JOYFUL CHANGE - ALBERT ELISHA OBERDORFER - SAMPLE
God’s goodness leads to true repentance. In scripture, we always see the same picture. People follow Jesus gladly because they have experienced His goodness. Zacchaeus is a prime example. So are many more. The blind man who received a miraculous healing of his eyes, in Luke 18, for example. How did he react once he had received his sight? He followed Jesus. (Luke 18:43) We see the same picture on the day of Pentecost. Peter preached the good news of Jesus Christ. Then the people were touched in their hearts and asked, “What shall we do?” Peter replied, “Repent, and let every one of you be baptized in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins; and you shall receive the gift of the Holy Spirit.” (Acts 2:38). And how did the people respond? “Then those who gladly received his word got baptized ...” (Acts 2:41) The point is: they got baptized because they received Peter’s word “gladly.’ This is the biblical way of repentance. It’s a joyful change.
God’s goodness leads to true repentance.
In scripture, we always see the same picture.
People follow Jesus gladly because they have experienced His goodness.
Zacchaeus is a prime example.
So are many more.
The blind man who received a miraculous healing of his eyes, in Luke 18, for example.
How did he react once he had received his sight?
He followed Jesus. (Luke 18:43)
We see the same picture on the day of Pentecost.
Peter preached the good news of Jesus Christ.
Then the people were touched in their hearts and asked, “What shall we do?”
Peter replied, “Repent, and let every one of you be baptized in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins; and you shall receive the gift of the Holy Spirit.” (Acts 2:38).
And how did the people respond?
“Then those who gladly received his word got baptized ...” (Acts 2:41)
The point is: they got baptized because they received Peter’s word “gladly.’
This is the biblical way of repentance.
It’s a joyful change.
You also want an ePaper? Increase the reach of your titles
YUMPU automatically turns print PDFs into web optimized ePapers that Google loves.
We read,<br />
“Then those who gladly received his word<br />
were baptized; and that day about three<br />
thousand souls were added to them.”<br />
(Acts 2:41)<br />
This is so important.<br />
That when people come to the Lord and<br />
get baptized, they do it gladly.<br />
This shows that their repentance is real.<br />
If someone tries to coerce people to turn<br />
to the Lord or get baptized, that person<br />
hasn’t understood true repentance yet.<br />
Paul, the apostle, seemed to need a little<br />
nudging.<br />
Ananias said to him,<br />
“And now why are you waiting? Arise and<br />
be baptized, and wash away your sins,<br />
calling on the name of the Lord.” (Acts<br />
22:16)<br />
But in Paul’s case, Paul had already had a<br />
life-changing encounter with Jesus on the<br />
road to Damascus.<br />
An encounter in which he heard the voice<br />
of Jesus.<br />
And Paul was also so blinded by Jesus’<br />
glory that he couldn’t see for 3 days and<br />
54
Change language