How to Respond: Repent, Believe, Be Baptized

The Good News · Article 7 of 10 · 2026-10-27 · Key passages: Acts 2:38; Romans 10:9. Quotations are from the World English Bible (WEB); please check each one in your own Bible.

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Peter had just told a crowd in Jerusalem that God raised the Jesus they had crucified. He ended, “Let all the house of Israel therefore know certainly that God has made him both Lord and Christ, this Jesus whom you crucified.” (Acts 2:36). Luke tells what happened next:

Now when they heard this, they were cut to the heart, and said to Peter and the rest of the apostles, “Brothers, what shall we do?”

— Acts 2:37

Peter answered:

Peter said to them, “Repent and be baptized, every one of you, in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of sins, and you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit. For the promise is to you and to your children, and to all who are far off, even as many as the Lord our God will call to himself.”

— Acts 2:38–39

Later, a jailer in Philippi asked nearly the same question: “Sirs, what must I do to be saved?” (Acts 16:30). Articles 2 to 6 took up who God is, who Jesus is, his death, his rising, and the Kingdom he preached. This article asks what Scripture tells a person to do who has heard that good news. It asks what repentance is, what it means to believe and to confess Jesus as Lord, and why those who believed were baptized. It asks what God promises to those who respond. We ask you to read what the text says, and to check every word.

Read These First

• Acts 2:36–41: “Brothers, what shall we do?” (Acts 2:37).
• Acts 17:30–31: God commands all people everywhere to repent.
• Romans 10:8–13: confess with your mouth, believe in your heart.
• Acts 8:12, 35–38: those who believed were baptized.
• Acts 10:43–48: Peter preaches in the house of Cornelius.
• Acts 16:29–34: the jailer in Philippi.

God Commands All People Everywhere to Repent

What the text says. In Matthew, John the Baptizer and Jesus began with the same word. John came “preaching in the wilderness of Judea, saying,” (Matthew 3:1), “Repent, for the Kingdom of Heaven is at hand!” (Matthew 3:2). Jesus began, “Repent! For the Kingdom of Heaven is at hand.” (Matthew 4:17). In Mark he says, “Repent, and believe in the Good News.” (Mark 1:15). He said, “I have not come to call the righteous, but sinners, to repentance.” (Luke 5:32). After he rose, he told his disciples “that repentance and remission of sins should be preached in his name to all the nations, beginning at Jerusalem.” (Luke 24:47).

The apostles preached it. Peter said, “Repent therefore, and turn again, that your sins may be blotted out,” (Acts 3:19). In Athens Paul said:

But now he commands that all people everywhere should repent, because he has appointed a day in which he will judge the world in righteousness by the man whom he has ordained; of which he has given assurance to all men, in that he has raised him from the dead.

— Acts 17:30–31

Before King Agrippa, Paul summed up what he had declared to Jews and Gentiles: “that they should repent and turn to God, doing works worthy of repentance.” (Acts 26:20). To the elders of Ephesus he described his work as “testifying both to Jews and to Greeks repentance toward God and faith toward our Lord Jesus.” (Acts 20:21). He reminded the Thessalonians “how you turned to God from idols to serve a living and true God, and to wait for his Son from heaven,” (1 Thessalonians 1:9–10).

Scripture also speaks of repentance as something God gives. Peter said, “God exalted him with his right hand to be a Prince and a Savior, to give repentance to Israel, and remission of sins.” (Acts 5:31). When the believers in Jerusalem heard what happened in the house of Cornelius, they said, “Then God has also granted to the Gentiles repentance to life!” (Acts 11:18). Paul writes that “the goodness of God leads you to repentance” (Romans 2:4). Passages: Luke 13:3; 15:7, 10; 2 Timothy 2:25; 2 Peter 3:9.

What we conclude. Scripture says plainly that God “commands that all people everywhere should repent” (Acts 17:30). It speaks of repentance as turning: “repent and turn to God” (Acts 26:20); “Repent therefore, and turn again” (Acts 3:19). Our conclusion is that repentance, as these texts describe it, is turning to God. It is turning from whatever a person served in his place, as the Thessalonians turned “to God from idols” (1 Thessalonians 1:9). Paul calls for “works worthy of repentance” (Acts 26:20). Our conclusion is that a changed life is the fruit of that turning, not a price paid for forgiveness. Scripture itself calls repentance something God gives (Acts 5:31; 11:18).

