Peter replied, “Repent and be baptized, every one of you, in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins. And you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit.”
Acts 2:38 NIV
Forgiveness
According to Belair Direct, eight out of ten Canadians drive a car regularly and six out of ten have been involved in a road accident. Canadians who have been involved in a road accident or have had a mishap are more likely to agree with statements promoting forgiveness than those who haven’t. Similarly, Canadians who have been involved in a road accident or have had a mishap are less likely to agree with statements mentioning grudge or the difficulty of forgiving than those who haven’t.
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Over half of Canadians understand the importance of forgiveness. It frees the one who sinned from continuing to carry the burden of guilt and the innocent party from continuing to carry the burden of anger and bitterness. If unredeemed Canadians get this, how much more should those of us who have experienced forgiveness of sins by our heavenly Father through Jesus’ death and resurrection. In Acts 2:38 we read, “Peter replied, ‘Repent and be baptised, every one of you, in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins. And you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit.’” Peter has just preached the first Spirit-filled post-Pentecost sermon, explaining to the gathered crowd who Jesus is and what He accomplished by His life, death and resurrection. With good homiletics, he ends the sermon with clear steps on how to respond to the truth he has presented – Jesus died and rose again so we must repent and take the first step of obedience for the new follower of Jesus – baptism in water. When we do, we are born again and the Holy Spirit takes up residence in our lives. The forgiveness that Jesus offers will set you free.
These have been words from the heart.
Bob Beasley