2:38 Repent and be baptized. Repentance was important in the message of the forerunner, John the Baptist (Mk 1:4; Lk 3:3), in the preaching of Jesus (Mk 1:15; Lk 13:3) and in the directions Jesus left just before his ascension (Lk 24:47). So also baptism was important to John the Baptist (Mk 1:4), in the instructions of Jesus (Mt 28:18–19) and in the preaching recorded in Acts—where it was associated with belief (8:12; 18:8), acceptance of the word (v. 41) and repentance (here). in the name of Jesus Christ. Not a contradiction to the fuller formula given in Mt 28:19. In Acts the abbreviated form emphasizes the distinctive quality of this baptism, for Jesus is now included in a way that he was not in John’s baptism (19:4–5). for the forgiveness of your sins. Not that baptism effects forgiveness. Rather, forgiveness comes through that which is symbolized by baptism (see Ro 6:3–4 and note). Holy Spirit. Two gifts are now given: the forgiveness of sins (see also 22:16) and the Holy Spirit. The promise of the indwelling gift of the Holy Spirit is given to all Christians (cf. Ro 8:9–11; 1 Co 12:13 and note).

22:16 wash your sins away. Baptism is the outward sign of an inward work of grace. The reality and the symbol are closely associated in the NT (see 2:38; Tit 3:5; 1 Pe 3:21 and notes). The outward rite, however, does not produce the inward grace (cf. Ro 2:28–29; Eph 2:8–9; Php 3:4–9). See note on Ro 6:3–4.

3:5 There are several interpretations of the phrase born of water and the Spirit. (1) Jesus was referring to water baptism (see Acts 10:43–47). (2) Water is to be understood as a symbol for the Holy Spirit. Thus the phrase could be translated “born of water, even the Spirit.” (3) Water is to be understood as a symbol of the Word of God. Similar imagery can be found in other NT passages, specifically Eph. 5:26; 1 Pet. 1:23. (4) Jesus used the phrase “born of water” to refer to physical birth. He then used the contrasting phrase “of the Spirit” to refer to spiritual birth. (5) Jesus used the phrase “born of water” to refer to John the Baptist’s baptism. (6) Jesus used the OT imagery of “water” and “wind” to refer to the work of God from above (see Is. 44:3–5; Ezek. 37:9, 10). Wind is an alternate translation of the term Spirit (v. 8).