REPENT AND BE BAPTIZED

Acts 2:14-47

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. 

Today’s passage is the Apostle Peter’s first sermon after the coming of the Holy Spirit. His message brought the birth of the church of Christ adding 3,000 new members. Let us see what he delivered in his message.

Part I. No, this is what was spoken by the prophet Joel (14-21)

In the previous passage, about 120 people declared the wonders of God in foreign languages. But some of the crowd misunderstood the work of the Holy Spirit and said, “They have had too much wine.” So, Peter had to stand up with the Eleven, raise his voice, and address the crowd. He said, “"Fellow Jews and all of you who live in Jerusalem, let me explain this to you; listen carefully to what I say. [15] These men are not drunk, as you suppose. It's only nine in the morning! [16] No, this is what was spoken by the prophet Joel: [17] " 'In the last days, God says, I will pour out my Spirit on all people. Your sons and daughters will prophesy, your young men will see visions, your old men will dream dreams. [18] Even on my servants, both men and women, I will pour out my Spirit in those days, and they will prophesy. [19] I will show wonders in the heaven above and signs on the earth below, blood and fire and billows of smoke. [20] The sun will be turned to darkness and the moon to blood before the coming of the great and glorious day of the Lord. [21] And everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved.'” (v.14b-21)

Peter explained the coming of the Holy Spirit based on the Scriptures. Prophet Joel prophesied that God would pour out his Spirit on all people in the last days. In his prophecy, all people are described as ‘your people’ and ‘my servants’. When God poured out his Spirit on all people, they would prophecy, see visions, wonders, signs and dream dreams. Among all the prophecies, visions, wonders, signs and dreams, the coming of the great and glorious day of the Lord comes first. The coming of the great and glorious day of the Lord refers to the second coming of Jesus Christ. His second coming is the worst news for all unbelievers but the best news for all believers. Every unbeliever is going to be punished, while everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved. This is the wonder of wonders, and the vision of visions and the dream of dreams. The day of Jesus’ second coming is the greatest day because the Lord will bring the ultimate victory and salvation for all believers. It will be a glorious day because of the great glory of Jesus that will be revealed. 

We live in the twenty first century. But when God pours out his Spirit on us, our sons and daughters will also prophesy. Who would imagine that our sons and daughters would prophesy talking about spiritual things in the bible? But it all happens when God pours out his Spirit on them. Recently my daughter Mary Kwon came back from Korea together with other second generation missionaries like Albert Hong and Samuel Chang. When I first saw her at the airport she was a different person. Her facial expression became soft and her response to my words was gentle. I thought that I was dreaming. Usually I do not dream. I don’t remember anything in my dream for several years easily. And I am an old man compared to most of you. But at that time, I thought that I was dreaming. It was because she was talking about spiritual things such as pioneering work, the goodness of daily bread, the goodness of prayer, joy in her heart, etc. I felt like I was dreaming because it was as if I was talking to a missionary. Before she went to Korea, she was very tense and it was hard to talk to her. Her mother and I were very careful not to offend her or to cause any arguments with her. But these days I can talk to her somewhat freely and her response is gentle. Many times I heard that some of the second generation missionaries were changed because of their training in Korea. But I did not believe it because I know how difficult it is for a person to be changed. For example, my wife Maria told me that I was not changed at all for the last twenty years. But Mary was changed during 5 weeks in Korea and these days she even wakes up in the morning by herself and comes to the daily bread meeting at our center. What a miracle it is! What a wonderful work of God it is! This is nothing but the work of the Spirit poured out on all people as prophesied by the prophet Joel. And I could see the same work in the life of Albert Hong and Samuel Chang. So, I pray that the Lord would bless our sons and daughters through the power of the Holy Spirit, and that they may declare the wonders of God continually. 

Part II. God has made this Jesus, whom you crucified, both Lord and Christ (22-36)

Now Peter turned their attention to Jesus. He said "Men of Israel, listen to this: Jesus of Nazareth was a man accredited by God to you by miracles, wonders and signs, which God did among you through him, as you yourselves know.” (v.22) Why did Peter suddenly begin to talk about Jesus? It is because he wanted to testify that Jesus was the one who has poured out the Holy Spirit upon them. Peter’s testimony about Jesus starts with miracles, wonders, and signs which God did among them through Jesus. They were proof that Jesus was accredited by God. But they did not believe him.

