Acts 2:38

KJV

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.

KJV (with Strong's)

Then {G1161} Peter {G4074} said {G5346} unto {G4314} them {G846}, Repent {G3340}, and {G2532} be baptized {G907} every one {G1538} of you {G5216} in {G1909} the name {G3686} of Jesus {G2424} Christ {G5547} for {G1519} the remission {G859} of sins {G266}, and {G2532} ye shall receive {G2983} the gift {G1431} of the Holy {G40} Ghost {G4151}.

Complete Jewish Bible

Kefa answered them, “Turn from sin, return to God, and each of you be immersed on the authority of Yeshua the Messiah into forgiveness of your sins, and you will receive the gift of the Ruach HaKodesh!

Berean Standard Bible

Peter replied, “Repent and be baptized, every one of you, in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins, and you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit.

American Standard Version

And Peter said unto them, Repent ye, and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ unto the remission of your sins; and ye shall receive the gift of the Holy Spirit.

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Acts 2:38 encapsulates Peter's definitive response to the conviction of the crowd on the Day of Pentecost, outlining the foundational steps for entering the new covenant community. It calls for a radical change of mind and direction (repentance), public identification with Jesus through water baptism, the reception of God's forgiveness for sins, and the promised indwelling of the Holy Spirit, thereby establishing the core elements of Christian initiation and the transformative power of the gospel.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** Acts 2:38 stands as the climatic response to the crowd's desperate question, "What shall we do?" [Acts 2:37](/acts/2-37 "Acts 2:37 - The Crowd's Conviction"). This question arose directly from Peter's powerful sermon, which began with an explanation of the Holy Spirit's outpouring as a fulfillment of Joel's prophecy [Acts 2:16-21](/acts/2-16-21 "Acts 2:16-21 - Peter Quotes Joel"), then transitioned to a robust proclamation of Jesus's life, crucifixion, resurrection, and ascension, culminating in the declaration that God had made Jesus "both Lord and Christ" [Acts 2:22-36](/acts/2-22-36 "Acts 2:22-36 - Peter's Proclamation of Jesus"). The verse immediately precedes the description of the new believers' communal life and the continued growth of the church [Acts 2:41-47](/acts/2-41-47 "Acts 2:41-47 - The Early Church Community"). Thus, Acts 2:38 serves as the bridge between the initial proclamation of the gospel and the formation of the early Christian community.

* **Historical & Cultural Context:** The setting is Jerusalem on the Day of Pentecost, a significant Jewish feast celebrating the harvest and commemorating the giving of the Law at Sinai. The crowd comprised "devout men, from every nation under heaven" [Acts 2:5](/acts/2-5 "Acts 2:5 - Diverse Crowd at Pentecost"), indicating a diverse Jewish diaspora. For these Jews, the concept of repentance (Hebrew: *teshuvah*) was familiar, often associated with turning back to God from idolatry or disobedience to the Law. Baptism, while not Christian baptism as we know it, had precedents in Jewish ritual washings (e.g., for proselytes) and John the Baptist's ministry. The expectation of a Messiah and the outpouring of the Spirit in the "last days" were deeply rooted in Old Testament prophecy (e.g., [Joel 2:28-32](/joel/2-28-32 "Joel 2:28-32 - Prophecy of the Spirit's Outpouring"), [Ezekiel 36:26-27](/ezekiel/36-26-27 "Ezekiel 36:26-27 - New Heart and Spirit")). Peter's sermon, therefore, resonated with their existing theological framework, presenting Jesus as the fulfillment of these long-held hopes and prophecies.

* **Key Themes:** Acts 2:38 is rich with themes central to the book of Acts and Christian theology. The theme of **repentance** (Greek: *metanoia*) signifies a radical change of mind and direction, a turning away from sin and toward God, which is a recurring call throughout the New Testament, as seen in Jesus's own ministry [Mark 1:15](/mark/1-15 "Mark 1:15 - Jesus's Call to Repentance"). **Baptism** emerges as a public act of identification with Jesus Christ, signifying entry into the new covenant community and participation in His death and resurrection, a theme further developed by Paul [Romans 6:3-4](/romans/6-3-4 "Romans 6:3-4 - Baptism and New Life"). The **remission of sins** highlights God's gracious provision for forgiveness and cleansing through Christ's atoning work, a core tenet of the gospel [Colossians 1:13-14](/colossians/1-13-14 "Colossians 1:13-14 - Redemption and Forgiveness"). Finally, the **gift of the Holy Ghost** underscores the empowering presence of God's Spirit, fulfilling Old Testament prophecies and enabling believers for transformed life and witness, as seen throughout the book of Acts [Acts 1:8](/acts/1-8 "Acts 1:8 - Power to Witness").

