Acts 1 - 2

Repent And Be Baptized

Note: Today's reading marks two notable events. First, we begin our reading of Acts and second, we complete 13 weeks of reading. This means we are one-quarter of the way through the Bible.

In Acts 2, after the Holy Spirit baptizes the 120 people gathered in the "upper room," Peter delivers a tremendous sermon.  Remember that in Matthew 16:19, Jesus gave Peter the keys to the kingdom. Peter, the one who denied the Lord three times, the one the Lord asked three times, "Do you love me?", the one who the Lord Jesus told three times, "feed my sheep", this Peter, now filled with the Holy Spirit, is in a position to "feed the sheep."  There is no hesitation or fear with the Holy Spirit and Peter now can talk openly and boldly about Jesus.

His sermon is so powerful that in 2:37 the Bible states, "Peter's words pierced their hearts...". This provokes them to ask Peter, "What should we do to be saved?"  Since Jesus gave Peter the keys to the Kingdom, and had filled him with the Holy Spirit, Peter was in a perfect position to answer their question. "Repent and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of your sins" (2:38, KJV). It is interesting to note that this is not in conflict with Matthew 28:19 when Jesus commissioned the disciples saying, "Therefore, go and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit."  Father is not a name, neither is Son nor Holy Spirit.  His name is the Lord Jesus Christ.  So Peter, having the keys, provides a correct answer to those seeking salvation that is completely in line with the great commission Jesus gave the disciples.

Baptism is important since Acts 2:38 continues, "Then you will receive the Holy Spirit." So after being baptized in the name of Jesus Christ, they were promised to receive the Holy Spirit. This promise was not just for those present on the day the Holy Spirit fell at Pentecost as record by Luke in Acts.  It is for believers today, Acts 2:39, "This promise is to you [those who had asked Peter], and to your children [their offspring, i.e. not limited to them only], and even to the Gentiles [not just Jews celebrating the feast of Pentecost] - all who have been called by the Lord our God [everyone who seeks salvation from God].

From this we see the importance of baptism and its connection to receiving the Holy Spirit. The people who asked Peter "what must we do?" believed his answer because verse 41 says 3000 were added to the church that day.

May God bless you and bless the reading of His Word.