MEN AND BRETHREN, WHAT SHALL WE DO?
By John C. Carpenter
The apostle Peter wrote, Ye men of Israel, hear these words; Jesus
of Nazareth, a man approved of God among you by miracles and wonders and signs, which God did by him in the midst of you, as ye yourselves
also know: Him, being delivered by the determinate counsel and foreknowledge of God, ye have taken, and by wicked hands have crucified
and slain: Whom God hath raised up, having loosed the pains of death: because it was not possible that he should be holden of it.
For David speaketh concerning him, I foresaw the Lord always before my face, for he is on my right hand, that I should not be moved:
Therefore did my heart rejoice, and my tongue was glad; moreover also my flesh shall rest in hope: Because thou wilt not leave my
soul in hell, neither wilt thou suffer thine Holy One to see corruption. Thou hast made known to me the ways of life; thou shalt make
me full of joy with thy countenance. Men and brethren, let me freely speak unto you of the patriarch David, that he is both dead and
buried, and his sepulchre is with us unto this day. Therefore being a prophet, and knowing that God had sworn with an oath to him,
that of the fruit of his loins, according to the flesh, he would raise up Christ to sit on his throne; He seeing this before spake
of the resurrection of Christ, that his soul was not left in hell, neither his flesh did see corruption. This Jesus hath God raised
up, whereof we all are witnesses. Therefore being by the right hand of God exalted, and having received of the Father the promise
of the Holy Ghost, he hath shed forth this, which ye now see and hear. For David is not ascended into the heavens: but he saith himself,
The LORD said unto my Lord, Sit thou on my right hand, Until I make thy foes thy footstool. Therefore let all the house of Israel
know assuredly, that God hath made that 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 2:22-37). When
those unbelievers to whom Peter was preaching asked, what shall we do, they were really asking how could they have the faith that
Peter displayed, and how could they come to a saving faith in Jesus Christ. Peter wasted no time or words instructing them as to what
they should do next.
MEN AND BRETHREN
We should ask, first, whom was Peter addressing in these verses? He was speaking tomen of Judea (Acts 2:14), men of Israel (Acts 2:22), men and brethren (Acts 2:29), all the house of Israel (Acts 2:36), men and brethren (Acts
2:37), and Jerusalem Jews, devout men, of every nation (Acts 2:5). The text seems to indicate that the apostle was probably speaking
to unbelievers, both Jews and, possibly, some gentiles alike, who had not yet come to a saving knowledge in Jesus Christ. Basically,
Peter's audience were not believing Christians. Primarily, they were Jews who believed in salavation through works, not faith in Christ.
In his preaching, Peter's clear goal was to educate these unbelievers about Jesus Christ and the necessity of having faith in Christ.
Peter went on to explain that Jesus of Nazareth was a man approved of God, as evidenced by the miracles and signs which God the Father
did through Him in their midst. He not only chastened the Jewish non-believers for their wicked hands which had crucified and killed
Christ, but he attempted to soften them up, so to speak, by explaining and reminding them that Jesus was Jewish, like them, because
Jesus was a fruit of the loins and a descendant of the patriarch David. Peter further explained to the unbelievers that God the Father
raised Jesus from the dead, was exalted by the right hand of God the Father, and received of His Father the promise of the Holy Spirit.
Peter concluded his preaching to these men by saying that he wanted all of Israel, the Jews, to know assuredly (Greek, asphalos, securely,
without fail, safely, completely) that God the Father had made this same Jesus both Lord (Greek, kurios, supreme in authority, the
controller, and master) and Christ (Greek, Christos, anointed one, consecrated to a specific office, the Messiah). After Peter made
his case for Christ, the scriptures instruct us that when they heard the words of Peter, they were pricked (Greek, katanusso, pierced
thoroughly, agitated violently,greatly nudged) in their heart, and said unto Peter and to the rest of the apostles Men and brethren,
what shall we do?
REPENT
In verse 38, Peter gave them specific instructions on what they needed to do in order to obtain
remission, or forgiveness, of their sins, and to be saved and experience eternal life with God and Christ. He 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). What did Peter mean when he told them to repent? Was he referring to repenting of their sins, as is often thought?
Many
in the Christian church automatically think that when they encounter in the scriptures the word repent [or repentance], the repentance
always refers to elimination of or repentance from sin. No. Peter was instructing them to repent of the only sin that could prevent
them from coming to a saving faith and righteousness: their unbelief regarding Christ. They, as Jews, did not believe in Jesus. They
did not believe that He was the Christ, nor that he had already come in the flesh (1 John 2:18, 1 John 2:22, 1 John 4:3, and 2 John
1:7). By biblical definition, the Jews had a spirit of antichrist.
