Acts 2: 14a, 36-41v 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.”
Peter shouted to the crowd! God made Jesus both Lord and Messiah. Peter’s words pierced their hearts, “What should we do?” 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.” Then Peter continued preaching for a long time, strongly urging all his listeners, “Save yourselves from this crooked generation.” Those who believed what Peter said were baptized and added to the church that day- about 3,000 in all.
What a crowd. For 3,000 to be baptized there must have been more people listening, no wonder Peter was shouting! On this earth Sunday there are many people shouting about this crooked generation that are destroying the planet. From forests to bees to oceans there is a need for us all to do something this week to help our planet.( see more Earth Day Wednesday) But maybe the best thing to do first is to repent and be saved! Regular confession is part of our weekly if not daily spiritual practice. Take a few minutes now to think about all the things that you haven’t done so well this week through the lens of the love of Jesus. Ask for forgiveness, then feel cleansed as if baptized in water.
Prayer: Heavenly Father, we thank you for offering all who repent, salvation in the name of Jesus Christ. Amen.
CrossWalk 