“Therefore let all the house of Israel know assuredly, that God hath made the same Jesus, whom ye have crucified, both Lord and Christ. 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?” (Acts 2:36-37) 

Picking up where we left off in Part 7 of this series, we come to the response of the crowd of dedicated Jewish men who were in Jerusalem for the observance of Pentecost. These men were convicted by the message of Peter. This was no mere guilt for being party to the execution of Jesus Christ. This was a real change in their hearts. This is very similar to how the crowd responded to John the Baptist’s message near the river Jordan (see Luke 3:1-14). Those who are truly convicted by God’s good news will always ask the question: what shall we do? Why? Because something is changing in them, and they recognize the need for an outward change as well! To understand this more deeply, read our Bible study What Repentance Truly Means.  

Despite common teachings, repentance is deeper than feeling remorse for past sins. It is a change in everything that you are. The question posed by these men was an indication that they were ready to change everything they were and conform to God’s way.  

Real Conversion  

Another topic that is not discussed as often as it should be is the concept of conversion. This topic should be of the utmost importance to those who profess to be Christian. Jesus discussed this topic and so did His apostles! Peter’s response to the crowd’s question was about conversion! 

“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.” (Acts 2:38) 

Let’s look at the key terms in this verse.  

• Repent—means to think differently or afterwards, i.e. reconsider (morally, feel compunction) 
• Baptized—means to immerse, submerge; to make whelmed (i.e. fully wet); used only (in the New Testament) of ceremonial ablution, especially (technically) of the ordinance of Christian baptism. This word was also translated as wash(ed) in Mark 7:4, Luke 11:38, and Acts 16:33. This is important to note.  
• In the name of Jesus Christ—this phrase means doing something to the glory, honor, and reputation of Jesus Christ. This phrase is like the phrase in the name of the king.  
• Remission—means freedom; (figuratively) pardon 

Peter tells the crowd to think differently about sin. Thinking differently will result in feeling differently about sin. Human behavior is typically driven by how someone feels about something. Feeling differently about sin will result in behaving differently. Repentance is not about mere remorse for sin. It is about changing how you think, feel, and behave regarding sin!!! This was the message of Peter.  

Peter followed this with “and be baptized in the name of Jesus Christ.” The word baptize means to be immersed or submerged. This Greek word was used to describe washing. Peter was telling the crowd that they must be washed in the name of Jesus Christ; that is be clean for His glory, honor, and reputation. In Jesus Christ, we are to be a new man. The old man stained with sin must die if we are to be truly converted. Peter told the crowd to change how you think, feel, and behave regarding sin and be washed (clean) moving forward for Jesus Christ’s glory!!! 

Mankind was made to have a positive relationship with God. Real conversion is not about merely feeling bad about sinful behavior. Conversion is about turning back to God. True conversion only comes after God calls someone back to Him. Jesus talked about this to His disciples. Read John 6:44 where Jesus says no one can turn unto Him unless the Father draws him. Also read Matt 13:10-15. Jesus used a prophecy from Isaiah to explain why He spoke to people in parables. It is not the Father’s intention to convert (turn back) everyone to Himself at this time despite what is commonly taught. Nevertheless, if the Father is calling someone, they will be “pricked in the heart” by His good news (gospel) and ready to turn back to Him.  

The Greek word translated as converted was also translated as turn in Acts 9:35, Acts 9:40, Acts 11:21, Acts 14:15, and Acts 15:19 are a few examples. Now, let’s read what Paul said to King Agrippa. 

“Whereupon, O king Agrippa, I was not disobedient unto the heavenly vision:²⁰ But shewed first unto them of Damascus, and at Jerusalem, and throughout all the coasts of Judaea, and then to the Gentiles, that they should repent and turn to God, and do works meet for repentance.” (Acts 26:19-20) 

Notice the phrase repent and turn to God. This phrase shows that repentance and conversion are two different things, but they have a relationship. Real conversion works in conjunction with repentance. To repent is to think differently about sin and conversion is to turn. Both things are necessary to be a true Christian. What would be the purpose of thinking differently about sin, but not turning to God? How long will your relationship with God last if you turn to Him without changing how you think about sin?  

Conversion follows repenting. If someone has really turned to God, then they will do works meet for repentance! John the Baptist, Peter, Paul, and the Lord Jesus Christ preached the same powerful message of repentance and conversion.  

I want to reiterate that people do not come to God unless He calls them. It is commonly taught that anyone can come to Jesus, but this is not true. Peter makes this point plain by saying,” For the promise is unto you, and to your children, and to all that are afar off, even as many as the Lord our God shall call.” (Acts 2:39) There is an order to when God will call people into His family. (This is discussed thoroughly in Part 6 of this series.) NO ONE can truly be converted unless he is called by the Father and that conversion will be evident by the fruitfulness of his life!!!  

