Forgiveness

 Acts 2:38 ESV

And Peter said to them, “Repent and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins, and you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit. 


We all need forgiveness. However moral we may be, we've all sinned. We all fall short of God's glory.

Repentance is the key that unlocks the door of forgiveness. We need to do a 180° turn from our selfishness/self-righteousness. We must trust in God to save us.

I don't think Peter's talking about water baptism here. Water baptism is a sign that we've been spiritually baptised in the blood of Jesus. When we do so, we receive his Holy Spirit. Salvation and the Spirit go hand in hand.

This verse helps to debunk the idea that there's a 'second blessing' of 'first class' Christians who are 'baptised in the Holy Spirit'. Every one of us who repents gets baptised in the Holy Spirit the moment we believe in Jesus Christ. We mustn't let the gift 'gather dust' though as it were!

'Sovereign God, we praise you for forgiveness and the gift of your Holy Spirit. May we repent, receive and utilise your gift and not neglect him. For your glory we ask this, amen'.

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