Acts 2:36-39

Good Friday  when Jesus died for me. John 3:16

Ephesians 2:13 But now in Christ Jesus you who once were far off have been brought near by the blood of Christ.

This story from Greg Boyle’s heartening book, The Whole Language: The Power of Extravagant Tenderness, is what my heart needed."Here’s the good news: the God we most deeply want IS the God we actually have, and the God we fear, is, in fact, the partial God we’ve settled for...SabbathMoments 

Acts 2:36-39

36 “Therefore let all the house of Israel know assuredly that God has made this Jesus, whom you crucified, both Lord and Christ.” 37 Now when they heard this, they were cut to the heart, and said to Peter and the rest of the apostles, “Men and brethren, what shall we do?” 38 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. 39 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.” The New King James Version

The Jewish mob who had killed Jesus had grossly misunderstood Him. God still used their actions to authenticate Him as both Israel’s king and the fulfillment of the promises about the Messiah. Many in the crowd respond to Peter’s sermon in repentance and faith, are baptized, and receive the gift of the Holy Spirit.

The Greek word used here, metanoeō, denotes a change of mind, will, or actions. Peter calls the people to believe that Jesus is the Messiah promised in the old testament. Peter’s exhortation involves two actions: repentance and baptism. These are connected with two promises: forgiveness of sins and the gift of the Holy Spirit.

In Acts, Luke presents saving faith, repentance, forgiveness, baptism, and the gift of the Spirit as interrelated aspects of embracing Jesus and coming to belong to the people of God in Christ. 

Just as circumcision served as a visible external marker of inclusion in the covenant community of Israel, so baptism serves as the public sign and seal of a person’s solidarity with Christ and participation in the new covenant community of faith, which encompasses both Jewish and non-Jewish people. Baptism identifies a person with Jesus in His life, death, burial, and resurrection. 

God does not overlook or ignore sin, but graciously frees those who belong to Jesus from its condemnation and power. 

Before His ascension, Jesus promised to send the Spirit to dwell in those who belong to Him, enabling them to trust and follow Him as their Savior and Lord. 

Peter could be referring to the applicability of the gospel message to the immediate members of a person’s household or more generally to the message of salvation reaching generations to come (the descendants of the people present). This could be a reference to Jews who lived in distant lands, but more likely is a reference to the nations who would hear the gospel throughout the whole earth. Faithlife Study Bible

Peter’s conclusion is clear: Jesus, the One who had been crucified, is both Lord and Christ.

Peter’s argument was irrefutable. Cut to the heart, the Judeans asked what they should do. This was the point of new birth. The Spirit of God brought conviction to their hearts, the springboard of action. Repentance for the Judeans involved rejecting their former attitudes and opinions concerning who Jesus was. 

When a person recognizes who Jesus Christ really is, the result is the desire to do what He commands. The first action that Jesus requires of a new believer is baptism, the outward expression of inward faith. The idea of an unbaptized Christian is foreign to the New Testament.

Is Peter saying that we must be baptized to receive forgiveness of our sins? Scripture clearly teaches that we are justified by faith alone, not by works. The critical word in this phrase is the word for, which may also be translated “with a view to.” Peter’s message makes it clear that “remission of sins” comes to “whoever believes.” Believers are baptized in view of God’s work of forgiveness, not in order to receive that forgiveness. God’s forgiveness in Christ gives baptism its significance. Baptism is a public declaration that a person’s sins have been forgiven because of the finished work of Christ on the Cross. 

The gift of the Holy Spirit was the promise of Jesus. The Holy Spirit puts us in communion with the Father and the Son. This indwelling of the Spirit is a beautiful promise of the New Covenant, an indication not only that our sins are forgiven, but also that the Lord has placed His law within us. 

Peter exhorted his listeners to repent. In other words, each person had to make the decision to turn away from his or her sinful habits and turn to God in faith. Then God would forgive that person’s sins and declare them righteous because of Jesus’ work on the Cross. 

In first-century Israel, a father held tremendous influence in his home. When a father chose to receive Christ and be baptized, his children would follow his lead. The NKJV Study Bible

Through the Saviour, the ways of life are made known; and we are encouraged to expect God’s presence, and his favour for evermore. All this springs from assured belief that Jesus is the Lord, and the anointed Saviour. From the first delivery of that Divine message, it appeared that there was Divine power going with it; and thousands were brought to the obedience of faith. But neither Peter’s words, nor the miracle they witnessed, could have produced such effects, had not the Holy Spirit been given. Matthew Henry’s Concise Commentary

Isaiah 44:3 For I will pour water on him who is thirsty, and floods on the dry ground; I will pour My Spirit on your descendants, and My blessing on your offspring;

Joel 2:28 “And it shall come to pass afterward that I will pour out My Spirit on all flesh; Your sons and your daughters shall prophesy,Your old men shall dream dreams,Your young men shall see visions.

Luke 24:47 and that repentance and remission of sins should be preached in His name to all nations, beginning at Jerusalem.