Devotional Thought

'Therefore let all Israel be assured of this: God has made this Jesus, whom you crucified, both Lord and Messiah.' When the people heard this, they were cut to the heart and said to Peter and the other apostles, 'Brothers, what shall we do?' Peter replied, 'Repent and be baptized, every one of you, in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins. And you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit.'

-Acts 2:36–38 

The Day of Pentecost marked not just the arrival of the Holy Spirit but the birth of a new way of living—a new covenant between God and humanity. Just as God gave the law on Mount Sinai 50 days after the Exodus, He now writes His law on hearts through the Spirit, fulfilling the prophecy in Jeremiah 31:33. This transformation is not about emotional stirring alone but a call to action—repentance and baptism.

Repentance, in the biblical sense, means concrete, behavioral change. It’s more than confession or feeling bad—it is turning from sin and actively moving toward God’s way. Baptism represents the visible sign of this inward transformation—a public declaration of belonging to Christ and receiving the Spirit.

Luke’s account doesn’t end with spiritual awakening alone—it follows with a picture of the transformed community. The early believers “devoted themselves to the apostles’ teaching, to fellowship, to the breaking of bread, and to prayer.” Their internal transformation resulted in external action, a pattern still vital for today.

As followers of Jesus, we’re invited not only to believe but to live out our faith in radical, observable ways—through repentance, baptism, and communal devotion.

Discussion Questions

1. How does Peter’s answer to the crowd’s question, “What shall we do?”, challenge our modern understanding of salvation and faith?

2. In what areas of your life might you be mistaking transparency or sorrow for true repentance? What would real behavioral change look like?

3. How do you understand the role of the Holy Spirit in daily life? What difference does it make to know that God dwells in you?

4. Acts 2:42-47 describes four areas of commitment—teaching, fellowship, breaking bread, and prayer. Which of these do you naturally gravitate toward, and which one do you find most challenging?

5. Why do you think God used language as the miracle of Pentecost? What does this say about His desire for every nation and culture to know Him?

5. How does understanding the Jewish backdrop of Pentecost (law-giving at Sinai, diaspora languages, prophetic expectation) enrich your perspective on Acts 2?

6. The sermon mentions that historically only 2–4% of altar call responses result in long-term change. What do you think makes lasting discipleship possible?

7. The early Christians prayed at set times. What might it look like for you to reclaim structured prayer rhythms in your daily life?

Action Step

This week, take on the challenge to pray three times a day—morning, midday, and evening—just as the early believers did. Set aside a few minutes at each time to pause, come to stillness, and open your heart to God. You might use the Psalms, the Lord’s Prayer, or simply speak honestly with God about your thoughts and needs.

Let this rhythm be a reminder that your life is centered not on hurry or productivity, but on communion with Jesus. Share with the group what you plan to do during each prayer time, and next week, reflect together on how this practice shaped your awareness of God throughout your day.