Peter's Second Sermon

In the last blog entry, we discussed the first sermon that Peter preached after Jesus had left them and gone back to heaven.  In that speech, Peter was asked by the Jewish people, who realized that they were guilty in having Jesus killed, "What shall we do?"  The apostle's answer was "Repent and be baptized....for the remission of sins." 

In this second sermon, given in Acts chapter 3, after healing a lame man, Peter says, "Men Israel, why do you marvel at this?  Or why look so intently at us, as though by our own power or godliness we had made this man walk?"  He explains to them that it is by the power of God that Jesus triumphed over death, just as it was the power of God that healed this lame man. 

Using different words, but the same main thought, Peter proceeds to tell the people that they need to be converted:  "Repent therefore and be converted, that your sins may be blotted out, so that times of refreshing may come from the presence of the Lord...."

In Acts 2, the apostles say, "Repent, and let every one of you be baptized in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins;  and you shall receive the gift of the Holy Spirit."

In Acts 3, Peter says, "Repent therefore and be converted, that your sins may be blotted out, so that times of refreshing may come from the presence of the Lord."

 This isn't two differing instructions; it is just the same process being stated in two different ways.  This is a common way of teaching that is found in the New Testament.  Many times we must look at a number of passages to get the whole lesson about a subject. 

We see the term "repent" used in both of these passages.  Repent simply means to "change."  It isn't enough to say we are sorry, to confess.  The Lord expects us to change our behavior, to repent. 

And to be baptized is a part of the conversion process, as it says in Acts 2, to be baptized for the remission, or forgiveness, of sins.

Acts chapters 1-3 are wonderful reading.....and very enlightening. 

Thanks for reading.  Have a great week!