GOD'S TERMS FOR PARDON AFTER THE RESURRECTION BY STEVE FINNELL
The book of Acts gives the thirty year account of the church of Jesus Christ after the resurrection of Jesus. Jesus said, after His resurrection. (Luke 24:47 "and repentance and remission of sins should be preached in His name to all nations, beginning at Jerusalem.NKJV)
The apostle Peter preached the first sermon on the Day of Pentecost; at Jerusalem. About three thousand were obedient to God's terms for pardon on that day.
THE SERMON
1. Peter preached Jesus a miracle worker.(Acts 2:22) Not one person denied that fact.
2. Peter preached that Jesus was crucified and that God raised Him from the dead.(Acts 2:23-34)
3. Peter proclaimed Jesus as both Lord and Christ, whom they had crucified. (Acts 2:36) Acts 2:37 Now when they heard this, they were cut to the heart, and said to Peter and the rest of the apostles, "Men and brethren, what shall we do do"?NKJV
Not one infant or toddler was cut to the heart, and asked what shall we do.[NOTE: Infants and toddlers are not guilty of sin]
4. Acts 2:38 Then Peter said to them, "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.(NKJV)
Acts 2:38 Peter said to them, "Repent, and be baptized in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins; and you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit. )NASB)
Acts 2:38 Peter replied: "Repent and be baptized, every one of you, in the name of Jesus Christ so that your sins may be forgiven. And you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit. (NIV 1973)
Peter said "So your sins may be forgiven." He did not say, so you can be forgiven for Adam's sin.
Peter did not say repent and be baptized for the guilt of Adam's sin.
Peter did not tell unbelieving infants to repent and be baptized.
Not one convert said, "We do not have to be immersed in water, because the thief on the cross was not baptized and he was saved."
Peter did not say, "You were saved the minute you believed, however, you need to be baptized as a testimony of your faith."
Peter did not say, "If you are one of those whom God chose for salvation, then repent and be baptized."
Peter did not say, "All of you who reject Jesus, have been individually chosen by God to burn in hell."
Peter did not say, "Be baptized because your sins have already been forgiven."
Not a single person said, "Moses did not believe Jesus was resurrected from the dead, and he was saved, therefore, we and our non believing infant children can have our sins forgiven without believing that God raised Jesus from the dead."
Acts 2:41 Then those who gladly received his word were baptized; and that day about three thousand souls were added to them.(NKJV)
Who was added to the church on the Day of Pentecost? Those who believed Peter's preaching and were baptized.
No infants nor toddlers believed Peter's preaching, nor were they baptized.
If there were those who did not believe Peter's preaching about about baptism for the forgiveness of sins, then they were not added to the church. Only those who received Peter's word were added to the church.( Acts 2:41,47)