What does Peter tell them to do first?
"Repent" (Acts 2:38).
From what?
Sins.
What does "repent" mean?
μετανοησατε (metanoesate), the original Greek
word translated "repent," means to "change one's mind, attitude
and purpose," and carries in its root the sense of pain, so repenting from sins
doesn't simply mean an academic change of mind, but a heartfelt
transformation of one's mind, attitude and purpose away from sins, which if
genuine, will lead to the transformation of one's actions away from sins.
What does Peter tell them to do next?
"Be baptized in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins" (Acts 2:38).
Why?
Peter wasn't saying that the act of baptism, which involves being submerged
in water for a moment (βαπτισθητω (baptistheto) the
original Greek word translated "be baptized,"
literally means to be immersed or submerged) results in the remission -
i.e., forgiveness - of sins (see
Baptism), but to be baptized as a symbol of believing "with all your heart" (Acts 8:37)
that Jesus' death on the cross accomplished that.
If Jesus' death on the cross did that, why then do we need
to "receive the gift of the Holy Spirit" (Acts 2:38)?
Because we are human, while on earth, we remain imperfect and do not
completely stopping sinning despite our
best efforts: "If we say that we have no sin, we deceive
ourselves, and the truth is not in us" (1 John 1:8). After all, who
can claim to obey Jesus' command: “‘You shall love the
Lord your God with all your heart, with all your soul, and with all your
mind.’ This is the first and great commandment." (Matthew 22:37-38)? The Holy Spirit is the One who guides, teaches and admonishes
us so that we sin less and less over time and become more and more the person that
Jesus wants us to be. Furthermore, the Holy Spirit gives us spiritual gifts:
"There are diversities of gifts, but the same Spirit.
There are differences of ministries, but the same Lord. And there are
diversities of activities, but it is the same God who works all in all. But
the manifestation of the Spirit is given to each one for the profit of all:
for to one is given the word of wisdom through the Spirit, to another the
word of knowledge through the same Spirit, to another faith by the same
Spirit, to another gifts of healings by the same Spirit, to another the working
of miracles, to another prophecy, to another discerning of spirits, to
another different kinds of tongues, to another the interpretation of
tongues. But one and the same Spirit works all these things, distributing to
each one individually as He wills." (1 Corinthians 12:4-11)
Who receives these gifts of the Holy Spirit?
Every Christian receives at least one spiritual gift of the Holy Spirit.
What are we supposed to do with them?
Help each others and to bring glory to Jesus. Spiritual gifts are not to be used for selfish gains.
What ended up happening to this crowd?
"About three thousand" (Acts
2:41), a large number
in those days, as well as today, accepted Jesus as their Lord and Savior
right then and there.
How many believers were in Jerusalem when Jesus ascended to heaven?
"About a hundred and twenty" (Acts 1:15)
How many new Christians did each of them have to tend to after this one sermon alone?
3000 / 120 = 25. The harvest indeed had begun.
What came next?
"Fellowship," "prayers,"
and learning the correct "doctrine" (Acts 2:42)
What "fear" (Acts 2:43) came upon them?
The fear of the Lord, which is the beginning of both wisdom and
knowledge: "The fear of the Lord is the beginning of
wisdom; A good understanding have all those who do His commandments. His
praise endures forever" (Psalm 111:10). "The
fear of the Lord is the beginning of knowledge, But fools despise wisdom
and instruction" (Proverbs 1:7).