While praying for His chosen apostles on the eve of His arrest, trial and crucifixion in the garden at Gethsemane, Jesus paused and added the following regarding all who would take heed to and obey their teachings:
"Neither pray I for these alone, but for them also which shall believe on me through their word; that they may all be one; as thou, Father, art in me, and I in thee, that they also may be one in us: that the world may believe that thou hast sent me" (
John 17:20-21, KJV)
Seeing that our Lord paused in this prayer for His apostles, that He might also pray
"for them also which shall believe on me through their words," then I can't think of a solitary reason why anyone would refuse to take heed to and obey the response given by the apostle Peter concerning the actions we MUST do to be saved ...
"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. For the promise is unto you, an to your children, and to all that are afar off, even as many as the Lord our God shall call" (
Acts 2:38-39, KJV).
What seems most astounding to me is that are so many who reject Peter's words which were sanctioned by none other than the Lord Himself! I can only imagine what their response might be when they are presented with this same evidence as they appear before the coming judgment seat of Christ Jesus.