“What Do We Do With Jesus?” – ACTS 2:23-47

As Peter delivered the Holy Spirit’s message to the assembly of pious Jews, I can imagine there were many who looked down in shame.

They knew Jesus had worked miracles (2:22), so He must be from God.

They knew that the ultimate injustice had been done to Him by the Jews and Romans (2:23).

Now came a different bit of information that must have been startling to those who were listening. This was GOD at work. The lawless men thought they were defeating Jesus, but they were wrong. Now that Jesus was raised from death by God according to His salvation-giving plan (2:24-36), there was hope for even the vilest offender in the Sanhedrin.

Almost as one voice, the new faith mixed with godly sorrow drove these men to accept Jesus’ kingship (2:36) and ask “What must we do?” – the single most important question a believer can ask.

Disregarding the miracles was one thing, but disregarding the command of God delivered in the name of Jesus Christ through the inspired apostle Peter would be quite another. In fact, 3000 did not quibble and were immersed into Christ for the forgiveness of their sins (2:38, 2:41). Forgiveness is absolutely by grace, but is given by God only upon the obedience of the repentant sinner. In our modern day, we have people that heartily accept the message of the miracles, the crucifixion and the resurrection, but will not heartily accept the command of the apostle. Theological gymnastics of all sorts have been employed to try and circumvent this most easily understood command. They asked. Peter answered. They obeyed.

Of all things of a religious and spiritual nature, why is baptism such a hang-up for people?

Beyond baptism is found the next great stumbling block. The obedient response of a repentant believer to be immersed in water for the forgiveness of sins is the answer to the question “What will YOU do with Jesus?”

Once added to the church (2:47), the question must be asked again, but this time, a little differently – “Now that you are forgiven, what will you do with Jesus?”

Following the direction and guidance of the Holy Spirit through the apostles (2:42), the church began to live (2:42-47). Fellowship, evangelism, benevolence, goodness, kindness and worship consumed the Christians. In reading this passage we can easily fall prey to idealizing the church “in those days”. What about the church “in these days” keeps us from living out our faith as fully as these Christians?

The answer is found in your response to that stubborn question now asked a little differently, again, “What have you done with Jesus?”