Repent!

On the day of Pentecost, when Peter had explained to the people what was happening, he preached the gospel of Christ. When he concluded with the words, "Therefore let all the house of Israel know assuredly that God has made this Jesus, whom you crucified, both Lord and Christ" (Acts 2:36), the people "were cut to the heart, and said to Peter and the rest of the apostles, 'Men and brethren, what shall we do?'" (v. 37).

Peter gave a profound answer to this heartfelt question. He said, "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" (v. 38). Then he added, "For the promise is to you and to your children, and to all who are afar off, as many as the Lord our God will call" (v. 39).

In New Testament Greek, the word "repent" (v. 38) suggests the idea of changing one's "mind or purpose" (W. E. Vine, M.A., Vine’s Expository Dictionary of New Testament Words, Unabridged Edition, [MacDonald Publishing Company: McLean, Virginia, no copyright], 962), in this case, turning away from sin. It involves "both a turning from sin and a turning to God" (Ibid, 963). Hence, the idea of a one hundred and eighty degree turnaround in the direction your life is going. You turn away from your sin, leaving it behind, and turn to God, believing in Him by faith.

The need of every sinner is repentance. "Repent," declared Peter. Repent and believe, and your sins will be forgiven, you will be saved, and you will receive the gift of God's Spirit. Baptism is an outward sign of an inward change. It is a sign that says you believe and now belong to Jesus. It is a sign of repentance.

The "promise" (v. 39) is for both Jew ("to you and to your children") and Gentile ("to all who are afar off"). The "promise" is for "as many as the Lord our God will call" (v. 39b). God calls sinners to repentance. Do you hear God's call to repent? Amen.