In Acts 1-2, after Jesus is raised from the dead, He breathes His Spirit upon a group of His disciples who thereafter join for prayer and while they gather, the Holy Spirit empowers them for the birthday of the church. During this time, they begin presenting the Gospel to all those gathered in Jerusalem. While one of them (Peter) was preaching this message of Good News, a group of Jewish people nearby said the following:

“36 Therefore let all Israel be assured of this: God has made this Jesus, whom you crucified, both Lord and Messiah.” 37 When the people heard this, they were cut to the heart and said to Peter and the other apostles, “Brothers, what shall we do?” 38 Peter replied, “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. 39 The promise is for you and your children and for all who are far off—for all whom the Lord our God will call.” 40 With many other words he warned them; and he pleaded with them, “Save yourselves from this corrupt generation.” 41 Those who accepted his message were baptized, and about three thousand were added to their number that day.” Acts 2:36-40 (NIV)

You may be in a similar place as the people of Jerusalem at the time they heard the Good News. You may be wondering to yourself, “What shall I do?” The message then and the message today hasn’t changed: receive the Good News of Jesus through repentance, baptism, and living a life empowered by the Holy Spirit.

But was the Good News meant for just those in Jerusalem, at that time? The apostle Paul, who was one of these early Jewish believers who encountered Jesus wrote to the Christians of Rome:

“8 But what does it say? “The word is near you; it is in your mouth and in your heart,” that is, the message concerning faith that we proclaim: 9 If you declare with your mouth, “Jesus is Lord,” and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved. 10 For it is with your heart that you believe and are justified, and it is with your mouth that you profess your faith and are saved. 11 As Scripture says, “Anyone who believes in him will never be put to shame.” 12 For there is no difference between Jew and Gentile—the same Lord is Lord of all and richly blesses all who call on him, 13 for, “Everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved.” Romans 10:8-13 (NIV)

The Scriptures are clear that no matter who we are, where we come from, what we have done or haven’t done, that if we declare with our mouth that Jesus is Lord and believe in our hearts that God raised Him from the dead, we will be saved. All who call on Jesus’ name will be saved from the power and penalty of sin, hell, and the grave. 

And the promise to those who call on the name of Jesus and acknowledge Him as Lord is that the Spirit of God will live in them. John wrote it this way to the early Church: 

“13 This is how we know that we live in him and he in us: He has given us of his Spirit. 14 And we have seen and testify that the Father has sent his Son to be the Savior of the world. 15 If anyone acknowledges that Jesus is the Son of God, God lives in them and they in God. 16 And so we know and rely on the love God has for us.” 1 John 4:13-16 (NIV)

If you want to receive this Good News of salvation and the indwelling of God’s Presence, pray this prayer: 

“Dear Jesus, I come to You declaring that You are God and Lord. I was made by You and I fell in sin. I need You. I believe You died for my sin, was buried on my behalf, and rose from the grave. I repent and ask for Your forgiveness from my sin. Lord Jesus, I give You every part of my life and commit myself to You. I ask for Your grace to transform me, help to obey You, and strengthen me to love You and others all the days of my life. In Jesus’ name, amen.”