First, let us address the requirement of repentance from a
rejection of Jesus Christ. Paul explained the intimate connection between faith, justification, and righteousness to the believers
in Rome: What shall we say then? That the Gentiles, which followed not after righteousness [through their efforts at keeping the law],
have attained to righteousness, even [specifically] the righteousness which is of faith. But Israel, which followed after the law
of righteousness [through attempting to keep perfectly the law], hath not attained to the law of righteousness [by works at keeping
the law]. Wherefore? Because they [Israel, the Jews] sought it not by faith, but as it were by the works of the law. For they stumbled
at that stumblingstone; As it is written, Behold, I lay in Sion a stumblingstone and rock of offence: and whosoever believeth on him
shall not be ashamed (Romans 9:30-33). Likewise, Paul clearly explained to the church in Galatia the necessity of faith unto justification
with these words: a man is not justified by the works of the law, but by the faith of Jesus Christ, even we have believed in Jesus
Christ, that we might be justified by the faith of Christ, and not by the works of the law: for by the works of the law shall no flesh
be justified (Galatians 2:16). Since the advent (appearance) and the death and resurrection of Christ, salvation is based upon righteousness,
and righteouness is based solely upon faith in Christ.
In the book of Acts, the apostle Peter, after performing a miracle through
the power of Christ, chastened some Jewish unbelivers for their unbelief in Christ: And as the lame man which was healed held Peter
and John, all the people ran together unto them in the porch that is called Solomon's, greatly wondering. And when Peter saw it, he
answered unto the people, Ye men of Israel, why marvel ye at this? or why look ye so earnestly on us, as though by our own power or
holiness we had made this man to walk? The God of Abraham, and of Isaac, and of Jacob, the God of our fathers, hath glorified his
Son Jesus; whom ye delivered up, and denied him in the presence of Pilate, when he was determined to let him go. But ye denied the
Holy One and the Just, and desired a murderer to be granted unto you; And killed the Prince of life, whom God hath raised from the
dead; whereof we are witnesses. And his name through faith in his name hath made this man strong, whom ye see and know: yea, the faith
which is by him hath given him this perfect soundness in the presence of you all. And now, brethren, I wot that through ignorance
ye did it, as did also your rulers. But those things, which God before had shewed by the mouth of all his prophets, that Christ should
suffer, he hath so fulfilled. Repent [Greek, metanoeo, to think differently, reconsider your unbelief] ye therefore, and be converted [Greek,epistrepho, to revert literally or figuratively, turn about, go back, or turn again], that your sins may be blotted out, when the
times of refreshing shall come from the presence of the Lord; And he shall send Jesus Christ, which before was preached unto you (Acts
3:12-20).
Later, Peter, filled with the Holy Ghost, explained the one and only means of righteousness, salvation, and eternal
life when he said, Ye rulers of the people, and elders of Israel [Jews], If we this day be examined of the good deed done to the impotent
man, by what means he is made whole; Be it known unto you all, and to all the people of Israel, that by the name of Jesus Christ of
Nazareth, whom ye crucified, whom God raised from the dead, even by him [Christ] doth this man stand here before you whole. This isthe stone [Christ, the foundation] which was set at nought of you builders, which is become the head of the corner. Neither is there
salvation in any other: for there is none other name under heaven given among men, whereby we must be saved (Acts 4:8-12). In these
verses, we should notice two things: one, we notice that in the context of these verses, there was no mention of repentance and conversion
from their personal sins, but only reference to the unbelief of the Jews and their continued rejection of Christ [which they continue
to maintain to this day]; and two, that repentance and conversion from their unbelief in Christ is the only criteria for attaining
forgiveness of sin, righteousness and salvation. Peter specifically taught that repentance and conversion from unbelief to belief
in Christ bears fruit – that fruit being that our sins and guilt are blotted out. Later, full of the Holy Ghost, Peter focuses on
the command that there is no other name but Christ under heaven whereby we must be or can be made righteous, and saved.
Writing
to the church in Rome, the mighty apostle Paul concluded that salvation through faith in Christ is necessary for both the Jew and
the Gentile. There are no other criteria available. Paul wrote, For I am not ashamed of the gospel of Christ: for it is the power
of God unto salvation to every one that believeth; to the Jew first, and also to the Greek. For therein is the righteousness of God
revealed from faith [of the Jew] to faith [of the Greek or Gentile]: as it is written, The just [both Jew and Gentile] shall live
by [because of their] faith [in Christ] (Romans 1:16-17).
