This is a "math" problem. A simple problem, something that any 2nd grader (or perhaps earlier than that) could handle. However, as a human being, I see this as more than JUST a math problem- it is a matter of common sense. Sit yourself in the cat's seat for a moment. It doesn't care about chalk, chalkboards, or computational reasoning. It knows what it needs and therefore looks at the "fish" for what they are F-I-S-H!!! And that means L-U-N-C-H!!!! And how about us, how do we reason- with common sense? The following is a common sense test...
Acts, Chapter 2 (WEB)
14 But Peter, standing up with the eleven, lifted up his voice, and spoke out to them, “You men of Judea, and all you who dwell at Jerusalem, let this be known to you, and listen to my words. 15 For these aren’t drunken, as you suppose, seeing it is only the third hour of the day. 16 But this is what has been spoken through the prophet Joel:
that I will pour out my Spirit on all flesh.
Your sons and your daughters will prophesy.
Your young men will see visions.
Your old men will dream dreams.
I will pour out my Spirit, and they will prophesy.
and signs on the earth beneath;
blood, and fire, and billows of smoke.
and the moon into blood,
before the great and glorious day of the Lord comes.
22 “Men of Israel, hear these words! Jesus of Nazareth, a man approved by God to you by mighty works and wonders and signs which God did by him in your midst, even as you yourselves know, 23 him, being delivered up by the determined counsel and foreknowledge of God, you have taken by the hand of lawless men, crucified and killed; 24 whom God raised up, having freed him from the agony of death, because it was not possible that he should be held by it. 25 For David says concerning him,
‘I saw the Lord always before my face,
For he is on my right hand, that I should not be moved.
Moreover my flesh also will dwell in hope;
neither will you allow your Holy One to see decay.
You will make me full of gladness with your presence.’
29 “Brothers, I may tell you freely of the patriarch David, that he both died and was buried, and his tomb is with us to this day. 30 Therefore, being a prophet, and knowing that God had sworn with an oath to him that of the fruit of his body, according to the flesh, he would raise up the Christ to sit on his throne, 31 he foreseeing this spoke about the resurrection of the Christ, that neither was his soul left in Hades, nor did his flesh see decay. 32 This Jesus God raised up, to which we all are witnesses. 33 Being therefore exalted by the right hand of God, and having received from the Father the promise of the Holy Spirit, he has poured out this, which you now see and hear. 34 For David didn’t ascend into the heavens, but he says himself,
‘The Lord said to my Lord, “Sit by my right hand,
36 “Let all the house of Israel therefore know certainly that God has made him both Lord and Christ, this Jesus whom you crucified.”
37 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?”
38 Peter said to them, “Repent, and be baptized, every one of you, in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of sins, and you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit. 39 For the promise is to you, and to your children, and to all who are far off, even as many as the Lord our God will call to himself.” 40 With many other words he testified, and exhorted them, saying, “Save yourselves from this crooked generation!”
41 Then those who gladly received his word were baptized. There were added that day about three thousand souls. 42 They continued steadfastly in the apostles’ teaching and fellowship, in the breaking of bread, and prayer. 43 Fear came on every soul, and many wonders and signs were done through the apostles. 44 All who believed were together, and had all things in common. 45 They sold their possessions and goods, and distributed them to all, according as anyone had need. 46 Day by day, continuing steadfastly with one accord in the temple, and breaking bread at home, they took their food with gladness and singleness of heart, 47 praising God, and having favor with all the people. The Lord added to the assembly day by day those who were being saved.
Peter preaches the first Gospel sermon. The Jews get it. They ask what to do. Peter says to repent, be baptized and you will receive the Holy Spirit. They did it. Why, to obey God, receive the promise of God and be saved. Doubt it, then look at the last part of verse 47. The Lord did the adding and the saving. Please notice- there was no altar call, no one recited a "sinner's prayer" and absolutely no one put there hands on a TV set!!!! The Jews didn't view their situation as something to be analyzed like a math equation, they saw their spiritual condition and the way out. Do what they did and don't listen to someone twisting the Bible to make it say something other than what it plainly says.
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