The Message of Pentecost

A Word of Truth #098 (Acts 2:38-39) 

On the Feast of Pentecost, God sent the Holy Spirit to the disciples. On that miraculous day, Peter stood up among the people and said: “Repent and let every one of you be baptized in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins…for the promise is to you and to your children, and to all who are afar off, as many as the Lord our God will call” (Acts 2:38-39).

Peter’s Pentecost message is the message of the Gospel. Repent! Recognize your failings in keeping God’s law, view your sins with sorrow, but then also look to Christ for forgiveness! Be baptized in the name of the Triune God and receive the forgiveness Christ won for you on the cross!

The need for repentance and forgiveness is universal. It is not limited to the crowd on Pentecost. The reality of sin is in us all—young and old. Forgiveness and life through Christ and baptism is a gift from God for all –young and old. The promise is to you and to your children.

Doctrine Matters

A Word of Truth #099 (cf. Acts 2:42) 

“Deeds, not creeds” has been a cry heard throughout Christian Church history. People concerned about a lack of godly living among Christians often maintain that how you live is much more important than what you believe. Such thinking leads to a false “either/or” situation—either godly living or a strong emphasis on doctrine. The Bible calls for a “both/and” approach. We are both to build our spiritual lives on a solid basis of biblical truth, for doctrine matters, and we are to practice godly living—a lifestyle flowing from that biblical truth. This was certainly the case among the early Christians. We are told that those early believers “continued steadfastly in the apostles’ doctrine and fellowship, in the breaking of bread and in prayer” (Acts 2:42). Let us follow their example!