Scripture also joins repentance to life. Of the Gentiles in Cornelius’ house, the believers said God had granted “repentance to life” (Acts 11:18). Peter told the same story as God giving them “the same gift as us when we believed in the Lord Jesus Christ” (Acts 11:17). John’s Gospel, where the WEB never has the word repent, sets believing against disobeying: “One who believes in the Son has eternal life, but one who disobeys the Son won’t see life, but the wrath of God remains on him.” (John 3:36). Our conclusion is that the turning repentance names is present in John as the opposite of disobeying the Son.

Our conclusion is that Scripture does not draw a line between being forgiven and having eternal life. Peter promised that “everyone who believes in him will receive remission of sins.” (Acts 10:43). Our conclusion is that two readings add a distinction the text does not state. One reads Acts 2:38 as forgiveness without life, and the other reads John 3:16 as life without forgiveness. Because God gives repentance (Acts 5:31; 11:18; 2 Timothy 2:25), our conclusion is that calling for it does not make salvation a wage. Our conclusion is that when John says believe and Luke says repent and believe, they describe one turning to God through Jesus, from two sides. We invite readers to read Acts 11:1–18 and 20:17–21 whole.

Those Who Believe in Jesus and Confess Him as Lord Will Be Saved

What the text says. Paul writes:

that if you will confess with your mouth that Jesus is Lord and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved. For with the heart one believes resulting in righteousness; and with the mouth confession is made resulting in salvation.

— Romans 10:9–10

He goes on: “For the Scripture says, ‘Whoever believes in him will not be disappointed.’ For there is no distinction between Jew and Greek; for the same Lord is Lord of all, and is rich to all who call on him. For, ‘Whoever will call on the name of the Lord will be saved.’” (Romans 10:11–13). Those last words take up Joel 2:32, a canonical connection by shared wording. Peter quoted the same promise at Pentecost and named Joel as its prophet (Acts 2:16, 21). Paul also says how faith begins: “So faith comes by hearing, and hearing by the word of God.” (Romans 10:17).

The rest of the New Testament says the same. John writes, “Whoever believes that Jesus is the Christ has been born of God.” (1 John 5:1). Jesus said:

This is the will of the one who sent me, that everyone who sees the Son and believes in him should have eternal life; and I will raise him up at the last day.”

— John 6:40

When the crowd asked him, “What must we do, that we may work the works of God?” (John 6:28), he answered, “This is the work of God, that you believe in him whom he has sent.” (John 6:29). Peter told Cornelius, “All the prophets testify about him, that through his name everyone who believes in him will receive remission of sins.” (Acts 10:43). Passages: John 1:12; 20:31; Acts 16:31; Philippians 2:11; 1 John 3:23.

What we conclude. Scripture says plainly what is believed: that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God (John 20:31; 1 John 5:1), and that God raised him from the dead (Romans 10:9). It says plainly what is confessed: “that Jesus is Lord” (Romans 10:9). It says plainly that faith comes by hearing the word (Romans 10:17). Our conclusion is that the faith Scripture calls for is trust in a person, the one God sent, raised and made Lord (John 6:29; Acts 2:36). Our conclusion is also that believing and confessing belong together, as heart and mouth belong to one person (Romans 10:10).

Our conclusion is that Scripture does not set believing against doing. Our conclusion is also that Matthew 7:21 and James 2 warn against a faith that is only said. Romans 10:9–10 speaks of believing with the heart. How faith and works relate to being saved as a gift is the subject of Article 8. We invite readers to read Matthew 7:13–27 and James 2:14–26 whole.

Those Who Believed Were Baptized in the Name of Jesus Christ

What the text says. After he rose, Jesus told his disciples:

Jesus came to them and spoke to them, saying, “All authority has been given to me in heaven and on earth. Go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all things that I commanded you. Behold, I am with you always, even to the end of the age.” Amen.

