The Bible records some of the sermon preached by the disciple Peter on Pentecost. He preaches on some Old Testament prophecies about Jesus. He shares his own witness as one of Jesus’ followers, who saw him die and rise.
The Bible summarizes, “With many other words he earnestly witnessed to them; and he pleaded with them, ‘Be saved from this corrupt generation.’ Those who accepted his message were baptized, and about three thousand were added to their number that day” (Acts 2:40,41).
It’s sometimes helpful, but not all the time necessary, to dig deeper into the original Greek language in which the New Testament of the Bible was written. It’s really helpful here. So pay attention to three deeper insights in these words that are reflected in the original Greek.
First, the Greek word for “witnessed” (or some Bibles use the word “warned” there) is marturo, from which we get the English word “martyr.” A martyr is so certain, so passionate about what they believe and speak that they’ll die for it. So “witness” means to speak passionately as if your life and the lives of others depend on it.
Secondly, the Greek word for “accepted” has a root meaning of accepting or answering a message like you answer your phone when the caller ID shows it’s someone you’re expecting to hear from. It means accepting or appreciating a gift like using a friend’s award miles to fly to Colorado, It means accepting or accessing a payment like you do when you see the Venmo notification that you’ve been paid.
This is important, so pay attention. Can we accept Jesus Christ as our Lord and Savior? Yes … and no. Can you accept the phone call? No, unless someone calls you first, then yes. Can you accept the gift? No, unless someone gives it to you first, then yes. Can you accept the payment? No, unless someone pays it to you first, then yes.
Can you accept salvation? No, unless someone saves you first. That someone is God.
That’s why Peter’s words string together three passive tense verbs. Wait. What is a passive verb? It is different from an active verb. An active verb means you are doing the action: I pushed you. I’m active. I push. A passive verb means that action is done to me, I’m not active, but passively receive the action: I am pushed by you.
So, look here, look in the Bible, and let God (not Google or grandma) tell you how this works. Here it is. Passive. “Be saved.” Passive. “Were baptized.” Passive. “Were added.” You don’t even need to know Greek to see that. Passive.
Praise God for the gift of his salvation! When you believe it, you are answering God who first calls you, appreciating a gift that God first gave you, and accessing a payment that God first deposited for you. That’s revival!
PRAYER: All praise to you, God, for calling me before I answer, giving me a gift before I accept, and making the payment for sin on my behalf without my help. This is salvation! Set on fire my passion to worship you, share salvation with others, and live a life of joy and praise. Amen.
FURTHER STUDY: I took a dive into the events of Pentecost and how they are truly a revival. Watch this sermon for all the details and an altercation where I get pushed by a lady who comes on stage. Okay, I confess that I pushed her husband first.
