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REPENTANCE AND BAPTISM
FRIDAY, JULY 24
Acts 2:37-40

Matthew 4:17

 

“Repent ye:

for the kingdom of heaven is at hand.”

 

REPENTANCE AND BAPTISM
 
What must I do to be saved? As natural man who knows not the way, the work that he must do to be saved is always the question. Man’s corrupt minds have that default system to ask what they must do to be saved.
 
Pricked: Upon hearing the words of Peter, the hearers’ consciences were pierced thoroughly or agitated violently. It must have been the Holy Spirit pricking their hearts. The Jews could not argue against Peter. They knew the truth of the words of their patriarch David. They acknowledged that their only reward was nothing but condemnation, and so they asked Peter, “What shall we do?” (Acts 2:37).
 
Prompted: Peter showed them the way to Christ which is only through repentance and faith. Peter mentioned repentance first as they needed to acknowledge their sins before God. The term “repentance” denotes a change of heart, mind and will. It affects the life, behavior and conduct of the person. By a changed heart and mind that knew no hope except condemnation because of sin, the person puts his faith in the Lord Jesus Christ. As the hearers believed, they needed to be baptised as a sign and seal of the inward grace working in their lives. The pricking of the heart is God’s inward call unto those whom He has chosen. For as many as the Lord will call will believe! The remission of their sins is not a mechanical conferment of forgiveness through the ceremony of baptism. Water baptism is a sign and seal, to the faithful recipient, of the forgiveness of his sins in Christ by faith alone!
 
Promised: It was to the Jews that the promise of salvation was first given. Though the blessing was first granted to Israel, Abraham’s seed would be a blessing to the whole earth. Thank God, the Lord also called the Gentiles, for as many as He had chosen He would call and justify!
 
Have you believed in Jesus? Have you repented of your sins? Is there the fruit of repentance manifested by the change of heart, mind and will?
 
THOUGHT: Am I a new creation in Christ?

PRAYER: Father, may I repent and believe in Jesus.

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