Repent and Be Baptized

Acts 2:14-41

Key Verse 2:38

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.

Peter's sermon here is the first message of salvation proclaimed after Jesus' ascension and the coming of the Holy Spirit. It is a model message for all the members of the church to study and learn from, so they would follow Peter's example, and save souls.

1. In verses 14-21 Peter defended the position of the body of believers in regard to what was happening to them. Why was this defense necessary?

** It was necessary to help the audience listen to the message with a reverent attitude. It has been said that in the school of success attitude is everything. Remember that Lot's sons-in-law did not have a sincere attitude towards the message spoken by Lot, so they lost their salvation. Gen 19:14

2. In presenting Jesus to his audience in verses 22-23, Peter said to them, "you, with the help of wicked men, put him to death by nailing him to the cross." Who was Peter addressing when he said, "you"? The Scriptures say that the governor's soldiers nailed Jesus to the cross. (Matthew 27:27-31) Yet, why did Peter describe his audience as the murderers of Jesus? (Isaiah 53:5-8)

** All are sinners. Rom 3:23

** It is the sin committed by all sinners that nailed Jesus, the sinless Lamb of God, to the cross. 

3. Compare Jesus' resurrection (in verse 24) with the prophecy through David (in verses 25-35). What was Peter's conclusion? (36) What does "Lord and Christ" mean?

** v. 36

** Lord = sovereign ruler

** Christ = messiah (in Hebrew) meaning the one anointed by God [to restore man back to God]. 

4. Consider the people's response (37) and Peter's reply (38-39). What does it mean to: 1) repent; and 2) be baptized in the name of Jesus Christ? 

** Repent = turn. What the prodigal son did in the story Jesus described in Luke 15:17-20 illustrates the meaning of the word repent very well. Read Luke 15:17-20. 

** "Baptized in the name of..." = this expression refers to being "united" with Jesus Christ, as in the marriage relationship between a bride and a bridegroom. 

5. Verse 38 talks about "the forgiveness of your sins" and "the gift of the Holy Spirit." How are the two related to one another? Why are both necessary? 

** Forgiveness = negative (in the sense of having all of our sins canceled making our debts, i.e., our sins, to become 'zero', so we can make a brand new start, as a bride of Jesus.) It is like removing all the garbage out of the old house.  

The Holy Spirit = positive (in the sense of the Spirit cleansing and purifying us of sins, making us to be not only set free from the power of sin and Satan, but also making us to be a brand new creation in the Lord). It is like giving a new painting job, creating sky lights, laying down new carpet, installing a new bathtub, making everything new. Literally the Holy Spirit gives us new spirit, new heart, new mind, new eyes, etc. so we would be literally new creations. 

** Both are necessary because without the former, the latter cannot take place, and without the latter, the former remains, and the job (of renewal) is incomplete/undone.

6. In verse 40 Peter "warned" them and "pleaded" with them. God sent Jesus to "save" his people from their sins. Yet, why did Peter say, "'save' yourselves..."? 

** It is because even after being born again, and being united with Jesus Christ as in a marriage relationship, it is possible that one might live like a man or woman who cheats on his or her spouse. Read Proverbs 13:15 to see what happens to a man who is unfaithful [to Jesus Christ]. Peter warns a saved soul against becoming unfaithful, for it is plunging oneself into a life which is very "hard". 

Remember that even after saving you, Jesus does not take away your free will to make a choice, either to remain faithful to Jesus or to be unfaithful to him and to commit sins continually, and thereby defeat the purpose for which Jesus died on the cross for our sins. 

The expression "save" [yourselves] as Peter put it, has the meaning of "keep yourself away from the troubles" that come from your returning to the old ways of life.

 

7. Think about the word "added" or "number" in verse 41. What do these words suggest about God's will in establishing his servants like Peter?

** God wants to see the number of his children being added to His family. 

The end