What Must We Do?
In Acts 2:37, after Peter boldly proclaims the gospel on the day of Pentecost—declaring Jesus as both Lord and Christ and holding the crowd accountable for His crucifixion—the people are “pricked in their heart.” Deeply convicted by the truth, they ask Peter and the other apostles:
“Men and brethren, what shall we do?”
This question is a response of sincere remorse and urgency. The crowd realizes their guilt and seeks guidance on how to be forgiven and made right with God. It marks a turning point from conviction to repentance, opening the way for Peter to present the conditions of salvation in the next verse.
Obeying The Gospel of Christ
Peter’s Response and the Full Gospel Call to Salvation
In Acts 2:38, when the crowd asked, “What shall we do?”, Peter responded:
“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.”
Peter’s answer was not just about emotion or belief—it was a call to action grounded in obedience to the gospel. But this moment is part of a larger process that God outlines throughout the New Testament for one to be saved.
1. Hearing the Gospel
“So then faith cometh by hearing, and hearing by the word of God.” — Romans 10:17
Before anyone can respond in faith, they must first hear the gospel. This is why Peter’s sermon began with proclaiming the death, burial, and resurrection of Jesus Christ (Acts 2:22–36). The gospel must be heard to be believed.
2. Believing the Message
“He that believeth and is baptized shall be saved; but he that believeth not shall be damned.” — Mark 16:16
Faith is essential. Those who heard Peter believed that Jesus was both Lord and Christ (Acts 2:36), which led them to ask what to do. Belief in Christ as the resurrected Son of God is foundational to salvation.
3. Repenting of Sin
“Except ye repent, ye shall all likewise perish.” — Luke 13:3
Peter called them to repent—a change of heart and life that turns from sin to God. Without repentance, one cannot receive the remission of sins or walk in newness of life.
4. Confessing Christ
“Whosoever therefore shall confess me before men, him will I confess also before my Father which is in heaven.” — Matthew 10:32
Though not mentioned in Acts 2:38, confession is an essential step revealed in other scriptures. It is the outward acknowledgment of faith in Jesus as the Son of God, as demonstrated by the Ethiopian eunuch in Acts 8:37.
5. Being Baptized for the Forgiveness of Sins
“…be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins…” — Acts 2:38
Baptism is not a symbol of salvation already received—it is the moment when sins are washed away (Acts 22:16), and the believer is united with Christ in His death and resurrection (Romans 6:3–5).
Peter’s response on Pentecost is part of the complete message of salvation found throughout the New Testament. One must hear the Word, believe it, repent of sins, confess Christ, and be baptized into Christ for the forgiveness of sins.