Better Direction!

For Friday, June 6, 2025:

Acts 2:38 NLT: “Peter replied, ‘Each of you must repent of your sins and turn to God, and be baptized in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins. Then you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit.’”

“Repent and return to the Lord.” Sound familiar? For centuries, prophets had been trying to get everyone back on track. One example is Jonah, delivering God’s message to the people of Nineveh. Repent and return. Before Jesus arrived, John-the-Baptist used those same words. Jesus himself spoke those words. And now Peter, following Jesus’ instructions, is encouraging a colossal crowd of Jews to repent and return.

Every language has its quirks, and Hebrew is no exception. “Teshuvah” (repent) indicates a change in direction. “We were headed East, but decided West would be better.” Sinners are “far from God.” Believers are “closer to God.” Combining those two thoughts, people caroming through the world are advised to change directions and return, thereby becoming closer to God. The best way to get closer to God is to repent, change your ways and make a total commitment to follow God Almighty and His Son.

Baptism is an outward confirmation of an inward change. If a person is convinced that Jesus is the Way, the Truth and the Life, public baptism shares their decision with the world. There were healing pools nearby, and several other believers to perform the baptisms, making this scenario possible.

Take a moment and re-commit yourself to service on the “Jesus Team!” Each of us has been given specific gifts and talents to add value to our church family. Everyone is needed. Do you know your piece of the worship equation?

See you at church!

Pastor Norton Lawellin

Jesus In the City Fellowship