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS
#### Key Word Analysis
* **Repent (Greek, _metanoéō'_):** From G3340, meaning "to think differently or afterwards, i.e. reconsider (morally, feel compunction)." This is not merely sorrow for sin, but a fundamental change of mind that leads to a change of direction and behavior. It implies a turning away from one's former way of life and a turning toward God's will.
* **Baptized (Greek, _baptízō'_):** From G907, meaning "to immerse, submerge; to make whelmed (i.e. fully wet); used only (in the New Testament) of ceremonial ablution, especially (technically) of the ordinance of Christian baptism." This word emphasizes immersion, signifying a complete identification with Christ's death, burial, and resurrection, and a cleansing from sin.
* **Remission (Greek, _áphesis'_):** From G859, meaning "freedom; (figuratively) pardon." This term denotes a release, a sending away, or a forgiveness. In this context, it refers to the complete pardon and removal of the guilt and penalty of sins, made possible through Christ's sacrifice.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"Then Peter said unto them, Repent,"**: This is Peter's direct, authoritative command, delivered under the inspiration of the Holy Spirit. "Repent" is an imperative, demanding an immediate and decisive change of mind and heart from the hearers who were "pricked in their heart" by his message. It signifies a turning away from their previous rejection of Jesus and their complicity in His crucifixion.
* **"and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ"**: This clause provides the second command, also imperative. Baptism is presented as the public, obedient act following repentance. To be baptized "in the name of Jesus Christ" signifies identification with His person, authority, and saving work. It is a public declaration of allegiance to Him as Lord and Messiah, acknowledging His unique role as the means of salvation.
* **"for the remission of sins,"**: This phrase clarifies the purpose or result of repentance and baptism. The Greek preposition *eis* (G1519) here indicates "unto" or "with a view to" the remission of sins (G859). It means that repentance and baptism are the divinely ordained means by which one enters into the state where the forgiveness of sins, made possible by Christ's atoning sacrifice, is received and publicly acknowledged. It is not that the water itself washes away sins, but that this act of faith and obedience is the pathway to receiving the forgiveness Christ secured.
* **"and ye shall receive the gift of the Holy Ghost."**: This is the divine promise accompanying the commands. Upon repentance and baptism, the believers are promised the "gift" (G1431, *dōreá*, a gratuity) of the Holy Spirit (G40, *hágios*, sacred; G4151, *pneûma*, spirit). This gift is God's indwelling presence, empowering, guiding, and transforming the believer, fulfilling the prophecy of Joel and marking them as part of the new covenant community. It is a further testimony to God's gracious provision for His people.

#### Literary Devices
Peter's declaration in Acts 2:38 employs several powerful **literary devices**. The most prominent is **Imperative Mood**, as Peter issues direct commands: "Repent" and "be baptized." This conveys urgency and divine authority, demanding an immediate response from the convicted crowd. There is also clear **Cause and Effect** or **Condition and Promise** at play: if they repent and are baptized, then they will receive the remission of sins and the gift of the Holy Spirit. This structure highlights the divine order of salvation. Furthermore, the phrase "in the name of Jesus Christ" functions as a form of **Metonymy**, where "the name" stands for the entire person, authority, and saving work of Jesus. It implies identifying with Him, acknowledging His Lordship, and submitting to His authority. The entire verse also serves as a concise **Summary Statement** of the gospel's initial call, distilling complex theological truths into actionable steps for the audience.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Acts 2:38 is a foundational text for understanding Christian initiation, linking repentance, baptism, forgiveness, and the Holy Spirit as interconnected aspects of God's saving work. It underscores the active role of human response (repentance and obedience in baptism) to God's gracious initiative, while simultaneously emphasizing that salvation and the Spirit are divine gifts. This passage sets the pattern for evangelism in the early church, demonstrating that the proclamation of Christ's Lordship leads to conviction, followed by a call to radical change and public identification with Him, culminating in the reception of divine forgiveness and empowerment. It highlights the New Covenant reality where the Spirit is poured out on all who believe, not just a select few, marking a new era in God's redemptive plan.

