Does Acts 2:38 teach that we must be water baptized to receive forgiveness of sins?

Answer: No, Acts 2:38 does not teach that we must be water baptized to receive forgiveness of sins. If we say you are getting water baptized for the remission of sins, it means to be water baptized because your sins are forgiven.

It’s like saying taking Advil for a headache. We’re taking the Advil, not to get a headache, but because we have a headache.

It’s like saying being jailed for stealing. We’re not getting jailed in order to steal but because of stealing.

Even if Acts 2:38 is used to prove forgiveness of sins and to receive the gift of the Holy Ghost, the promise is to the Jews.

Notice in Acts 2:36. “Let all the house of Israel know.”

Verse 38 is applied to all the house of Israel.

Verse 39 says, “the promise is unto the Jews and to their children. And to all that are afar off.”

“All that are afar off” are referring to, not the whole world, but Jews scattered around the world.

James 1:1 points out, the twelve tribes of Israel that are scattered abroad.