BE BAPTIZED EVERY ONE OF YOU
Another thing which Peter taught
the unbelieving Jews who wanted to become Christian was that they needed to be baptized. Peter said unto them, Repent, and be baptized [Greek,baptizo, to make whelmed or fully wet, ceremonial ablution, technicaly to complete the ordinance of Christian baptism, or to wash]every one of you in the name [Greek, onoma, a name literally or figuratively, authority, to derive pleasure or advantage from, or
character] of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins, and ye shall receive the gift of the Holy Ghost (Acts 2:38).
The exact
baptism Peter is referring to in verse 38 is not crystal clear, although this baptismal reference is probably to water, or physical,
baptism. According to bible scholars, baptism could refer to three different things: physical baptism, spiritual baptism, or cleansing.
Physical baptism occurs when the person is made fully wet with water, as is done by Christian churches, and symbolizes the individual
being fully covered, submitted, consumed, and dedicated spiritually to Christ, Christian principles, and the Christian faith and life.
Baptism
can also be spiritual, and is performed by the Holy Spirit. In spiritual baptism, the newly saved individual is made a spiritual member
of the mystical body of Christ, the church. As Paul taught, For by one Spirit are we all baptized into one body [of Christ, the church,
see Colossians 1:24], whether we be Jews or Gentiles, whether we be bond or free; and have been all made to drink into one Spirit (1
Corinthians 12:13). Paul also writes the believers in Rome, For the law of the Spirit of life in Christ Jesus hath made me free from
the law of sin and death. For what the law could not do, in that it was weak through the flesh, God sending his own Son in the likeness
of sinful flesh, and for sin, condemned sin in the flesh (Romans 8:2-3).
According to the Greek definition, baptism can also
refer to the symbolic cleansing of our bodies, souls, and lives, resulting in forgiveness of our sins and redemption. John wrote,But if we walk in the light, as he is in the light, we have fellowship one with another, and the blood of Jesus Christ his Son cleanseth
us from all sin (1 John 1:7], and he [Christ] hath made us accepted in the beloved. In whom we have redemption [Greek, apolutrosis,
a full ransom, riddance, Christian salvation, or deliverance] through his blood [and giving of His life, since life is in the blood;
see Lev 17:11, Lev 17:14, and Deut 12:23], the forgiveness of sins, according to the riches of his grace (Ephesians 1:6-7). In verse
38, Peter is probably referring to physical baptism with water, a symbol of the new believer's entrance into the Christian faith and
church.
IN THE NAME OF JESUS CHRIST
We can also ask, what did Peter mean when he wrote in verse 38, be baptized every one
of you in the name of Jesus Christ? (Acts 2:38). What does the name of Jesus Christ mean? From a biblical standpoint, what is a name,
and what does a name mean? The English word name is translated from the Greek word onoma, which means a name literally or figuratively,
authority, character, or notoriety. Unger's Bible Dictionary explains that, in the Hebrew, name is sometimes used to signify the collected
attributes or characteristics of the object named. It also embraces the whole divine nature revealed, the entire administration of
God by which He reveals Himself and His attributes to men, the glory and power of God revealed in nature, God's revelation of Himself
to His people, and the announcement of His mighty presence. In the New Testament, the name of Christ refers to all that Jesus is to
men (Luke 24:47). To believe in the name of Christ (John 1:12), to be saved by His name (Acts 4:12), and to have life through His
name (John 20:31) all refer to the saving and life-giving power in Christ, which is communicated to the believer. Let everyone that
nameth the name of Christ (2 Tim 2:19) means everyone that acknowledges Him to be what His name means, that is, the Lord and God (Luke
1:32, 1 Pet 3:15, Acts 2:39, Jude 1:4, and other references). To be baptized in the name of Jesus Christ means to be totally and intimately
connected to all that Jesus Christ is, and all that his name means and represents - that He is Christ, Lord, and God.
Next, we
can see the glorious and praiseworthy outcome, the fruit, the result, of Peter's message to these three thousand unbelivers: And with
many other words did he [Peter] testify and exhort, saying, Save yourselves from this untoward generation. Then they that gladly received
his [Peter's] word [message, teaching, and instructions] were baptized [fully immersed in water as evidence of their new found faith
in Christ]: and the same day there were added unto them about three thousand souls (Acts 2:40-41). Peter's words and preaching resulted
in the developing and resulting salvation of many souls.
