Acts 2:37-39
(37) Now after hearing this, they were cut to the heart; and they said to Peter and the other apostles, “Men and brethren, what shall we do?” (38) Then Peter said to them, “Repent and be baptized each one of you in the name of Yeshua HaMeshiach for the remission of sins, and you yourselves shall receive the gift of the Holy Spirit. (39) For the promise is to you and to your children, and to all those who are afar off, as many as Avinu Eloheinu may call.”
We have to repent. Avinu gradually unfolds before us what the conditions for salvation are. Layer upon layer of truth, or revelation, is needed to get the fullness of a subject. So we have to repent (turn away from sin to doing ‘good works’)
“From that time Yeshua began to preach and to say, “Repent, for the kingdom of heaven is at hand.”” (Mt 4:17 )
We have to be baptized and believe in the name of Yeshua HaMeshiach.
“He who believes and is baptized will be saved; but he who does not believe will be condemned.” (Mr 16:16 )
We have to confess our sins:
“Then all the land of Judea, and those from Jerusalem, went out to him and were all baptized by him in the Jordan River, confessing their sins.” (Mr 1:5 )
“If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.” (1John 1:9)
We also have to have hands laid on us
“14 ¶ Now when the apostles who were at Jerusalem heard that Samaria had received the word of Avinu, they sent Peter and John to them, 15 who, when they had come down, prayed for them that they might receive the Holy Spirit. 16 For as yet He had fallen upon none of them. They had only been baptized in the name of the Master, Yeshua. 17 Then they laid hands on them, and they received the Holy Spirit.” (Ac 8:14-17 )
Here are the conditions:
Salvation is by invitation only.
“No one can come to Me unless the Father who sent Me draws him; and I will raise him up at the last day.” (Joh 6:44 )
We must read the Torah and follow the leading of the Holy Spirit.
“For Moses has had throughout many generations those who preach him in every city, being read in the synagogues every Sabbath.”” (Ac 15:21)
“Or do you despise the riches of His goodness, forbearance, and longsuffering, not knowing that the goodness of Avinu leads you to repentance?” (Ro 2:4)
“15 ¶ “If you love Me, keep My commandments. 16 “And I will pray the Father, and He will give you another Helper, that He may abide with you forever — 17 “the Spirit of truth, whom the world cannot receive, because it neither sees Him nor knows Him; but you know Him, for He dwells with you and will be in you. 18 ¶ “I will not leave you orphans; I will come to you.” (Joh 14:15-18 )
“And we are His witnesses to these things, and so also is the Holy Spirit whom Avinu has given to those who obey Him.”” (Ac 5:32)
This should help us to understand that the “writing of the law on our hearts” is a cooperative effort.
“For this is the covenant that I will make with the house of Israel after those days, says the LORD: I will put My laws in their mind and write them on their hearts; and I will be their Avinu, and they shall be My people.” (Heb 8:10 )
This is not something done only by Avinu, but it absolutely requires what Avinu does. It also requires that we do something. When a person does these things, he is meeting some of the terms of the New Covenant.
Thus, in a progressive way, over a period of time, we will be “conformed into the image of His Son..”
“For whom He foreknew, He also predestined to be conformed to the image of His Son, that He might be the firstborn among many brethren.” (Ro 8:29 )
“And do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, that you may prove what is that good and acceptable and perfect will of Avinu.” (Ro 12:2 )
“that I may know Him and the power of His resurrection, and the fellowship of His sufferings, being conformed to His death,” (Php 3:10)
“who will transform our lowly body that it may be conformed to His glorious body, according to the working by which He is able even to subdue all things to Himself.” (Php 3:21 )
This is why it is written,
“For Meshiach is the end (greek – teleos – goal) of the law for righteousness to everyone who believes.” (Ro 10:4 )
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