Day: Day 7
Date: January 15, 2023
Title: KINGDOM LIVING: Repent
We continue to recognize the importance of Peter’s Holy Spirit-inspired sermon that produced the First New Testament Church.
For us to live in Kingdom Realities, we are looking for the pillars necessary for us to apply so we have the same strong foundation to continue to be His EKKLESIA – the entire congregation of all who are called by and to Christ, who are called out to represent Him in all of His ways, the anointed children of God.
I want to break the next two verses down into three parts, indicated by the italicized words:
Acts 2:37-38 NASU
37 Now when they heard this, they were pierced to the heart, and said to Peter and the rest of the apostles, “Brethren, what shall we do?”
38 Peter said to them, “Repent, and each of you, be baptized in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins; and you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit.
Many do not realize what this word repent really means.
REPENT (from the Strong’s Concordance):
- To think differently or afterwards, reconsider morally
- To feel compunction (this means feelings of deserving blame)
- Repent for guilt (this means realizing you have committed a breach of contract – in this case, covenant)
- Includes reformation (change for the better)
- Reversal (about-face, turnaround)
Let’s look at Peter’s sermon and what brought them to the place of their heart crying out, “What shall we do?”
Acts 2:29-31 NASU
29 Brethren, I may confidently say to you regarding the patriarch David that he both died and was buried, and his tomb is with us to this day.
30 And so, because he was a prophet and knew that God has sworn to him with an oath to seat one of his descendants on his throne,
31 he looked ahead and spoke of the resurrection of the Christ, that He was neither abandoned to hades nor did His flesh suffer decay.
They had just seen Jesus crucified, and Peter was speaking the truth of what really happened. The descendent of David that would sit on the throne was JESUS. Jesus died, oh but He did not stay in that grave, and suffer decay! Hallelujah!
Look at Peter’s next announcement.
Acts 2:32
This Jesus God raised up again, to which we are all witnesses.
God raised Jesus up and there were many witnesses that experienced Jesus face-to-face after His resurrection.
I want you to think of how intense the presence of God was in this announcement of TRUTH.
He also announced where Jesus is – exalted at the right hand of God, as well as the activity they were experiencing just then. The Holy Spirit poured forth what exactly was going on so they could SEE and HEAR.
Acts 2:33-35 NASU
33 Therefore having been exalted to the right hand of God, and having received from the Father the promise of the Holy Spirit, He has poured forth this which you both see and hear.
34 For it was not David who ascended into heaven, but he himself says: “THE LORD SAID TO MY LORD, ‘SIT AT MY RIGHT HAND,
35 UNTIL I MAKE YOUR ENEMIES A FOOTSTOOL FOR YOUR FEET.’”
This is the Scripture Peter is referring to:
Psalms 16:8-11 NASU
8 I have set the Lord continually before me; Because He is at my right hand, I will not be shaken.
9 Therefore my heart is glad and my glory rejoices; My flesh also will dwell securely.
10 For You will not abandon my soul to Sheol; Nor will You allow Your Holy One to undergo decay.
11 You will make known to me the path of life; In Your presence is fullness of joy; In Your right hand, there are pleasures forever.
Now it is amazing that David had been able to have revelation into the future and see the Redeemer. What an honor! And what a truth!
Peter’s next statement was also a great truth they needed to hear, and he released it without fear. Peter would never again deny his Lord, or be afraid to release what the Holy Spirit was saying. Neither should we ever be. Boldness is our portion.
Acts 2:36 NASU
Therefore let all the house of Israel know for certain that God has made Him both Lord and Christ—this Jesus whom you crucified.
Imagine how many of them may have been the very ones who cried, “Crucify Him, crucify Him!”
There is so much in this Holy Ghost sermon! No wonder there was conviction in the air!
Acts 2:37 NASU
Now when they heard this, they were pierced to the heart, and said to Peter and the rest of the apostles, “Brethren, what shall we do?”
This is what the world is groaning for—those bold disciples who will speak truth that brings conviction, not condemnation.
- Conviction: a state of being convinced of error or compelled to admit the truth.
- Condemnation: blaming, doom
Conviction brought them to a state of wanting to change and to be set free. They realized what was wrong with their actions. They were ready to turn from their wicked ways.
I want you to understand many in the world today are doing things they do not recognize as evil. They have been convinced it is right because they cannot SEE or HEAR.
But now, we are the disciples that have the opportunity to boldly take our positions as they did in the first century. The Holy Spirit that lives in us can bring a word through us, to open their eyes and their ears to the truth.
God has called us to lean into Him, hear His voice and speak forth without fear. We are called to bring about a turnaround for so many that are desperate to have the experience of salvation and freedom.
Peter had the antidote, and so do we. Remember in verse 38 where Peter said to them,
“Repent.”
Can you imagine what could have happened if Peter said these words without being consumed by the Spirit? He may have become the first martyr in that moment.
However, we know he didn’t speak mere words. He spoke TRUTH, with the anointing oil of God saturating every part with the ability to reach into their hearts, with the revelation needed for them to become one with their Father again.
What a beautiful moment! What a great opportunity!
Peter, the one who denied Christ three times, in a moment of Holy Ghost inspiration, was able to create the atmosphere needed for others to experience the forgiveness he had experienced himself.
He was a brand new man because he had made a decision to recognize Jesus as His LORD and MESSIAH, and he had turned completely from his wicked ways.
The Holy Spirit who filled Peter, released power that caused them to cry out.
That is what we are called to do as the disciples of Jesus today.
What an honor we have – to know Him, to speak of Him with empowerment, and to bring truth that will set the captives free.
We can and we will, because we are Holy Spirit-filled followers of Christ.
What an exciting year to discover how to walk in Kingdom Living!
ACTIVATION:
Ask the Holy Spirit to reveal to you three people that you know need to hear the gospel of Jesus Christ. Write those names down today and put your faith on the open door for you to tell them about what Jesus did for them. Pray for them every day until you boldly take the opportunity! We are soul winners because He is crying out to them through us. What a privilege!
PRAYER:
Dear Father,
I am so grateful for the sacrifice of Your Son that has given me the ability to be restored to You.
Please forgive me for the times I have not realized the power within me that needs to be released for the benefit of others. I want them to experience the oneness You have made available to all who will see and hear.
I want my life to be lived as a “sent one.” I am sent to be the voice, sent to show compassion, sent to release truth because I am chosen for such a time as this.
I want to be the one You can count on. I want to be the person that sees through Your eyes upon the ones that are now in darkness.
I want to know my purpose in my life to be the partner You died to have.
My heart cries out, “What shall I do?” And I hear You saying, “Step out in faith and boldness with the empowerment I have released to you.”
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