God's Grant of Repentance
Part III
Changing Your Mind about Jesus
Biblical repentance involves a change of mind about God, Christ, sin, and self. The most important aspect of this change of mind is a change of mind about God and Christ.
On the day of Pentecost, Peter instructed the Jews “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.” Acts 2:38. This is a famous passage but it is important to remember the context. These are the same Jews who, less than three months before, had cried for Jesus to be crucified; many of whom were convinced by their own Chief Priests that Jesus was a malefactor and a false prophet. Well did they deserve Peter's statement “Therefore let all the house of Israel know for certain that God has made Him both Lord and Christ--this Jesus whom you crucified.” Acts 2:36.
Peter is calling them to a radical change. Until this moment in their lives, their assessment of Jesus was that of a false prophet who deserved to be crucified. In their minds, God had condemned Christ to be crucified. Now, Peter calls them to a change of mind and heart. To believe, instead, that God had sent Jesus as the Christ, and that God had sent Him to be the Savior of Israel. He calls them to believe exactly the opposite of their previous belief. The fact that they were already “... pierced to the heart, and said to Peter and the rest of the apostles 'Brethren, what shall we do...'”(Acts 2:37) showed that God had already granted them true repentance.
God turns the hearts of those born again toward Himself. In so doing, their hearts are forever changed about the person and work of Jesus Christ.
No comments:
Post a Comment