So Peter continued, “This man was handed over to you by God's set purpose and foreknowledge; and you, with the help of wicked men, put him to death by nailing him to the cross. But God raised him from the dead, freeing him from the agony of death, because it was impossible for death to keep its hold on him.” (v.23,24) These verses show man’s wicked action and God’s sovereignty. They put Jesus to death by nailing him to the cross. But God raised him from the dead, canceling their wicked work. Furthermore, these verses say that the resurrection of Jesus was possible because it was impossible for death to keep its hold on Jesus. Why couldn’t death keep its hold on Jesus? It is because all of the wages of man’s sin were fully paid for through the death of Jesus. There was no more debt left to be paid. So it was impossible for death to keep its hold on Jesus.” (v.24)

Then Peter quoted Scriptures to prove the resurrection of Jesus. Let us read verses 25-28 altogether. “[25]  David said about him: " 'I saw the Lord always before me. Because he is at my right hand, I will not be shaken. [26] Therefore my heart is glad and my tongue rejoices; my body also will live in hope, [27] because you will not abandon me to the grave, nor will you let your Holy One see decay. [28] You have made known to me the paths of life; you will fill me with joy in your presence.'”

 

These verses show that David saw his own resurrection first. David had almost everything a man could desire. He was a king and he had power, glory, honor, wealth, a beautiful wife and even a close relationship with God. What more did he need? But whenever he thought about his future, he was shaken. Whenever he thought that he would be abandoned to the grave after his death, he was deeply shaken. He could not eat properly. He could not enjoy music and he could not even pray properly. But the Lord revealed the resurrection of David and the Christ. When David thought about his resurrection, his heart was glad and his tongue rejoiced. He could not hide the gladness and joy in his heart and tongue. Even though he tried to control his joy, he ended up praising God and giving thanks to him uncontrollably. So he said “[26] Therefore my heart is glad and my tongue rejoices; my body also will live in hope, [27] because you will not abandon me to the grave” (v.26-27a) David said, “nor will you let your Holy One see decay.” (v.27b) Here ‘Holy One’ refers to Jesus. 

But David died and was buried and his tomb was there at the time when Peter addressed the crowds. Although he died he spoke of the resurrection of Jesus Christ as a prophet. And he knew God’s promise that is, that God would place one of his descendants as a king on his throne. And the descendant was Jesus Christ. Peter concluded his message about Jesus’ resurrection. “God has raised this Jesus to life, and we are all witnesses of the fact.” (.32) God has exercised his sovereignty and raised this Jesus to life and Peter and all 120 people were eye witnesses to the fact. What did the risen Jesus do for them? Peter said, “Exalted to the right hand of God, he has received from the Father the promised Holy Spirit and has poured out what you now see and hear.” (v.33) Peter revealed that the coming of the Holy Spirit was the very evidence that God has raised Jesus to life because Jesus is the one who received the promised Holy Spirit from the Father and poured out on his people and that was what they saw and heard. 

Peter continued, “For David did not ascend to heaven, and yet he said" 'The Lord said to my Lord: "Sit at my right hand [35] until I make your enemies a footstool for your feet." (v.34,35) Jesus was exalted to the right hand of God after he was raised to life. He poured out the Holy Spirit on his people. Then the Father said to Jesus, “Sit at my right hand until I make your enemies a footstool for your feet.” Jesus did all he could do. The Father would subject all of Jesus’ enemies under Jesus’ feet, thus making Jesus the ultimate ruler and victor. 

Let’s read verse 36. "Therefore let all Israel be assured of this: God has made this Jesus, whom you crucified, both Lord and Christ." (v.36) The  word “Lord” means “the ultimate ruler”, and Christ means the promised Messiah, God’s Anointed One who would baptize his people with the Holy Spirit. In today’s passage the close expression of ‘Christ’ is ‘ the one accredited by God.’ Peter declared “God has made this Jesus, whom you crucified, both Lord and Christ." This was Peter’s final conclusion of his testimony about Jesus. Jesus is both Lord and Christ. Peter really wanted all Israel to be assured of this. So he proclaimed, “Therefore let all Israel be assured of this: God has made this Jesus, whom you crucified, both Lord and Christ.” Let’s read verse 36 once more. Here the word ‘You’ refers to all sinners including ourselves because our sin caused the death of Jesus.

