Why telling someone they must "Repent of sin for salvation" is to propagate a false Gospel...

Repent does not mean to turn from sin, and turning from sin is not required to be saved... In fact to say you have to "Repent of sin" to be saved, would be to propagate a false Gospel... But we still have to Repent to be saved??? Allow me to explain...

so to understand what repent means I think this is the only time it's necessary to look at the Greek. Mostly I wouldn't do this but repent lost its meaning, and I don't like arguing semantics.

The transliteration of the Greek word repent is "metanoia". Which translates to english Meaning "to change your mind".

Let's break the word down so we know it means change of mind.

First "meta" means "change" which is it's english counterpart. Think of a caterpillar turning into a butterfly goes through a process of METAmorphosis.

Second "noia" means "mind" which is it's english counterpart. Think of paraNOIA matters of the mind.

A lot of confusion is we don't use repent unless your Christian in everyday modern vocabulary. People who speak spanish do though. If I were to say to someone who spoke spanish "I was gonna go to the grocery store today but I repented" in spanish, they wouldn't look at me as if it was sinful for me to go to the grocery store. I would also be grammatically correct to say it in that way. "That I had changed my mind about going to the store".

So some things to consider, obviously via context in some passages we can see we need to repent of sin, but to repent of sin is an actual "turning". So what is needed to know about our sins to be saved??? Well we have to confess we are a sinner in need of a savior. But to confess isn't repentance because again repentance is an actual turning. An example of this would be.... And I'm gonna be honest with everyone, I smoke cigarettes... I have confessed a sin to you... Did I repent of it???? No...

So what do we need to repent of to be saved. Take Mark 1:15 for example. Repent ye, and believe the Gospel.

What I am repenting of is my unbelief in the Gospel to belief in the Gospel.

So essentially I am repenting of unbelief or anything keeping me from believing in, and this is key, anything keeping me from believing in CHRIST ALONE.

For example I have to repent of dead works. Because we are saved by faith not of works lest any man should boast. I have to repent of let's say if I were to believe in Allah. I have to repent of being muslim to believing in Christ alone. Their is no such thing as a born again muslim... There is also no such thing as a born again Buddhist, it's either Christ Alone or nothing...

Now yes I do understand unbelief is a sin. So let's put these things into a category.

To say I have to repent of individual sin such as my smoking habit I have added something to a simple exercise of faith and have added a work, or a deed of the law for salvation.

So is turning from sin a work?

Yes

Jonah 3:10
10 And God saw their WORKS, that they turned from their evil way; and God REPENTED of the evil, that he had said that he would do unto them; and he did it not.

But is it a work to turn from the sin of unbelief??? No, because salvation is the GIFT of God, he did all the work!!!

John 6:28-29
28 Then said they unto him, What shall we do, that we might work the works of God?
29 Jesus answered and said unto them, This is the work of God, that ye believe on him whom he hath sent.

Notice in Jonah 3:10 God repented, so in order to know we have to repent of sin or not we need to look at the context of each individual passage to know if we are Repenting of sin, because obviously God doesn't have sin to turn from. Also interesting to note God repents more than anyone in scripture...

But everytime repentance for salvation such as Mark 1:15 is brought up, it has nothing to do with sin. How do we know this??? Because Mark 1:15 does not say "repent of sin and believe the Gospel"... In fact "repent... Of... Sin", those words in that order, is not found ONE TIME in scripture... Now obviously per the context such as Revelations we can see the repentance is from sin in that context... Context, context, context....

Look at the Gospel of John which is the book written to contain the necessary information to get someone saved. The interesting thing about John is repentance isn't even mentioned 1 time.... Not once.... Did you read that??? NOT ONCE... And it's not as if he doesn't know the word repent, because he wrote Revelations.... I've even had people tell me "well you can get the idea of repent of your sins from other books." Ok so then if repentance of sin is such a big thing, then John wouldn't be an adequate book to get you saved???? How can that be??? Listen once you believe you've repented...

repent means 'turn away from' AND 'regret'. they must go together.

we must acknowledge moral wrongdoing.

Believing in the one true God is good. But it is not enough. Just as James said:

"You believe that there is one God, do you? You are doing quite well. And yet the demons believe and shudder."-James 2:18.

Repentance is a turning around. It may be from an entire life course that is lived in contrary to God's will. It may be from a single conduct in an otherwise virtuous life. It may be from wrong desires and inclinations in the heart.

