Our world needs Good News, and it’s Jesus

Pastor Kevin Wade

Note: This post paraphrases some of Peter’s dialogue from Acts 2 in order to make it easier to understand. For the “uncut” version, read the chapter.

I've been thinking a lot about Acts chapter 2 and what it looks like to share the Gospel with others. There's a quote often attributed to D.L. Moody that says, “You’ve got to get people lost before you can get them saved.” But here's the thing – we can't just make people feel guilty and send them out the door with shame. We have to show them the solution, too.

We live in a culture that is post-Christian. There are people in our own communities who have never heard the name of Jesus. When you tell them they need to be saved, they ask, "From what?" They've never been told their behaviors are sinful. Sometimes we sanitize it – we say "mistakes" or "slip ups" instead of calling it what it is: sin. But Peter didn't do that. He stood before the Jewish people at Pentecost and told them straight: You still have sin in your life, and you need what God has been offering.

People have always needed salvation
What's fascinating is how this connects all the way back to Deuteronomy 30. God promised restoration to Israel after laying out the blessings and curses. Moses told them God would circumcise their hearts – not just an outward sign, but an internal change. But it was conditional: only if you turn to the Lord with all your heart and soul. That word "turn" means to return or repent.

Peter stood up and called the people together, just like Moses did. He told them: "God's promise of restoration from Deuteronomy 30 is happening right now. You're witnessing it!" He reminded them of all the signs and wonders – the healings, the miracles, the dead raised. “You saw Jesus die on that cross 50 days ago,” he said. “The sky went dark. His blood was poured out. And now salvation is available to everyone who calls on the name of the Lord.”

And here's where Peter connects the dots: The Old Testament said that Yahweh would pour of His Spirit, that Yahweh was that name to call upon for salvation, that the Messiah would experience a bodily resurrection. Peter shows, using David’s own words, that all these promises find their fulfillment in Jesus, the one they crucified but the one God raised from the dead. It wasn’t David – he was still dead, buried and decayed. It was, and is, Jesus the Nazarene.

We must make it personal
When the people heard this, they were pierced to the heart and asked, "What shall we do?" Peter's answer? Repent. “Change your mind about who Jesus is. Accept Him as Messiah and Lord – who God says He is, not who man says He is. Be baptized into the fellowship of believers. It's not the water that saves you – it's faith in the blood of Jesus. When you believe, God will cancel your debt, forgive you, cleanse you, and give you the Holy Spirit.”

Don’t complicate it
As we go out and share the gospel, here's what I've learned: Just tell people the truth. Be factual. The Gospel is spectacular enough in itself. We don't need to sensationalize it or add poetic license. Just tell the story of Jesus – that God didn't give up on sinners, didn't forget them, didn't abandon them. God cares so much that He sent His Son to die for their sins. If they just believe, they can be saved. It's that simple.

But we also have to be compassionate. Peter had compassion. When they cried out asking if they'd missed the Messiah, he said, “No! The message of salvation is still for you.” There's no one too lost that God cannot find. No one too far gone that God cannot save if they're willing to humble themselves and ask.

We need to keep testifying and exhorting people that God loves them – not that they're too far gone. It's our responsibility to tell them God came a long way to find them. We offer compassion to those seeking, never condemnation. Jesus didn't condemn us, so let’s not condemn others. The world is lost, but we can share with them how they can be found, saved, and rescued.

Only Jesus Christ can save. Only He can redeem our souls. And He's calling right now.