Repent and be baptized . . . in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins. Acts 2:38

Growing up together in Central Asia, Baheer and Medet were the best of friends. But when Baheer became a believer in Jesus, everything changed. After Medet reported him to government authorities, Baheer endured excruciating torture. The guard growled, “This mouth will never speak the name of Jesus again.” Though badly bloodied, Baheer managed to say that they might stop him speaking of Christ, but they’d never “change what He has done in my heart.”

Those words remained with Medet. Some months later, having suffered illness and loss, Medet traveled to find Baheer, who had been released from prison. Turning from his pride, he asked his friend to introduce him to his Jesus.

Medet acted on the conviction of the Holy Spirit in the same way that those who gathered around Peter on the feast of Pentecost were “cut to the heart” when they witnessed God’s outpouring of grace and heard Peter’s testimony about Christ (Acts 2:37). Peter called the people to repent and be baptized in the name of Jesus, and some three thousand did. Just as they left their old ways of life behind, so too did Medet repent and follow the Savior.

The gift of new life in Jesus is available to everyone who believes in Him. Whatever we’ve done, we can enjoy the forgiveness of our sins when we trust in Him.

How do you think Baheer felt when Medet asked him to introduce him to Jesus? How does a relationship with Him help us in the time of trial?

Saving Jesus, thank You for dying on the cross and rising to new life. I place my trust in You.

Daniel 8-10; 3 John

The aim of Peter’s preaching in Acts 2:14-41 was to help his hearers find new life in Jesus. The apostle knew his Jewish audience (vv. 14, 22, 29). Because they were a Scripture-informed people, his preaching included references to the Old Testament Scriptures: Joel 2 (Acts 2:17-21), Psalm 16 (Acts 2:25-28), and Psalm 110 (Acts 2:34-35). Finally, Peter instructed his hearers how to embrace Christ and the new life they’d heard about: “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” (Acts 2:38).

Arthur Jackson