“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.”
‭‭Acts‬ ‭2:38‬ ‭NIV‬‬

“Repent” is a word that is greatly misunderstood. When people hear the word, their minds usually jump to some sort of an emotion. Some think it means that you feel sorry, and you begin to cry, others think it comes with some form of punishment or humiliation. None of that has anything to do with repentance. The word simply means “to change your mind,” or to change your thinking. When your mind changes, your heart changes & your ways change. Repentance is turning away from one direction mentally & spiritually, then heading in the direction God would have for you.

Then, the second thing listed in this verse, be baptized. We have termed Baptism as an “outward declaration” of the change within. Baptism openly identifying with Jesus. It’s symbolic of death and resurrection. Who I used to be, I no longer am. The old me is dead. I follow Jesus now. I am one of His. It is the beginning of a new life.

When you repent, & are baptized, you will receive the Holy Spirit. The Holy Spirit of God comes and lives in you. Jesus becomes visible, plain, and close to you, & His life becomes your life.