Acts 2:14-41 • True Repentance, Responding to the Message

True Repentance

I. Peter’s methodology

1. Started where they were

What does this mean? v. 12

Addresses their thoughts v. 13

Their religious beliefs (OT prophecy) Joel

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2. Transitioned to Jesus

Jesus’ death was God’s plan

Death, Burial and Resurrection (Victory over death Gen 2)

Teaches them from the scripture (OT)

Mentions Jesus repeatedly v. 22, 23, 32, 36, 38

Shows them their error v. 36 – You did it!

36

3. This creates another question

What shall we do? v. 37

Repent and be baptized v. 38

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II. What is true repentance?

1. Dictionary definition – Oxfordlanguages partnered with Google

Repent (verb) - feel or express sincere regret or remorse about one's wrongdoing or sin.

- view or think of (an action or omission) with deep regret or remorse.

Repentance (noun) - the action of repenting; sincere regret or remorse.

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2. True repentance is a very deep, strong feeling

v. 37 “they were cut to the heart”

They were experiencing this deep emotion

What shall we do?

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3. Peter calls them to action

Repent and be baptized

Uses a stronger word than we have in English

metanoeó

metá, "changed after being with"

noiéō, "think" – properly, "think differently after," "after a change of mind"

to repent (literally, "think differently afterwards").

Feeling so strong that it results in a change of behavior

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III. Change in thought and behavior

1. Turning to Jesus v. 38-39

They will receive forgiveness of your sins

Gift of the Holy Spirit

This promise is for you and for your children

All who are far off

Everyone whom the Lord our God calls to himself

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2. Turn away from evil v. 40 (world)

Crooked generation

The common thought of the times

3. About 3000 took action that day v. 41

Received Peter’s message

Were baptized

Joined the church

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Invitation

What action should you take?