The Grands Letter

Dear Grands,

Acts 2:36-40, “Therefore let all the house of Israel know for certain that God has made Him both Lord and Christ– this Jesus whom you crucified.”
37 Now when they heard this, they were pierced to the heart, and said to Peter and the rest of the apostles, “Brethren, what shall we do?”
38 Peter said to them, “Repent, and each of you be baptized in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins; and you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit.
39 “For the promise is for you and your children and for all who are far off, as many as the Lord our God will call to Himself.”
40 And with many other words he solemnly testified and kept on exhorting them, saying, “Be saved from this perverse generation!”

Have you ever made a serious mistake and wondered if you could ever correct it? This is one passage that should help you. Remember that Peter was the one who “jumped the gun” in casting lots that enabled Matthias to be numbered with the eleven apostles? Later in Jerusalem, he redeemed himself, as the Holy Spirit came upon the Jews on the Day of Pentecost. They began to speak in languages they had not previously known, and it was Peter who announced that what they had witnessed “…was spoken through the prophet Joel…” God had poured out on these Jews the Person of the Holy Spirit. And He had used Peter!

The Jewish people then turned to Peter for further instructions from the LORD, and Peter commanded them to repent (change their minds) and acknowledge the LORD Jesus’ in their lives by being baptized in Jesus’ Name. From that time onward, those who turned away from sin and trusted Christ Jesus for salvation, were baptized in acknowledgement their faith in Him.

It is not baptism that saves us; it is faith in Jesus that brings salvation. Yet, baptism in water is a pictorial sign of the death, burial and resurrection of Jesus Christ. When we are baptized, we physically demonstrate our belief in Christ’s death, burial and resurrection for us! Have you trusted Jesus as your Savior? If not, you ought to trust Him right now! If you have trusted Him, have you publicly demonstrated your salvation through baptism in water? If not, you should do so as soon as possible.

You may sometimes step out of line like Peter did before the Holy Spirit came. But you can still be forgiven and renew your fellowship with Christ just like Peter did. Don’t treat the love and sacrifice of Jesus with delay. Do all that He has commanded as quickly as possible! It’s obedience to Him and will be a blessing to you!

Heartily in Christ Jesus,

(Dado III)

Gene L. Jeffries, Th.D.
Springdale, Arkansas 72764
United States of America

“We never know that Christ is all we need until He becomes all that we have.” – Corrie ten Boom