Daily Devotionals

Escaping Ordinary Week 2: Thursday

Those who believed what Peter said were baptized and added to the church that day—about 3,000 in all. Acts 2:41

There is a reason why our church has a mission to make Christ known. We believe that making Christ known is one of the most extraordinary things we can ever do as followers of Jesus. Why? We believe that there really is a heaven, and there is a hell. As a result, we want to see everyone turn to Jesus, who offers eternal life with Him forever in Heaven if they commit their lives to Him. Seeing our friends and loved ones turn to Jesus is one of the greatest privileges we will ever experience. The early church understood this well, seeing many people turn to Jesus due to their boldness and the Holy Spirit’s work. 

Our Bible study yesterday in Acts 2 showed that the early church called people to repent for their sins and follow Jesus instead. Filled with the Holy Spirit, Peter preached a sermon where He shared about Jesus and all He had done. He also called those listening to repent, or turn away from sin and turn to Jesus. Today, let’s look at their response. Verse 37 says that Peter’s message “pierced their hearts,” leading them to say, “What should we do?” He said, “turn to God and be baptized in the name of Jesus Christ” (verse 38). Verse 41 says, “those who believed what Peter said were baptized and added to the church that day—about 3,000 in all.” What an incredible day that must have been to see about 3,000 people turn to Jesus and get baptized. 

Can you imagine the celebration when about 3,000 people were baptized? This moment was the beginning of the church. God was growing His church so that more and more people would come to believe in Him. The work of the Holy Spirit in the church in Acts 2 is why we are a church today and meet every week. We now get the privilege of carrying on this mission of making Christ known and celebrating all He has done!

Moving toward action

Yesterday in our study, we challenged you to share your story with someone you know needs the hope of Christ, but you have been hesitant to share. Take some time today to pray for them. Pray That God would continue to work and move in their lives so that they would one day come to believe in Him and commit their lives to Him.  

Going Deeper

Acts 2:37-41 (NLT)

"Peter’s words pierced their hearts, and they said to him and to the other apostles, “Brothers, what should we do?”

38 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. 39 This promise is to you, to your children, and to those far away—all who have been called by the Lord our God.” 40 Then Peter continued preaching for a long time, strongly urging all his listeners, “Save yourselves from this crooked generation!”

41 Those who believed what Peter said were baptized and added to the church that day—about 3,000 in all."