Acts 2:37

Now when they heard this, they were pricked in their heart, and said unto Peter and the rest of the apostles, Brethren, what shall we do?

'HEARD THIS'-'If Jesus of Nazareth was indeed the appointed Messiah, then no guilt could be greater than of treating Him as He had been treated. They had refused Him in whom all their hope of salvation rested; what hope of salvation was left to them now?' (Bruce p. 75)

'PRICKED IN THEIR HEART'-2669. kataponeo kat-ap-on-eh'-o; from 2596 and. derivative of 4192; to labor down, i.e. wear with toil (figuratively, harrass): -oppress, vex.

-'of the sharp, painful emotion, the sting produced by Peter's words.' (Vincent p. 455) 'to pierce, to sting sharply, to stun, to smite.' (Robertson p. 34); 'conscience-smitten' (TCNT); 'cut to the heart' (RSV); 'they felt crushed' (Beck).

'SAID UNTO PETER AND THE REST OF THE APOSTLES'-Indicating that these were the only men demonstrating the effects of being baptized in the Holy Spirit.

'WHAT SHALL WE DO?'-

Points to Note:

Here we find. very practical example of how the Holy Spirit would convict the world of its sin (John 16:8). The Holy Spirit "opens hearts", not mysteriously or miraculously. And neither does He violate the freewill of the individual. Rather, He convicts an individual when that individual listens to and accepts the message He revealed through the apostles and or their writings (Hebrews 4:12).

Peter had been given the keys (authority) to open up and allow men and women to enter the Church/Kingdom of God (Matthew 16:18). While Peter plays. prominent role, please note 'it is equally clear that he is but one of the apostles; he is not set over them, but acts with them; he is not their superior, but their fellow...inquirers after salvation do not ask at his mouth only..' (P.P. Comm. p. 54)

The apostles didn't rebuke these individuals for believing that there is something that one must 'do' to be saved. While salvation is based on the grace of God, that doesn't mean that it is unconditional.

In saying, 'What shall we do', these individuals manifested "faith" in the gospel message they had just heard (Romans 10:17). Hence, Peter doesn't mention the need for faith, for they already believed.

Even after one has committed sin, even the sin of being guilty of putting the Son of God to death--that sin can still be forgiven. Thus the prayer of Jesus, concerning those who crucified Him is now being answered (Luke 23:34).