— Matthew 28:18–20

Peter told his hearers, “Repent and be baptized, every one of you, in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of sins, and you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit.” (Acts 2:38). Luke adds, “Then those who gladly received his word were baptized. There were added that day about three thousand souls.” (Acts 2:41). In Samaria, “when they believed Philip preaching good news concerning God’s Kingdom and the name of Jesus Christ, they were baptized, both men and women.” (Acts 8:12). On the road to Gaza, Philip told an official of the queen of the Ethiopians about Jesus (Acts 8:27, 35). The man said, “Behold, here is water. What is keeping me from being baptized?” (Acts 8:36). Then “they both went down into the water, both Philip and the eunuch, and he baptized him.” (Acts 8:38).

Ananias told Saul of Tarsus, “Now why do you wait? Arise, be baptized, and wash away your sins, calling on the name of the Lord.” (Acts 22:16). The jailer in Philippi “was immediately baptized, he and all his household.” (Acts 16:33). Luke says first, “They spoke the word of the Lord to him, and to all who were in his house.” (Acts 16:32). Afterward the jailer “rejoiced greatly with all his household, having believed in God.” (Acts 16:34). In Corinth, “Many of the Corinthians, when they heard, believed and were baptized.” (Acts 18:8). In Ephesus, disciples who had known only John’s baptism heard Paul, and “When they heard this, they were baptized in the name of the Lord Jesus.” (Acts 19:5). Passages: Acts 9:18; 10:47–48; 16:14–15; 19:1–4.

The apostles’ letters speak of it too:

Or don’t you know that all of us who were baptized into Christ Jesus were baptized into his death? We were buried therefore with him through baptism into death, that just as Christ was raised from the dead through the glory of the Father, so we also might walk in newness of life.

— Romans 6:3–4

“For as many of you as were baptized into Christ have put on Christ.” (Galatians 3:27). Peter writes of Noah’s day, when “eight souls, were saved through water.” (1 Peter 3:20). He goes on, “This is a symbol of baptism, which now saves you—not the putting away of the filth of the flesh, but the answer of a good conscience toward God—through the resurrection of Jesus Christ,” (1 Peter 3:21). Passages: Colossians 2:11–12.

What we conclude. Scripture says plainly that Jesus sent his disciples to make disciples of all nations, “baptizing them” (Matthew 28:19). It says plainly that in Acts, again and again, those who heard and believed were baptized (Acts 2:41; 8:12; 18:8). It says plainly that those baptized into Christ were baptized into his death, and have put on Christ (Romans 6:3; Galatians 3:27). To the question “Brothers, what shall we do?” (Acts 2:37), Peter’s first answer joined baptism to repentance and to “the forgiveness of sins” (Acts 2:38). Our conclusion is that baptism belongs to the response the good news calls for. Scripture records Jesus’ words, “in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit” (Matthew 28:19). It also records baptisms “in the name of Jesus Christ” (Acts 10:48) and “in the name of the Lord Jesus” (Acts 19:5). Some read Jesus’ word name, in the singular, as fulfilled when the apostles baptized in the name of Jesus Christ. Others read it as one name shared by the Father, the Son and the Holy Spirit. As far as we can find, Acts records no words spoken over the one baptized. Our answer is under Which words are said at a baptism in Questions Answered. Our conclusion is that Jesus speaks of the Father as another than himself: “I am ascending to my Father and your Father, to my God and your God.” (John 20:17).

Whether baptism is needed for salvation in every case is weighed differently by faithful readers. So is how it relates to faith. Some point to Jesus’ words, “He who believes and is baptized will be saved; but he who disbelieves will be condemned.” (Mark 16:16). They point to “unless one is born of water and Spirit, he can’t enter into God’s Kingdom.” (John 3:5). They point to Ananias’ words, “Arise, be baptized, and wash away your sins” (Acts 22:16), and to “baptism, which now saves you” (1 Peter 3:21). Paul writes, “he saved us through the washing of regeneration and renewing by the Holy Spirit,” (Titus 3:5). Others point to the man on the cross, to whom Jesus said, “Assuredly I tell you, today you will be with me in Paradise.” (Luke 23:43). They point to Cornelius’ house, where the Holy Spirit fell before anyone was baptized (Acts 10:44–48). Paul writes, “for by grace you have been saved through faith, and that not of yourselves; it is the gift of God, not of works, that no one would boast.” (Ephesians 2:8–9). Of Abraham he writes, “He received the sign of circumcision, a seal of the righteousness of the faith which he had while he was in uncircumcision” (Romans 4:11). Paul also writes, “In him you were also circumcised with a circumcision not made with hands, in the putting off of the body of the sins of the flesh, in the circumcision of Christ, having been buried with him in baptism, in which you were also raised with him through faith in the working of God, who raised him from the dead.” (Colossians 2:11–12). Our answer is under Whether baptism is necessary for salvation in Questions Answered. The command to be baptized is plain (Matthew 28:19; Acts 10:48). Our conclusion is that no reader needs to settle these questions in order to obey it.

