Knowing The Word in Acts: Peter Keeps on Preaching, Acts 2:37-41

Peter ends his sermon with an altar call. The people who have come close to God, know they are not worthy and are “cut to the heart.” Not knowing what to do next, Peter encourages them to repent and be baptized. Baptism is an outward sign of an inward grace of transformation brought about by the Holy Spirit. Soon the group of 120 followers of Jesus grows by 3000 in one day! Jesus had told his disciples they would do greater things than he.

37 Now when they heard this they were cut to the heart, and said to Peter and the rest of the apostles, “Brothers, what shall we do?” 38 And Peter said to them, “Repent and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins, and you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit. 39 For the promise is for you and for your children and for all who are far off, everyone whom the Lord our God calls to himself.” 40 And with many other words he bore witness and continued to exhort them, saying, “Save yourselves from this crooked generation.” 41 So those who received his word were baptized, and there were added that day about three thousand souls.

Prayer:

Father, pour out your Spirit upon your people,

and grant to us

a new vision of your glory;

a new faithfulness to your Word;

a new consecration to your service;

that your life may grow among us,

and your kingdom come;

through Jesus Christ our Lord.

Anglican Church in Australia