Did you ever wonder why Peter didn't tell his listeners in Acts 2 to believe in Christ when they asked in verse 37, "Brethren, what shall we do?"
Peter had just proclaimed that Jesus, whom they crucified, was both Lord and Christ (vv 22-36).
They believed that Jesus is the Messiah, the One who gives eternal life to those who believe in Him (John 20:31) and as a result they were "pierced to the heart" (v. 37).
They did not ask, "What shall we do to be saved?"
They were already saved by virtue of their faith in Christ.
They were asking, "What shall we do to escape the terrible shame and guilt of having crucified the Messiah?"
In order to receive the forgiveness of sins and the gift of the Holy Spirit, these Jews had to repent and be baptized. (Acts 2:38)
They had to repent to have fellowship with God (The forgiveness spoken of here is fellowship forgiveness, just as we see in 1 John 1:9.) and they had to be baptized to be included in the Church.
This condition is applied in Acts only to the Palestinians exposed to the baptizing ministry of John and Jesus.
It is not applicable to Gentiles as the case of Cornelius's conversion shows.
Cornelius received the forgiveness of sins and the gift of the Holy Spirit the moment he believed, along with regeneration and justification. (Acts 10)
Thus, Acts 2:38 is not telling anyone how to be eternally saved, justified or born again, which is by faith in Christ alone!
Scripps Interactive Newspapers Group
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