Acts 10 speaks to this directly. The Holy Spirit fell on all who heard the word (Acts 10:44). Then Peter said, “Can anyone forbid these people from being baptized with water? They have received the Holy Spirit just like us.” (Acts 10:47). “He commanded them to be baptized in the name of Jesus Christ.” (Acts 10:48). Our conclusion is that the Spirit’s coming did not take the place of baptism in water there. Peter gave the Spirit’s coming as the reason no one could forbid it.

Their holders read Acts 10 as a time of change, and Paul’s later letters as speaking only of the Spirit’s baptism. Peter’s letter joins baptism to water. He writes that in Noah’s ship “eight souls, were saved through water.” (1 Peter 3:20). Then he says, “This is a symbol of baptism, which now saves you” (1 Peter 3:21). They read Peter’s letter as written to Israel’s believers (1 Peter 1:1). Paul, writing from prison, says believers were “buried with him in baptism” (Colossians 2:12), and he does not say whether water is meant. Our conclusion is that no letter withdraws the command Jesus gave in Matthew 28:19.

Jesus joined his command to a promise: “Behold, I am with you always, even to the end of the age.” (Matthew 28:20). Our conclusion is that the command stands for as long as the promise does. Paul’s list names “one baptism” (Ephesians 4:5) and does not say whether water is meant. Our conclusion is that a verse that does not name water cannot, by itself, set aside a command Jesus gave. We invite readers to read 1 Corinthians 1:10–17 and Acts 10:34–48 whole.

God Promises Forgiveness and the Gift of the Holy Spirit

What the text says. Peter joined a promise to his call: “for the forgiveness of sins, and you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit.” (Acts 2:38). He said the promise was “to all who are far off” (Acts 2:39). In Antioch of Pisidia, Paul said:

Be it known to you therefore, brothers, that through this man is proclaimed to you remission of sins; and by him everyone who believes is justified from all things, from which you could not be justified by the law of Moses.

— Acts 13:38–39

Jesus sent Paul to the nations “to open their eyes, that they may turn from darkness to light and from the power of Satan to God, that they may receive remission of sins and an inheritance among those who are sanctified by faith in me.” (Acts 26:18).

The Spirit is promised too. Jesus said, “how much more will your heavenly Father give the Holy Spirit to those who ask him?” (Luke 11:13). Paul writes, “in whom, having also believed, you were sealed with the promised Holy Spirit, who is a pledge of our inheritance,” (Ephesians 1:13–14). He asks the Galatians, “Did you receive the Spirit by the works of the law, or by hearing of faith?” (Galatians 3:2). He tells the Romans, “But if any man doesn’t have the Spirit of Christ, he is not his.” (Romans 8:9).

The promise reached past Israel. At the house of Cornelius, the believers who came with Peter were amazed, “because the gift of the Holy Spirit was also poured out on the Gentiles.” (Acts 10:45). Peter later said, “He made no distinction between us and them, cleansing their hearts by faith.” (Acts 15:9). Passages: Acts 3:19; 10:43; Galatians 3:14.

What we conclude. Scripture says plainly that God promises forgiveness of sins and the gift of the Holy Spirit (Acts 2:38). Peter made that promise to those who repent and are baptized in Jesus’ name. It says plainly that through Jesus everyone who believes receives remission of sins (Acts 10:43; 13:38–39). It says plainly that the promise is “to all who are far off” (Acts 2:39). Our conclusion is that the promise is God’s own, and that it reaches Jew and Gentile alike (Acts 2:39; 15:9; Romans 10:12).

Questions Answered

These questions touch this article. Each is answered from Scripture and labeled. The Statement of Faith, section 15, gives the same answers.

