Tuesday 26 April 2011

Background

Have you ever been in a position where the true consequences ofyour words or actions has dawned on you, and the burden ofresponsibility has hit hard - you feel your heart suddenly jump, orsink, with embarrassment or regret? 'Cut to the heart' is a gooddescription. And there was something about Peter's great sermon onthe day of Pentecost and the convicting work of the Spirit whichconvinced many in that crowd that Jesus was in fact their Messiah.It was not a con man or rabble-rouser who was executed, nor simplyan innocent man wrongly murdered, but rather the one God had sentwho hung on the cross that day. The crowds on that Friday did notactually crucify him, but they would know their part, as any do whowitness evil and let it go unchecked - worse still to be handed achoice and to let a guilty man go free in his place (Luke23:1-25). Cut to the heart. That was how many felt when thepenny dropped. 'Gutted', we might say today.

"So, what could be done?" they asked. And Peter gave an answerwhich applies to all who have sinned and realised the error oftheir ways; an answer not specific to that crowd, but for all whowant a new start: "Repent" (verse 38). In other words, turn back.Don't just say sorry, but turn towards the God you have rejected;aim to follow in God's ways. Make some changes; resolve to amendthe ways and attitudes which led to sin. Repentance can sometimesbe a long, hard process - Peter never said it would be easy, butneither did he say, "There's nothing you can do - live with it"(which is the answer so often given today). And he gave them a newoption: Baptism in the name of Jesus Christ - the sign of a newlife washed in God's grace (a sign that holds true whenever youwere baptized). And all of this somehow enables the forgiveness ofGod and the life of the Spirit to flow in - a gift by and of God'samazing grace. It is a promise, Peter told them: a promise not justfor them, but for their children; not just for that generation, butfor all time: a promise of renewal and hope for all who hear thatcall of God. And not just for the families of those gathered inJerusalem that day, but for all who were far off...

Peter started off his speech (Acts2:17-21) by pointing to the signs of the times: the 'end times'were being heralded with the pouring out of the Holy Spirit - andthis would be a time when Israel's blessing became the blessing ofthe whole earth (just as God promised to Abraham (Genesis22:15-18)). Thus Peter could open up the resurrection messageto all, and Israel's Messiah became the world's Lord ("God has madehim both Lord and Messiah" (verse 36)) - none need be excluded. Andwhen he put it like that, about 3000 believers were added to thegroup. Not bad for a day's work!

To Ponder

Peter was keen that none should be excluded fromGod's promise. Where in our churches or society do we see peoplebeing excluded from God's blessing?

What is the link between repentance and Baptism?And how can we help those who have been baptised very young to livelives that are 'turned to God', or to realise what their Baptismmight mean for them today?