True Repentance and the Holy Spirit

It’s not possible to separate true repentance from the Holy Spirit. There is no salvation without the convicting and saving work of the Holy Spirit in human hearts.

This is evident from the first mass salvation, recorded in Acts chapter 2, taking place on the Day of Pentecost. On this day, Jesus’ disciples received the promised gift of the Holy Spirit, expressed miraculously in their speaking in tongues and declaring the wonders of God.

There is no salvation without the convicting and saving work of the Holy Spirit in human hearts. #salvation #HolySpirit #Biblestudy Share on X

True Repentance and the Holy Spirit

This supernatural filling of the disciples with the Holy Spirit gave Peter the opportunity and the ability to address the crowd and preach the salvation God provided through Jesus’ death and resurrection.

Although there were people from other nations present, Peter specifically turned to the “men of Israel” and “all the house of Israel”. These are the people to whom God promised the Messiah, but they rejected Jesus as God’s Son and Savior, and murdered Him.

That’s why Peter identified his listeners as the ones who crucified Jesus, who is both Lord and Christ. (Acts 2:36)

The pain of realization pierced their hearts, making them ask, “Brothers, what shall we do?” (Acts 2:37) This soul-cry was the evidence that the Holy Spirit had already worked in their hearts, opening their spiritual eyes and preparing them for true repentance.

Remember to pin me for later!

What Does True Repentance Mean

Peter didn’t have to convince them. They have understood who Jesus is. So, what could they do to avoid the punishment for their crime?

“And Peter said to them, ‘Repent and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins, and you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit.'” (Acts 2:38, ESV)

Peter asked them to repent first. Repentance means acknowledging our sins and crimes and taking God’s side against them. True repentance also includes faith in Jesus as the Messiah and Lord, as the One who died for our sins and the One Who was resurrected for our restoration. 

Repentance means acknowledging our sins and crimes and taking God's side against them. #repentance #faith #Biblestudy Share on X

The True Meaning of Baptism

The profound internal change of repentance finds its external expression in baptism. Peter called the Jews to be baptized in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of their sins as an outward sign of identification with Jesus Christ, and a separation from the people who crucified the Lord.

In the phrase “be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins,” the Greek prefix “eis” (for) also means “because of”. This implies that the Jews can be baptized because they are forgiven, not to obtain forgiveness.

The baptism in the name of Jesus becomes possible for these first Jewish converts at Pentecost because of the repentance, and specifically the repentance from the crime of crucifying the Lord.

The ones who said, “His blood be on us and on our children!” (Matthew 27:25, ESV) understood what they did during Peter’s sermon. They confessed their sins and received new life and eternal forgiveness. The act of baptism became an external expression of the forgiveness of the sin of rejecting Jesus and also of their own sins.

The Saving Work of the Holy Spirit

Receiving the gift of the Holy Spirit completes the conversion. Salvation starts with the work of the Holy Spirit and continues through His indwelling presence.

What the Spirit did in and for these first Jewish converts, He has continued doing ever since: softening human hearts and bringing them to faith and new life. 

It is the Spirit Who initiated true repentance by convicting the Jews and opening their spiritual eyes to the truth about Jesus. The Holy Spirit led them to repent and, by the baptism, to confirm their repentance and separation “from this corrupt generation.” (Acts 2:40)

Finally, the Holy Spirit filled their hearts, giving them the fruit of their repentance: a resurrected life and new creation in Christ. This same Spirit is in us.

Prayer

Heavenly Father, work in our hearts through your Holy Spirit, convicting, purifying, and enabling us to live a life worthy of our calling to be your followers and witnesses. In Jesus’ name, amen.

The Holy Spirit starts our salvation by convicting our hearts, bringing us to repentance and faith in Jesus Christ, and empowering us to live the new life of Jesus' witnesses. #faith #HolySpirit #repentance Share on X

More Helpful Resources for You

If you need more resources to encourage and help you walk by faith, I can highly recommend these books. Check them out.

Draw Near: How Painful Experiences Become the Birthplace of Blessings by Hadassah Treu

Trusting God in All the Things: 90 Devotions for Finding Peace in Your Every Day by Karen Ehman and Ruth Schwenk

The Night Is Normal by Dr. Alicia Britt Chole

Make Up Your Mind: Unlock Your Thoughts, Transform Your Life by Denise Dubois Pass and Michelle Nietert

Life Can Be Good Again by Lisa Appelo

It’s Not Supposed to Be This Way by Lisa Terkeurst

Hope When Life Unravels: Finding God When It Hurts by Adam Dooley

Restoration Year – a 365 Days Devotional by John Eldredge

All Things New by John Eldredge

Hope for the Hard Days by Sarah Geringer

Lean into Grace by Stacey Pardoe

This page contains affiliate links, which means I make a small commission at no extra cost to you. The commission I make from these items will help keep this blog going. Thank you!

Your Turn

Do you remember the moment of your salvation? Share in the comments and on social media if you found this article helpful. Thank you!

I send my newsletter “Keep the Faith” every two weeks. I share with you first the newest blog post, recommended books and articles, and the newest freebies and resources to keep the faith.