Acts 2:37–41: The Promise of the Gospel
Introduction
We ended the last section with a cliffhanger: Peter had laid down a cosmic allegation: “Let all the house of Israel therefore know for certain that God has made him both Lord and Christ, this Jesus whom you crucified” (Acts 2:36). How do the people respond? As we will see through the rest of the Book of Acts, the people to whom the apostles preach regularly turn violently against those who declare the gospel of Jesus boldly (Acts 7:54; 8:3; 9:1, 23–24; 12:2–3; 13:45; 14:19; 17:5; 19:28–34; 21:27–36; 22:22; 23:12). Furthermore, these were the same crowds who had previously demanded the crucifixion of the Jesus whom Peter proclaims, and now Peter is accusing them of murder against God’s Messiah. Yet, rather than any violent, riotous response, the Israelites respond in a way that demonstrates that the Holy Spirit continues to work, by leading unbelievers to faith in Christ. In this section of the response of the crowds, we see that the promise of the gospel cancels the condemnation of the law.
Discussion Questions
1. How do we know that the people have made a change of mind in v. 37? Where do we see their change of heart? How do we see their desire to change their lives? How does this glimpse of the response of the Israelites at Pentecost fill out our understanding of the nature of repentance unto life? Have you repented from your sin and rebellion against the Lord to the degree that Luke portrays from the people in this scene?
2. How does the word “repent” signal not only a turning away from sin, but also a turning toward Christ by faith (v. 38a)? In what sense does Peter call the people to baptism as a part of the response that the Lord requires of them (v. 38b)? What does the idea of God’s “forgiveness” of our sins convey (v. 38c)? What is the “gift of the Holy Spirit (v. 38d)? What do the recipients of the promises in v. 39 tell us about the membership and mission of the church?
3. What Old Testament story does the language of “crooked generation” invoke (v. 40; see Deut. 32:5; Ps. 78:8)? Why was the unbelief of that generation so heinous to God (Num. 14:11)? How does Israel’s apostasy from the promised land in the Old Testament foreshadow Israel’s apostasy from the promised Messiah in the New Testament? Why did a remnant enter the promised land in the Old Testament? How do we see a remnant enter into the promises of the gospel here?
4. Have you responded to the promises of the gospel by faith in your own life? If not, what is keeping you from doing so? Have you truly considered the condemnation of God’s perfect law against you, along with the eternal consequences that such condemnation could bring? If you do profess faith in Christ, how do you see your life bearing fruit in keeping with repentance (Matt. 3:8)? Where do you need to press forward in repentance and faith today?
