Written by Pastor Jack Wellman– Acts 2:38
Repentance Granted
The Apostle Paul wrote to Timothy about repentance and it had everything to do with salvation. He wrote about correcting those in error, but doing so with patience, in the hopes (2nd Tim 2:24) “that God may perhaps grant them repentance leading to a knowledge of the truth” (2nd Tim 2:25). Everyone is actually commanded to repent (Acts 17:30). Jesus introduced the gospel by saying you must repent and believe (Mark 1:15). After Christ’s death, “God exalted him at his right hand as Leader and Savior, to give repentance to Israel and forgiveness of sins” (Acts 5:31). Even later, the Gentiles received eternal life, but not of themselves, because it says, “Then to the Gentiles also God has granted repentance that leads to life” (Acts 11:18). A corpse can’t repent (Eph 2:1).
Baptism Commanded
Baptism is commanded of all people who believe. Jesus’ imperative command was the church’s marching orders. He said “Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit” (Matt 28:19). First, we’re to make disciples, then baptize them, and then those who are new believers are to make disciples of others, but the word baptism in this verse means to identify with, so we are to make disciples and they are to be baptized or identified with the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit. After that, they are to “Go therefore and make disciples…” but a believer’s water baptism should follow their profession of faith in Christ.
Forgiveness Extended
If we present the gospel without mentioning the forgiveness of sins, then we don’t have the whole gospel, and we must! The reason we’re told to repent means we’re already heading in the wrong direction, and we need to turn; turn around and go the other way…toward God, and faith in Christ. You might turn back occasionally, as we all do, but not permanently. The Prodigal Son was in the pigpen…but he didn’t stay in the pigpen. To preach about the forgiveness of sin is to make a point that we have sin, and are infinitely short of God’s glory (Rom 3:23), and so we need to be found in Jesus Christ.
The Holy Spirit Recieved
I believe the Holy Spirit is already at work in a person by the time they are brought to repentance. That has been my experience over these over 6 decades of my life. I see a person’s heart is usually softened by circumstances. God may allow them to go through some very fiery trials, even though they’re (and we’re) responsible for our actions, God uses this to humble them (and us), and to come to an end of ourselves. When we come to the end of our rope, there is God, waiting for us, waiting for us to let go of the rope.
Conclusion
In some churches today they are still making disciples. I think I read that about 15% of churches have active outreach groups that go out into the community in the hopes of making disciples. They may not make disciples of all nations, but at least of their doing so with family, friends, co-workers, and neighbors.
