Peter said to them, “Repent, and be baptized, every one of you, in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of sins, and you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit. Acts 2:38 WEB
Jesus promised his disciples in John 14:13. “I will pray to the Father, and he will give you another Counselor, that he may be with you forever. WEB” Further, the Lord describes the purpose of the Holy Spirit. Jesus says in John 16:13 saying, “However when he, the Spirit of truth, has come, he will guide you into all truth, for he will not speak from himself; but whatever he hears, he will speak. He will declare to you things that are coming. WEB”
In Acts 2:38, Peter makes an appeal to his listeners. He calls them to repent from their sins and believe in Jesus Christ. But before Peter made that appeal, he and his fellow believers experienced the fulfillment of Jesus’ promise to send the Holy Spirit. As the Holy Spirit filled Jesus’ followers, they miraculously spoke in languages foreign to their own. Others in the multinational assembly interpreted what was said, recognizing the speech in the language from their birthplace. This event occurred in the presence of believers and non believers alike.
The Promise Is to You
Upon witnessing the spectacle of an entire congregation of Jesus followers receiving the Holy Spirit at the same time, a conflict arose among the onlookers. Some wondered if the Christians were drunk. But the foreign born from distant lands who heard Galilean men speak the word of God in their language were amazed. These congregants to Jerusalem came from Mesopotamia, Asia, Libya, Egypt and many other places. There were Arabs and Cretans, a vast number of countries represented.
The Jewish population scattered abroad came to Jerusalem to celebrate Pentecost and the disciples seeded the gospel of Christ to the known world. As Peter referenced the prophet Joel and the psalms, he presented Jesus to the crowd as the promised Savior. People from diverse nations found the forgiveness of sins that comes when we repent from sin and place our faith in Christ. Because of the pouring out of God’s Holy Spirit that day, many more people experience the forgiveness of sin to this very day.
Concerning the forgiveness of sins God promises for those who repent and believe in Christ, Peter says in Acts 2:39, “For the promise is to you, and to your children, and to all who are far off, even as many as the Lord our God will call to himself. WEB” As we read in 1 John 1:19, “If we confess our sins, he is faithful and righteous to forgive us the sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.
Prayer: “Father God, thank you for the forgiveness of sins. Thank you for my brothers and sisters in Christ.” Guide me with your Holy Spirit. Help me to live in accordance with your word and will. In Jesus name – Amen”
Yesterday’s Devotional: If Anyone Is Thirsty
