Acts 2:37 - Meaning and Application

We have already seen the wonderful effect of the Spirit being poured out on the preachers of the gospel. Peter, in all his life, had never spoken as he did now, with such fullness, clarity, and power. Now we are to see another blessed result of the Spirit’s work, this time in the hearers of the gospel. From the first delivery of that divine message, it was clear that a divine power went with it, and that it was mighty through God to do great things. Thousands were brought at once to the obedience of faith. It was the rod of God’s strength sent out from Zion (Psalm 110:2, 3).

Here we have the first fruits of that great harvest of souls that were gathered into Jesus Christ through this preaching. Come and see the exalted Redeemer riding out in these chariots of salvation, conquering and to conquer (Revelation 6:2). In these verses, we see the word of God as the means God used to begin and carry on a work of grace in many hearts, with the Spirit of the Lord working through it. Let us look at the way it happened.

They were first startled, convicted, and brought to a serious search, verse 37. When they heard, or after they had patiently heard Peter out, and did not interrupt him as they had been used to interrupt Christ, one good step had already been gained, they were now attentive to the word. They were pricked in their hearts, deeply troubled and convicted, and in great concern and confusion they asked the preachers, “What shall we do?”

It is very remarkable that such an effect came so quickly on such hard hearts. These were Jews, raised to think their religion was enough to save them. They had recently seen Jesus crucified in weakness and shame, and their leaders had told them he was a deceiver. Peter had charged them with having a wicked hand in his death, which would likely have made them angry with him. Yet when they heard this plain, Scripture-based sermon, they were deeply moved by it.

First, it caused them pain. They were pricked in their hearts. We read of others who were cut to the heart with anger at the preacher (Acts 7:54), but these men were pricked to the heart with grief over their own sin, because they had helped bring about Christ’s death. Peter’s charge awakened their consciences. It touched them where it hurt, and their reflection on it was like a sword in their bones. It pierced them as they had pierced Christ. Sinners, when their eyes are opened, cannot help but feel this inward pain over sin. This is a broken heart, a heart torn open with sorrow (Joel 2:13), a broken and contrite heart (Psalm 51:17). Those who are truly sorry for sin, ashamed of it, and afraid of what it will bring are pricked to the heart. A prick in the heart is deadly, and under such turmoil Paul says, “I died” (Romans 7:9). All his good opinion of himself and confidence in himself collapsed.

Second, it led them to ask questions. Out of the abundance of a heart now pierced with conviction, the mouth spoke. Notice to whom they went. They addressed Peter and the rest of the apostles, some to one and some to another. They opened their case to the very men who had convicted them, and therefore whom they now expected to guide and comfort them. They did not appeal from the apostles to the scribes and Pharisees to defend themselves against the charge. Instead, they came to the apostles, accepting the charge and leaving the matter with them.

They called them “men and brethren,” just as Peter had called them men and brethren (Acts 2:29). This is a word of friendship and love, more than a title of honor. It means, “You are men, so deal kindly with us. You are brethren, so look on us with brotherly love.” Ministers are spiritual doctors. People whose consciences are wounded should seek their counsel, and it is good for people to be open and familiar with such ministers, as men and brethren, since they care for souls as for their own.

Then comes the question itself: “What shall we do?” They spoke like men at a loss, not knowing what to do, completely surprised. “Is Jesus, whom we have crucified, both Lord and Christ? Then what will become of us who crucified him? We are ruined.” No one can be made happy until he sees himself miserable. When we realize we are in danger of being lost forever, then there is hope that we may be made happy forever, and not before.

They also spoke like men who had made up their minds to do whatever they were told at once. They were not planning to delay their response or put off obeying their convictions until a more convenient time. They wanted to know now what they must do to escape the misery they were in danger of. Those who are convicted of sin are glad to learn the way to peace and pardon (Acts 9:6; Acts 16:30).

Peter and the other apostles then told them plainly what they must do, and what they might expect if they did it, verses 38 and 39. Sinners who are convicted must be encouraged, and what is broken must be bound up (Ezekiel 34:16). They must be told that, though their case is sad, it is not hopeless.

First, Peter shows them the path they must take. “Repent.” This is a plank after shipwreck. Let the sense of this terrible guilt, brought on by putting Christ to death, awaken you to serious sorrow for all your sins. It is like the discovery of one large debt that reveals all the debts of a poor bankrupt. Let it lead you to bitter regret and grief for sin. This was the same duty John the Baptist preached and Christ preached, and now that the Spirit has been poured out, it is still the same call: “Repent, repent.” Change your mind, change your way, and admit your former error.

Second, “Be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ.” That is, firmly believe the teaching of Christ, submit to his grace and rule, and make an open and solemn profession of that faith by receiving baptism. Become Christ’s followers and join his holy religion. Leave your unbelief behind. They were to be baptized in the name of Jesus Christ. They already believed in the Father and the Holy Spirit, speaking through the prophets, but now they must also believe in the name of Jesus, that he is the Christ, the Messiah promised to their fathers. Take Jesus as your king and, by baptism, swear loyalty to him. Take him as your prophet and hear him. Take him as your priest, the one who makes atonement for you, which seems to be especially meant here. They must be baptized in his name for the forgiveness of sins, on the basis of his righteousness.

Third, this call is made to each person in particular, “every one of you.” Even the worst sinners, if they repent and believe, are welcome to be baptized. And those who think of themselves as the greatest saints still need to repent, believe, and be baptized. There is enough grace in Christ for every one of you, however many you are, and grace suited to each person’s need.