For example the apostle John tells us that we must not love the world nor the things in the world at 1 John 2:15-17. If a person was worldly and had worldly tendencies and loved the things of the world they would have to repent of that dead works. John here is preaching that you need to repent from sin. He may not use the word "repent" but he is telling you the consequence of your not repenting:

"Because everything in the world—the desire of the flesh and the desire of the eyes and the showy display of one’s means of life—does not originate with the Father, but originates with the world. Furthermore, the world is passing away and so is its desire, but the one who does the will of God remains forever."


1 John 5:7 tells us that all unrighteousness is sin. And no doubt many people who are ignorant live their lives in sin without knowing any better. Once they come to have an accurate knowledge of truth that can lead to a change in thinking,that is repentance, and then a change in conduct, that is conversion.

So if your desires are on the flesh, originate with the world, you need to repent, that is rethink your life course. After that you need conversion. That is a turning around from dead works. So repentance is not enough. You also need conversion.

But how does a person who is living in sin know they need to repent? They need to be taught. In the past God sent out his prophets to warn his people. Today he sends out his witnesses to "preach and teach" the truth which includes God's moral standards found in the Bible. Paul says to the evangelizer of the good news:

"For a slave of the Lord does not need to fight, but needs to be gentle toward all, qualified to teach, showing restraint when wronged, instructing with mildness those not favorably disposed. Perhaps God may give them repentance leading to an accurate knowledge of truth, and they may come to their senses and escape from the snare of the Devil, seeing that they have been caught alive by him to do his will."-2 Timothy 2:24-26.

For example a person may vocally abuse God's name sinning against him. They may worship idols, another very direct sin against God. But they are unaware they are sinning or displeasing God. Once they are taught the truth they can repent from their sin and convert to the truth.

A person cannot just become a believer and keep worshiping idols and think they have come into an approved condition by God. So there is indeed a need of repentance of sin. A person who wants to please God is cut at the heart when they realize they are practicing something that displeases him.

Let me give you an example. A person used to be a spirit medium, and people would go to her to practice her mediumship with the spirit world. She, out of her ignorance thought she was contacting the spirits of dead loved ones. When she was shown the scripture that God detests anyone who practices magic or inquires of the dead or practices mediumship she was cut to the heart. She never knew that was in the Bible. That single verse helped her to repent from her wicked works and convert to serve the living God.-Deuteronomy 18:11-13. She also learned the truth from the Bible that the dead are asleep awaiting a resurrection. And it is really Satan and the demons who are misleading the people into believing the very first lie Satan told, that people do not die when they die.

So repentance of sin is required. But that alone is not sufficient. One must convert, that is change their life course, stop the practice of dead works, and turn to serve the living God in the way he requires. And that also involves the step of water baptism.

So you need repentance, conversion, and water baptism. And you really cannot do that without faith in Jesus' shed ransom, as a cover for our sins. So while a person was sinning either willfully or unknowingly when they reach a stage of repentance (for people with knowledge of truth can also be sinners and need to reject their wicked course of conduct), they convert, from a life of practicing "dead works" works that will hinder your entrance into God's kingdom, to the practice of righteousness, and the rejection of dead works, such as idolatry, sexual immorality, homosexuality, the practice of spiritism, thievery, and such.

A person who is not in a dedicated relationship to God, after studying God's word and having an accurate knowledge of truth may put faith in the things heard, after having faith they act on that faith by repenting of dead works, of sin, then they convert, they make a change in their thinking and life-course and come to serve the living God Jehovah the way he requires, and then they can dedicate their lives to Jehovah and be baptized as a symbol of that dedication for all to see.

Yes repentance of sin is necessary. It is not the only step! They have to do works that befit repentance, that is they have to change their life course, and stop practicing sin, and start practicing righteousness.

"But to those in Damascus first and then to those in Jerusalem, and over all the country of Ju·deʹa, and also to the nations, I was bringing the message that they should repent and turn to God by doing works that befit repentance."-Acts 26:20.

1. Taking in knowledge of Jehovah God and Jesus Christ by studying the Bible (John 17:3)
"This means everlasting life, their coming to know you, the only true God, and the one whom you sent, Jesus Christ."-

2. Exercising faith (John 3:15)

"16 “For God loved the world so much that he gave his only-begotten Son, so that everyone exercising faith in him might not be destroyed but have everlasting life."

