Cornerstone Apostolic Church Bible Study
What Must I Do?
Jesus said, “Ye must be born again.” He was speaking of a life-changing experience with God: sins forgiven, His Spirit received, and a new life begun. The Book of Acts shows how the first believers were born again.
“What shall we do? 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.”
Acts 2:37-38 (KJV)Start with Jesus
Jesus died for our sins, was buried, and rose again. He is alive, and He still forgives sins, fills people with the Holy Ghost, and gives new life. Peter told a crowd in Jerusalem that the Jesus they had crucified was Lord and Christ. Cut to the heart, they asked, “What shall we do?” His answer in Acts 2:38 shows how to respond to Jesus and be born again.
Read 1 Corinthians 15:3-4 · John 3:3-5 · Acts 2:22-39
The promise of the new birth
A new life in God’s kingdom
One night, a religious leader named Nicodemus came to Jesus. He knew much about God, yet Jesus told him he still needed to be born again to see and enter God’s kingdom. Nicodemus wondered how an adult could be born a second time. Jesus was speaking of a new birth of water and Spirit, a life that comes from God. How can you experience that new birth? Peter’s answer to the crowd leads us through repentance, baptism in Jesus’ name, and receiving the Holy Ghost. John 3:3-8; Acts 2:37-41
Repent and turn to God
Peter told the crowd in Jerusalem that they had crucified Jesus, but God had raised Him from the dead and made Him both Lord and Christ. They had rejected the very Savior God sent. Cut to the heart, they asked, “What shall we do?” Peter’s first word was “Repent.” Repentance means being honest with God about sin, turning away from it, and turning toward Jesus as Lord. It begins with a changed heart and leads to a changed direction. Bring Him your life as it is, surrender to Him, and let His grace teach and empower you to live differently.
Read Acts 2:37-38 · Acts 26:20 · 2 Corinthians 7:10 · Titus 2:11-12
Think about it: What would you like to leave behind as you turn to Jesus?
Be baptized in the name of Jesus Christ
Jesus told His followers that repentance and forgiveness of sins would be preached in His name, beginning in Jerusalem. Peter did exactly that when the crowd asked what to do: “be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins.” Remission means sins are forgiven and taken away. Later, believers in Samaria were baptized in Jesus’ name. Saul, who had once persecuted Christians, was told to be baptized and wash away his sins, calling on the Lord’s name. Baptism is an obedient response of faith. As we go down into the water, we are buried with Christ; we rise to walk in a new life with Him.
Read Luke 24:46-47 · Acts 2:38 · Acts 8:12-16 · Acts 22:16 · Romans 6:3-4
Think about it: Have you been baptized in water in Jesus’ name as the apostles preached?
Receive the Holy Ghost
Jesus promised that those who believed on Him could receive the Holy Ghost—God’s Spirit filling a person with His presence and power. On the day of Pentecost in Jerusalem, His followers were filled and began to speak in other tongues as the Spirit gave them utterance. Later, Peter preached to the household of Cornelius, a man outside the Jewish nation. The Holy Ghost fell on them too, and the believers with Peter heard them speak with tongues. In another city, Ephesus, new disciples received the Spirit and spoke with tongues. These accounts show the biblical initial sign of the Spirit’s infilling. The same promise reaches those God calls today. His Spirit gives power to witness for Jesus and to overcome sin. You can ask Him to fill you.
Read John 7:37-39 · Acts 1:8 · Acts 2:1-4, 33, 38-39 · Acts 10:44-48 · Acts 19:1-6
Think about it: Do you believe Jesus’ promise is for you? Will you ask Him to fill you?
A new life starts here
Imagine beginning again with your sins forgiven and God’s Spirit at work in you. Jesus can break sin’s hold, change what you desire, and give you power to live a life that pleases Him. Your past does not have to be your master; in Jesus Christ, you can be made new and live by the power of His Spirit.
Read Romans 6:4, 11-14 · Romans 8:11-13 · 2 Corinthians 5:17
Keep growing with God’s people
When people received Peter’s message, they were baptized and became part of the church. Acts says they “continued stedfastly in the apostles’ doctrine and fellowship, and in breaking of bread, and in prayers.” They heard the Word, prayed and worshiped together, and cared for one another. This new life was meant to be lived with God’s people. Come to Cornerstone Apostolic Church. Hear the apostolic message preached, seek God with us, and find a church family that will walk with you as you grow.
Read Acts 2:41-47
You can ask us anything
Come experience the new birth
You can respond to Jesus today. Come hear the apostolic message, pray with us, be baptized in His name, and seek the Holy Ghost. Bring your questions and your Bible; we will read these passages and pray with you.