37. 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? 38. 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. 39. 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. 40. And with many other words did he testify and exhort, saying, Save yourselves from this untoward generation. 41. Then they that gladly received his word were baptized: and the same day there were added unto them about three thousand souls.
We have seen the wonderful effect of the pouring out of the Spirit, in its influence upon the preachers of the gospel. Peter, in all his life, never spake at the rate that he had done now, with such fulness, perspicuity, and power. We are now to see another blessed fruit of the pouring out of the Spirit, in its influence upon the hearers of the gospel; from the first delivery of that divine message, it appeared that there was a divine power going along with it, and it was mighty, through God, to do wonders; thousands were immediately brought by it to the obedience of faith; it was the rod of God's strength sent out of Zion, Ps. 110. 2, 3. We have here the first fruits of that vast harvest of souls, which by it were gathered into Jesus Christ. Come and see, in these verses, the exalted Redeemer riding forth, in these chariots of salvation, conquering, and to conquer, Rev, 6. 2.
In these verses we find the word of God, the means of beginning and carrying on a good work of grace in the hearts of many, the Spirit of the Lord working by it. Let us see the method of it.
I. They were startled, and convinced, and put upon a serious inquiry, v. 37. When they heard, or having heard, having patiently heard Peter out, and not given him the interruption they had been used to give to Christ in his discourses, (this was one good point gained, that they were become attentive to the word,) they were pricked to the heart, or in the heart, and, under a deep concern and perplexity, applied themselves to the preacher with this question, What shall we do? It was very strange that such impressions should be made upon such hard hearts all of a sudden! They were Jews, bred up in the opinion of the sufficiency of their religion to save them, had lately seen this Jesus crucified in weakness and disgrace, and were told by their rulers that he was a deceiver; Peter had charged them with having a hand, a wicked hand, in his death, which was likely to have exasperated them against him; yet, when they heard this plain scriptural sermon, they were much affected with it.
1. It put them in pain; they were pricked in their hearts. We read of those that were cut to the heart with indignation at the preacher, (ch. 7. 54.) but these were pricked to the heart with indignation at themselves for haying been accessary to the death of Christ. Peter, charging it upon them, awakened their consciences, touched them to the quick, and the reflection they now made upon it, was as a sword in their bones, it pierced them as they had pierced Christ. Note, Sinners, when their eyes are opened, cannot but be pricked to the heart for sin, cannot but experience an inward uneasiness; this is having the heart rent, (Joel 2. 13.) a broken and contrite heart, Ps. 51. 17. Those that are truly sorry for their sins, and ashamed of them, and afraid of the consequences of them, are pricked to the heart. A prick in the heart is mortal, and under those commotions (says Paul) I died, Rom. 7. 9. "All my good opinion of myself and confidence in myself failed me."
2. It put them upon inquiry. Out of the abundance of the heart, thus pricked, the mouth spake. Observe,
(1.) To whom thus they addressed themselves; to Peter and to the rest of the apostles, some to one and some to another, to them they opened their case; by them they had been convinced, and therefore by them they expect to be counselled and comforted. They do not appeal from them to the Scribes and Pharisees, to justify them against the apostles' charge, but apply to them, as owning the charge, and referring the case to them. They call them men, and brethren, as Peter had called them; (v. 29.) it is a style of friendship and love, rather than a title of honour; "You are men, look upon us with humanity; you are brethren, look upon us with brotherly love." Note, Ministers are Spiritual physicians, they should be advised with by those whose consciences are wounded; and it is good for people to be free and familiar with those ministers, as men and their brethren, who deal for their souls as for their own.
(2.) What the address is; What shall we do?
[1.] They speak as men at a plunge, that did not know what to do; in a perfect surprise; "Is that Jesus, whom we have crucified, both Lord and Christ? Then what will become of us who crucified him? We are all undone!" Note, No way of being happy, but by seeing ourselves miserable. When we find ourselves in danger pf being lost for ever, there is hope of our being made for ever, and not till then.
[2.] They speak as men at a point, that were resolved to do any thing they shall be directed to, immediately; they are not for taking time to consider, or for adjourning the prosecution of their convictions to a more convenient season, but desire now to be told what they must do to escape the misery they were liable to. Note, Those that are convinced of sin, would gladly know the way to peace and pardon, ch. 9. 6.—16. 30.
II. Peter and the apostles direct them in short what they must do, and what in so doing they might expect, v. 38, 39. Sinners convinced must be encouraged; and that which is broken must be bound up; (Ezek. 34. 16.) they must be told that though their case is sad, it is not desperate, there is hope for them.
1. He here shews them the course they must take.
(1.) Repent; that is a plank after shipwreck. "Let the sense of this horrid guilt which you have brought upon yourselves by putting Christ to death, awaken you to a penitent reflection upon all your other sins; as the demand of some one great debt brings to light all the debts of a poor bankrupt, and to bitter remorse and sorrow for them." This was the same duty that John the Baptist and Christ had preached, and now that the Spirit is poured out, it is still insisted on; "Repent, repent; change your mind, change your way; admit an after-thought."
(2.) Be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ, that is, "firmly believe the doctrine of Christ, and submit to his grace and government; and make an open solemn profession of this, and come under an engagement to abide by it, by submitting to the ordinance of baptism; be proselyted to Christ and to his holy religion, and renounce your
