Devotional Guide, Today’s Reading – Friday, March 5, 2021

Theme: THE VOICE OF CONSCIENCE

Text: “Now when they heard this, they were pricked in their heart, and said unto Peter and to the rest of the apostles, Men and brethren, what shall we do? Then Peter said unto them, Repent, and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins, and ye shall receive the gift of the Holy Ghost (i.e. the holy spirit).” – Acts 2:37, 38, parenthesis ours

Comment: Before Christ’s ascension, he instructed his apostles to wait in Jerusalem until the holy spirit would descend on them and empower them to effectively proclaim his name and word. It was not until the day of Pentecost, the festival of firstfruits, that the promise was fulfilled. On that day the apostles preached in several languages, thus enabling the Jewish worshippers from other parts of the Roman empire to understand the gospel. St. Peter, addressing the Jews, spoke of their ignoble and wicked role in crucifying Jesus Christ but assured them that the same Jesus had been resurrected by God as a Saviour for sinful mankind.  The Jews in their conscience felt very guilty, and were compelled to enquire as to what they should do under the circumstance.  The result was that about 3000 people signified their conversion by baptism, having been charged to save themselves “from this untoward generation”. – Acts 2:40, 41.

The truth exposes sin and arouses in the people of good heart condition, the contriteness of heart that moves them to do right.  “For the word of God is quick, and powerful, and sharper than any twoedged sword, piercing even to the dividing asunder of soul and spirit, and of the joints and marrow, and is a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart.” (Hebrews 4:12) We should to keep the vows of our baptism, by having always “a good conscience toward God”. – 1 Peter 3:21, 22.