The Gospel Call-To-Action

Acts 2:38 is a foundational scripture for the Christian church. It is more than a description of the salvation plan. Acts 2:38 but an example of proper homiletics. Peter presented the gospel clearly and then boldly challenged the crowd to obey. His sermon is summarized in Acts 2:40 with a strong call to action; “save yourselves.” Too often, preachers become distracted by informational preaching points and forget to share the gospel.

In Matthew 16:19, Jesus gave Simon Peter “the keys to the kingdom.” His commission was to unlock the door of the gospel. He fulfilled his mission:

• Peter unlocked the door to the Jews. – Acts 2:14-40

• Peter unlocked the door to the Samaritans. – Acts 8:14-17

• Peter unlocked the door to the Gentiles. – Acts 10:5-48

In each of these events, Peter did more than present the truth, he gave a strong call to action.

My Story

Eight years after we started the church, we had a record-breaking number of people baptized in Jesus name and received the Holy Ghost. We saw 62 baptized and 58 receive the Holy Ghost. It was a significant momentum boost for the congregation. Although there were Sundays when no one was baptized or received the Holy Ghost, we averaged at least one in both categories every Sunday. I could not imagine us breaking that record of one conversion per week. During the last week of the year, I began praying about goals for the following year. During prayer that week, the Lord repeatedly convicted me with this powerful perplexing question, “Are you really a preacher of the Gospel?” I responded, “Of course, Lord, I believe Acts 2:38, and we averaged one convert every weekend.” After several days of experiencing deep conviction, I knew God was trying to communicate something more profound. I promised God that every Sunday for the following year, I would dedicate 5-10 minutes of every message to clearly explain the gospel and give a call to action at the end of the sermon. I included a similar call to action in every Sunday morning sermon. Every Sunday morning, I tried to include each of these elements:

1. Definition of the gospel as the reason Jesus came to “seek and save” (Luke 19:10).

2. The wilderness Tabernacle reveals the gospel. Brazen altar = death/repentance, the laver of water = burial baptism, and the tent = where the spirit dwells.

3. Acts 19, the disciples of John were baptized in a description of Jesus. Still, Paul commanded them to be re-baptized, but this time “in the name of the Lord Jesus” (Acts 19:5). Perhaps someone today has been baptized in the titles Father, Son and Holy Ghost (Matthew 28:19) you need to be re-baptized in Jesus name.

4. You must receive the Holy Ghost with the evidence of speaking in an unknown tongue. Speaking with tongues was proof to the disciples when they heard Peter’s reason for baptizing Cornelius (Acts 10:46; also see Acts 11:15-18).

5. It only takes less than fifteen minutes to obey the gospel. You can save a lot on Geico insurance in the same amount of time, but eventually, the policy will expire. If you obey the gospel one thousand years from now, it is possible that you will still be reaping the benefits of what you did in fifteen minutes.

By the end of the next year, we recorded 132 people baptized, and 123 received the gift of the Holy Ghost.

I have attempted to continue that practice every year since. You get what you preach.

Presenting a regular call-to-action:

• Casts a consistent net that produces a harvest.

• Establishes culture – People expect you will present the gospel.

• Teaches the congregation through repetition.

If you want people to be baptized and receive the Holy Ghost, you should preach it. The more you preach it, the more your church will experience it. A call to action should be part of every sermon. Soul-winning ministers perfect their call to action by making it part of their preaching culture. What is your call to action? Can you explain the gospel clearly within a few minutes?