The Second Part of Peter’s Sermon 

It is unfortunate that many do not discuss the second part of Peter’s sermon. The most likely reason for not discussing this is that the Scriptures does not give us explicit details. Despite that fact, it is recorded for our admonition that “with many other words did he testify and exhort, saying, Save yourselves from this untoward generation.” (Acts 2:40) God is not wasteful with words, therefore, these words are written to show us something. Not only did Peter preach of the resurrection, repentance, conversion, and baptism, but there was much more said on this day. The second part of Peter’s sermon included the admonition to save themselves from this untoward generation. The Greek word translated into untoward means warped, i.e. winding; figuratively, perverse. Elsewhere in the New Testament, it was translated as the word crooked. This quote appears to be a summary of what Peter taught. Rather than record every word, Luke gave the intent of the message. Peter tried to encourage the crowd to live opposite of the crooked generation they were living in. This message applies to Christians living in every generation. We are to live different, that is to live according to the will of God. Jesus said, ”Not every one that saith unto me, Lord, Lord, shall enter into the kingdom of heaven; but he that doeth the will of my Father which is in heaven.” (Matt. 7:21) 

What do you suppose is the will of the Father? We do not have to guess what the will of the Father is because Jesus Christ told us what it is. Read John 6:37-40 carefully!!! 

Again, we see in these verses that it is the Father who calls and gives us to Jesus Christ. It is the Father’s will that none of us are lost. It is also the Father’s will that anyone who sees and believes on the Son shall be given eternal life through the resurrection. Many will suggest that Jesus was talking about mere belief that He is the Son of God, but this is untrue. Notice what Jesus said to those who were gathered for Passover in John 12:44-45: 

“Jesus cried and said, He that believeth on me, believeth not on me, but on him that sent me.⁴⁵ And he that seeth me seeth him that sent me.” 

Be sure to read the entire chapter for context. Jesus was discussing the issue of believing on Him. We do not have to come up with our own definition because Jesus explained it plainly! Believing on Jesus is believing on the Father!! Seeing Jesus is seeing the Father!! Jesus came into the world to declare the Father (John 1:18). Even the Israelites did not know God as the Father nor did they understand His intention for mankind. Jesus Christ came into the world to give mankind God’s message of hope and to declare the wonderful truth that God the Father wants us to join His family!!! 

“I am come a light into the world, that whosoever believeth on me should not abide in darkness.⁴⁷ And if any man hear my words, and believe not, I judge him not: for I came not to judge the world, but to save the world.⁴⁸ He that rejecteth me, and receiveth not my words, hath one that judgeth him: the word that I have spoken, the same shall judge him in the last day.⁴⁹ For I have not spoken of myself; but the Father which sent me, he gave me a commandment, what I should say, and what I should speak.⁵⁰ And I know that his commandment is life everlasting: whatsoever I speak therefore, even as the Father said unto me, so I speak.” (John 12:46-50) 

Believing on Jesus is actually believing what God sent Him to declare unto us! NO rebellious person will be allowed into the family of God! This is why Jesus declared that men must REPENT and BELIEVE the good news and that good news is that God will establish a kingdom on this earth! NO ONE living contrary to the character of God will enter that kingdom. This is what you and I are supposed to believe. If the Father is drawing you near, then this message will convict and convert you! Maintaining faith in this promise of eternal life and entry into God’s kingdom will change how you conduct yourself in this world. This is the only way to “save yourselves from this untoward generation;” that is by walking worthy of the grace of God. (I encourage you to do a word search of the word worthy in the New Testament to prove this for yourself.) 

After hearing the many other words of Peter, the crowd received it and were baptized. (Acts 2:41) “And they continued stedfastly in the apostles’ doctrine and fellowship, and in breaking of bread, and in prayers.” (Acts 2:42). It should be understood that Peter’s sermon was not about mere belief from this verse. The crowd steadfastly kept the apostles’ doctrine. Where did the apostles get their doctrine? In Matt. 28:18-20, Jesus told His disciples to teach others to observe all the things He commanded. The gospel accounts are filled with explicit commands from the Lord Jesus Christ. This is the doctrine the apostles taught!!! Christians would do well to walk in the doctrine of Jesus Christ which He received from the Father and gave it to His disciples to keep. Read John 14:15 and John 8:31.  

Faithfulness to the doctrine of Jesus Christ and God the Father is only way to survive the trying times ahead! Keep your mind on the coming kingdom that Jesus Christ will rule. Walk worthy of being in that kingdom. God the Father has promised His faithful sons entry in that glorious kingdom!!!