In old Israel, the whole nation was, in a sense, baptized into Moses when they passed through the cloud and the sea (1 Corinthians 10:1, 10:2). That covenant set Israel apart as a nation. But now, Peter says, each person must be baptized in the name of the Lord Jesus and deal with this great matter for himself (Colossians 1:28).

Peter then gives them reasons to follow this path. First, it will bring forgiveness of sins. Repent of your sin, and it will not be your ruin. Be baptized in the faith of Christ, and you will truly be counted right with God, which you could never achieve through the law of Moses. Aim for this and trust Christ for it, and you will have it. As the cup in the Lord’s Supper points to the new covenant in Christ’s blood for the forgiveness of sins, so baptism in Christ’s name points to the forgiveness of sins. Be washed, and you will be washed.

Second, they will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit, just as the apostles had. This blessing is meant for all believers. Some would receive outward gifts, and each sincere believer would receive inward grace and comfort, and be sealed with the Holy Spirit, meaning marked as belonging to God. All who receive forgiveness of sins also receive the gift of the Holy Spirit. All who are justified, meaning counted right with God, are also sanctified, meaning set apart and made holy.

Third, their children would still have a place in the covenant and a right to its outward sign. They were to come to Christ to receive these priceless blessings, because the promise of forgiveness and the gift of the Holy Spirit is for them and for their children (Acts 2:39). This was clearly promised before: “I will pour out my Spirit on your descendants” (Isaiah 44:3), and, “My Spirit and my word will not depart from your descendants and from their descendants” (Isaiah 59:21). When God brought Abraham into covenant, he said, “I will be a God to you and to your descendants” (Genesis 17:7). So each Israelite had his son circumcised on the eighth day. Now, when an Israelite comes into the new form of this covenant through baptism, it is natural to ask, “What about my children? Are they cast out, or are they included with me?” Peter’s answer is clear, they are included. The promise, that great promise of God being their God, belongs to them and to their children as truly as before.

Fourth, the promise is still for their children, but it is no longer limited to them alone. The blessing is also for all who are far off. We may also think of their children here, because the blessing promised to Abraham comes on the Gentiles through Jesus Christ (Galatians 3:14). The promise had long belonged to Israel (Romans 9:4), but now it reaches the farthest nations, all who are far off. Still, this is limited to as many as the Lord our God will call effectively into fellowship with Jesus Christ. God can make his call reach people no matter how far away they are, and none come except those whom he calls.

Peter follows these directions with an earnest warning (Acts 2:40). He spoke many other words with the same message, testifying to gospel truth and urging gospel duty. Now that the word had begun to work, he kept pressing it home. He had said much in a few words (Acts 2:38, 2:39), and yet he still had more to say. When we hear words that do our souls good, we naturally want to hear more of the same.

Among other things, he urged them to save themselves from this crooked generation. That is, they were to separate themselves from it. The unbelieving Jews were a twisted and stubborn people. They walked against God and against man (1 Thessalonians 2:15). They were attached to sin and headed for ruin. So Peter tells them, first, to work hard to escape their ruin, so they would not be caught in it with them. Repent and be baptized, and then you will not share their destruction if you do not share their sin. “Do not gather my soul with sinners,” is the same thought.

Second, they must stop sharing in their sin. Saving themselves meant separating themselves, marking themselves off, from that crooked generation. Do not be rebellious like that rebellious people. Do not join in their sins, or you will share in their punishments. The only way to save ourselves from wicked people is to keep away from their evil ways. That may expose us to their anger, but it truly saves us. When we see where they are heading, it is better to struggle against their current than to be swept along with it. Those who repent and give themselves to Jesus Christ must prove their sincerity by breaking off close friendships with wicked people. “Depart from me, you evildoers,” says the one who is determined to keep God’s commands (Psalm 119:115). We must save ourselves from them with fear and caution, as from an enemy trying to destroy us, or from a house that has the plague.

The result was wonderful (Acts 2:41). The Spirit worked with the word and did great things through it. Many of these same people had seen Christ’s death and the signs that went with it, and those things had not changed them. Yet the preaching of the word moved them, because the word is the power of God for salvation. They received the word, and only when we receive it, welcome it, and accept its message does it do us good. They gladly received it. Herod also heard the word gladly, but these people gladly received it. They were glad not only to hear it, but also that God’s grace had enabled them to receive it, even though it humbled them, changed them, and put them at odds with their countrymen.

They were baptized. By believing in their hearts, they confessed with their mouths and openly joined themselves to Christ’s disciples through the sacred rite he had appointed. Though Peter had said, “Be baptized in the name of the Lord Jesus,” because that was the truth especially needed at that moment, it is likely that baptism was administered in the full form Christ had given, in the name of the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit. Those who receive the Christian covenant should also receive Christian baptism.

By that day, about three thousand souls had been added to the disciples. Those who had received the Holy Spirit had tongues ready to preach and hands ready to baptize, because it was time for urgent work when such a harvest was ready to be gathered in.

The conversion of these three thousand people by these words was a greater work than feeding four or five thousand with a few loaves. After the death of our Joseph, Israel began to multiply again. They are said to be three thousand souls. This word usually includes women and children along with men, as in Genesis 14:21 and Genesis 46:27. So this likely does not mean three thousand men only, but three thousand family heads, with their children and servants baptized as well, making up three thousand souls.

These people were added to the disciples. Those who are joined to Christ are also added to Christ’s disciples, and they join with them. When we take God as our God, we must also take his people as our people.