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Acts 2:38

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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.

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}.

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!

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.

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

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."

Context

This pivotal verse captures the heart of Peter's sermon on the Day of Pentecost, following the dramatic outpouring of the Holy Spirit. A large crowd of devout Jews from various nations had gathered, bewildered by the disciples speaking in tongues. Peter, empowered by the Spirit, boldly proclaimed the resurrection of Jesus Christ, whom they had crucified. His powerful message "pricked them in their heart," leading them to ask, "Men and brethren, what shall we do?" Acts 2:38 is Peter's direct, concise answer to their desperate inquiry, outlining the immediate steps for salvation and inclusion in the new covenant community.

Key Themes

  • Repentance: The command to "Repent" (Greek: metanoia) signifies a fundamental change of mind, a turning away from sin and self-reliance, and a turning towards God. It's an essential prerequisite for receiving God's forgiveness.
  • Baptism in Jesus' Name: Being "baptized... in the name of Jesus Christ" points to a public identification with Jesus, acknowledging His authority and the saving power of His death and resurrection. It's an outward sign of an inward transformation and obedience.
  • Remission of Sins: This phrase, "for the remission of sins," highlights God's gracious act of forgiveness and cleansing. Through Christ's sacrifice, the guilt and penalty of sin are removed, offering a fresh start. This forgiveness is made possible through His shed blood.
  • Gift of the Holy Ghost: The promise of receiving "the gift of the Holy Ghost" signifies the indwelling presence of God's Spirit in believers. The Holy Spirit empowers, guides, comforts, and enables believers to live a life pleasing to God, fulfilling the prophecy spoken of by Joel and cited by Peter.

Linguistic Insight

The Greek phrase "for the remission of sins" (eis aphesin hamartion) can be understood as "unto" or "with a view to" the forgiveness of sins. It indicates that baptism is the act by which one publicly enters into the state where forgiveness is received, not that baptism itself inherently washes away sins apart from faith and repentance. It's the act of public identification with Christ's work, which brings about that forgiveness.

Practical Application

Acts 2:38 remains a foundational passage for understanding the initial steps of Christian discipleship. It emphasizes that salvation involves a conscious decision to:

  1. Turn from Sin: Embrace repentance, acknowledging personal sin and turning towards God's righteousness.
  2. Publicly Identify with Christ: Follow through with water baptism as an act of obedience and a public declaration of faith in Jesus as Lord.
  3. Receive God's Forgiveness: Trust in Christ's atoning work for the complete forgiveness of sins.
  4. Walk in the Spirit's Power: Expect and welcome the indwelling Holy Spirit, who enables a transformed life and empowers believers for service.

This verse provides a clear pathway for anyone seeking to enter into a saving relationship with God through Jesus Christ, echoing the ongoing call of the gospel for all generations.

Note: If the commentary doesn’t appear instantly, please allow 2–5 seconds for it to load. It is generated by Gemini 2.5 Flash (May 20, 2025) using a prompt focused on Biblical fidelity over bias. While the insights have been consistently reliable, we encourage prayerful discernment through the Holy Spirit.

Please note that only the commentary section is AI-generated — the main Scripture and cross-references are stored on the site and are from trusted and verified sources.

Cross-References

  • Acts 22:16 (71 votes)

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

  • Mark 16:16 (55 votes)

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

  • Acts 8:12 (50 votes)

    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 (45 votes)

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

  • 1 Peter 3:21 (44 votes)

    ¶ 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 (43 votes)

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

  • Acts 3:19 (43 votes)

    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;