Repent and be baptized does not mean the water washes away sin . Only the blood of Jesus washes away sin
Jesus answered, "Truly, truly, I say to you, unless one is born of water and the Spirit, he cannot enter the kingdom of God.
This is talking about baptism, not natural birth. Where are you getting that mistaken idea?
If baptism in the name of Jesus Christ doesn’t result in the remission of sins, then you need to strike the center portion of Acts 2:38 from your bible.
Paul reminded the church members, in his letter to the Romans, how: “Know ye not, that as many of us as were baptized into Jesus Christ were baptized into his death? Therefore we are buried with him by baptism into death..” Rms 6:3,4
What happened at Christ death?...his blood was spilled. When one is baptized in the name of Jesus Christ, one is: “planted” in “likeness of his death”. (6:5)
Paul reminded the church members at Colosse as well: “Buried with him in baptism..”. Col. 2:12
The Devil hates baptism in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins. He knows that that is where the blood is applied, and has made every effort, for 2,000 years, to steer people, either entirely away from it, or keep the name of Jesus from being called upon at that time.
One of his most common deceptions is: “It’s a work. You can’t be saved by works!”.
So what physical effort is not a work?...going to hear a preacher?....asking someone to bring the preacher to you?...
The woman with the ‘issue of blood’ purposed in her heart to touch Jesus’ garment in order to be healed. When was her faith acknowledged?...when she touched his garment. Because that is when she received her healing, and that is when the Lord felt virtue had gone out of him: “And Jesus said, Somebody hath touched me: for I perceive that virtue is gone out of me.” Lk 8:46.
The absolute effort to devalue, or discredit, the commandment of baptism in the name of Jesus, reminds me of the is verse:
“But woe unto you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! for ye shut up the kingdom of heaven against men: for ye neither go in yourselves, neither suffer ye them that are entering to go in.” Matt. 23:13
It’s no wonder that ‘few there be that find it’.