After Jesus has ascended into Heaven, the perfect time comes for Him to send the promised Holy Spirit on all the believers, 120 people, gathered in a house in Jerusalem. Only 120! But they were serious believers, gathered for worship and prayer for weeks on end, waiting for God’s timing. Suddenly, at the Jewish feast of Pentecost, it happens! A mighty rushing wind from Heaven fills the house where they are praying, and tongues of fire appear on each and every believer. All are filled with the Holy Spirit, and start speaking foreign languages they never learnt! Languages of all the international Jews who have gathered for the festival. Genius timing. And these 120 women and men rush out into the streets of Jerusalem and start telling the mighty works of God to the crowds in all these different languages. Peter gets up and gives a sermon all about Who Jesus was and how He died on the cross and rose again from the dead. They ask, “Brothers, what shall we do?” And Peter tells them: repent, believe, receive. Repent of our sins, believe Jesus forgives and redeems us, and receive the Holy Spirit into our hearts. Repent, believe, receive.
Everybody sins. We are all snake-bit, we all fail God. Peter explains that everyone is guilty of the blood of Christ; whether we were there or not, our sins drove Christ to the cross. Christ’s once-for-all sacrifice covers the sin of all human souls, but we must repent.
Repentance is the prerequisite of grace. John the Baptist said it, Jesus said it, and now Peter is saying it: repent! What does it mean? Admitting we are sinners and need forgiveness, and committing to turning around and stop sinning.
That’s not easy. My biggest stumbling block to receiving Christ was admitting I was a sinner. I was busy going about my life, trying to earn my way to Heaven by being righteous in my own power. Couldn’t admit I was wrong about anything. I figured if my good outweighed my bad, I was in. I thought I was a pretty good person. When I finally realized that even one sin would keep me out of Heaven, and that Jesus died to save me from my sin – including believing I wasn’t really a sinner – it was such a relief! When I realized that everybody else was in the same boat I was, it was such a relief! And when it hit me that even if I were the only sinner on earth Jesus still would have died for me, I was overwhelmed. I hit my knees and confessed to God that I was a sinner and needed the forgiveness of Jesus. From that moment I believed that Jesus Christ could save me, and received Him as my Savior. From that moment I was redeemed, a beloved child of God. From that moment I received the Holy Spirit into my heart to help me. From that moment I started walking in repentance. And the Holy Spirit helped me, and still helps me, to turn away from sin and to choose righteousness. It is a journey, and oftentimes I still fail, but the Holy Spirit picks me up, brushes me off, and puts my feet back on the path to eternal life. I pray and am forgiven, and each day I walk more faithfully, all by the grace of God.
Peter also calls the people to be baptized. This is the believing step, this is going public, just like Jesus did, telling everyone He is our Savior. We receive forgiveness, we receive Christ, and we get the gift of the Holy Spirit. Our uplink to God, the Spirit not only empowers our repentance, He teaches us, gives us spiritual gifts, and gives us a calling in Christ, a Kingdom-purpose for life. Promised to us, our kids, and all those who are far off who haven’t even heard the Good News yet, the Holy Spirit comes to all of us who repent, believe, and receive.
Today’s prayer is the Believer’s Prayer. Said sincerely, it is the gateway to faith. If you have never prayed this, never received Christ Jesus as Lord and Savior, now is a great time to pray this prayer. And it’s always a good reminder to us who believe. I prayed it when I was saved, and I pray it often, to remind myself that we all need to repent, believe, and receive Christ as Savior.
The Believer’s Prayer: Lord Jesus Christ, You are the Savior, the Son of God, Who died on the cross for me and rose again from the dead. I believe in You, and ask Your forgiveness for all my sin. Father God, through Christ I ask that You make me Your child, and give me eternal life in Him. Holy Spirit, come into my heart and give me power to live a new life, for I pray in Jesus’ name, amen.