There is no way that baptism is done "in order to obtain" the remission of sins, which would be in contradiction to numerous passages of scripture. (Luke 24:47; 8:12; John 1:12; 3:15,16,18,36; 6:40,47; 11:25,26; 20:31; Acts 3:19; 5:31; 10:43-47; 13:38-39; 15:7-9; 16:31; Romans 1:16; 3:24-26; 4:5-6; 5:1; 10:4; 1 Corinthians 1:21; Galatians 2:16; Ephesians 2:8,9; 2 Timothy 3:15; 1 John 5:4-5, 13 etc..).
As Greek scholar AT Robertson points out -
And be baptized every one of you (κα βαπτισθητω εκαστος υμων). Rather, "And let each one of you be baptized." Change of number from plural to singular and of person from second to third.
This change marks a break in the thought here that the English translation does not preserve... One will decide the use here according as he believes that baptism is essential to the remission of sins or not. My view is decidedly against the idea that Peter, Paul, or any one in the New Testament taught baptism as essential to the remission of sins or the means of securing such remission.
So, I understand Peter to be urging baptism on each of them who had already turned (repented) and for it to be done in the name of Jesus Christ on the basis of the forgiveness of sins which they had already received.
Acts 2 - Robertson's Word Pictures in the New Testament - Bible Commentaries - StudyLight.org
That makes sense. In Matthew 3:11, we read - I baptize you with water for repentance.. Now was this baptism for "in order to obtain" repentance? OR was it for "on the basis of" repentance? Obviously, the latter. Baptism for "in order to obtain" repentance makes no sense. Repentance "precedes" baptism. *So, baptism is done on the basis of the remission of sins
received upon repentance. (
Luke 24:47;
Acts 3:19;
5:31) That makes sense and is in
harmony with multiple passages of scripture, including Acts 2:38. People can have grammatical and lexical arguments until the cows come home and pit, "he said against what they said" all day long but at the end of the day what ultimately settles it for me is that
scripture MUST harmonize with scripture or else we have a contradiction and there are no contradictions in God's word.
Luke 24:47 - and that
repentance for the forgiveness of sins should be proclaimed in his name to all nations, beginning from Jerusalem. *What happened to baptism?
Acts 3:19 -
Repent therefore and
be converted, that your sins may be blotted out, so that times of refreshing may come from the presence of the Lord. *What happened to baptism?
Acts 5:31 - Him God has exalted to His right hand to be Prince and Savior, to give
repentance to Israel and
forgiveness of sins. *What happened to baptism?
Acts 10:43 - Of Him all the prophets bear witness that through His name everyone who
believes in Him receives forgiveness of sins. *What happened to baptism?
Acts 11:17 - If therefore God
gave them the same gift (Holy Spirit) as He gave us
when we believed on the Lord Jesus Christ, who was I that I could withstand God?” 18 When they heard these things they became silent; and they glorified God, saying, “Then God has also granted to the Gentiles
repentance unto life.” *What happened to baptism?
Acts 13:38 - Therefore, let it be known to you, brethren, that through this Man is preached to you the
forgiveness of sins; 39 and by Him
everyone who believes is justified from all things from which you could not be justified by the law of Moses. *What happened to baptism?
Acts 15:7 - And when there had been much dispute, Peter rose up and said to them: “Men and brethren, you know that a good while ago God chose among us, that by my mouth the Gentiles should
hear the word of the gospel and believe. 8 So God, who knows the heart,
acknowledged them by giving them the Holy Spirit, just as He did to us, 9 and made
no distinction between us and them,
purifying their hearts by faith. *What happened to baptism?
Acts 16:30 - And he brought them out and said, “Sirs,
what must I do to be saved?” 31 So they said,
“Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ, and you will be saved, you and your household.” *What happened to baptism?
Acts 26:18 - to open their eyes, in order to turn them from darkness to light, and from the power of Satan to God, that they may
receive forgiveness of sins and an inheritance among those who are
sanctified by faith in Me. *What happened to baptism?
*Hermeneutics.
*Be sure to compare the fact that these Gentiles in
Acts 10:45 received
the gift of the Holy Spirit (compare with
Acts 2:38 -
the gift of the Holy Spirit) and this was
BEFORE water baptism. (
Acts 10:47) In
Acts 10:43 we read
..whoever believes in Him receives remission of sins. Again, these Gentiles received
the gift of the Holy Spirit -
Acts 10:45 -
when they believed on the Lord Jesus Christ -
Acts 11:17 - (compare with
Acts 16:31 -
Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ and you will be saved)
BEFORE water baptism -
Acts 10:47. This is referred to as
repentance unto life -
Acts 11:18.
*So, the only logical and Biblical conclusion
when properly harmonizing scripture with scripture is that faith in Jesus Christ "implied in genuine repentance" (rather than water baptism) brings the remission of sins and the gift of the Holy Spirit. (
Luke 24:47;
Acts 2:38;
3:19;
5:31;
10:43-47;
11:17,
18;
13:38-39; 15:7-
9;
16:31;
26:18)
*Perfect Harmony* 
