Peter's Sermon at Pentecost

Holy Spirit acting

Acts 2:37 Now when they heard this, they were pricked in their heart, and said unto Peter and to the rest of the apostles, Men and brethren, what shall we do?

Although Kefa came down harder on his Jewish audience than any Christian preacher today would dare, so that they were stung in their hearts, nevertheless three thousand people responded to his call to turn from sin and return to God. It is the Holy Spirit acting in the giver of the message and in its receivers who brings about genuine trust. Moreover, the Good News that God forgives makes sense only against the background of the bad news that you have grievously sinned. The people were so affected that they asked, "Brothers,"-they were not offended personally by the bringers of the bad news, but still considered them brothers-"What should we do?" They took the initiative.

This application of Peter’s sermon. The verb cut (katenygēsan) means “to strike or prick violently, to stun.” The convicting work of the Spirit (cf. John 16:8-11) in their hearts was great.

Now...

δέ

de

deh

A primary particle (adversative or continuative); but, and, etc.: - also, and, but, moreover, now [often unexpressed in English].

when they heard...

ἀκούω

akouō

ak-oo'-o

A primary verb; to hear (in various senses): - give (in the) audience (of), come (to the ears), ([shall]) hear (-er, -ken), be noised, be reported, understand.

Cut to the heart (John 16:7-9). They were brought to see that they were without hope except through the mercy of the one whom they had crucified.

this, they were pricked...

κατανύσσω

katanussō

kat-an-oos'-so

From down, in place or time and pierce; to pierce thoroughly, that is, (figuratively) to agitate violently (“sting to the quick”): - prick.

in their heart,...

καρδία

kardia

kar-dee'-ah

Prolonged from a primary κάρ kar (Latin cor, “heart”); the heart, that is, (figuratively) the thoughts or feelings (mind); also (by analogy) the middle: - (+ broken-) heart (-ed).

and...

τε

te

teh

A primary particle (enclitic) of connection or addition; both or also (properly as a correlation of and, also, even, so): - also, and, both, even, then whether. Often used in compounds, usually as the latter part.

said...

ἔπω

epō

ep'-o

A primary verb (used only in the definite past tense, the others being borrowed from to utter, speak or say and to show or make known one's thoughts); to speak or say (by word or writting): - answer, bid, bring word, call, command, grant, say (on), speak, tell.

unto...

πρός

pros

pros

A strengthened form of fore, that is; a preposition of direction; forward to, that is, toward (with the genitive case the side of, that is, pertaining to; with the dative case by the side of, that is, near to; usually with the accusative case the place, time, occasion, or respect, which is the destination of the relation, that is, whither or for which it is predicated): - about, according to, against, among, at, because of, before, between, ([where-]) by, for, X at thy house, in, for intent, nigh unto, of, which pertain to, that, to (the end that), + together, to ([you]) -ward, unto, with (-in). In compounds it denotes essentially the same

applications, namely, motion towards, accession to, or nearness at.

Peter (Apostle)...

Πέτρος

Petros

pet'-ros

Apparently a primary word; a (piece of) rock (larger than a stone); as a name, Petrus, an apostle: - Peter, rock.

and...

καί

kai

kahee

Apparently a primary particle, having a copulative and sometimes also a cumulative force; and, also, even, so, then, too, etc.; often used in connection (or composition) with other particles or small words: - and, also, both, but, even, for, if, indeed, likewise, moreover, or, so, that, then, therefore, when, yea, yet.

to the...

ὁ, ἡ, τό

ho hē to

ho, hay, to

The masculine, feminine (second) and neuter (third) forms, in all their inflections; the definite article; the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in English idiom): - the, this, that, one, he, she, it, etc.

rest...

λοιποί

loipoi

loy-poy'

Masculine plural of a derivative of to leave; remaining ones: - other, which remain, remnant, residue, rest.

of the apostles,...

ἀπόστολος

apostolos

ap-os'-tol-os

From set apart; a delegate; specifically an ambassador of the Gospel; officially a commissioner of Christ (“apostle”), (with miraculous powers): - apostle, messenger, he that is sent.

Men...

ἀνήρ

anēr

an'-ayr

A primary word (compare man-faced, a human being); a man (properly as an individual male): - fellow, husband, man, sir.

and brethren,...

ἀδελφός

adelphos

ad-el-fos'

From the first (as a connective particle) and δελφύς delphus (the womb); a brother (literally or figuratively) near or remote (much like [Father]): - brother.

what...

τίς

tis

tis

Probably emphatic of some or any person or object; an interrogitive pronoun, who, which or what (in direct or indirect questions): - every man, how (much), + no (-ne, thing), what (manner, thing), where ([-by, -fore, -of, -unto, -with, -withal]), whether, which, who (-m, -se), why.

Their question had a ring of desperation about it (cf. Acts 16:30). If the Jews had crucified their Messiah and He was now exalted, what was left for them to do? What could and must they do?

shall we do ?...

ποιέω

poieō

poy-eh'-o

Apparently a prolonged form of an obsolete primary; to make or do (in a very wide application, more or less direct): - abide, + agree, appoint, X avenge, + band together, be, bear, + bewray, bring (forth), cast out, cause, commit, + content, continue, deal, + without any delay, (would) do (-ing), execute, exercise, fulfil, gain, give, have, hold, X journeying, keep, + lay wait, + lighten the ship, make, X mean, + none of these things move me, observe, ordain, perform, provide, + have purged, purpose, put, + raising up, X secure, shew, X shoot out, spend, take, tarry, + transgress the law, work, yield.

Acts 2:38 Then Peter said unto them, Repent, and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins, and ye shall receive the gift of the Holy Ghost.

PENTECOSTAL DAYS

There were no exceptions in Peter’s great appeal for repentance. Every one of you! he declared. “But I drove the nails into His hands.” Every one of you! he insists. “But I pierced His side.” Every one! says the Apostle again. And from this motley crowd arose the primitive Church. Notice that those who had gone deep into sin are not required to serve a long novitiate between forgiveness and the gift of Pentecost. In Acts 2:38 the two are combined. Notice also Acts 2:39. Not only Jews, but far-off Gentiles-nay, as many as God shall call by His inward speech and grace, are welcome to receive the fullness of the Spirit. Have you received it?

The italics, unto them, in Acts 2:41 had better be unto Him. The adding was primarily to Jesus Christ, 2Cor. 8:5. From the teaching of the Apostles these new believers stepped up into fellowship with them, because, when we are joined to Christ, we become one with all who are his. They still met in the Temple, standing there as one vast host, and seeing a new significance in the ancient rites. Their homes and daily meals were also raised to a new level; and every day there were additions of those who had experienced Christ’s saving power.