that are also valid.
We should remember that God Himself wrote on the tablets of stone that He gave to Moses, that, "He would love those who loved Him and kept His statutes." or words to that effect.
Shalom