Acts 2:37-41
I was studying this passage and found the following passage (from the Expositor’s Bible Commentary) written about it:
"Peter's words came to his hearers as the best news they had ever heard--far better, indeed, than they deserved or could have hoped for. So today these words remain the best of good news and should be read as the proclamation of that news and not as just a set of theological problems."
I found it interesting that what followed was a long discussion of theological minutia. However, they will be treated here.
It says that those who heard Peter’s message were cut to the heart. I bet. These people who have traveled the world to worship Yahweh during Passover and Pentecost are told they just murdered His Son… the only hope they ever had for salvation. Imagine the panic. The stomach turns. The lungs cannot pull in air. The mind spins. Some feel as if they will faint. “What did we do!? What can we do now?”
Peter replies with the best news ever given anywhere… Forgiveness is available. Simply depart from (repent) the group you now belong (“corrupt generation” of v. 40), and be baptized to live a new life (see Romans 6:3-4) as a part of a new group (see 1 Corinthians 12:13 as well as Acts 2:41 and following).
And if forgiveness for rejecting the Son of God is not enough, there is the promise of the Holy Spirit. Recently God was among them, but now God will be in them.
Luke (the author) makes a big deal out of the Holy Spirit’s work in the church. So, let me ask you this: What difference has his presence made in your life?
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