Found just under twenty times in the New Testament, the Greek noun “aphesis” meant “remission,” “release,” and “forgiveness.” Jesus said His blood would be shed for the “remission” of sins (Mt. 26:28). John the Baptist taught and baptized people for the “forgiveness” of their sins (Mk. 1:4; Lk. 3:3). Jesus taught His disciples to teach repentance and “remission” of sins in His name (Lk. 24:47) and this was done.
In Acts 2:38 we find Peter telling people to be baptized for the “forgiveness” of their sins. The other places in the book of Acts where we find this noun are Acts 5:31; 10:43; 13:38; 26:18. It is through Jesus that man can have the “forgiveness” of sins (Eph. 1:7; Col. 1:14). Without the shedding of blood there is no “remission” (Heb. 9:22).