On the Day of Pentecost, the church began. Peter preached the gospel of Jesus Christ. He preached Jesus' death, burial, and resurrection. At the conclusion of his gospel message, the people responded:

"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?" - Acts 2:37 KJV

Peter had just preached the gospel to the people. Now he preached how to obey the gospel:

"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. For the promise is unto you, and to your children, and to all that are afar off, even as many as the Lord our God shall call." - Acts 2:38-39 KJV

If we want to be saved, we must turn from sin, have our sins removed by baptism in Jesus name, and receive the gift of God’s Spirit in us.

We cannot continue in sin, and expect to be saved.

We cannot expect to stand before God blameless if we have not had our sins covered by His blood by baptism IN THE NAME OF JESUS.

Without the Spirit of God within us, we do not belong to Him.

"But ye are not in the flesh, but in the Spirit, if so be that the Spirit of God dwell in you. Now if any man have not the Spirit of Christ, he is none of his." - Romans 8:9 KJV

Peter pleaded with the people:

"And with many other words did he testify and exhort, saying, Save yourselves from this untoward generation." - Acts 2:40 KJV

How did the people respond?

"Then they that gladly received his word were baptized: and the same day there were added unto them about three thousand souls." - Acts 2:41 KJV

The people were now part of the kingdom of God – they had been born again of water and of the Spirit!

"Jesus answered, Verily, verily, I say unto thee, Except a man be born of water and of the Spirit, he cannot enter into the kingdom of God." - John 3:5 KJV

Their spiritual journey did not stop with baptism of water and Spirit. They were born again and now needed to mature.

How would they grow?

"And they continued stedfastly in the apostles' doctrine and fellowship, and in breaking of bread, and in prayers." - Acts 2:42 KJV