What did Peter's hearers in Acts 2 have to do before receiving the Holy Spirit?
Repentance and baptism for the remission of sins were required first; after that, Peter's hearers would receive the Holy Spirit. Their faith was in who Jesus was—the Christ, the Messiah of Israel, whom God raised from the dead—not in an explicit mention of death, burial, and resurrection.
Les explains that in Acts 2 Peter did not mention the death, burial, and resurrection, nor the shed blood for atonement; he emphasized the name of Jesus. Speaking a name implies who the person is and the position tied to it, so the hearers' faith was to be in who Jesus was—the Christ, the Messiah of Israel, whom they had killed but God had raised from the dead. Therefore, under Peter's preaching to those Jews, they had to repent and be baptized for the remission of sins, and then they would receive the Holy Spirit. Les points out this order for receiving the Holy Spirit before turning to Acts 10.
Then Peter said unto them, 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.
More Questions
What is the prerequisite for receiving the Holy Spirit in Acts 2:38?
According to Acts 2:38, repentance and baptism are the prerequisite for receiving the Holy Spirit.
What was Peter's message to the Jews at Pentecost?
Peter preached to the children of Israel that they should repent, be baptized in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins, and receive the gift of the Holy Spirit.
Who was Peter addressing in Acts 2:38 when he said repent and be baptized?
In Acts 2:38 Peter was speaking to the house of Israel (identified in verse 36), telling every one of them to repent and be baptized.
What are the steps in Acts 2:38 for repentance, baptism, forgiveness, and the Holy Spirit?
In Acts 2:38, the criteria or sequence was that they were to repent, be baptized in water, receive forgiveness of sin, and then the Holy Spirit would come upon them as the fourth step.