But here was Peter confirming Jesus' identity. This is why he said, in response to their question -- "What must I do to be saved?" that they had to repent, and be water baptized in the precious Name of the Lord Jesus. (Acts 2:36-38) What did Peter say would happen when the first 3,000 souls to be saved did as they were instructed. These would receive the gift of the Holy Ghost.
The risen Christ living within.
In a similar example, Peter said. "Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ and you shalt be saved and thy house[hold]." (Acts 16:30-31)
Why Jesus? Because there is no other Name under Heaven given among men whereby men and women can be saved. (Acts 4:12) Jesus is the power name for all things on heaven and in earth. Jesus is the Healer. Jesus is the Deliverer. Jesus is the Christ who came to heal the broken-hearted and the lame. This same Jesus -- King of kings and Lord of lords, Alpha and Omega, the first and the last, the beginning and the ending.
Taking this one step further, note also that the scriptures instruct to do everything we do in word or deed in the Name of the Lord Jesus. Moreover, there was a reason why Mary and Joseph were told by the angel to call His name JESUS ... Emmanuel, meaning God with us! "For He shall save His people from their sins." (Matthew 1:21-23; Luke 1:31-35) The scriptures are clear on this point. They shall call Him Jesus.
Later, after Jesus was finished preaching to the multitudes, He the disciples' understanding so that they might understand the scriptures. Jesus said unto them, "This it is written and thus it behoved Christ to suffer and to rise from the dead the third day. And that repentance and remission of sins should be preached in His name among all nations beginning at Jerusalem. (Luke 24:45-47)
In other words, believe in Jesus so that you may also have everlasting life.
When the people asked, "What shall we do that we might work the works of God" Jesus answered and said unto them, "This is the work of God that you believe in Him whom He hath sent." In Jesus, "My Father has given you the true bread from Heaven for the bread of God which comes down from Heaven gives life unto the world." (John 6)
Therefore, "if any man thirst, let him come unto Me and drink," saith Jesus, "He that believes on Me as the scriptures has said out of his belly shall flow rivers of living water. (But this spake He of the Spirit which they that believe on Him should receive for the Holy Ghost was not yet given because Jesus was not yet glorified.)"
Still, as we see from the results on the day of Pentecost, and how those who gladly received the Word repented and were baptized, we can know that Jesus is the bread of life. He that believes on Him hath everlasting life. "This is that bread which came down from Heaven -- not as your fathers did ate manna and are dead. He that eats of this bread shall live forever." (John 6:58)
This bread being Jesus. He said, "I AM the Bread of Life!"
This is the good news gospel message which God intended for us when He first created us in the Garden of Eden. It is this same good news gospel message that He personally delivered when He -- God became flesh and dwelt among us so that we might understand just how much He loves us. (John 1:1-18; I Timothy 3:16; John 1:10-11; Isaiah 42:13; Isaiah 9:6)
For God so loved the world! (John 3:16) For God so loved you and I.
He has a purpose for each and every one of us, if only we would choose life in Jesus, and clothe ourselves in His righteousness. Most certainly, you will have no better friend in this life, as Jesus never fails. He is always ready and willing to hear our heart's cry. From the beginning of time, His love has been focused on us. Yes, Jesus said, "I am the Way, the Truth, and the Life." And He did so in order for us to experience life the way He intended life to be.
Stand in the Offering Plate!
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