In Acts 2:37, who asked 'what shall we do?' and was this a national or individual question?
In Acts 2:37, Jews addressed as men and brethren asked Peter and the rest, 'what shall we do?' This was a national question, representing the nation of Israel on trial, not an individual asking 'what must I do?' as later in Acts 16.
Les explains that in Acts 2:37, those who heard were pricked in their heart and said to Peter and to the rest, "Men and brethren, what shall we do?" He notes these are Jews asking the question, since Peter has been addressing Jews throughout the whole chapter. Les identifies this as the nation of Israel on trial, so the nation is asking, "what must we do?" He then contrasts Acts chapter 16, which is Gentile ground and deals with an individual who says, "what must I do?" Les stresses that God does not save people in lumps; He saves us one at a time, individually, which is why the personal aspect of salvation is stressed.
Now when they heard this, they were pricked in their heart, and said unto Peter and to the rest of the apostles, Men and brethren, what shall we do?
More Questions
What is the difference between the question asked in Acts 2 and the question asked in Acts 16?
In Acts 2, the question 'what shall we do?' is asked by the Jewish nation of Israel on trial, while Acts 16 is Gentile ground and an individual asks 'what must I do?', and Les says this difference is all the difference in the world.
What did the crowd hear that pricked their hearts in Acts 2:37?
In Acts 2:37, 'when they heard this' refers to hearing that they had crucified their Messiah, and this pricked/convicted their hearts.