“When the people heard this, they were cut to the heart and said to Peter and the other apostles, "Brothers, what shall we do?"  (v.37) They realized that they would all become a footstool for Jesus’ feet. They knew with certainty that no enemy of Jesus would be able to stand against Jesus not even death. Indeed it is true that all of Jesus’ enemies would be destroyed. Our sinful nature such as lust, selfishness, jealousy, anger, hatred will be completely destroyed. The power of death will also be destroyed. Therefore it is foolish to live for our sinful nature against Jesus who is the ultimate ruler and Lord. If we live for our sinful nature we are like men serving a master who is doomed to be defeated and destroyed. 

Part III. Repent and be baptized, every one of you, in the name of Jesus Christ. (37-41)

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.” (v.38) Let’s read verse 38 again.

First, Peter said, “Repent”. In our spiritual problems, ‘repentance’ comes first as the solution. It is true that only God can save men. But God cannot save men who do not repent. That is why Jesus’ first message was, “Repent and believe the good news!” (Mk 1:15) And the meaning of the word ‘repent’ is ‘to turn from sin.’ Now In order to turn from sin, one assumption is necessary. It is to acknowledge our sin. It is to accept that we are terrible sinners before God. Our problems come from our unwillingness to acknowledge our sin before God due to our pride. We think that we become a little better than before because we have remained in the Lord for some time. Is this true? Maybe it is true when we stand before men. But it is not true when we stand before God. If we can be better before God, why did Apostle Paul say in 1 Timothy 1:15 “Here is a trustworthy saying that deserves full acceptance: Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners--of whom I am the worst.” When Paul wrote 1 Timothy he was spiritually very mature. Probably he was one of the most sanctified people on earth. But he did not say “sinners -- of whom I was the worst.” But rather he said “of whom I am the worst.” 

So to stand before God rather than men and to acknowledge our sin is more challenging than we think. There was one man who was accused of the adultery with another woman by his own wife. When he was accused he was shocked. He was shocked because he did not know that he could be accused of such a terrible sin. He was shocked because he indeed committed adultery in his heart. But he could not accept his sin when he was accused of it. Physically he did not commit any sin with the woman. So when his wife challenged him of his adultery, he became angry and in the end divorced her. He took such a dramatic action in order to prove his innocence. He could not accept that he was a terrible sinner because he stood before men. Although he was a Christian he could not stand before God and confess to his wife, saying “Honey, indeed I am the worst sinner. Please forgive me.” But rather in order to prove his innocence in a human way, and to hide his embarrassment, he went all the way to the point of divorcing his wife.

When we knowledge our sin before God humbly, we do not argue with men. But God starts to work for us. Luke 5:31-32 says the same truth. It says, “Jesus answered them, "It is not the healthy who need a doctor, but the sick. [32] I have not come to call the righteous, but sinners to repentance." Jesus came to call sinners to repentance. So he cannot call us and have fellowship with us when we are righteous before men. But there is a great joy for those who stand before God as the worst sinners. They have the peace of God in their hearts because God does not treat them as sinners but his own children. Those who acknowledge their sin and repent are God’s sons and daughters. So Peter said, “Repent”.

Second, Peter said, “be baptized, every one of you, in the name of Jesus Christ” to those who asked, “Brothers, what shall we do?” To be baptized in the name of Jesus Christ has more meaning than water baptism. Ultimately it means union with Christ. Let us read Romans 6:3-5. It reads, “[3] Or don't you know that all of us who were baptized into Christ Jesus were baptized into his death? [4] We were therefore buried with him through baptism into death in order that, just as Christ was raised from the dead through the glory of the Father, we too may live a new life. [5] If we have been united with him like this in his death, we will certainly also be united with him in his resurrection.” To be baptized in the name of Jesus Christ means to be united with Jesus in his death and resurrection. It means Jesus’ death and resurrection become our death and resurrection. How can this be? It is by faith. When we believe that Jesus died for our sins and was raised to life for our justification, we are united with him, in his death and resurrection. 

