Following His death, burial, and resurrection Jesus Christ presented Himself alive by many infallible proofs during a period of forty days (Acts 1:3). Prior to His ascension into heaven, Jesus commanded His apostles to wait in Jerusalem for "the Promise of the Father" (Acts 1:4 NKJV). Jesus told His apostles that they would "receive power" (Acts 1:8) and that they would be "endued with power from on high" (Luke 24:49).
When the Day of Pentecost had fully come, the apostles were "all filled with the Holy Spirit and began to speak with other tongues" (Acts 2:1-4). The apostles miraculously spoke in languages which they had never previously learned (Acts 2:6, 8). The various signs and wonders would serve the purpose of "confirming the word" (Mark 16:20). This bestowing of power was a fulfillment of what was spoken by the prophet Joel (Acts 2:16-21). It was also a fulfillment of the promise of Christ who said that the kingdom would come with "power" (Mark 9:1).
After receiving power from on high, the apostle Peter preached the gospel of Christ to the Jews (Acts 2:22-35). This message included the facts of the death, burial, and resurrection of Christ. Peter concluded his sermon with words of rebuke. "Therefore let all the house of Israel know assuredly that God has made this Jesus, whom you crucified, both Lord and Christ" (Acts 2:36). The Jews asked the question: "Men and brethren, what shall we do" (Acts 2:37)? This is one of the greatest of all questions, having consequences for all humanity. What must we do to be saved?
An angel of the Lord said of Jesus: "He will save His people from their sins" (Matt. 1:21). It is a sad fact that "all have sinned" (Rom. 3:23). This ought to make the question of salvation important to all humanity. The Bible teaches: "Nor is there salvation in any other, for there is no other name under heaven given among men by which we must be saved" (Acts 4:12). If we will be saved from our sins, then we must obey the Savior. Jesus is "the author of eternal salvation to all who obey Him" (Heb. 5:9).
What must we do to be saved from our sins? Peter quoted Joel as saying: "whoever calls on the name of the LORD Shall be saved" (Acts 2:21). How did the Jews on the Day of Pentecost call on the name of the Lord? Did they simply profess the name of the Lord? Jesus said: "Not everyone who says to Me, 'Lord, Lord,' shall enter the kingdom of heaven, but he who does the will of My Father in heaven" (Matt. 7:21). The apostle Peter answered: "Repent, and let every one of you be baptized in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins" (Acts 2:38). The phrase "shall be saved" (Acts 2:21) is equivalent to "remission of sins" (Acts 2:38). Peter's response to their question is not surprising given that Christ Himself taught that "repentance and remission of sins should be preached in His name" (Luke 24:47). Baptism is "for the remission of sins." Remember, it was Jesus who said, "He who believes and is baptized will be saved" (Mark 16:16). Luke recorded that those "who gladly received his word were baptized" (Acts 2:41). It was on that day that about three thousand souls were added to them. "And the Lord added to the church daily those who were being saved" (Acts 2:47). Will you become a Christian today?