Notice this is not a passive faith or belief in God and his word. It is active, it is being exercised. A person has to put effort into this faith. They have to act on their faith. They have to EXERCISE faith. They have to show works that befit repentance. No it is NOT good enough to just say "I believe."


3. Repentance of dead works (Matthew 4:17)

4. Conversion (Acts 26:20)

5. Dedication and water baptism. (Matthew 28:19-20).

a reply to: randomuser

The water,is the word of God,and not necessarily actually submerged in water to be saved if you confess your sins to jesus and ask his forgiveness. If actual baptism in water was required the thief beside Jesus would not had been saved.

originally posted by: yuppa
a reply to: randomuser

The water,is the word of God,and not necessarily actually submerged in water to be saved if you confess your sins to jesus and ask his forgiveness. If actual baptism in water was required the thief beside Jesus would not had been saved.

He didn't die in a saved condition. He was given the opportunity by Jesus to come back in the resurrection and then get his name put in the book of life. He is going to be part of the group of unrighteous people that will be resurrected:

"Do not be amazed at this, for the hour is coming in which all those in the memorial tombs will hear his voice and come out, those who did good things to a resurrection of life, and those who practiced vile things to a resurrection of judgment."-John 5:28-29.

The majority of humankind that will be brought back to life are not in a saved condition. They will partake of the resurrection of the unrighteous. Where they will be taught the truth about Jehovah God and his son Jesus Christ, and will be judged according to how they respond to it.

Jesus commands his followers to preach and teach and baptize the people:

"Go, therefore, and make disciples of people of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the holy spirit, teaching them to observe all the things I have commanded you."-Matthew 28:19-29.

Water baptism is a requirement for salvation:

"Peter said to them: “Repent, and let each one of you be baptized in the name of Jesus Christ for forgiveness of your sins, and you will receive the free gift of the holy spirit."-Acts 2:38.

ETA:

Here is a nice music video that actually depicts the process of coming into a saved condition with God (the 5 steps listed above).

Always By Our Side

a reply to: ThyJudgeCometh

One might confess to something without changing their ways, or falsely confess to something they have not done. So confession alone in a literal sense does not seem to be sufficient.

But confession and repentance together show 'turning from sin', or at least a turning from a sin.

The thing is, that we commit multiple sins, not just one. We need to confess to all our sins and repent from all our sins. This is hard because we can sin unknowingly. How then do we confess to sins we do not realize we have done?

And if unbelief is a sin, then are inanimate objects who have no cognition of anything, sinning merely by their existence? This sounds like Gnostic belief that the matter universe is 'sinful' and only the spirit world can be 'pure'. So, clearly the 'absence of belief' of itself is not sin.

But humans are cognizant, self actualizing and capable of will. So the situation of humans is different from other things. A will to choose not to believe, in the light of the evidence of our senses and our conscience, is sinful, because then we have a 'want' to disbelieve and make a choice to disbelieve.

This is why the Gospel message must be understood in its entirety, because by reductionist paring down of words and meanings, we can find loopholes to avoid uncomfortable truths about ourselves. We are sin full and by our own capabilities are unable to change that. It is by the un-earned and un-warranted and un-deserved gift of Jesus to us, that we may be saved. He is the only way that we can really change the situation.

Amazing love!

a reply to: chr0naut

Wonderfully put chroOnaut. I perceive a sound mind and an observant one in your words.

Language is the magic. 👍

originally posted by: randomuser
a reply to: chr0naut

Wonderfully put chroOnaut. I perceive a sound mind and an observant one in your words.

Yet JW,org Harbours pedos, allows child molesters to hide and not hand them to civil authority?
Just like the Catholics did.
You just don’t repent as a JW,org adherent, you need to follow and support JW,org to be saved. Repentance and faith isn’t enough, you have to knock on doors, preach on websites and harbour pedophile masters to be saved in JW,org
JW,org is almost Catholicism mark II

Repentance isn’t just turning away, it’s turning to love, self sacrifice and protecting each other
JW,org is hypocrisy manifested
Members actively support child molestation by protecting child molesters in their cult

a reply to: Raggedyman

You can rest in peace knowing that Jehovah God will repay tribulation to all those who give tribulation to his servants just as Paul said:

"This takes into account that it is righteous on God’s part to repay tribulation to those who make tribulation for you. But you who suffer tribulation will be given relief along with us at the revelation of the Lord Jesus from heaven with his powerful angels in a flaming fire, as he brings vengeance on those who do not know God and those who do not obey the good news about our Lord Jesus.  These very ones will undergo the judicial punishment of everlasting destruction from before the Lord and from the glory of his strength."

