Bible Strands
Acts 2:38
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.
Berean Standard Bible
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Study note
Setting — Peter addresses the Pentecost crowd in Jerusalem, directly answering their question "what shall we do?" raised by his sermon (v.37).
The words — μετανοήσατε (metanoēsate), aorist imperative, literally "change your mind" — a decisive reorientation, not mere regret. βαπτισθήτω (baptisthētō), aorist passive singular, "let one be baptized," marking the subject as the recipient of the act.
The thread — The same pairing of repentance/baptism with forgiveness recurs in Acts 22:16 and Mark 16:16; Acts 8:12 shows it enacted in Samaria.
Why it lands — The verse places the reader in the "you" of the command: a decision (repent) and a submission (be baptized) are required before the gift arrives. It is not an invitation to feel but to act.
Drafted by a language model from the text, its original words and its cross-references, then checked against them. It can still be wrong: open the verse in the app to report it.
The Greek words
King James Version
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.
Cross-references
- Acts 22:16 And now what are you waiting for? Get up, be baptized, and wash your sins away, calling on His name.’
- Mark 16:16 Whoever believes and is baptized will be saved, but whoever does not believe will be condemned.
- Acts 8:12 But when they believed Philip as he preached the gospel of the kingdom of God and the name of Jesus Christ, they were baptized, both men and women.
- Luke 24:47 and in His name repentance and forgiveness of sins will be proclaimed to all nations, beginning in Jerusalem.
- Acts 10:48 So he ordered that they be baptized in the name of Jesus Christ. Then they asked him to stay for a few days.
- Acts 3:19 Repent, then, and turn back, so that your sins may be wiped away,
- 1 Peter 3:21 And this water symbolizes the baptism that now saves you also—not the removal of dirt from the body, but the pledge of a clear conscience toward God—through the resurrection of Jesus Christ,
- Acts 10:44 While Peter was still speaking these words, the Holy Spirit fell upon all who heard his message.
- Romans 6:3 Or aren’t you aware that all of us who were baptized into Christ Jesus were baptized into His death?
- Acts 8:15 On their arrival, they prayed for them to receive the Holy Spirit.