The Foundation

Acts 2:37-38

37 Peter’s words pierced their hearts, and they said to him and to the other apostles, “Brothers, what should we do?”

38 Peter replied, “Each of you must repent of your sins and turn to God, and be baptized in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins. Then you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit.

In the upper room, all the believers were gathered together in one place. Suddenly, there was a noise from the sky which sounded like a strong wind blowing. And it filled the whole house where they were sitting. What looked like tongues of fire spread out and touched each person there. And they were all filled with the Holy Spirit, and they spoke in new tongues. This was the day of Pentecost, promised and foretold by the prophets and Jesus. Some were confused and others said that they were drunk. Then Peter rose up and exclaimed in a loud voice to them that they were not drunk. The promise of receiving the Holy Spirit was being fulfilled. He explained and told them what was prophesied by Joel and King David.  Then, Peter seized the moment to share the gospel with people! He started preaching about Jesus Christ, whom they had crucified and nailed to the cross! The one whom death could not keep, but was raised from the dead. The one who sits at the right hand of our Father God. When people heard Peter talking, their hearts were pierced by his words. People listening asked him: “Brothers, what should we do?” Then Peter proceeded to say these words:

“Repent from your sins” He said. The Kingdom of heaven is a kingdom of Holiness. It is written in Psalms: “Blessed are the holy ones, for they shall see God.” Our first step to enter and advance in the Kingdom of God is to acknowledge that we are sinners and repent of our sins; Our God is faithful to cleanse us from our unrighteousness as we confess our sins. Repent and ask for the blood of Jesus to cleanse you; there is no sin that He cannot forgive, and there is no past that he cannot redeem. His mercy and love are beyond what we can imagine.

“Turn to God” It is written: “What shall we say, then? Shall we go on sinning so that grace may increase? By no means! We are those who have died to sin; how can we live in it any longer ”. Some people say, I’ll repent of my sins, and God is faithful and merciful to forgive me; then let me keep on sinning. Brethren, God cannot be mocked; you can not outsmart him. He sees everything; he is omniscient; he knows our ways, our thoughts, and our plans. Start the journey of searching for God and what pleases him. Pray, fast, read your bible, and submit to his instructions.

This also means “taking up your cross and following him”. This means denying yourself, your desires, your own control and accepting to be under total submission to Jesus Christ. This might result in losing some friendships, family, opportunities, and so on. But He is faithful to those who do so; Jesus shall acknowledge them before the Father and reward them.

“Be baptized in the name of Jesus Christ”. Baptism is an act of obedience to Christ’s command. Jesus said: “Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit,  and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age. ” Since Jesus left a command for us to be baptized and baptize others, we should do it to demonstrate our love for him. It is written: “If you love me, keep my commands”. Another very important point is that “Baptism connects us to the body of Christ”; it is a public confession of your faith and commitment to him. It is a practical demonstration of what has happened in your spiritual life. In Romans it is written: “We were therefore buried with him through baptism into death in order that, just as Christ was raised from the dead through the glory of the Father, we too may live a new life. For if we have been united with him in a death like His, we will certainly also be united with Him in a resurrection like his. ”

“Receive the gift of the Holy Spirit”, Jesus said: “And I will ask the Father, and he will give you another advocate to help you and be with you forever 17 the Spirit of truth. The world cannot accept him, because it neither sees him nor knows him. But you know him, for he lives with you and will be in you. ” When you accept Jesus Christ as your Lord and savior, the Holy Spirit lives in you; he guides, comforts, and is with you all the times. The Holy Spirit intercedes for you when you don’t know how to pray; He sanctifies you, He helps you walk in the right path and know what is on the mind of the Father. He is the helper that guides you to be more like Christ in every aspect of your life as you accept him to lead you.

In conclusion, this privilege we have is because of the work that Christ has done on the cross! He was without blame or any unrighteousness on him, but he carried our sins and paid the price. So that we could be set free and be reconciled with God. Let’s cherish the cross and the love Christ has shown us.