Pray for that day to come swiftly! Not that we desire any wicked to be destroyed. But those who continually lie and persecute God's people, you can rest assured and have peaceful sleep knowing that if they do not repent they will receive just retribution from Jesus Christ at his revelation with his holy angels and undergo judical punishment of everlasting destruction.

Also Jesus said to his followers to rejoice when evil people out of the rotten fruit of their wicked hearts say every sort of wicked lie against them, for great is their treasure in heaven:

"Happy are you when people reproach you and persecute you and lyingly say every sort of wicked thing against you for my sake. Rejoice and be overjoyed, since your reward is great in the heavens, for in that way they persecuted the prophets prior to you."-Matthew 5:11-12.

You may find this thread interesting: The Real War Satan is Waging.

It explains why Satan uses his servants to lie about God's people. And there is a reason they must resort to lies, and half-truths. It is as Jesus said:

"Why do you not understand what I am saying? Because you cannot listen to my word. You are from your father the Devil, and you wish to do the desires of your father. That one was a murderer when he began, and he did not stand fast in the truth, because truth is not in him. When he speaks the lie, he speaks according to his own disposition, because he is a liar and the father of the lie. Because I, on the other hand, tell you the truth, you do not believe me. Who of you convicts me of sin? If I speak truth, why is it that you do not believe me? The one who is from God listens to the sayings of God. This is why you do not listen, because you are not from God.”-John 8:43-47.

Continue to suffer evil and return good to those who hate you and pray for them.

a reply to: randomuser

Well congratulations, this is the first time you have replied and admitted there is a problem, harbouring pedophiles and it’s ignored by your org, well done
Interesting you run around here preaching about removing the stick from our trinitarian eyes while JW,org has a beam in your own eye
Interesting this thread is about repenting and you say, God will judge, God will send tribulation upon those pedophiles in your org and those who harbour them, yet clearly you support and defend them and your organisation by being a member?
Your JW,org doesn’t repent do they, don’t change your ways?

Or, are you saying I will suffer tribulation and Gods wrath?
Why, because I state truth?
JW,org are no different from the Catholic Church when they were abusing children and protecting the perpetrators.
You call JW,org Gods church when it practices satanism and defend child abusers

I understand to repent for sin is to acknowledge ones mistake. If you are unable to admit to yourself you got things wrong, you are doomed to repeat these mistakes, with or without a god.

originally posted by: Raggedyman
a reply to: randomuser

Well congratulations, this is the first time you have replied and admitted there is a problem, harbouring pedophiles and it’s ignored by your org, well done
Interesting you run around here preaching about removing the stick from our trinitarian eyes while JW,org has a beam in your own eye
Interesting this thread is about repenting and you say, God will judge, God will send tribulation upon those pedophiles in your org and those who harbour them, yet clearly you support and defend them and your organisation by being a member?
Your JW,org doesn’t repent do they, don’t change your ways?

Or, are you saying I will suffer tribulation and Gods wrath?
Why, because I state truth?
JW,org are no different from the Catholic Church when they were abusing children and protecting the perpetrators.
You call JW,org Gods church when it practices satanism and defend child abusers

I don't really reply because I see no need to. As most off subject comments are deleted. And this really doesn't bother me that much. But I see it is something that really effects you. You usually follow me around on every thread you find me in to go off topic to talk about it. So I see this really deeply affects you. That is why I made the statement I did above. You can rest assured that God will repay to everyone their just dues.

I for one have firsthand knowledge that what you believe is not true. It is like when the Pharisees were saying Jesus was expelling the demons by means of the ruler of the demons. Or when they paid people to lie about Jesus and say that they saw his followers steal his body when he was resurrected. Or when they treasonously had their illegal mock trail and condemned him to death on trumped up and false charges. Imagine all the people that were stumbled and never were able to come to an accurate knowledge of truth of who he was because of their pernicious lies.

Just look at how vicious Paul was in his persecution of the first-century Christian congregation in his zeal for God as he believed the lies and slander, thinking the Christians were a sect or cult of the Jews. But notice Paul stated that he was forgiven his insolence because he acted in ignorance:

"Formerly I was a blasphemer and a persecutor and an insolent man. Nevertheless, I was shown mercy because I acted in ignorance and with a lack of faith."-1 Timothy 1:13.