Whether baptism is necessary for salvation. Our conclusion: every believer is commanded to be baptized, without delay, and no one may treat it as optional. We are saved by grace through faith, and Scripture condemns unbelief, not a believer kept from water.

Peter said: “Repent and be baptized, every one of you, in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of sins, and you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit.” (Acts 2:38).

Read the other way: Acts 22:16; 1 Peter 3:21; Mark 16:16; John 3:5. Confidence: Solid. The command is plain, and so is salvation by faith; Acts 2:38 and 22:16 join them in the normal case.

Infant baptism. Our conclusion: baptism is for those who hear the good news, repent and believe. Every baptism Scripture describes in detail follows hearing and believing, so we baptize believers and do not baptize infants.

Luke wrote: “But when they believed Philip preaching good news concerning God’s Kingdom and the name of Jesus Christ, they were baptized, both men and women.” (Acts 8:12).

Read the other way: Acts 2:39; 16:15, 33; 1 Corinthians 1:16; 7:14; Colossians 2:11–12; Matthew 19:13–14. Confidence: Solid. Every detailed case in Acts follows faith; the household texts are answered by their own context.

Which words are said at a baptism. Our conclusion: we baptize with Jesus’ own words, in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit. Our conclusion is that baptism in the name of Jesus in Acts means by his authority, and is the same baptism.

Jesus said: “Go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit,” (Matthew 28:19).

Read the other way: Acts 2:38; 8:16; 10:48; 19:5. Confidence: Solid. Jesus’ command is plain; we know of no verse that records a spoken formula, and we say so.

The Trinity’s texts, and what the Word of John 1 is. Our conclusion: there is one God, the Father. The Word of John 1 is God’s own word, which became flesh in the man Jesus; it was not a second Person.

Paul wrote: “yet to us there is one God, the Father, of whom are all things, and we for him; and one Lord, Jesus Christ, through whom are all things, and we live through him.” (1 Corinthians 8:6).

Read the other way: John 1:1; Matthew 28:19; Genesis 1:26. Confidence: Solid. One God, the Father, is stated outright; the reading of John 1:1 is our step.

Whether Jesus existed before his conception. Our conclusion: Jesus is a man, the Son of God, who came into existence in Mary’s womb by the Holy Spirit. Before that he existed in God’s purpose and foreknowledge. We grant that John 17:5 reads most naturally as glory before the world, and John 8:58 as life before Abraham. Article 3 gives our answer.

The angel Gabriel said to Mary: “The Holy Spirit will come on you, and the power of the Most High will overshadow you. Therefore also the holy one who is born from you will be called the Son of God.” (Luke 1:35).

Read the other way: John 1:1–3, 15, 30; 3:13; 6:62; 8:58; 17:5; Philippians 2:5–8; Colossians 1:15–17; Hebrews 1:10–12; Jude 5; Micah 5:2; Proverbs 8:22; Revelation 1:17; 2:8; 22:13. Confidence: Narrow. Luke 1:35 is plain, but the texts listed read against us on their face, and we say so.

What the Holy Spirit is. Our conclusion: the Holy Spirit is God’s own power and presence, God at work. It is not a third Person.

The angel Gabriel said: “The Holy Spirit will come on you, and the power of the Most High will overshadow you. Therefore also the holy one who is born from you will be called the Son of God.” (Luke 1:35). Holy Spirit is paired with the power of the Most High.

Read the other way: John 16:13; Acts 5:3–4; Ephesians 4:30; Acts 13:2. Confidence: Solid. The parallels are plain; the personal language of John 14–16 is the remainder.

Whether the dead are conscious before the resurrection. Our conclusion: the dead know nothing and sleep until the resurrection, when Jesus raises them.

The Preacher wrote: “For the living know that they will die, but the dead don’t know anything, neither do they have any more a reward; for their memory is forgotten.” (Ecclesiastes 9:5).

The earliest surviving manuscripts have little or no punctuation, so the comma’s place in Luke 23:43 is an editor’s choice.

Read the other way: Luke 23:43; Philippians 1:23; 2 Corinthians 5:8; Luke 16:19–31; Matthew 22:32; Revelation 20:4; 1 Samuel 28:11–19. Confidence: Solid. The plain statements are on our side; Luke 23:43 turns on punctuation, which we say openly, and in 1 Samuel 28 Samuel speaks after he was brought up, which presses against us.

