“Therefore repent and return, so that your sins may be wiped away, in order that times of refreshing may come from the presence of the Lord;” Acts 3:19
Today’s Verse is from the 2nd sermon that Peter has given so far in the Book of Acts; and, on both occasions, he gives Similar Instruction. When asked in Chapter 2 by those on Pentecost, “Brethren, what shall we do?” what was his reply? Believe? Pray? Have Faith? NO! It was Repent! In Today’s Verse, after healing the lame man and the people gathered around them, what does he tell them? Believe? Pray? Have Faith? NO! It was Repent! And what stands out HUGE here, is that Peter’s Preaching is the “Beginning” of the Church. A Crucial Point we cannot miss!
Now don’t get me wrong, it’s not that Believing, and having Faith in Jesus, is not involved. It is! But the Emphasis in these first few Chapters of Acts is “Repentance”! Sadly, this is missing in Gospel Preaching today, and it Should Not Be!!! If you ask me, this is one of the reasons the Church is so Anemic and Weak today. If it refuses to follow the New Testament Model, it will not see New Testament Results. The Church needs to “Repent” from the absence of Repentance!