Proper Invitation

Acts 2

36 “So let everyone in Israel know for certain that God has made this Jesus, whom you crucified, to be both Lord and Messiah!”
37 Peter’s words pierced their hearts, and they said to him and to the other apostles, “Brothers, what should we do?”
38 Peter replied, “Each of you must repent of your sins and turn to God, and be baptized in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins. Then you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit. 39 This promise is to you, and to your children, and even to the Gentiles—all who have been called by the Lord our God.” 40 Then Peter continued preaching for a long time, strongly urging all his listeners, “Save yourselves from this crooked generation!”
41 Those who believed what Peter said were baptized and added to the church that day—about 3,000 in all.

When the first Gospel sermon was preached on the Day of Pentecost and when it came time to extend the invitation, what was said? Did Peter invite people to “pray Jesus into their hearts?” NO! He invited them to repent and to be baptized in the name of Jesus for the forgiveness of their sins. Why is it that so many people who claim to follow Christ today simply ignore this, or try to diminish this, or flat out deny this? Sigh.