Acts 2: 2a, 36-41

“Peter said to them, ‘Repent, and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ so that your sins may be forgiven; and you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit.’”

According to Luke Peter’s sermon had a profound effect on the Judean Jews who were in Jerusalem for the festival of Pentecost. They were convicted by his words and asked what they should do. What Peter suggests reminds us of the message John had for the people who came to him at the Jordan for baptism. If the Jews repented and were baptized in the name of Jesus, their sins would be forgiven. But Peter now adds one more thing. Not only would they be forgiven, they would receive the gift of the Holy Spirit.

And it’s that promise that makes all the difference in the world. This would be a turbo-charged baptism. Not only would sins be washed away, people would receive the power of the living Christ, and their lives would be changed. They would actually be able to produce the fruits of the Spirit and their communities would be transformed. That promise is still a part of our baptismal ritual to this day. We’re not only cleansed by the water, we are transformed! Our brokenness is healed.

Luke says that 3000 people were baptized that day in Jerusalem. And even if we acknowledge a bit of hyperbole here, there is no doubt that this is where the whole Christian Church on earth began! It really was a good beginning!

Thought for the Day: How have I been transformed?