Let all the house of Israel therefore know for certain that God has made him both Lord and Christ, this Jesus whom you crucified.
Acts 2:36
This is the conclusion of Peter's first ever sermon on the day of Pentecost. It is a call to believe that Jesus is both God and Messiah. This appeal was made even as the crowd knew the recent history that had seen Jesus crucified, then His followers claimed Him risen from the dead and ascended to heaven. His disciples were left to proclaim this message to the world. And it started right here.
At least 3000 people were moved by Peter's words to do just what his short sermon asked of them (Acts 2:41). And they took the action steps Peter gave them. They repented and were baptized in the name of Jesus and received the Holy Spirit (Acts 2:38). This was a powerful moment in history as this new thing known as the Church was born in one big explosive burst of evangelism.
No doubt that nearly all of the three thousand in Jerusalem that day converted on the day of Pentecost were familiar with Jesus firsthand. Their recent memories were able to utilize real experience to test the veracity of the claims of the gospel. Still, it took tying in Old Testament scriptures, the gospel preaching of Peter, and strong exhortations to repent and turn from a crooked generation (Acts 2:40) to see this sort of mass conversion happen.
I notice then for the gospel to have its full effect, it is vital that its presentation be linked to scripture, comparisons be made to current sinful culture, and strong urges be given to repent and believe. Too often we may dilute the gospel, perhaps removing the offense of sin and the cross in our attempts to show people that "God loves them and has a wonderful plan for their lives". We still live in a crooked generation. We must repent of evil that imperils us over the flames of hell. We must believe Jesus is both Lord and Christ and that His death and resurrection bring our only salvation. Only then can we be saved.
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