“Then Peter said to them, ‘Repent, and let every one of you be baptized in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins; and you shall receive the gift of the Holy Spirit.’”
(Acts 2:38, NKJV)
Who Wrote It?
The book of Acts was written by Luke, under the inspiration of the Holy Spirit (Luke 1:1–4; Acts 1:1). Luke records the historical continuation of God’s dealings with Israel following the resurrection and ascension of Jesus Christ.
Who Was It Written To?
Peter is speaking directly to the nation of Israel, specifically Jewish men gathered in Jerusalem for Pentecost.
Acts 2:5 makes this explicit:
“And there were dwelling in Jerusalem Jews, devout men, from every nation under heaven.”
And Peter addresses them directly:
Acts 2:22:
“Men of Israel, hear these words…”
This is not a Gentile audience.
This is not the Body of Christ.
This is covenant Israel.
When Was It Spoken?
This occurs on the day of Pentecost, approximately A.D. 30.
This is:
- 50 days after the resurrection
- after the ascension
- but BEFORE the revelation of the mystery given later to Paul
At this point in Acts, the Body of Christ had not yet been revealed (Ephesians 3:1–9; Colossians 1:26).
Immediate Context
Peter has just declared that Israel crucified their Messiah:
Acts 2:36:
“Therefore let all the house of Israel know assuredly that God has made this Jesus, whom you crucified, both Lord and Christ.”
The audience is convicted:
Acts 2:37:
“Now when they heard this, they were cut to the heart, and said… ‘Men and brethren, what shall we do?’”
Acts 2:38 is Peter’s direct answer to Israel’s question.
Phrase-by-Phrase Breakdown
“Repent”
Repent means to change one’s mind.
Here, Israel is being called to change their mind about Jesus Christ—whom they rejected and crucified.
This fulfills prophetic expectation:
Zechariah 12:10:
“They will look on Me whom they pierced. Yes, they will mourn for Him.”
This is national repentance in view.
“and let every one of you be baptized”
Water baptism was already a familiar covenant practice in Israel.
John the Baptist had preached:
Mark 1:4:
“John came baptizing… and preaching a baptism of repentance for the remission of sins.”
This baptism identified believing Israelites with their Messiah.
It was an outward expression of covenant repentance.
“in the name of Jesus Christ”
This is critical.
Israel had rejected Jesus as Messiah.
Now they must publicly identify with Him as the true Christ.
This marks a reversal of their previous rejection.
“for the remission of sins”
Remission means forgiveness.
This connects directly to covenant promises made to Israel.
Jeremiah 31:34:
“For I will forgive their iniquity, and their sin I will remember no more.”
Peter is declaring that forgiveness is now available through their risen Messiah.
This is covenant fulfillment language.
“and you shall receive the gift of the Holy Spirit”
This fulfills Old Testament prophecy:
Joel 2:28:
“I will pour out My Spirit on all flesh.”
Peter explicitly states earlier:
Acts 2:16:
“This is what was spoken by the prophet Joel.”
This confirms that Pentecost is covenant fulfillment—not the revelation of the mystery.
What This Passage Clearly Teaches
Acts 2:38 clearly teaches:
- Peter is speaking to Israel
- Israel is being called to repent for rejecting their Messiah
- Baptism identifies believers with Christ
- Forgiveness is being offered in fulfillment of covenant promises
- The Holy Spirit is given in fulfillment of prophecy
This is entirely consistent with Israel’s prophetic program.
What This Passage Does NOT Teach
Acts 2:38 does NOT teach:
- the revelation of the Body of Christ
- justification by grace apart from the Law (as later revealed by Paul)
- Jew–Gentile equality in one body
- the mystery hidden from ages
Those truths were revealed later through Paul (Ephesians 3:1–9).
Why This Passage Matters
Acts 2:38 marks the continuation of God’s covenant dealings with Israel after Christ’s resurrection.
Peter is proclaiming Israel’s risen Messiah and calling the nation to repentance.
This prepares the reader for the later transition when God reveals the mystery through Paul.
Understanding this preserves the clarity and consistency of Scripture.
Doctrinal Summary
Acts 2:38 stands firmly on covenant ground. Peter is addressing Israel and calling them to repent and identify with their Messiah in fulfillment of Old Testament prophecy. This passage belongs to Israel’s prophetic program, not the later revelation of the Body of Christ given through the apostle Paul. It demonstrates God’s continued offer of covenant forgiveness and restoration to His chosen nation.
Final Summary
Acts 2:38 is not the beginning of the Body of Christ.
It is the continuation of God’s covenant program with Israel.
Peter is proclaiming the risen Messiah to the very nation that crucified Him, offering repentance and forgiveness in fulfillment of promises made centuries earlier.
When understood in its proper context, this passage brings clarity—not confusion—to God’s unfolding redemptive plan.
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