"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"

In Acts 2:38 the Bible states that baptism in Jesus' name is for the remission of sins. This scripture is clear and unambiguous. It states the truth in straight forward easy to understand terms. There is nothing vague or inconclusive in the sentence structure or grammar. Baptism is for the remission of sin!, i.e., in order to obtain remission (forgiveness) of sins you must be baptized.

Some people try to wrest the scripture in an effort to force them to agree with a doctrinal position that is untenable. In trying to defend a doctrine that teaches that baptism is unnecessary for forgiveness some would do violence to the scriptures. They would alter the wording of Acts 2:38 to read, "be baptized everyone of you in the name of Jesus Christ because your sins are remitted." There is nothing in the original Greek text that justifies such a rewording of the Bible. In fact, such a perverting of God's Word puts the perverters in a very awkward position because Acts 2:38 teaches that there are two things necessary if we are to receive remission of sins; repentance and baptism in Jesus' name. Therefore, if we teach that baptism in Jesus' name is not for the remission of sins, we will also, have to teach that repentance is unnecessary in order to receive forgiveness from God. In fact, we would then have to teach that we repent because ours sins are forgiven. When in fact we repent as one of the necessary steps toward receiving remission of sins.

Acts 2:38 goes further than stating that we must be baptized in order to receive forgiveness. It, also states how we must be baptized in order to receive forgiveness. It specifies an exact formula for baptism to render it valid and efficacious. It clearly states that baptism in the name of Jesus Christ is for the remission of sin. We dare not presume to change this formula. Neither dare we presume that sins can be remitted or forgiven unless we are baptized in the name of Jesus Christ. This is the only form of baptism ever used by the apostolic church in scriptures.

In closing, I quote you the words of Ananias spoken to Saul, "And now why tarriest thou? Arise, and be baptized, and wash away thy sins, calling on the name of the Lord." – Acts 11:16