I can see you have prejudices that are deeply rooted in you, but perceive no ill-will from you. And doubt that my personal testimony will dissuaded you from you false beliefs. I do believe that if you took the time to investigate for yourself visiting a Kingdom Hall, or an Assembly Hall, you will find out that what you have been lead to believe, perhaps for all your life, has been lies. And that is part of following Jesus. The lies.

You mention JW.ORG but have you even really visited the site? You can probably even look up the false accusations made about them about being a "cult" and the child sex abuse.

For example:

Are Jehovah's Witnesses a Cult?

There is a reason people use derogatory and lying terms such as this. And it is simple, because they can't use the truth to defend their positions. What type of person has to use lies to defend their position? Thus the scripture quoted above by Jesus to the religious leaders in John 8.

I perceive your sincerity. Now you need to open your mind and heart to discern the truth. How far does that sincerity go? I am even willing to go there with you. Even talk with you personally if you want to.

Paul was once one of Christ's greatest oppposers. Later he became one of his most loyal and staunch followers and even gave up his life for him in the end, willingly and happily.

a reply to: randomuser

Follow you around, seems we haunt the same threads but, been here on ats a little longer than you
Just wanted to point out hypocrisy with JW members and your "Repent" values when you harbour pedophiles, well actively support a community that does, not unlike the catholics used to
Why would I visit JW

dp

a reply to: randomuser

The Bible is clear, water baptism is not necessary for salvation. However, there are some churches that would disagree. Search the Scriptures. It is only by Jesus that we are saved (Romans 5:9, Acts 4:12).

And the thief was told he would be in paradise that day with jesus,so apparently he did nto need to be immersed in water. Oh and Paul was baptizing people for repentance of their ways. We christians are only saved through Grace by asking Jesus to forgive us.

Telling someone..

There's a difference between convincing and insinuating.

Convincing someone of a sin is with wisdom making the person understand and winning the person. Being mean makes enemies.

originally posted by: yuppa
a reply to: randomuser

The Bible is clear, water baptism is not necessary for salvation. However, there are some churches that would disagree. Search the Scriptures. It is only by Jesus that we are saved (Romans 5:9, Acts 4:12).

And the thief was told he would be in paradise that day with jesus,so apparently he did nto need to be immersed in water. Oh and Paul was baptizing people for repentance of their ways. We christians are only saved through Grace by asking Jesus to forgive us.

I understand where you are coming from. And you are correct, the evildoer at Jesus' side will be brought back to life in paradise under Jesus' kingdom rule. But that does not mean he was in a "saved" condition at death. As deathbed confessions, and conversions mean little if they have no actions behind them. If that was the case then everyone could just be as depraved as they want and then when they know they are going to die ask Jesus to be resurrected.

Here is a thought, do you think the other evildoer, the one that just wanted Jesus to use his power to get them down and save them, do you think he will be resurrected as well? Obviously that is not for us to say. But there is that possibility isn't there?

Here is a quote from my post talking about the resurrection of the unrighteous that evildoer will partake in:

He didn't die in a saved condition. He was given the opportunity by Jesus to come back in the resurrection and then get his name put in the book of life. He is going to be part of the group of unrighteous people that will be resurrected:

"Do not be amazed at this, for the hour is coming in which all those in the memorial tombs will hear his voice and come out, those who did good things to a resurrection of life, and those who practiced vile things to a resurrection of judgment."-John 5:28-29.

The majority of humankind that will be brought back to life are not in a saved condition. They will partake of the resurrection of the unrighteous. Where they will be taught the truth about Jehovah God and his son Jesus Christ, and will be judged according to how they respond to it.

To help you understand this a little better look at the prophecy in Daniel 12:2 talking about that time:

"And many of those asleep in the dust of the earth will wake up, some to everlasting life and others to reproach and to everlasting contempt."

So those who are resting in the sleep of death, all the unrighteous in God's memory, just as Jesus foretold will be resurrected, "will wake up." Since they are not in a saved condition their names are still not written in the book of life. It will be their opportunity to learn the truth and act on what they learn. Some will exercise faith and have their names written in the book of life, and come into a saved condition, and others will rebel still, and they will not have their names written in the book of life. They will die again and thus suffer everlasting contempt.

