Tag: be baptized
The promised Holy Spirit
Scripture reading for April 15th: Judges 19-21, Acts 2
Acts 2: 37-41 “Now when they heard this they were cut to the heart, and said to Peter and the rest of the apostles, “Brothers, what shall we do?” And Peter said to them, “Repent and be baptized every one of you in the Name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins, and you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit. For the promise is for you and for your children and for all who are far off, everyone whom the Lord our God calls to Himself.” And with many other words he bore witness and continued to exhort them, saying, “Save yourselves from this crooked generation.” So those who received his word were baptized, and there were added that day about three thousand souls.”
Jesus had told His disciples before He ascended to heaven to wait in Jerusalem until they were clothed with power from on high. (Acts 1:8) After the visitation of wind and tongues of fire resting on the 120 disciples in the Upper Room, Peter began to preach to the crowd that had gathered for the celebration of the Jewish Feast of Pentecost. They fell under conviction of the Holy Spirit at the preaching of the Gospel and asked Peter what to do. He gave them the simple command to repent and then to be baptized in the Name of Jesus Christ. He encouraged them to receive the gift of the Father, the Holy Spirit, Who was available to everyone! About three thousand responded in faith!
Acts 2:46-47 “And day by day, attending the temple together and breaking bread in their home, they received their food with glad and generous hearts, praising God and having favor with all the people. And the Lord added to their number day by day those who were being saved.”
Prayer: Father God, thank You for the gift of the Holy Spirit and adoption into Your forever family. I thank You that this promise is all-inclusive and for all nations and peoples. Thank You that it is by grace through faith as we repent and believe. I am full of gratitude and want to give away Your gift to all You send me to. Day by day, add to Your Church those who are being saved! Not my will, but Yours be done!
Judges 21:25 “In those days thee was no king in Israel. Everyone did what was right in his own eyes.”
Repent and be baptized!
Scripture reading for April 15th: Judges 19-21, Acts 2
Key Scriptures: Acts 2:36-39 “Let all the house of Israel therefore know for certain that God has made Him both Lord and Christ, this Jesus whom you crucified.” Now when they heard this they were cut to the heart, and said to Peter and the rest of the apostles, “Brothers, what shall we do?” And Peter said to them, “Repent and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins, and you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit. For the promise is for you and for your children and for all who are far off, everyone whom the Lord our God calls to Himself.””
Peter, after the baptism of the Holy Spirit, preached to a crowd gathered in Jerusalem for Pentecost. He declared Jesus Christ as Lord and Christ. Those who heard him were convicted and asked what they could do. Peter gave clear instructions: “Repent and be baptized.” He also instructed them to receive the gift of the Holy Spirit. The Holy Spirit was for all who believed in Jesus and repented of sins, even Gentiles! This was prophetic preaching and three thousand were saved and baptized that day. Doing what was right in God’s eyes brought salvation and the gift of the Holy Spirit.
Faith confession and prayer: Lord, You alone are my King, Lord, and Christ! Help me today to share this good news in the power of the Holy Spirit. I trust You to bring conviction and draw people to Christ Jesus. I know obedience to the Gospel brings salvation and eternal life.
Judges 21:25 “In those days there was no king in Israel. Everyone did what was right in his own eyes.”
Repentance, baptism and the Holy Spirit
Scripture reading for May 7th: Acts 2, Psalm 91, Proverbs 29
Key Scriptures: Acts 2:36-39 “Let all the house of Israel therefore know for certain that God has made Him both Lord and Christ, this Jesus whom you crucified. Now when they heard this they were cut to the heart and said to Peter and the rest of the apostles, “Brothers, what shall we do?” And Peter said to them, “Repent and be baptized every one of you in the Name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins, and you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit. For the promise is for you and for your children and for all who are far off, everyone whom the Lord our God calls to Himself.”
As Peter preached the Gospel message of Jesus’ death, burial and resurrection to the crowd gathered in Jerusalem for Pentecost, the Holy Spirit brought conviction on many in the congregation. They asked Peter what they could do, having taken part in this event. Peter told them plainly to repent–change their mind and their ways and identify with the crucified and risen Savior through water baptism (immersion). After that, they must receive the gift of the Holy Spirit, available to all who would believe and receive.
Faith Confession: I believe that the Holy Spirit convicts those who hear the Gospel and brings them to repentance. Those who hear must respond by repentance and faith, receiving the Holy Spirit and testifying by water baptism if possible.
Proverbs 29:25 “The fear of man lays a snare, but whoever trusts in the Lord is safe.”
Repent and be baptized!
Scripture reading for May 6th: Acts 2
Key Scriptures for over-comers: Acts 2:36-39 “”Therefore let all Israel be assured of this: God has made this Jesus, whom you crucified, both Lord and Christ.” When the people heard this, they were cut to the heart and said to Peter and the other apostles, “Brothers, what shall we do?” Peter replied, “Repent and be baptized, every one of you, in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins. And you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit. The promise is for you and your children and for all who are far off–for all whom the Lord our God will call.”
Peter, on the day of Pentecost, stood up and preached a powerful message of the gospel concerning Jesus Christ. He preached to those who were gathered there, many who had participated in the crucifixion of Jesus and remembered the events of that day and those following. As he preached, the Holy Spirit brought conviction on the multitude and they cried out for instruction! Peter clearly told them how to respond! Repentance would mean turning from their old ways of rebellion and sin to Jesus Christ and asking Him to forgive them. Upon receiving grace and cleansing, they were to be baptized in water–immersed–as an act of public witness of their inner cleansing by faith in Christ. They would then receive the gift of the Holy Spirit–given by the Father to all who would believe!
Observations for over-comers: Repentance is the first step of clearing the conviction of the conscience from the weight of guilt as the Holy Spirit deals with a heart. King David gives us a great example of what that looks like in Psalm 51. “Have mercy on me, O God, according to Your unfailing love; according to Your great compassion blot out my transgressions. Wash away all my iniquity and cleanse me from my sin.” (Psalm 51:1-2)