Acts 2:33-40
33 Therefore, since He has been exalted at the right hand of God, and has received the promise of the Holy Spirit from the Father, He has poured out this which you both see and hear.
34 For it was not David who ascended into heaven, but he himself says:
‘The Lord said to my Lord,
“Sit at My right hand,
35 Until I make Your enemies a footstool for Your feet.” ’
36 Therefore let all the house of Israel know for certain that God has made Him both Lord and Christ—this Jesus whom you crucified.”
37 Now when they heard this, they were pierced to the heart, and said to Peter and the rest of the apostles, “Brothers, what are we to do?”
38 Peter said to them, “Repent, and each of you be baptized in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins; and you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit.
39 For the promise is for you and your children and for all who are far away, as many as the Lord our God will call to Himself.”
40 And with many other words he solemnly testified and kept on urging them, saying, “Be saved from this perverse generation!”
Peter’s Sermon (6)
Application (v 37-40)
“Now when they heard this, they were pierced to the heart, and said to Peter and the rest of the apostles, ‘Brothers, what are we to do?’” (1) Before Peter could even offer a word of exhortation, the people responded. Peter’s message was compelling by the power of the Holy Spirit. Thus, his message brought about a conviction of sin among the people. (2) They felt a pain as if they were pierced in their hearts and questioned how they could be forgiven for the sin of crucifying the Son. “Peter said to them, ‘Repent, and each of you be baptized in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins; and you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit. For the promise is for you and your children and for all who are far away, as many as the Lord our God will call to Himself.’” (1) “Repent” is translated from the Greek “metanoeo,” which means a complete change of direction. This entails a total transformation in understanding about Jesus, affirming that Jesus is Lord and Christ. (2) While the translation might seem to suggest that baptism is a condition for salvation, this is not the case. Salvation is always by grace through faith. Here, Peter is calling for the people to be baptized because their sins have been forgiven. (3) The promise of salvation is given to those whom God has called. (a) “You and your children” refers to the Jews. (b) “All who are far away” refers to the Gentiles. (4) There are two aspects to salvation: (a) the divine aspect, which is God’s calling, and (b) the human aspect, which is repentance. “And with many other words he solemnly testified and kept on urging them, saying, ‘Be saved from this perverse generation!’” (1) The remainder of Peterss message is summarized in this verse. He testified with many words. (2) “Be saved from this perverse generation” means to be saved from the generation that has rejected Jesus as the Messiah. To repent is to break away from the generation that rejected Jesus and to unite with those who believe in Him. Baptism was a symbol of both separation and union for them. Internal repentance must be expressed through external actions. Let us apply this to ourselves.
Today's prayer
Heavenly Father, Jesus is Lord and Christ. I thank You that I am saved today through faith and grace. Help me walk in Your will today. In the name of the Lord Jesus Christ, I pray. Amen.