Read Acts 2

What Shall We Do?

On the first Pentecost following Jesus’ ascension, His promise concerning the Holy Spirit is fulfilled. “And they were all filled with the Holy Spirit and began to speak with other tongues, as the Spirit gave them utterance” (Acts 2:4). These “other tongues” were not some unintelligible languages, but foreign languages that these Galileans had never studied before. It was a miracle that they could speak in such a way!

Peter takes the lead in Acts 2:14 after the apostles have the attention of the crowd. He explains, “But this is what was spoken by the prophet Joel” (Acts 2:16), then proceeds to quote from Joel 2:28-32. The apostle then speaks of Jesus, the Man through whom God had worked miracles. Peter plainly says that the Jews had illegally detained and murdered Jesus, but that God had raised Him from the dead. He then refers to the inspired Psalms, claiming that David was writing of Jesus. Concluding this first gospel sermon, Peter said, “Therefore let all the house of Israel know assuredly that God has made this Jesus, whom you crucified, both Lord and Christ” (Acts 2:36).

The positive response to this message is recorded by Luke. The people who were “cut to the heart” asked, “Men and brethren, what shall we do?” (Acts 2:37). Recognizing their error and their great need for forgiveness, they wanted to know how to make things right.

Peter answered plainly, “Repent, and let everyone one of you be baptized in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins” (Acts 2:38). The phrase “for the remission of sins” indicates that without repentance and baptism, one’s sins cannot be forgiven.

The results of the gospel proclamation in the early days of the church are compelling. Luke tells us that on “that day about three thousand souls were added to them” (Acts 2:41). He then says that “the Lord added to the church daily those who were being saved” (Acts 2:47). Have you done these things? Have you repented and been immersed for the remission of your sins? Have you been added to the Lord’s church?