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.

ACTS 2:38KJV
Know the Bible

Acts 2:38 (KJV)

What does Acts 2:38 mean?

Acts 2:38 records Peter telling the crowd to repent and be baptized in the name of Jesus Christ so their sins may be forgiven, and then they will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit. The verse links turning away from sin and being baptized with the promise of forgiveness and the Holy Spirit.

Peter is speaking to a large group in Jerusalem just after the Holy Spirit has come upon the disciples at Pentecost. The crowd, feeling convicted after Peter’s message about Jesus, asks what they should do. Peter’s answer in this verse sums up the response he calls for: a change of heart (repentance), a public act (baptism), and the assurance of God’s forgiveness and presence.

The Greek behind Acts 2:38

  • μετανοήσατε (metanoēsate, “Repent”): This word means to change one’s mind or direction, not just to feel sorry. Peter is calling for a real turn in how people think and live.
  • βαπτισθήτω (baptisthētō, “be baptized”): This is a command for each person to be baptized, showing that the response is individual and public.
  • ἄφεσιν (aphesin, “remission”): This word means release or forgiveness, often used for canceling a debt. Here, it highlights that sins are fully forgiven, not just overlooked.
  • δώρεαν (dōrean, “gift”): This word stresses that the Holy Spirit is given freely, not earned by the actions Peter describes.

Why Acts 2:38 matters

  • Acts 2:38 clarifies that repentance and baptism are closely connected in Peter’s message, but the forgiveness and the Holy Spirit are described as gifts from God, not rewards for good deeds.
  • The verse shows the early Christian pattern for responding to the message about Jesus: a personal decision, a public declaration, and a spiritual promise.
  • Acts 2:38 sets the tone for the rest of the book, showing how the message of Jesus was meant to lead to real change and new life for anyone who responded.

Where else these words appear

“gift” Greek G1431 · used in 11 verses

  • John 4:10 Jesus answered and said unto her, If thou knewest the gift of God, and who it is that saith to thee, Give me to drink; thou wouldest have asked of him, and he would have given thee living water.
  • Acts 11:17 Forasmuch then as God gave them the like gift as he did unto us, who believed on the Lord Jesus Christ; what was I, that I could withstand God?
  • 2 Corinthians 9:15 Thanks be unto God for his unspeakable gift.

“remission” Greek G859 · used in 16 verses

  • Matthew 26:28 For this is my blood of the new testament, which is shed for many for the remission of sins.
  • Luke 4:18 The Spirit of the Lord is upon me, because he hath anointed me to preach the gospel to the poor; he hath sent me to heal the brokenhearted, to preach deliverance to the captives, and recovering of sight to the blind, to set at liberty them that are bruised,
  • Acts 26:18 To open their eyes, and to turn them from darkness to light, and from the power of Satan unto God, that they may receive forgiveness of sins, and inheritance among them which are sanctified by faith that is in me.

“Repent” Greek G3340 · used in 32 verses

  • Matthew 3:2 And saying, Repent ye: for the kingdom of heaven is at hand.
  • Luke 13:5 I tell you, Nay: but, except ye repent, ye shall all likewise perish.
  • 2 Corinthians 12:21 And lest, when I come again, my God will humble me among you, and that I shall bewail many which have sinned already, and have not repented of the uncleanness and fornication and lasciviousness which they have committed.

“said” Greek G5346 · used in 57 verses

  • Matthew 4:7 Jesus said unto him, It is written again, Thou shalt not tempt the Lord thy God.
  • Luke 22:58 And after a little while another saw him, and said, Thou art also of them. And Peter said, Man, I am not.
  • Acts 23:17 Then Paul called one of the centurions unto him, and said, Bring this young man unto the chief captain: for he hath a certain thing to tell him.