Acts 3:19-20

Repent, then, and turn to God. Both verbs are active [not passive] and are to be understood as requiring action on their part. Compare James 4:8; John 3:14-15. This verse is the counterpart of Acts 2:38. Repent is an act of the mind [heart] in which you turn from sin ta God. Tom to God. This is the act of baptism (compare Acts 22:16) where the sinner seizes the sacrifice of Christ and makes himself part of it! [Baptism does not stand alone, but is part of faith. Compare Titus 3:5; Acts 19:3-5 and notes.] So that times of spiritual strength. In Acts 2:38, the order is: (1) Turn away from sin; (2) be baptized; (3) so that your sins will be forgiven; (4) God's gift, the Holy Spirit. Here it is: (1) Repent; (2) turn to God; (3) so that he will wipe away your sins; (4) times of spiritual strength may come. That he may send Jesus. Many see the Second Coming in this and cite Matthew 24:14 to show that the spread of the gospel will bring the return of Christ. But notice that Matthew 24:14 has already been fulfilled in Colossians 1:23. This must be understood, then, as the Promise fulfilled in Christ (Acts 3:13), and 1 Peter 1:20 seems to prove this. Christ "comes" to those who accept him (Romans 8:10).