CONTINUED IN THE APOSTLE'S DOCTRINE, FELLOWSHIP, BREAKING OF BREAD,
PRAYERS, SELLING AND DISTRIBUTING THEIR POSSESSIONS TO THE NEEDY, ATE THEIR NOURISHMENT WITH GLADNESS, AND PRAISED GOD
After
these three thousand unbelieving souls came to a saving faith in Jesus Christ, what did they do next? What did their new spiritually
enlivened hearts motivate them to then do. What became important to them, and what was their new priority? The scriptures tell us,they continued stedfastly [Greek, proskartereo, to be earnest towards, persevere, be diligent, to attend assiduously to all the exercises,
to adher closely to, or wait on continually] in the apostles' doctrine [Greek, didache, instruction, what they had been taught] andfellowship [Greek, koinonia, association with each other, sharing with others, partnership, participation, social intercourse, benefaction
of others, or communion], and in breaking [Greek, klasis, the act of fracturing or dividing and dispensing] of bread [Greek, artos,
bread, or a loaf as symbolizing the taking up or expiation of sin], and in prayers [Greek, proseuche, to pray to God, to supplicate,
to worship, or to engage in oratory with God]. And fear came upon every soul: and many wonders and signs were done by the apostles.
And all that believed were together [Greek, autos, with each other, with my own self, or become the same], and had all things common [Greek,koinos, shared by all or several, or in union]; And sold their possessions [Greek, ktema, acquired things, estate, what they possessed]and goods [Greek, huparxis, existency, property, wealth, substance, that which is in hand], and parted [Greek, diamerizo, to partition
thoroughly, to distribute, share, divide and give to others] them to all men, as every man had need [Greek, chreia, occasion, as demanded
or required, those who were destitute, those who have lack or want]. And they, continuing daily with one accord in the temple, and
breaking bread from house to house, did eat their meat [Greek, trophe, nourishment, rations, or wages] with gladness [Greek, agalliasis,
exultation, exceediing joy, or rejoicing greatly] and singleness [Greek, aphelotes, smoothness, simplicity] of heart, Praising [Greek,aineo, to praise God, to praise or commend someone for their achievements or qualities] God, and having favour [Greek, charis, to
consider, to be gracious or gratifying, acceptable, treated with liberality, to be thankful for, or to consider worthy] with all the
people. And the Lord added to the church daily such as should be saved (Acts 2:42-47). As verse 47 tells us, these three thousand
new converts to Christ did as God the Father wanted and expected those who are saved to do. They continued in the apostle's doctrine,
fellowshipped with one another, ate together, prayed together, gave to the poor and needy, experienced group joy and gladness together,
and praised God the Father.
BELIEVE ON THE LORD JESUS CHRIST, AND THOU SHALT BE SAVED
In our subject verses, some unbelieving
Jews, after listening to Peter preach the gospel message, wanted to become believers in Christ. So, they asked Peter, what shall we
do? Peter answered instructed them to Repent [of your rejection of Christ and believe on Him], 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. Other scriptures also make this
abundantly clear. The unbeliever is told to Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ, and thou shalt be saved, and thy house (Acts 16:31).
Repentance of one's rejection of Jesus Christ, and not the repentance of sins [although the goal and struggle of repenting of our
worldly sins is later required], is the way to eternal salvation from the wrath of God. As we see in verse 31, salvation is the fruit
of believing.
Elsewhere, the apostle Paul also teaches us about the way of salvation: if thou shalt confess with thy mouth the
Lord Jesus, and shalt believe in thine heart that God hath raised him from the dead, thou shalt be saved. For with the heart man believeth
unto righteousness; and with the mouth confession is made unto salvation (Romans 10:9-10). Jesus, Himself, specifically taught the
means of salvation: The time is fulfilled, and the kingdom of God is at hand: repent ye [of your unbelief regarding Christ], and believe
the gospel [good news about salvation through faith in Jesus Christ] (Mark 1:14-15).
In the book of Acts of the apostles, a jailer
who was guarding Paul and Silas while they were in prison asked the question, what must I do to be saved? We read the narrative: And
at midnight Paul and Silas prayed, and sang praises unto God: and the prisoners heard them. And suddenly there was a great earthquake,
so that the foundations of the prison were shaken: and immediately all the doors were opened, and every one's bands were loosed. And
the keeper of the prison awaking out of his sleep, and seeing the prison doors open, he drew out his sword, and would have killed
himself, supposing that the prisoners had been fled. But Paul cried with a loud voice, saying, Do thyself no harm: for we are all
here. Then he called for a light, and sprang in, and came trembling, and fell down before Paul and Silas, And brought them out, and
said, Sirs, what must I do to be saved? And they said, Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ, and thou shalt be saved, and thy house. And
they [Paul and Silas] spake unto him [the jailer] the word of the Lord, and to all that were in his house. And he took them the same
hour of the night, and washed their stripes [wounds]; and was baptized, he and all his, straightway. And when he had brought them
into his house, he set meat [food, nourishment] before them [Paul and Silas], and rejoiced, believing in God with all his house (Acts
16:25-34). Paul gave instructions again for salvation – believe on the Lord Jesus Christ, and be baptized.
