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Sermon #2004

How to Become a Christian

A Sermon on Acts 2:37-38

Scripture

Acts 2:37-38 ESV NASB KJV
Now when they heard this they were cut to the heart, and said to Peter and the rest of the apostles, “Brothers, what shall we do?” And Peter said to them, “Repent and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your …

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Sermon Description

Is Christianity simply a lifestyle choice or something to which one can adapt? If behavior is changed, will the heart follow? In this sermon on Acts 2:37–38, Dr. Martyn Lloyd-Jones teaches that Christianity is not a hobby to learn or a simple religion of temporary changes but rather Christianity “picks us up.” More than a simple choice one makes, it is an adoption into an eternal family. Dr. Lloyd-Jones combats the idea that Christianity is for simpletons or the weak. He argues that the Spirit leads to think, and therefore, Christianity is for thinkers. It is a great tragedy to go through life without thinking, as much of the world does, and rejecting salvation in favor of intellectual arrogance. This sermon teaches that the only correct response when learning of the sinful nature is to repent. As these 3,000 men and women heard Peter’s sermon on the Day of Pentecost and their hearts were pricked, they repented of their sins and were welcomed into the kingdom of God. This reaction exemplifies the repentant heart necessary for salvation.

The Book of Acts

Dr. Martyn Lloyd-Jones

Dr. Martyn Lloyd-Jones (1899-1981) was a Welsh evangelical minister who preached and taught in the Reformed tradition. His principal ministry was at Westminster Chapel, in central London, from 1939-1968, where he delivered multi-year expositions on books of the bible such as Romans, Ephesians and the Gospel of John. In addition to the MLJ Trust’s collection of 1,600 of these sermons in audio format, most of these great sermon series are available in book form (including a 14 volume collection of the Romans sermons), as are other series such as "Spiritual Depression", "Studies in the Sermon on the Mount" and "Great Biblical Doctrines". He is considered by many evangelical leaders today to be an authority on biblical truth and the sufficiency of Scripture.