Is there a Bible contradiction in Acts 2:38? Here’s the solution from When Critics Ask by Geisler and Howe; used by permission.
defendinginerrancy.com
This is a good explanation
Nope, that is not a "good explanation".
First, the Greek word "eis" can, and does, mean both "in order to" and "because you have been" in different places. So which does it mean in Acts 2:38?
Acts 2:38 links both repentance and baptism "for" the forgiveness of sin. There is not a separation between repentance and baptism. They both correspond to "eis" (for) in the same way. Either both are "in order to receive" or both are "because you have received". But there is no possibility that one (repentance) is "in order to receive" and baptism is "because you have received". That just doesn't work with what was written, even in Greek.
Let's look over to Acts 3:19. Here Luke tells us that Peter preached that repentance was "in order to receive" forgiveness of sins.
So, if repentance must be done "in order to receive" forgiveness of sins, then baptism must be done "in order to receive" forgiveness of sins.
Second, we are not saved just by "receiving" the Word. Yes, we must first hear the Word before we can be saved, but as Rom 10:8-14 says, we must hear to believe, and we must believe to call on the Lord, and we call on the Lord by confessing Him AS Lord.
Third, if you "believe" but don't take action, then you really don't believe (James 2:14-26).
Fourth, those in Acts 10 who "received the Holy Spirit" before they were baptized, receive the gift of tongues and praise, not the indwelling of the Spirit (which is something only those in Christ receive).
Fifth, Paul did not separate baptism from the Gospel. Does a farmer separate harvesting from farming if he says, "I did not come into this field to reap the harvest, but only to plant the seed." Paul went to Corinth to plant the Seed. Others came later to water and fertilize. Paul did reap some harvest while he was there, baptizing three people/families. But he knew his mission was to plant the Seed, not to seek a harvest.
Sixth, Jesus did not call baptism a "work of righteousness". He said that His being baptized fulfilled all righteousness. He also said that we cannot enter the Kingdom of God (be saved) unless we are born again through both water (baptism) and the Spirit.
Seventh, the book of John was written between 80 and 90 AD. That means it was written, at the least, more than eighteen (18) years after Luke, the next latest Gospel, and Matthew and Mark were written between 50 and 60. This means that the Gospel had been in written form for (possibly) 30 years before John wrote his Gospel. And all of Paul's letters had been written in the interim. So John was not writing an exhaustive detailing of what it took to be saved. He was writing a treatise, a legal brief, giving the reasons why one should believe. And if one believes, then he can do the things that God has said lead to salvation (repent of sins (Acts 3:19), confess Jesus as Lord (Rom 10:9-10), and be baptized into Christ (Acts 2:38, 1 Pet 3:21, Col 2:11-14, Rom 6:1-7, Eph 5:26-27, Gal 3::26-27, John 3:5).
Finally, Mark 16:16 says that whoever does not believe is condemned already (because all have sinned, and sin is why we are condemned).
Consider that there is a room. There is a door to this room that is closed, and salvation is inside the room. Outside of the room is condemnation, and everyone in the world is standing outside that room. What Jesus is saying is that whoever believes (opens the door), and is baptized (walks through the door) will be saved. But then he says that anyone who does not believe (open the door) remains condemned (outside the room). This is naturally correct. If the door was never opened, then the person could not have entered the room where salvation is.