Tag: the promise for you
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)