What exactly was the saving message that must be believed for eternal life preached by Peter?
Peter gives this message: Jesus is the Messiah— but he doesn’t explain that simply by believing that message they have eternal life. By verse 37 the people believe Jesus is the Christ. But believing Jesus is the Christ doesn’t save; one must believe that BY believing in Jesus one is saved; there is a difference. So, are they saved by v.37? It looks like it to me. Did part of Peter’s message just get skipped in being recorded? Verse 38 (turning from sin and being baptized) are works; believers do these things for fellowship once they have eternal life. So v. 38 wouldn’t save.
The only verse I see that could have brought them eternal life is v. 21 (calling on the name of the Lord). Yet I was under the impression one simply believes on Jesus to be saved. In other words, Peter never said “believe on Jesus Christ to be saved eternally” in this passage. He just said Jesus was the Christ. How did they know what would eternally save them?
Acts 2:1 - 40
ESV - 1 When the day of Pentecost arrived, they were all together in one place. 2 And suddenly there came from heaven a sound like a mighty rushing wind, and it filled the entire house where they were sitting.
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Asked November 23 2022
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Amanda Harris
For follow-up discussion and general commentary on the topic. Comments are sorted chronologically.
Danny Hickman
There is only one way to have eternal life; you must be born of the eternal Spirit. If you're not endowed with the Spirit of God you will die. There's only one way to be endowed with God's Spirit; God must fill you with Himself. When He does, you will know Him.
In John 3, Jesus tells us that it happens but not how it happens . He compared it to the wind that blows wherever it wishes. You can't see it but you feel it and you see the affect it has on its surroundings.
This back and forth about 'Believing' doesn't consider the main part of it all.
Salvation is a work of God!
No one can read you a bedtime story and make you fall asleep if you're not sleepy. No one can tell you about Jesus and make you believe He is what you need for your life.
Jesus made a point of how we must feel the need for God to be open to God's grace. He said it was easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle than it is for a rich man to enter the kingdom of God. It's impossible for a camel to go through the eye of a needle.
What is Jesus saying? You have to continue reading what He said. He goes on to say 'with God all things are possible.' That's the point! WITH GOD!
A preacher or teacher can tell the gospel, but it does no good if God doesn't get involved. It's the condition of the soil that decides if good seed takes roots and thrives. It's the landowner who has to get the ground ready for planting.
Blessed are those who believe and have not seen. Blessed by whom? GOD!