Lesson 4599

 (Lesson 4599)(09-06-24) Acts 2:37-39 

   “Now when they heard this, they were pricked in their heart, and said unto Peter and to the rest of the apostles, Men and brethren, what shall we do? Then Peter said unto them, Repent, and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins, and ye shall receive the gift of the Holy Ghost. For the promise is unto you, and to your children, and to all that are afar off, even as many as the Lord our God shall call.” 

 

   Today’s quote relates that, after hearing Peter’s message about Jesus being Lord and Christ, the people were convicted and asked what they should do. Peter responded by calling them to ‘repent and be baptized in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins’, promising that they would receive the gift of the Holy Spirit. The baptism Peter spoke of here is an eternal immersion into the soul redeeming cloak of Jesus Christ through faith. In other words, they were to believe in Jesus with all their hearts. That baptism symbolizes the believer’s spiritual participation in Jesus’ death, burial, and resurrection. Peter WAS NOT referring to the ritual water baptism that was required by Jewish law, but rather, to a spiritual baptism that comes by faith, leading to the forgiveness (justification) of sins and the indwelling of the Holy Spirit. This baptism, which initiates a spiritual rebirth, is about entering into a new life in Christ, through faith in His sacrifice and resurrection. ~