Acts 2:37-39 - “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.’”

At Pentecost, Peter replied to the bystanders by preaching the gospel in the power of the Spirit. We are given unique insight into the audience’s response of how they were cut to the heart by the message and were further inquiring what they should do in response. The direction he gives is to repent and be baptized. Repentance is to turn from the old way of life, which includes mindset, behavior and affiliations - all and only to belong to the Lord. Baptism is to make a public profession of faith and go through training and accountability in the church. It is a radical and decisive transfer of reality for the believers. And the promise that follows is forgiveness of sins, empowering by the Spirit and blessing to include your family!

It is evident that Peter has a holistic response in mind for the Christians when he brings about repentance and baptism. And it is the right biblical response when we are to be cut to the heart by the word of God and the ministry of the Spirit.

Response: If you have yet to be baptized, do consider strongly how you are responding to God’s message day in and day out. As you continue to make radical and decisive changes in your life, do come under the leadership of the church and grow toward baptism. If you are already baptized, let it be a reminder of the new reality we have in Christ!

Song of worship: “Here’s My Heart” by Lauren Daigle
https://youtu.be/iFw42tZVDKI

-MK