As for is water baptism necessary to come into a saved condition? Yes it is. Jesus is the one that set the pattern. Notice what he did:

"Then Jesus came from Galʹi·lee to the Jordan to John, in order to be baptized by him. But the latter tried to prevent him, saying: “I am the one who needs to be baptized by you, and are you coming to me?” Jesus replied to him: “Let it be this time, for in that way it is suitable for us to carry out all that is righteous.” Then he quit preventing him. After being baptized, Jesus immediately came up from the water; and look! the heavens were opened up, and he saw God’s spirit descending like a dove and coming upon him."-Matthew 3:13-16.

Notice that Jesus went to John in order to be baptized. There is no doubt that was complete water submersion, because we are told "After being baptized, Jesus immediately came up from the water." That means in order to be baptized Jesus was submerged into the water.

And later we are told:

"In fact, to this course you were called, because even Christ suffered for you, leaving a model for you to follow his steps closely."-1 Peter 2:21.

The model would include water baptism.

That is why the Ethiopian eunuch when witnessed to by Phillip exclaimed what was preventing him from being baptized when seeing a body of water. Obviously with the intent to be submerged in the water as a symbol of his dedication to Jehovah God to do his will in the pattern Jesus set for his followers:

"Now as they were going along the road, they came to a body of water, and the eunuch said: “Look! Here is water; what prevents me from getting baptized?” With that he commanded the chariot to halt, and both Philip and the eunuch went down into the water, and he baptized him."-Acts 6:36-38.

Notice that the Eunuch correctly understood that he needed to be baptized in a body of water. And Philip went down into the body of water to baptize the eunuch. This was obviously a baptism by water submersion.

And Jesus command himself was this:

"Go, therefore, and make disciples of people of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the holy spirit."-Matthew 28:19.

There is no doubt Jesus was referring to the pattern he himself set by being baptized in water to do his Father's will. His followers would also follow his pattern he set and be baptized by water submersion. This is obvious from very clear Bible accounts.

Baptism is symbolic. When you are submerged under water you are dying to your former course of life that was unprofitable and only worked out your own death. And when emerged you are renewed, saved in the blood of Jesus Christ, and dedicated now for life to do not your own will but God's. Of your own choice you have made it public record to all those watching, and to God and Jesus, and Satan and his demons, that you are God's. And will live and die for God to do his will.

"For if we live, we live to Jehovah, and if we die, we die to Jehovah. So both if we live and if we die, we belong to Jehovah."-Romans 14:8.

a reply to: randomuser

WORKS. you are mentioning WORKS. We ar ento saved by WORKS. getting baptised in fron of others is a WORK by itself.

originally posted by: yuppa
a reply to: randomuser

WORKS. you are mentioning WORKS. We ar ento saved by WORKS. getting baptised in fron of others is a WORK by itself.

Jesus set the pattern for Christians to follow. He was baptized by water submersion, and told his followers to go forth and preach and teach the people the good news of truth, and then baptize them as well. It is a command by Jesus Christ to be baptized. -Matthew 28:19-20.

From the very first day that Jesus Christ poured out the holy spirit on the 120 disciples in a locked room on Pentecost of 33 C .E. they began preaching the good news after being baptized with holy spirit with tongues as if fire descending on their heads and they began to speak in different languages to all the Jews from the Diaspora that had gathered together in Jerusalem for the Passover and the celebration of Pentecost (literally 50th day after the Passover.)

Peter gave a bold witness on that day and from the very very beginning those who listened and converted to Christianity were baptized:

"Now when they heard this, they were stabbed to the heart, and they said to Peter and the rest of the apostles: “Men, brothers, what should we do?” 38 Peter said to them: “Repent, and let each one of you be baptized in the name of Jesus Christ for forgiveness of your sins, and you will receive the free gift of the holy spirit. 39 For the promise is to you and your children, and to all those who are far away, to all those whom Jehovah our God may call to himself.” 40 And with many other words he gave a thorough witness and kept exhorting them, saying: “Get saved from this crooked generation.” 41 So those who gladly accepted his word were baptized, and on that day about 3,000 people were added. 42 And they continued devoting themselves to the teaching of the apostles, to associating together, to the taking of meals, and to prayers."-Acts 2:37-42.

So from day 1 converts to Christianity were baptized and then they were forgiven their sins. You also do need to be baptized by water submersion to be forgiven your sins. That is the only way to come into a clean, righteous standing with Jehovah God. The gospels and holy scripture is very matter-of-fact about these inspired truths.