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NASB | Acts 2:38 Peter said to them, "Repent, and each of you be baptized in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins; and you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit. |
AMPLIFIED 2015 | Acts 2:38 And Peter said to them, "Repent [change your old way of thinking, turn from your sinful ways, accept and follow Jesus as the Messiah] and be baptized, each of you, in the name of Jesus Christ because of the forgiveness of your sins; and you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit. |
Bible Question: When his listeners asked Peter, "What shall we do? (v37) Why didn't he tell them to "believe in the Lord Jesus, and you will be saved" see Acts 16:30--31. Why didn't they need to believe to be saved? Also, "If Peter's hearers were not baptised, were they still saved? Jesus commanded His disciples to be baptised, see Matt 28:19 |
Bible Answer: Peter had just the message of Christ. The listeners were pierced to the heart (v37). In other words, they believed the message and were convicted. They did believe. Notice that Peter did not refer them to his earlier statement (v 21) that they should merely call upon the name of the Lord. He said, "Repent and be baptized in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins: and you shall receive the gift of the Holy Spirit." Notice also in Acts 16 that in response to the question in verse 30 Paul said said they needed to believe, and then Paul delivered the gospel in verse 32. In immediate response to what was taught they were baptized (v 33). You'll see the same pattern throughout Acts. The Ethiopian Eunuch was immeditely baptized after hearing the Gospel. Paul relates his own conversion in Acts 22. He was told in verse 16 to not delay, but arise, and be baptized, and wash away your sins, calling on his name. Some say a "sinners prayer" is all that is necessary, but I do not find that prescription in the Bible. If I did, I would do it because that is what God asked. I must respond with faith to what is written. What is written is, if you believe, and are repentant, then be baptized for the forgiveness of sins. |