Repentance and Baptism in the Name of Jesus

 Repentance is absolutely essential and necessary to be saved.

Yet, repentance is not salvation in itself. Repentance is the door to salvation.

"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." - Acts 2:38 KJV

We cannot say of a person that repents at the altar that their sins are forgiven because they have repented. It is only by water baptism in Jesus name that sins are forgiven when they first come to God.

Thayer's Greek Lexicon’s definition of the word "remission" (Strong’s G859) is "forgiveness, pardon, of sins (properly, the letting them go, as if they had not been committed…), remission of their penalty…”

The blood of Jesus which is applied through the name of Jesus remits sins in water baptism. (Matthew 26:28, Hebrews 9:22, Acts 2:38).

"To him give all the prophets witness, that through his name whosoever believeth in him shall receive remission of sins." - Acts 10:43 KJV ["He is the one all the prophets testified about, saying that everyone who believes in him will have their sins forgiven through his name."" - Acts 10:43 NLT]

"I write unto you, little children, because your sins are forgiven you for his name's sake." - 1 John 2:12 KJV ["I am writing to you who are God's children because your sins have been forgiven through Jesus [‘Greek through his name’]." - 1 John 2:12 NLT]

"And now why tarriest thou? arise, and be baptized, and wash away thy sins, calling on the name of the Lord." - Acts 22:16 KJV ["What are you waiting for? Get up and be baptized. Have your sins washed away by calling on the name of the Lord.'" - Acts 22:16 NLT]