John, the apostle,
also teaches us the biblical requirement for salvation: when even was now come, his disciples went down unto the sea, And entered
into a ship, and went over the sea toward Capernaum. And it was now dark, and Jesus was not come to them. And the sea arose by reason
of a great wind that blew. So when they had rowed about five and twenty or thirty furlongs, they see Jesus walking on the sea, and
drawing nigh unto the ship: and they were afraid. But he saith unto them, It is I; be not afraid. Then they willingly received him
into the ship: and immediately the ship was at the land whither they went. The day following, when the people which stood on the other
side of the sea saw that there was none other boat there, save that one whereinto his disciples were entered, and that Jesus went
not with his disciples into the boat, but that his disciples were gone away alone; (Howbeit there came other boats from Tiberias nigh
unto the place where they did eat bread, after that the Lord had given thanks:) When the people therefore saw that Jesus was not there,
neither his disciples, they also took shipping, and came to Capernaum, seeking for Jesus. And when they had found him on the other
side of the sea, they said unto him, Rabbi, when camest thou hither? Jesus answered them and said, Verily, verily, I say unto you,
Ye seek me, not because ye saw the miracles [which prove that I am the Christ], but because ye did eat of the loaves [which satisfied
your lust of the flesh], and were filled. Labour not for the meat which perisheth, but for that meat which endureth unto everlasting
life, which the Son of man shall give unto you: for him hath God the Father sealed. Then said they unto him, What shall we do, that
we might work the works of God [and receive eternal life]? Jesus answered and said unto them, This is the work [Greek, ergon, to work,
toil, make an effort, to act, perform a deed, or labour] of God, that ye believe on him [Jesus Christ] whom he [God the Father] hath
sent (John 6:16-29). Paul also taught the Galatian church that a man is not justified by the works of the law, but by the faith of
Jesus Christ, even we have believed in Jesus Christ, that we might be justified by the faith of Christ, and not by the works of the
law: for by the works of the law shall no flesh be justified (Galatians 2:16). Again, salvation is not by works of or efforts at keeping
the Jewish law, but by faith in Christ.
When the Jewish unbelivers were pricked [Greek, atanusso, to pierce thoroughly, or to
agitate violently] in their heart and asked Peter what they should do to be saved, Peter enthusiastically responded, Repent [of your
unbelief and rejection of Christ], and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission [Greek, aphesis,
freedom, pardon, deliverance, or forgivensess] of sins (Acts 2:38). Consistently, throughout the scriptures, the one and only way
of having our sins pardoned and forgiven, and thereby experiencing salvation and eternal life, is by believing on Him. AMEN.
THE CHRISTIAN HERALD
A
Judeo-Christian Bible Study
"For if the blood of bulls and of goats, and the ashes of an heifer sprinkling the unclean, sanctifieth to the purifying of
the flesh: How much more shall the blood of Christ, who through the eternal Spirit offered himself without spot to God, purge your
conscience from dead works to serve the living God? And for this cause he is the mediator [Greek, mesites, a go between, an internunciator,
a reconciler, intercessor] of the new testament, that by means of death, for the redemption of the transgressions that were under
the first testament, they which are called might receive the promise of eternal inheritance. For where a testament is, there must
also of necessity be the death of the testator”
(Hebrews 9:13-16).
"Let all the earth fear the LORD: let all the inhabitants of the world stand in awe of him. For he spake, and it was done; he
commanded, and it stood fast. The LORD bringeth the counsel of the heathen to nought: he maketh the devices of the people of none
effect. The counsel of the LORD standeth for ever, the thoughts of his heart to all generations"
(Psalms 33:8-11).
"But my people would not hearken to my voice; and Israel would none of me. So I gave them up unto their own hearts' lust: and
they walked in their own counsels. Oh that my people had hearkened unto me, and Israel had walked in my ways! I should soon have subdued
their enemies, and turned my hand against their adversaries”
(Psalms 81:11-14).
"For as many as are led by the Spirit of God, they are the sons of God. For ye have not received the spirit of bondage again
to fear; but ye have received the Spirit of adoption, whereby we cry, Abba, Father. The Spirit itself beareth witness with our spirit,
that we are the children of God: And if children, then heirs; heirs of God, and joint-heirs with Christ; if so be that we suffer with
him, that we may be also glorified together"
(Romans 8:14-17).
