If a police officer issues a summons, you need to pay attention and show up in court. How much more do you need to respond when the summons comes from God, Acts 2:38–39!
Listen to God’s summons. Repent! God’s call (verse 39) might be translated “summons,” see Acts 4:18. It is a call, not only to Israel, but to the nations to repent as the blessing of the Holy Spirit extends beyond the Old Testament covenant people. The command grows out of a conviction of sin, verse 37. Don’t allow the call to repentance to be minimized as you present the gospel. Though it may not be popular to call people to repentance, ambiguity regarding man’s sinfulness makes it impossible to appreciate the depths of God’s grace in Christ. Repentance involves a change of mind, leading to a new life. It not only marks conversion, but also characterizes the entire Christian life this side of heaven. The kingdom belongs to those who have turned (and continue to turn) from sin to Christ. Peter’s command in his Pentecost sermon echoes through the years to your ears as well.
Continue reading “Baptism and God’s Promise”