While on earth, and before dying, being resurrected, and ascending to heaven, the Son of man had power while on earth to forgive sins, as shown with the man with the palsy (Luke 5:24), as with the sinner woman (Luke 7:48), as with the adulterous woman (John 8:11), and the thief on the cross (Luke 23:43).
Before ascending, the Son of God commanded his disciples “..that repentance and remission of sins should be preached in his name among all nations, beginning at Jerusalem.” (Luke 24:47)
Also, before ascending, Jesus commanded them: “Whose soever sins ye remit, they are remitted unto them, and whose soever sins ye retain, they are retained.” (John 20:23)
When did the disciples begin to remit sins? Acts 2:38-41
We’ve been down this old, tired, beaten down road before...
What is the correct interpretation of John 20:23?
https://www.gotquestions.org/John-20-23.html
Romans 10:9-13 lays out the blueprint for Salvation. Anything more like “baptism” is a work. Good Day!