“Peter’s words pierced their hearts, and they said to him and to the other apostles, ‘Brothers, what should we do?’”
Acts 2:37 (NLT)
Peter is closing his sermon at Pentecost. He has walked them through Joel, through the life, death, and resurrection of Jesus, and then through David’s words in Psalms—showing them who David was talking about and why it matters right now. He keeps connecting the Scriptures of old to the events of that day, and then he lands it personally: “God has made this Jesus, whom you crucified, to be both Lord and Messiah.”
In Acts 2:37, the response tells us what a saving message does when we really listen. It says Peter’s words pierced their hearts. There was power on display. There was Scripture connecting to what God was doing in front of them. There was the story of Jesus, applied to their lives in that moment. There was conviction for sin and our need for a Savior.
And then it moved them to action. “Brothers, what should we do?” That question is not rebellion. It’s surrender. It’s a heart that has stopped defending itself and is finally ready to be led. Peter gives us a beautiful template for what the gospel sounds like when Holy Spirit is moving and people are ready to respond.
So what about you? Are you letting the Word pierce you, or are you staying guarded? Ask the question they asked. Don’t just feel it—respond. God has a unique calling, empowerment, and opportunity for you to stand up and share the good news through your life like Peter did. Are you being prepared for your Pentecost moment?