Whether salvation depends on these questions. Our conclusion: salvation depends on believing the good news about Jesus and remaining in his teaching (2 John 9; Romans 14:1). It does not depend on settling every question in this document.

Jesus said: “I said therefore to you that you will die in your sins; for unless you believe that I am he, you will die in your sins.” (John 8:24).

Read the other way: John 8:24; 1 John 2:23; Galatians 1:9. Confidence: Solid. John 8:24 and 2 John 9 name what is required; Romans 14:1 shows that not every question divides.

What Scripture does not say. As far as we can find, Acts records no words spoken over the one baptized. Acts does not say why the Spirit had not yet fallen on the believers in Samaria (Acts 8:16).

“The secret things belong to Yahweh our God; but the things that are revealed belong to us and to our children forever, that we may do all the words of this law.” (Deuteronomy 29:29).

Where We Stand

Scripture says

• When the crowd asked, “Brothers, what shall we do?” (Acts 2:37), Peter answered, “Repent and be baptized, every one of you, in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of sins, and you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit.” (Acts 2:38).
• God “commands that all people everywhere should repent” (Acts 17:30).
• Paul declared to Jews and Gentiles “that they should repent and turn to God, doing works worthy of repentance.” (Acts 26:20).
• The believers in Jerusalem said God had granted the Gentiles “repentance to life” (Acts 11:18).
• Whoever confesses Jesus as Lord and believes in the heart that God raised him from the dead will be saved (Romans 10:9).
• “So faith comes by hearing, and hearing by the word of God.” (Romans 10:17).
• Jesus sent his disciples to make disciples of all nations, baptizing them and teaching them to observe all that he commanded (Matthew 28:19–20).
• In Acts, those who heard and believed were baptized (Acts 2:41; 8:12; 18:8).
• When the Holy Spirit had fallen on those in the house of Cornelius, Peter “commanded them to be baptized in the name of Jesus Christ.” (Acts 10:48).
• Through Jesus everyone who believes in him receives remission of sins (Acts 10:43), and the promise is “to all who are far off” (Acts 2:39).

We conclude

• Our conclusion: repentance, as Scripture describes it, is turning to God from whatever a person served in his place (Acts 26:20; 1 Thessalonians 1:9).
• Our conclusion: a changed life is its fruit, not a price paid for forgiveness (Acts 26:20).
• Our conclusion: Scripture does not set repentance against faith, but joins them (Mark 1:15; Acts 20:21).
• Our conclusion: reading forgiveness and eternal life as gained on different conditions adds a distinction the text does not state (Acts 10:43; 11:18; John 3:36).
• Our conclusion: because God gives repentance, calling for it does not make salvation a wage (Acts 5:31; 11:18).
• Our conclusion: the faith Scripture calls for is trust in a person, the one God sent, raised and made Lord (John 6:29; Acts 2:36; Romans 10:9).
• Our conclusion: Matthew 7:21 and James 2 warn against a faith that is only said, not against believing with the heart (Romans 10:10; Galatians 5:6).
• Our conclusion: baptism belongs to the response the good news calls for (Acts 2:38; Matthew 28:19).
• Our conclusion: the Spirit’s coming on Cornelius’ house did not take the place of baptism in water (Acts 10:47–48).
• Our conclusion: Jesus’ command to baptize stands for as long as his promise does (Matthew 28:19–20).
• Acts records God keeping his promise of the Spirit in more than one order (Acts 8:15–17; 10:44–48; 19:5–6).
• Our conclusion: the gift and the Giver are the same in each account (Acts 11:17; 15:8).

Hope

Jesus said, “Even so, I tell you, there is joy in the presence of the angels of God over one sinner repenting.” (Luke 15:10). In his story of the son who came home, the son had planned to say, “I am no more worthy to be called your son.” (Luke 15:19). Jesus goes on:

“He arose and came to his father. But while he was still far off, his father saw him and was moved with compassion, and ran, fell on his neck, and kissed him.

