Repent and be baptized . . .
for the forgiveness of your sins.
—Acts 2:38
When John the Baptist came on the scene to prepare for the appearance of Jesus, his message was “Repent!” (Mt 3:2).
When Jesus began his preaching career, his first sermon was “Repent!” (Mt 4:17).
When Peter preached the first sermon at the church’s birth, his message was “Repent!” (Acts 2:38).
Forgiveness is promised to those who repent. The Bible has no encouraging word to those who sense no need for repentance. Jesus said, “Healthy people don’t need a doctor—sick people do. I have come to call sinners to repent, not those who think they are already good enough” (Lk 5:31–32).
Only those who realize they are sick
will listen to the doctor.