Acts 2:36-41
Chapter 2
36
Therefore let the whole house of Israel know for certain that God has made him both Lord and Christ, this Jesus whom you crucified.
37
When they heard this, they were deeply troubled. Then they asked Peter and the other apostles:
“What shall we do, brothers?”
38
Peter answered:
“Each of you must repent and be baptized in the name of Jesus Christ so that your sins may be forgiven. Then, you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit.
39
For the promise of God was made to you and your children and to all those from afar, whom our God may call.”
40
With many other words, Peter gave the message and appealed to them, saying:
“Save yourselves from this corrupt generation.”
41
Those who accepted his message were baptized, and about three thousand people were added that day.
Commentaries
Peter, Witness of the Resurrection.
Boldness and daring best describe the new Peter emerging from Pentecost. He speaks with authority, takes on leadership of the newly formed people of God, and his words spark a period of witnessing that will spread worldwide. His message combines condemnation and hope. The prophecies have been fulfilled in Jesus, whom God has named Lord and Messiah (36). The impact of his testimony is immediate. “What shall we do, brothers?” (37), many of those present exclaimed. This is the question everyone who hears the Gospel must ask themselves. Luke concludes that about 3,000 people were converted that day. The key figures in the book of Acts have been introduced: the Holy Spirit, the Word of God delivered by missionary witnesses to all nations, and the community born of the Word and Spirit as the new People of God.