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Bible verse
Acts 2:38
“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.”
What it means
Peter answers a crowd pierced to the heart with a clear door home: turn from your sin, be baptized, and receive forgiveness in the name of Jesus. This is not a demand to clean yourself up first but an invitation to lay down the old life and be washed. Christ has already done the saving work on the cross. The Holy Spirit comes as a gift, not a wage. Whoever comes to Him is met with mercy, made new, and welcomed into the family of God.
Acts 2:38 at a glance
| Reference | Acts 2:38 |
|---|---|
| Book | Acts |
| Chapter to read it in | Acts 2 |
| Topic | repentance |
| Passages linked to it | 10 |
| Translation on this page | King James Version (public domain) |
Read it in context
Scripture explains Scripture. These passages are linked to this one most often by readers.
- Acts 22:16
- Mark 16:16
- Acts 8:12
- Luke 24:47
- Acts 10:48
- Acts 3:19
- 1 Peter 3:21
- Acts 10:44-45
- Romans 6:3
- Acts 8:15-17
Cross-reference data from OpenBible.info, used under CC BY.
Questions people ask
Where do I find Acts 2:38?
It is in Acts, in Acts 2. Reading the whole chapter shows who is speaking, to whom, and why.
What other passages go with Acts 2:38?
Readers most often set it beside Acts 22:16, Mark 16:16, Acts 8:12, Luke 24:47. Each is listed under Read it in context.
How can I pray Acts 2:38?
Read it slowly once, then say it back to God in your own words, one phrase at a time. Stop on the phrase that stays with you and stay there. You can also ask the family of God on The Living Bread to pray it with you.
Pray this
Father, you are already present in Acts 2:38, before any of us arrive. We bring you Acts 2:38, repentance. Teach us to love one another, as you have loved us. In the name of Jesus, amen.
Live this
Where to begin this week.
- Read all of Acts 2 today, not only the one verse.
- Write Acts 2:38 where you will see it, and read it aloud at the start and end of the day.
- Tell one person what this verse means to you, and ask what verse has carried them.
Where this fits in the walk with Christ
Christ meets people in a place, and then walks on with them. Here are doors that walk on.
Read it, pray it, live it
On The Living Bread you can read the whole chapter, save this verse, ask Simon to explain it, pray it over your life, and share it with someone who needs it today.
