Acts 2:14a, 36-41 (NRSV)
Read Acts 2:14a, 36-41 on biblegateway.com
Verse 14But Peter, standing with the eleven, raised his voice and addressed them, "Men of Judea and all who live in Jerusalem, let this be known to you, and listen to what I say. Verse 36Therefore let the entire house of Israel know with certainty that God has made him both Lord and Messiah, this Jesus whom you crucified."
Verse 37Now when they heard this, they were cut to the heart and said to Peter and to the other apostles, "Brothers, what should we do?" Verse 38Peter said to them, "Repent, and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ so that your sins may be forgiven; and you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit. Verse 39For the promise is for you, for your children, and for all who are far away, everyone whom the Lord our God calls to him." Verse 40And he testified with many other arguments and exhorted them, saying, "Save yourselves from this corrupt generation." Verse 41So those who welcomed his message were baptized, and that day about three thousand persons were added.
Devotion
"Let all the house of Israel therefore know assuredly that God has made him both Lord and Christ, this Jesus whom you crucified." v. 36
Those were hard words coming from Peter at the conclusion of his Pentecostal sermon. It was a powerful, spirit-filled sermon and people were "cut to the heart," saying, "...what shall we do?" v.36
That is a very good question. It is a question that we could well ask ourselves, because it results in a wonderful answer. Peter responds with a word of grace, hope and salvation! "Repent, and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins; and you shall receive the gift of the Holy Spirit. For, the promise is to you and to your children and to all that are far off, every one whom the Lord calls to him." (v.38-39)
Praise be to God, and the promise is still valid for you and me!
Prayer
Lord God, thank you for your wonderful promise. Help me to live in the confidence of that promise today! Amen