Scripture Reading: ness of your sins.” (Acts 2:38 ... · Scripture Reading: Acts 5:29-32 The word...

31 Fourteen e G ospel Promises Scripture Reading: Acts 5:29-32 The word ‘Gospel’ literally means ‘good news,’ and the teaching of the apostles was positive in how it shared the blessings of the Gospel. In particular, the apostolic proc- lamation of the Gospel high- lighted the gifts of forgiveness and the Holy Spirit. The promise of forgiveness is repeated throughout Acts. The apostles repeatedly empha- sised we bear the burden of responsibility, shame and guilt for putting Jesus to death. So powerful was Peter’s empha- sis—his hearers on the day of Pentecost came under deep conviction, crying out, “Broth- ers, what shall we do?” (Acts 2:37). His response to their cry was challenging and comfort- ing, “Repent and be baptised, every one of you, in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins.” (Acts 2:38) Peter preached God offers a full and free pardon of sin, a promise found elsewhere in Acts (3:19;5:31;13:38). The offer is still extended today. Not only does the Gospel promise forgiveness to wipe out past failures—it also pro- vides power in the present to live a new life. On the day of Pentecost, Peter urged his lis- teners to receive the gift of the Holy Spirit (Acts 2:38), and throughout the record of Acts the reception of the Spirit is linked with forgiveness and personal belief in Jesus. One of the ﬁrst things Jesus did after His ascension and His ex- altation to the right hand of His Father’s throne—was to pour out the Holy Spirit—this gift is for everyone who follows Jesus. Together these promises of forgiveness and the Holy Spirit constitute Christian freedom— freedom from guilt and con- demnation. Freedom to serve and live a victorious life to the glory of God. Both of these promises are also publicly demonstrated in baptism, spe- ciﬁcally the washing away of sin and the outpouring of the Holy Spirit. REFLECTION QUESTIONS: 1. What are the criteria for baptism? 2. What does it mean to receive the gift of the Holy Spirit? PRAYER POINTERS: Lord, help me to pray... • That I have the assurance my sins are forgiven. • That my church will be open to the guidance and empowering of the Holy Spirit in all its plans and ministries. PETER REPLIED, “REPENT AND BE BAPTISED, 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.” Acts 2:38

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Transcript of Scripture Reading: ness of your sins.” (Acts 2:38 ... · Scripture Reading: Acts 5:29-32 The word...

Page 1: Scripture Reading: ness of your sins.” (Acts 2:38 ... · Scripture Reading: Acts 5:29-32 The word ‘Gospel’ literally means ‘good news,’ and the teaching of the apostles

Fourteen

The Gospel PromisesScripture Reading: Acts 5:29-32

The word ‘Gospel’ literally means ‘good news,’ and the teaching of the apostles was positive in how it shared the blessings of the Gospel. In particular, the apostolic proc-lamation of the Gospel high-lighted the gifts of forgiveness and the Holy Spirit.

The promise of forgiveness is repeated throughout Acts. The apostles repeatedly empha-sised we bear the burden of responsibility, shame and guilt for putting Jesus to death. So powerful was Peter’s empha-sis—his hearers on the day of Pentecost came under deep conviction, crying out, “Broth-ers, what shall we do?” (Acts 2:37). His response to their cry was challenging and comfort-ing, “Repent and be baptised, every one of you, in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgive-

ness of your sins.” (Acts 2:38) Peter preached God offers a full and free pardon of sin, a promise found elsewhere in Acts (3:19;5:31;13:38). The offer is still extended today.

Not only does the Gospel promise forgiveness to wipe out past failures—it also pro-vides power in the present to live a new life. On the day of Pentecost, Peter urged his lis-teners to receive the gift of the Holy Spirit (Acts 2:38), and throughout the record of Acts the reception of the Spirit is linked with forgiveness and personal belief in Jesus.

One of the first things Jesus did after His ascension and His ex-altation to the right hand of His Father’s throne—was to pour out the Holy Spirit—this gift is for everyone who follows Jesus.

Together these promises of forgiveness and the Holy Spirit constitute Christian freedom—freedom from guilt and con-demnation. Freedom to serve and live a victorious life to the glory of God. Both of these promises are also publicly demonstrated in baptism, spe-cifically the washing away of sin and the outpouring of the Holy Spirit.

REFLECTION QUESTIONS:1. What are the criteria for baptism?2. What does it mean to re-ceive the gift of the Holy Spirit?

PRAYER POINTERS:Lord, help me to pray...• That I have the assurance my sins are forgiven.• That my church will be open to the guidance and empowering of the Holy Spirit in all its plans and ministries.

PETER REPLIED, “REPENT AND BE BAPTISED, 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.”

Acts 2:38