— Luke 15:20

Jesus said, “He who comes to me I will in no way throw out.” (John 6:37). Through Isaiah God said, “Let the wicked forsake his way, and the unrighteous man his thoughts. Let him return to Yahweh, and he will have mercy on him, to our God, for he will freely pardon.” (Isaiah 55:7). And near the end of Scripture comes the invitation: “He who is thirsty, let him come. He who desires, let him take the water of life freely.” (Revelation 22:17).

Living It Out

These are applications, offered as invitations.

• You might read Acts 2:14–41 aloud in one sitting, and hear Peter’s sermon as the crowd heard it.
• Peter said, “Repent therefore, and turn again” (Acts 3:19). Consider telling God plainly what you are turning from, and whom you are turning to.
• Romans 10:9 joins the heart and the mouth. You might say aloud, to God and to someone you trust, that Jesus is Lord, and that God raised him from the dead.
• If you have believed and have not been baptized, you might read Acts 8:26–39 and ask the man’s question for yourself: “What is keeping me from being baptized?” (Acts 8:36).
• If you have been baptized, Paul says it was “so we also might walk in newness of life.” (Romans 6:4). You might ask what newness of life would look like for you this week.

Questions for Reflection

1. What did the crowd ask Peter at Pentecost, and what did he tell them to do? (See the opening.)
2. How do Acts 26:20 and 1 Thessalonians 1:9 describe repentance? (See God Commands All People Everywhere to Repent.)
3. How does Paul join repentance and faith in Acts 20:21? (See the objection under God Commands All People Everywhere to Repent.)
4. What does Jesus say in Matthew 7:24 and John 6:40, and how do they help you read Matthew 7:21? (See Those Who Believe in Jesus and Confess Him as Lord Will Be Saved.)
5. Why did Peter say no one could forbid baptism to those in the house of Cornelius, in Acts 10:47–48? (See Those Who Believed Were Baptized in the Name of Jesus Christ.)
6. What would it mean for you to turn to God today? (See Living It Out.)

Check It Yourself

• Opening: Acts 2:14–41; 16:29–34.
• Repent: Matthew 3:1–2; 4:17; Mark 1:15; Luke 5:32; 13:3; 15:7, 10; 24:46–47; Acts 3:19; 5:31; 11:1–18; 17:30–31; 20:17–21; 26:19–20; Romans 2:4; 2 Corinthians 7:10; 1 Thessalonians 1:9–10; 2 Timothy 2:25; 2 Peter 3:9; John 3:16, 36; 20:31; Acts 10:43; 16:31; Ephesians 2:8–9.
• Believe and confess: Romans 10:8–17; Joel 2:32; Acts 2:16, 21; 1 John 5:1; 3:23; John 1:12; 6:28–29, 40; 20:31; Acts 10:43; 16:31; Philippians 2:11; Matthew 7:13–27; 7:24; Luke 6:46; James 2:14–26; Galatians 5:6.
• Baptized: Matthew 28:18–20; Acts 2:37–39, 41; 8:12, 26–39; 9:18; 10:44–48; 16:14–15, 32–34; 18:8; 19:1–5; 22:12–16; Romans 4:9–12; 6:3–4; Galatians 3:27; Colossians 2:11–12; Titus 3:5; 1 Peter 1:1; 3:20–21; Mark 16:16; John 3:5; 20:17; Luke 23:39–43; 1 Corinthians 1:10–17; 12:13; Ephesians 2:8–9; 4:4–6.
• The promise: Acts 2:38–39; 3:19; 10:43, 45; 13:38–39; 26:18; Luke 11:13; Ephesians 1:13–14; Galatians 3:2, 14; Romans 8:9; 10:12; Acts 15:7–11; 8:14–17; 11:15–17; 19:1–7.
• Answered: Statement of Faith, section 15; Acts 2:38; 8:12; 1 Corinthians 8:6; Luke 1:35; Ecclesiastes 9:5; John 8:24; Deuteronomy 29:29.
• Hope: Luke 15:10, 11–24; John 6:37; Isaiah 55:6–7; Revelation 22:17.

Notes on the Text

Mark 16:9–20 is missing from Sinaiticus and Vaticanus, the two oldest Greek manuscripts that contain the end of Mark (both fourth century). The SBLGNT double-brackets it.

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© 2026 Elvis Lucas, Open the Text. Original: https://openthetext.com/series/the-good-news/07-how-to-respond-repent-believe-be-baptized/
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