the Fourth Week after Easter
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Daily Devotionals
Day by Day Devotional - Year 4 of 5
Acts 2:22-41
Starting with a passage from the prophet Joel, Peter demonstrated to the Jews that the power moving amongst them had a divine origin. Whenever we listen to a Bible reading or preaching, let us never forget that it is God speaking to us. Now Peter recalls the wonderful pathway of Christ down here, His death and resurrection foretold by many passages of Scripture and to which the apostles bore witness. Thus it was "this Jesus" whom the people had crucified whom God had made to sit on His right hand, appointing Him as Lord and Christ. What a horrifying subject for His murderers, convicted of such a crime! Pricked by their consciences, those listening are deeply affected by feelings both of fear and confusion. How can they appease God after such an outrage? "In the first place by repentance," replies Peter. This is not just being sorry for having done something wrong but rather agreeing with God in His judgment of our past actions and then turning away from these old ways. Repentance is thus the first manifestation of faith (this is why the apostle does not have to invite them to believe). Three thousand people are converted and baptized following this first sermon.
