The Forgotten Word in Acts 2:38 (Part 1)

By David Faust

Peter’s message was clear on the Day of Pentecost. He didn’t preach politics. He didn’t preach a denominational party-line. He didn’t preach against his Christian brothers and sisters. He preached Christ. He focused on the cross and the empty tomb, backing up his points with quotes from the Old Testament.  

The sermon reached a climactic point when Peter declared, “God has made this Jesus, whom you crucified, both Lord and Messiah” (Acts 2:36, New International Version). His anguished listeners were cut to the heart and asked, “Brothers, what shall we do?” (v. 37). Peter responded, “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” (v. 38).  

I’ve heard a lot of sermons about baptism based on that verse, and for good reason. Some Bible readers have a blind spot about baptism that makes them nearly ignore it altogether. Others struggle to reconcile how baptism for forgiveness of sins fits with salvation by grace, so they treat baptism as an afterthought.  

Throughout the book of Acts, baptism was a consistent part of conversion—an immediate and joyful response to God’s grace. When people believed in Christ, they were baptized—and they didn’t argue about it. “Those who accepted [Peter’s] message were baptized, and about three thousand were added to their number that day” (v. 41). When the treasurer of Ethiopia believed in Jesus, he said, “Look, here is water. Why shouldn’t I be baptized?” (not “Why do I have to?”).   

Don’t Forget About Repentance 

It’s right to talk about baptism, but I don’t think we talk enough about Peter’s first command in Acts 2:38. Before he said to be baptized, he said to repent. How easy it is to skip over this point! In our haste to lead people into the baptistery, we dare not bypass the necessity of repentance. We’re all wet if we immerse unrepentant sinners who have no intention of yielding their hearts and lives to God. 

When is the last time you used the word repent in a conversation—or even heard it mentioned in a sermon? Jesus preached, “Repent and believe the good news!” (Mark 1:15). Paul told sophisticated philosophers in Athens that God “now commands all people everywhere to repent” (Acts 17:30). 

Bob Russell told about a time when he was driving with his wife Judy, and she insisted they should get off the highway at a certain exit. Bob disagreed and kept going, only to discover soon afterward that she was right after all. He admitted, “I kept driving quite a while, trying to figure out a way to turn around without her realizing it!” 

No one likes to admit being wrong, so that forgotten word repent sounds unpleasant to our ears, but actually repentance is a reasonable response. If you find yourself in a deep hole, it makes sense to stop digging. If you’re going in the wrong direction, it’s wise to make a U-turn.  

Repentance is a change of mind that results in a change of behavior, transforming a self-centered life into a God-centered life. If I pray, “Thy kingdom come,” I also must say, “My kingdom go!”  

No Regrets 

Is your life so flawless and wonderful that nothing needs to change? Mine isn’t, either. If something in your life is seriously out of whack, shouldn’t you try a different approach? Obeying God can be difficult, but in the final analysis disobeying God leads to far worse results. Humanity has gone our own way since the Garden of Eden. How’s that been working for us? 

Godly sorrow leads to repentance, which leads to salvation that “leaves no regret” (2 Corinthians 7:10).  

Repentance beats regret every time.  

Next Week: The Forgotten Word in Acts 2:38 (Part Two) 

David Faust serves as contributing editor of Christian Standard and senior associate minister with East 91^st Street Christian Church in Indianapolis, Indiana. He is the author of 1 & 2 Thessalonians: Unquenchable Faith.