Mar 5

Acts 2:14-41
Memorise Romans 10:17
“…the gospel of Christ, …it is the power of God unto salvation.”

There are two records in Acts that are similar yet at the same time very different. Acts 2, which is our passage for today, and Acts 5. Acts 2 records the sermon that Peter preached on the day of Pentecost. Peter spoke from the scriptures to the thousands gathered there that day about how the Lord Jesus Christ was the chosen Messiah foretold of old. He proved from the Old Testament prophecy that Jesus was truly the Son of God. Peter reported how they crucified Him, how God raised Christ from the dead and how Christ now sits at the right hand of God and will return one day. Upon hearing this, the hearts of the people were pricked. Their response; “Men and brethren, what shall we do?” (Acts 2:37). Peter told them to repent. That very day, three thousand were saved! In Acts 5:29-32, Peter was again speaking, but this time the audience consisted of the high priest and the Sanhedrin council. It was a similar message. Peter announced that they were guilty of crucifying Christ who is the Son of God. Acts 5:33 tells us that they were “cut to the heart”. But this was different because the next action was that they planned how they could kill Peter and those who were with him. What a completely different response! Both groups of people were given the wonderful truth concerning Christ. One was moved to repentance, another was moved to greater sin.

Which group do you belong to? When you hear God’s Word, what is your response? Are you convicted? Is your heart moved? And if so, is your conviction one that leads you to repentance or is it one that makes you hate God’s Word even more? For some of you, God’s Word may even hold no flavour. It is bland. You hear it, but it moves you not to repentance nor to hatred. If God’s Word does not bring you to God, then beware. Hebrews 9:27 tell us that all man will die and after that, judgment. Solomon in Ecclesiastes 12:14 tells us judgment awaits all. Every work, whether good or evil will be brought before God, there is no escape. If you fail to believe and embrace this truth while you are on earth, the consequence is eternal damnation. There will be no second chance. And yet, the same Word that you now hate or have no feeling for tells us in John 5:39 that it contains all that you need to attain eternal life. If you seek, you will find. It is there for you.

Thought: If God’s Word is true, shouldn’t I obey it?
Prayer: Father, prick my heart unto repentance.