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Salvation is all about repentance, and the forgiveness that only comes through Jesus!

When we are baptized we are washed clean and filled with the Holy Spirit. The Holy Spirit is our gift from God, He will always live inside us, helping us each day because God knows the struggles we will face.

Peter's first words to them were "Repent and be baptized". We hear the salvation message preached quite regularly, even today but "repent" is a message we seldom hear, and it is just as important as the word that Jesus loves and saves any who will commit themselves to Him. I'm just in the process of reading the book, "Good or God" by John Bevere. A book well worth the reading, which stresses the point of repentance. So many I've known who asked Jesus to save them but often they just carry on life as before, rather than studying what the Bible teaches and follow it, since it is God's word which He inspired man to write. Repent is stated here in this verse and again in the next chapter, Act 3:19 "Repent ye therefore, and be converted, that your sins may be blotted out, when the times of refreshing shall come from the presence of the Lord;" Repentance is a key factor in our salvation and in his book, John Bevere shows how important it really is. A book WELL worth the reading and I'm only about a third through it at this point. I have the DVDs and CDs that accompany it too but want to read the book before I even watch or listen. Help me, Lord, to concentrate on the truth of Your word, so as not to miss eternity with You and my brothers and sisters in Christ, when we meet You in heaven for all eternity. Amen

120 of the followers of Jesus had gathered to wait and pray for the power Jesus had promised [Acts 1:15]. The Spirit was poured out, and they were all filled with Him. They supernaturally spoke the languages of the people that were gathered for the Jewish Feast of Pentecost. Peter preached the first sermon of the newly born church of Jesus Christ. Thousands of people were convicted of their sin. Preaching the truth about Jesus Christ in Acts 2, Peter left thousands of convicted listeners asking the same question: “What shall we do now?” The apostle’s response is simple: “Repent, and . . . be baptized in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins” [Acts 2:38]. As a result, 3,000 people were added to the new church that day [Acts 2:41]. Is this the message of most churches today? Does it seem strange that Peter said “repent” instead of “believe”? Actually, Scripture often uses these concepts interchangeably. You see, repentance and faith are really two sides of the same coin: Both are essential for salvation, and each is dependent upon the other. In terms of salvation, you cannot separate faith and repentance—both happen simultaneously. In order to be saved, you must place faith in Christ for the forgiveness of sins, and that faith decision requires a change of mind (repentance) about your way of life. Yet many people mistakenly believe they must change their way of living long before they can make a faith decision for the Savior. The truth is, repentance does not mean that we must completely change our ways and “clean ourselves up” so we can receive Christ as Lord. If anyone is holding off on a decision for Christ until they think they are “ready” or “worthy,” they’re waiting in vain. Jesus is ready to receive everyone right now. Only as a child of God will any of us find the power—His power—to truly become the person we were created to be. Our assignment is to share this truth. It is also interesting to me to note that this is Peter’s first public occasion in preaching! This is the same Peter who had PUBLICLY DENIED even knowing Jesus [John 18]! Preaching today should be no different than that first sermon. It should be given in the power of the Spirit. It should convict of sin. It should cause the hearers to ask what God wants them to do. The disciples told the people to repent and be baptized. In other words, have a complete change of mind and attitude, and give yourself to a new master, Jesus the Messiah. Baptism was not only a declaration that you were beginning a new direction in life, but it also declared you were submitting yourself to a new master. In the power of the Holy Spirit, Peter preached a message that he did not fully understand. He declared that the promise was for all who are far off, for all whom the Lord our God will call. He interpreted it as meaning for the scattered Jews since his audience was Jew in Jerusalem to celebrate Pentecost. God would have to speak to him, which is recorded later in this book of Acts, to help him understand more fully what he had preached [Acts 10:27, 34, 45]. Peter's message bore fruit and it was not because of Peter's great wisdom or oratory skills ["unschooled, ordinary" according to Acts 4:13]. It was fruitful because the Spirit was in Him and was given the freedom to work through Him. Here is a lesson for each of us and our ministry: If our service to Jesus is going to bear fruit, we must be courageous; we must empowered with the Holy Spirit; we must tell others about Jesus! . We can also see a number of characteristics of any healthy Christian's life today. Notice that there is the devotion to learning about Jesus, fellowship with other believers, communion, and prayer. And recognize that it would be centuries before Christian churches were built. They shared meals with glad and sincere hearts. They spent time praising God. They had a good reputation as they walked in the fruits of the Spirit. Then we have that beautiful last line in verse 47. The Lord added daily to their group. Everyday people came to saving faith in Jesus. I didn't read about any witnessing program. It was simply the living examples of these new converts, their joy, and their example that drew others. Surely when people asked them, they told of how Jesus was transforming them personally. But notice Who added? The Lord did! It was not human effort. Perhaps if we have all these wonderful elements of that early church, we too will see the Lord add to our numbers those who are being saved. Are we demonstrating all those elements of that early church? What can we do to add them to our spiritual life? I think that every Christian “preaches a sermon” everyday by our example….is it Christ that others see in us? I am reminded, “Let us consider how to provoke one another to love and good deeds” [Hebrews 10:24].

Repent. One of the hardest words to perform. Meaning to Turn away from sinning and following God and his way and be baptised in Jesus name and we will receive forgiveness for our sins

The promise of the Holy Spirit is to all who believe. Amen.

Let's share this message with Holy Spirit power and see many become followers of Jesus Christ our Messiah and Lord.

Peter knew better than anyone how great it was to be forgiven for his sins, he had made many mistakes just like all of us.We need to be forgiven everyday for our sins . Just ask in the name of Jesus Christ and you will be forgiven. God will send you the Holy Spirit to help,guide, and teach you.