Which verse commands repentance and baptism for the forgiveness of sins?

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Multiple Choice

Which verse commands repentance and baptism for the forgiveness of sins?

Acts 2:38 is the verse that directly commands repentance and baptism for the forgiveness of sins. In Peter's Pentecost sermon, he tells the crowd to repent and be baptized in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of sins, and promises that they will receive the Holy Spirit. The exact phrase “for the forgiveness of sins” makes the intended outcome explicit and shows that these steps are connected to receiving forgiveness, not merely to an outward ritual. This provides a clear model for how forgiveness is obtained in the early church context: respond to the gospel with repentance, submit to baptism in Christ’s name, and receive the Spirit. Other verses touch on related ideas but do not present this exact sequence with that explicit outcome. Mark 16:16 speaks of belief and baptism leading to salvation, but it does not phrase forgiveness of sins in those terms. John 14:6 presents Jesus as the way to the Father, a different focus entirely. Acts 8:37 appears in some manuscripts as a baptism confession but is not as universally affirmed in all manuscripts as a stand-alone command about forgiveness of sins. Therefore Acts 2:38 best matches the wording and the sequence tied to forgiveness.

Acts 2:38 is the verse that directly commands repentance and baptism for the forgiveness of sins. In Peter's Pentecost sermon, he tells the crowd to repent and be baptized in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of sins, and promises that they will receive the Holy Spirit. The exact phrase “for the forgiveness of sins” makes the intended outcome explicit and shows that these steps are connected to receiving forgiveness, not merely to an outward ritual. This provides a clear model for how forgiveness is obtained in the early church context: respond to the gospel with repentance, submit to baptism in Christ’s name, and receive the Spirit.

Other verses touch on related ideas but do not present this exact sequence with that explicit outcome. Mark 16:16 speaks of belief and baptism leading to salvation, but it does not phrase forgiveness of sins in those terms. John 14:6 presents Jesus as the way to the Father, a different focus entirely. Acts 8:37 appears in some manuscripts as a baptism confession but is not as universally affirmed in all manuscripts as a stand-alone command about forgiveness of sins. Therefore Acts 2:38 best matches the wording and the sequence tied to forgiveness.

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