Once Dr. Samuel Lee delivered a Sunday message in Chicago and I was there. In his message he said that Jesus died for our sins and some of the audience said, “Amen!” Then, he immediately responded to them, saying, “Why don’t you believe it?” In this way, he challenged his people to truly believe that Jesus died for their sins and be united with him. His example shows faith is essential in the baptism with Jesus Christ. 

Third, Peter said “for the forgiveness of your sins.” The repentance and baptism in the name of Jesus was for the forgiveness of their sins. Peter said, "Repent and be baptized, every one of you, in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins.” (v.38a) As we see here in this verse, sin is the problem of all mankind because it breaks the relationship between God and men. And the solution for sin is either to be punished or forgiven. As much as our sin problem is fundamental, so is our ‘forgiveness’. 

God’s forgiveness of our sins is closely related to our forgiveness of our neighbors’ sin. They are like two sides of the same coin. God forgives our sins when we repent and are united with Jesus through faith. But we have a huge problem to forgive our neighbors. This trouble is so serious that some people even determined not to listen to the message of forgiveness. They determined not to forgive their neighbors because they thought that they were hurt too much. But we all have an un-forgiveness problem. If you think you do not, you are probably one of those who have a really serious un-forgiveness problem. And I am talking about forgiveness of our neighbors not strangers or our enemies. Our neighbors could be our wives, husbands, children, parents, spiritual seniors, shepherds, sheep, common life brothers and sisters, close workers, fellow Christian soldiers in the same church and etc. We cannot forgive our neighbors when we think about ourselves and our neighbors alone. How then can we forgive our neighbors? We can forgive them when we include God in our relationship between ourselves and our neighbors. Only when we stand before God and realize how much God forgives us can we forgive our neighbors.

So the bible abounds with the truth that to be forgiven by God means to forgive others. Mark 11:25 reads, “And when you stand praying, if you hold anything against anyone, forgive him, so that your Father in heaven may forgive you your sins." To forgive our neighbors who sinned against us secures God’s forgiveness of our sins. Do you have wounds and scars caused by others’ sin and mistakes? Were you hurt so much by others that you cannot forget what they did? Are your wounds and scars still bleeding? Do you have someone that you do not want to be near at all? Then you have an un-forgiveness problem. But let us forgive their sins so that God may also forgive our sins. To repent and be baptized in the name of Jesus is for the forgiveness of our sins and that was for the forgiveness of others. To receive God’s forgiveness of our sin, and to forgive our neighbors, and to be healed of our wounds and scars all happen at the same time.

Now, in today’s passage Peter said the forgiveness of one’s sin is the prerequisite for receiving the gift of the Holy Spirit. Receiving the Holy Spirit is the proof that one’s relationship with God is resolved through God’s forgiveness. Therefore Peter said, "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.” (v.38) Now what Peter said in verse 38 is a promise and this wonderful promise was for all people throughout generations. It means this promise is an everlasting promise which will never change. Let’s read verse 39. “The promise is for you and your children and for all who are far off--for all whom the Lord our God will call." (v.39) Do you know who are those who are far off that Peter mentioned? It means “us”, and those who will come after us. This promise is for those who repent and are baptized for the forgiveness of their sins.

Then Peter warned them with many other words and, and he pleaded with them, "Save yourselves from this corrupt generation." (V.40) How could Peter say, “Save yourselves from this corrupt generation” when only God can save men? Peter said this because God does not take away man’s freedom of choice even after he is saved. Each believer is responsible for his choices. He has to make a conscious choice to repent and believe in Jesus on a daily basis. No one can do that except him. So Peter said, “Save yourselves from this corrupt generation.” We who received the gift of the Holy Spirit should save ourselves from this corrupt generation by making right decisions continually. Now “Those who accepted his message were baptized, and about three thousand were added to their number that day.” (v.41) Jesus’ church was born through the powerful message of Peter. May the Lord bless us to deliver the message of repentance and forgiveness and 3,000 people may be added to our number as well.

One word: Repent and be baptized.

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