Photo by Jametlene Reskp
By Mike Chaffin
Then Peter said to them, “Repent, and let every one of you be baptized in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins; and you shall receive the gift of the Holy Spirit. Acts 2:38
A great question requires a great response. One that is bold, direct, easy to understand, and filled with truth. Peter’s answer to the people’s question hits on every point.
This verse is in response to a sermon Peter preached to a crowded street. When he paused explaining Jesus is the way, the truth and the Christ, the people asked, “Brother what shall we do?”
Peter was ready with the right answer at the right time. Convicted of sin and the need for salvation the people cried out. They didn’t know Jesus or how to even ask for forgiveness. They saw the newness of life, vitality, and love, in the words and pleas of Peter. Today the answer to being lost in sin is the same as Peter’s, repent, be baptized and filled with the Holy Spirit.
Repentance saves us from our sins. From repentance we receive forgiveness and acceptance into God’s kingdom.
Baptism outwardly shows the world we are now dead to the world, we are figurately washing the sins away to start our new life clean of all the devil’s claims on us.
We receive the Holy Spirit at repentance and asking Jesus to live in us. Paul says it best,
In Him you also trusted, after you heard the word of truth, the gospel of your salvation; in whom also, having believed, you were sealed with the Holy Spirit of promise, Ephesians 1:13
What answer will you give to someone who asks you about faith in Jesus Christ? Answer in boldness, clarity, and truth in the most loving and discerning way possible.
If you can’t answer that question, it’s time to mature in the faith and learn the basics of what you believe and why. The Bible tells us to be ready “in season and out of season” to give an answer for our faith. Take the example of the fig tree that had no fruit as reason enough to study to show yourself approved.
Prayer: Dear Lord, thank you for saving us from our sins. Fill us with the Holy Spirit. You are an awesome God. Lord, help me as I study your Word to find out how to answer when asked about you. Give me boldness and let me hear the nudging of the Holy Spirit to share the good news. In Jesus’ name, amen.
* There is a website that conducted a search for Bible verses. They compiled a list of the verses in order of the magnitude of hits they got in their search. Some of these verses qualify as ‘people’s favorites’, while others might be on the list because they are some of the most important and most teachable words of God.
