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Acts 2:37-38
What must we do to be saved? (Acts 2:37)
- HEAR (v.37) – “when they HEARD”: Truth comes from God, not us.
- THINK (v.37) – “heard THIS” – Read the 1st sermon preached post resurrection (Acts 2:14-36). It has three points: 1) God proved Jesus was the Christ/Messiah; 2) Sinners (Romans/Gentiles and Jews) falsely executed Jesus; 3) God resurrected Jesus. The emphasis is on God, Jesus, and the Holy Spirit working to save us. Listening, it is learned thinking on evidence is believing. Their question, “What must we do?” is a confession they think and believe Jesus is Christ.
- FEEL (v.37): “they were PIERCED to the heart”: Hearing, thinking leads to feeling remorse. God’s message showed their guilt; truth hurts!
- DO (vv.37-38): “What must we DO?”; “REPENT and be BAPTIZED” – If anyone says we can’t do something because that’s works, they contradict the very first sermon! Repentance means “to change the mind.” Change comes from thinking on and believing evidence. They were also told to be baptized “in the name of Jesus” because Jesus is the Savior. This is one way to confess Him.
- RECEIVE (vv.37-38): “for [lit. into] the FORGIVENESS of sins”; “RECEIVE the gift of the HOLY SPIRIT.” The sermon emphasizes Jesus’ death, burial, and resurrection which baptism is. Being dead because of sin, we bury the sinner, and are resurrected forgiven by blood. God is the one who is working in baptism (Colossians 2:12). The gift of the Holy Spirit is new life (Isaiah 44:1-5; John 3:16) as we become new creation (2 Corinthians 5:17).
Do you accept God’s inspired message? (Acts 2:41)
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