Acts 2:37–39

Now when they heard this, they were cut to the heart, and said to Peter and the rest of the apostles, “Men and brethren, what shall we do?”

Then Peter said to them, “Repent, and let every one of you be baptized in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins; and you shall receive the gift of the Holy Spirit. For the promise is to you and to your children, and to all who are afar off, as many as the Lord our God will call.”

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Peter’s message convicted the crowd. They asked the right question when confronted with the gospel message of the death, burial, and resurrection of Jesus Christ: “What shall we do?” Peter’s simple command in Acts 2:38 outlined our right response to the gospel: repentance (a sustained change of mind, turning away from sin and turning toward Christ), baptism (immersion in water invoking the name of Jesus), and receiving the gift of the Holy Spirit with the initial sign of speaking with tongues. This promise was not just for those listening to Peter’s sermon on that day; this promise spans any gap of distance and time.

There is no limit to the boasts of a three-step plan. Magazine headlines proclaim them, investment groups promise them, pharmacies peddle them, people respond well to them. “Lose Fifty Pounds in Three Easy Steps,” internet articles exclaim. “Budget Your Way to Billions in Just Three Steps,” the latest financial app entices. Would you like to know how to turn everyday get-togethers into transformative gatherings in merely three steps? Priya Parker will let you in on those secrets during her TED Talk on the matter. Not every get-rich-quick scheme or instantaneous weight-loss diet pans out as promised.

Salvation, however, is not the latest three-step plan to get to Heaven. Yet, Jesus made salvation simple enough anyone can be saved as we respond to the gospel through repentance, water baptism in Jesus’ name, and receiving the gift of the Holy Ghost.

That concludes our devotional for today. Let us finish with a word of prayer.

WORD OF PRAYER

Jesus, I thank You for the simple and powerful message of salvation. I ask that You help me to continually turn away from sin and toward You in true repentance. Thank You for the promise of forgiveness through baptism in Your name, and for the gift of the Holy Spirit that brings new life. Lord, may I walk in the fullness of this promise and share the hope of salvation with others. Thank You for making the path to salvation clear and accessible to all who seek You.

In the name of Jesus, amen.