Repent and be baptised.

Reading: Acts 2:38.     

“Then Peter said to them, “Repent, and let every one of you be baptized (in water) in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins; and you shall receive the gift of the Holy Spirit.”

          This verse of scripture happened on the “Day of Pentecost” as seen in Acts 2, when the early church received a powerful anointing from God, to bear witness of the Gospel (Good News) to all men/woman. It is not by accident that we use the word “Pentecost” in naming this church in Biddulph.

          After the 120 gathered believers received this blessing from God. Peter one of the early disciples of Jesus Christ begin to share his testimony of this experience with the gathering crowds. Ending his message to the listeners with these words: “Repent (turn away/turn around, from wrong things (sin), and be baptised.”

1^ST POINT: REPENT: “Repent, and let every one of you be baptized (in water) in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins.”

Here is the meaning of the word “salvation:” it is being saved or protected from harm or being saved or delivered from some terrible situation. In religion, salvation is stated as the saving of the soul from sin and its effects. It may also be called “redemption.” The Bible says it this way: “For the wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord” Romans 6:23.

If you have not yet taken this step, I strongly encourage you to do so as soon as possible. If you have not given your heart to Him, why not do it now? Can I repeat Peter’s words: “Repent, and let every one of you be baptized in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins” Acts 2:38. If you want to receive Jesus Christ as your Saviour today, the bible gives us a very simple way of doing it.

“Whoever calls on the name of the Lord Shall be saved” Acts 2:21.

2^ND POINT: BE BAPTISTED! “Repent, and let every one of you be baptized (in water) in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins;

The act of water baptism (being immersed in water is a response to receiving salvation) and is a very important first step in the Christian life.

Why be baptised? Let me put it this way:
A wedding ring is an outward sign that a person is married.

A military uniform is an outward sign that a person is involved in military service.

A football shirt is an outward sign that a person follow’s that team.

Water baptism is an outward sign that a person is a follower of Jesus Christ.

Baptism in water is an outward demonstration of these inward realities. In Biblical accounts, water represents inner cleansing (Ephesians 5:26; Hebrews 10:22) and spiritual rebirth (John 3:5).

Water Baptism is an image of life and death in Christ. Water baptism is, in essence, a funeral. It is an act of faith in which we testify, both to God and to family, friends, work or college mates, that the person we were before is dead and buried, and we are raised as a new creation in Christ.

This is beautifully illustrated by this Scripture:

“Therefore we are buried with him by baptism into death: that like as Christ was Therefore we were buried with Him through baptism into death, that just as Christ was raised from the dead by the glory of the Father, even so we also should walk in newness of life” Romans 6:4.

Being baptized is a command from God, not an option. It is an act that God requires of every believer. In fact, among Jesus’ last recorded words on earth were; “He who believes and is baptized will be saved” Mark 16:16. Think about that for a moment. Jesus’ very call to believe on Him includes a call to be baptized.

He must have seen it as being something very important, would you not say? In fact, in bible times, water baptism immediately followed a person’s salvation. They did not see it as something to be delayed or to be put off.

Modern Christianity carries a sort of “cooling off time period,” sadly because not everyone that makes a commitment to Christ stays with that commitment. Christians who do not begin with the most basic act of obedience, are building their walk with Christ, on a faulty foundation, this will make it more difficult to keep the other commandments of God.

Water baptism is a very powerful reminder of God’s wonderful love and grace to us. The person we were before is dead forever, and we are raised with Jesus as a totally new creation: Baptism is a thoughtful act of obedience that you will carry with you for the rest of your life.

Conclusion:

If you have not given your heart to Him, why not do it now? Can I conclude with Peter’s words: “Repent, and let every one of you be baptized in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins” Acts 2:38.