* [Mark 1:4](/mark/1-4 "Mark 1:4 - John's Baptism of Repentance")
* [Luke 24:47](/luke/24-47 "Luke 24:47 - Repentance and Forgiveness Proclaimed")
* [Ephesians 1:7](/ephesians/1-7 "Ephesians 1:7 - Redemption Through Christ's Blood")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
Acts 2:38 remains profoundly relevant for believers today, serving as a timeless blueprint for responding to the gospel. It challenges us to examine the depth of our own repentance: is it merely regret for consequences, or a genuine turning of our will and affections towards Christ? It calls us to consider the significance of baptism, not as a mere ritual, but as a public, Spirit-empowered declaration of our death to sin and new life in Christ. This verse reminds us that true salvation involves both the forgiveness of sins, freeing us from guilt and condemnation, and the indwelling of the Holy Spirit, empowering us for a life of holiness and witness. It encourages us to live in the reality of our new identity in Christ, walking in the Spirit's power and continually yielding to His transforming work, just as the early believers did.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **What does true "repentance" look like in my daily life, beyond mere sorrow for sin?**
* **How does my understanding of baptism reflect a deep identification with Jesus's death and resurrection?**
* **In what ways am I actively experiencing and relying on "the gift of the Holy Ghost" for empowerment and guidance?**
* **How does the promise of "remission of sins" impact my sense of freedom and purpose in Christ?**

### FAQ
**Is baptism absolutely necessary for salvation according to Acts 2:38?**

Answer: Acts 2:38 presents repentance and baptism as integral components of Peter's initial call to those convicted by the gospel. The phrase "for the remission of sins" (Greek: *eis aphesin hamartion*) indicates that baptism is the public act of obedience and identification with Christ through which one enters into the state where forgiveness is received. It is not presented as a standalone magical ritual, but as the outward expression of an inward change (repentance) and faith in Jesus Christ. While the New Testament emphasizes faith as the primary condition for salvation (e.g., [Ephesians 2:8-9](/ephesians/2-8-9 "Ephesians 2:8-9 - Salvation by Grace Through Faith")), Acts 2:38, along with other passages like [Mark 16:16](/mark/16-16 "Mark 16:16 - He Who Believes and Is Baptized"), demonstrates that baptism is the normative and commanded response for those who have repented and believed. It is the public sign of the new covenant, signifying one's union with Christ and the washing away of sins, not as the cause of forgiveness, but as the divinely appointed means of receiving and declaring it.

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
Acts 2:38, though a command to humanity, finds its ultimate fulfillment and power in the person and work of Jesus Christ. The call to "Repent" is a turning *to* Christ, recognizing Him as the Lord and Messiah whom God has exalted [Acts 2:36](/acts/2-36 "Acts 2:36 - God Made Him Lord and Christ"). Baptism "in the name of Jesus Christ" signifies identification with His death, burial, and resurrection, echoing Paul's theological exposition in [Romans 6:3-4](/romans/6-3-4 "Romans 6:3-4 - Baptized into Christ's Death"). The "remission of sins" is made possible solely through Christ's atoning sacrifice on the cross, as "without the shedding of blood there is no forgiveness" [Hebrews 9:22](/hebrews/9-22 "Hebrews 9:22 - Forgiveness Through Blood"). He is the "Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world" [John 1:29](/john/1-29 "John 1:29 - Jesus, the Lamb of God"). Finally, the "gift of the Holy Ghost" is poured out because Christ has ascended to the Father and received the Spirit to distribute to His church, as Peter himself explains earlier in the sermon [Acts 2:33](/acts/2-33 "Acts 2:33 - Jesus Pours Out the Spirit"). Thus, every element of Acts 2:38 points directly to Christ as the source, means, and ultimate purpose of salvation, demonstrating how the Old Testament promises of a new covenant and the Spirit's indwelling are realized through His finished work.

Note: Commentary is generated by AI with a directive for Biblical fidelity. Always rely on the Holy Spirit for discernment. The Scripture text and cross-references are from verified, non-AI sources.

Cross-References

Acts 22:16

And now why tarriest thou? arise, and be baptized, and wash away thy sins, calling on the name of the Lord.

Mark 16:16

He that believeth and is baptized shall be saved; but he that believeth not shall be damned.

Acts 8:12

But when they believed Philip preaching the things concerning the kingdom of God, and the name of Jesus Christ, they were baptized, both men and women.

Luke 24:47

And that repentance and remission of sins should be preached in his name among all nations, beginning at Jerusalem.

1 Peter 3:21

¶ The like figure whereunto [even] baptism doth also now save us (not the putting away of the filth of the flesh, but the answer of a good conscience toward God,) by the resurrection of Jesus Christ:

Acts 10:48

And he commanded them to be baptized in the name of the Lord. Then prayed they him to tarry certain days.

Acts 3:19

Repent ye therefore, and be converted, that your sins may be blotted out, when the times of refreshing shall come from the presence of the Lord;