Interpreting Acts 2:38 together with John 1:12 Acts 2:38, &quot;Peter said to them, 'Repent, and each of you be baptized in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins ; and you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit.'&quot;
John 1:12, &quot;But as many as received Him, to them He gave the right to become children of God, even to those who believe in His name . . ..&quot;

How do we interpret Acts 2:38 which seems to require baptism for forgiveness of sin, compared with John 1:12 which simply requires belief in Christ?
Peter does not say "and if you don't get baptized you won't be saved". 

Almost all Christian denominations take the view that baptism is the normal thing to do, and that Christians should do it. That doesn't imply that failing to do so for some reason invalidates your faith or excludes you from salvation. Likewise there is nothing in the Acts passage that implies that.