By Fenter Northern
“Repent and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ and you shall receive the gift of the Holy Spirit” ~ Acts 2:38
Only God could know how many times the above text has been quoted in gospel meetings as well as on other occasions in the Lord’s church. It is not heard as much anymore. Think of yourself as well as your loved ones who upon hearing that preached placed themselves under Jesus’ Lordship and trusted in the promise to receive into their hearts the Holy Spirit. This means God’s Holy Spirit took residence in the inner man, the most stupendous gift, awesome honor, and magnificent grace that could ever happen to a person.
WHY GOSPEL PREACHERS STRESS THIS PASSAGE
It explicitly tells what one must do to escape eternal punishment for rejecting the grace of God. The verse gives succinct, clear requirements that must be met to receive the forgiveness of sins which enables one to host the Holy Spirit in their soul.
The context says Peter’s preaching caused them to be “pricked” in their hearts. He boldly told them they, by “wicked hands”; had crucified the Lord. This brought pain for their awesome sin. Then they woefully “cried out” for help. “Smooth preaching” like the prophet Isaiah condemned is popular but unlikely to bring such open outbursts crying out for the forgiveness of sin.
WHAT THE APOSTLE WITH THE KEYS TO SALVATION TOLD THOSE IN ACTS 2
The first requirement given is to “repent.” Putting away sin against God and society is an essential to eternal life. It is applicable to all until He returns.
The second essential, equally as absolute as the first command is to be baptized. It is plain that there are no exceptions to this requirement because Peter added this, “every one of you.”
Do not be deceived. Those who dismiss this requirement as not being essential to remission of sins have not the Holy Spirit abiding within them. The Holy Spirit that inspired Peter to give the essential qualification in Acts 2:38 would never tell anyone else it was not essential. Deniers of Peter’s answer have not the Holy Spirit.
WHAT IS THE MOST IMPORTANT THING IN LIFE TO YOU?
Some would say by their choices their families, careers, or most any personal preference, even all sorts of entertainment.
“QUENCH NOT THE SPIRIT”
This Paul commands in in 1 Thess. 5:19. Having the Holy Spirit take up residence in the heart that has been cleansed by the blood of Jesus sprinkled on the sinful conscience in the act of a penitent, believer’s baptism means one pledges to harken to the Spirit’s direction. Those doing so are said to “walk in the light” of God’s word (I John 1:7). The word for all is the inspired Bible, the word of God. To walk in its light is to receive the meaning that the original writer intended it to be. Application of the word to life is not felt as punitive but as a loving desire for holiness. No other interpretation would be walking in the light of God’s word. The new convert continues to agree with and obey the urgings of the Holy Spirit that direct his conscious by the word of God. Unrelenting Study of God’s word enhances happiness in life.
However, if for any reason the individual begins to turn a deaf ear to the word of God, the Spirit will soon depart.
He will not dwell where He is defiled by willful sin. His departure is the worst loss that could ever happen to a saved person.
David, in the aftermath of adultery with Bathsheba and the murder of her husband Uriah, prayed penitently in agony that God would not take the Holy Spirit from him (Psalm 51).
The writer of Hebrews warns: “For it is impossible for those who were once enlightened, and have tasted of the heavenly gift, and were made partakers of the Holy Ghost, And have tasted the good word of God, and the powers of the world to come, If they shall fall away, to renew them again unto repentance; seeing they crucify to themselves the Son of God afresh, and put him to an open shame (Heb. 6:1-6).
Some sad examples of quenching the Holy Spirit in the Bible are Ananias and Sapphira (Acts 5), Demas (2 Tim. 4:10), the churches in Galatia, and five of the seven churches Jesus admonished in the Book of Revelation — not to mention Judas.
Peter failed under awesome frustration and fear but repented in bitter tears.
God helps Christians to heed the Holy Spirit’s directions by walking in the light of its instruction. We are saved by obedient faith, but true faith comes only by hearing the word of God (Romans 10:17). Read it and get ready for eternal life with those who love holiness.