Acts 2:38-41 Recent news stories have covered the phenomenon of shoppers at Target stores. Customers have swamped the stores to buy designer clothes and other items at a really low price. News of the bargains spread quickly as people shared this information with others.
It’s amazing to me how excited we can get about a bargain and how dull we can be about our faith. In Acts 2 Peter has stood up and is speaking to a crowd of people who have witnessed the working of the Holy Spirit. He tells them all about Jesus, about how he is the Lord. In response the crowd asks what they are to do.
What does Peter tell the people to do? What will they receive? What did he plead with them about? How did many respond?
Peter knew the importance of a life in Christ. He knew how important it is to repent of our sins and to begin the spiritual growth of faith, goodness, knowledge, self-control, perseverance and godliness. He was so excited about this important news that he was very emphatic when talking about Jesus and faith.
Peter urged those who heard him to turn their lives around and begin the journey of faith in Jesus. He urged them to be baptized, to make a public confession of this new life. The Bible even says that “he pleaded with them.” The words convey the urgency Peter felt.
We may not all be like Peter. We may not all have the gift of public persuasion that this disciple possessed. But we are called to make disciples. We are all called to invite others into a relationship of brotherly kindness and love.
If we can have our own faith grow into greatness, if we can add to our faith goodness, knowledge, self-control, perseverance and godliness, then we can also add to our faith the practice of brotherly kindness and love. We can welcome others into the family of God. We can stand with them as they accept Jesus as Savior and as they are baptized to mark this new faith.
Perhaps then we will see an increase in numbers of believers in our churches.
DAILY CHALLENGE: How can you share your passion for God?
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