They asked, 'Men and brethren, what shall we do?'
After Peter declared that Israel had crucified their Messiah, the Jews, convicted in their hearts, asked Peter and the apostles what they should do. This question was a corporate plea from the nation of Israel, seeking direction in response to their guilt. Les Feldick emphasizes that the pronoun 'we' shows this was a national question, not an individual one.
Acts 2:37 — This verse contains the exact question the Jews asked Peter.
Acts 2:37 records the reaction of the Jewish crowd to Peter's sermon: "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?" (KJV). The verse shows that the Jews were convicted by Peter's message, which accused them of crucifying their Messiah. The question they asked was direct: they wanted to know what they should do in response to this accusation.
Les Feldick teaches that the Jews' question in Acts 2:37 was a corporate question from the nation of Israel, not a personal one. He points out that the pronoun 'we' indicates that Israel as a whole was asking what they must do, since they were on trial for crucifying their Messiah. Les contrasts this with the Philippian jailer's question in Acts 16:30, 'what must I do to be saved?' (KJV), where the pronoun is 'I' and the context is individual and Gentile. This distinction is central to Les's teaching on progressive revelation and the difference between God's dealings with Israel and the Church.
The Jews asked this question because they were 'pricked in their heart' after Peter declared that they had crucified their Messiah. Peter had just told them that God had made Jesus both Lord and Christ, and that they were guilty of killing him. The conviction of the Holy Spirit led them to ask what they should do.
Les Feldick emphasizes that the pronoun 'we' in the Jews' question shows it was a national question, whereas the Philippian jailer's question 'what must I do to be saved?' uses 'I' and is individual. The Acts 2 context is Jewish, on the day of Pentecost, and deals with the nation of Israel, while the Acts 16 context is Gentile and individual.
Peter specifically addressed 'all the house of Israel' in Acts 2:36, and Les points out that he did not include Gentiles. This shows that his message was for the nation of Israel alone, and thus the question 'what shall we do?' was a national response.
What Must I Do to Be Saved? Acts 2 vs. Acts 16 Explained
gap in between, that they don't understand what we've been talking about, because this is a teaching of continuity. I call it progressive revelation, of course, that you've got to take it as God unfolds it. Again, we like to always let our television folk know how we appreciate your letters, especially my how we appreciate your comments, that you're learning, and that you're seeing things you've n…
Peter's Accusation and the Jews' Response
Les explains that Peter told the Jewish crowd 'You killed your Messiah,' which convicted them and prompted them to ask what they must do.
Why Peter Preached to "Ye Men of Israel" (Acts 2 & 3 Explained)
He's preparing them for this national priesthood, where every Jew would be in a position to lead Gentiles to a knowledge of their God. All right, let's jump all the way up to Acts chapter 2. Now, I'm not going to take time to look at all the Old Testament references regarding all this, but as we go up now to Acts chapter 2, the day of Pentecost, and Peter, of course, is the spokesman, and Peter is…
The National Scope of the Question
Les emphasizes that the pronoun 'we' in the question shows the nation of Israel, not individuals, was asking what they should do.
Why Peter Preached to "Ye Men of Israel" (Acts 2 & 3 Explained)
And when Peter saw it, that is the consternation of the Jews over the healing of the lame man, he answered the people, Ye men of Israel and all you Gentiles, no, it's not in there, it's not in there. A lot of people try to make it in there, but it isn't. He's still addressing Jew only, and he says, Ye men of Israel.
Contrast with the Philippian Jailer
Les contrasts the corporate question of Israel ('what shall we do?') with the individual question of the Gentile jailer ('what must I do?'), highlighting the different dispensational settings.
The Conviction of the Jewish Crowd
Les describes how the Jews were 'pricked in their heart' upon hearing they had crucified their Messiah, leading them to ask the question.
Addressing 'All the House of Israel'
Les notes that Peter deliberately addressed only Israel, not Gentiles, which underlines the national context of the question.
Acts 2:37: 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?
This is the exact verse where the Jews ask the question.
Acts 2:36: Therefore let all the house of Israel know assuredly, that God hath made that same Jesus, whom ye have crucified, both Lord and Christ.
This is Peter's declaration that led to the Jews' question.
Acts 16:30: And brought them out, and said, Sirs, what must I do to be saved?
This verse is contrasted by Les with the Acts 2 question to show the difference between corporate and individual questions.
They asked, 'Men and brethren, what shall we do?' This was a direct question from the convicted Jewish crowd to Peter and the apostles, asking what action they should take.
They were 'pricked in their heart' after Peter accused them of crucifying their Messiah. The conviction led them to seek direction.
According to Les Feldick, the pronoun 'we' indicates it was a national question from Israel, not individual.
Les explains that the Acts 2 question uses 'we' and is national, while the jailer's question uses 'I' and is individual, reflecting different dispensational settings.
Watch the Teaching: What Must I Do to Be Saved? Acts 2 vs. Acts 16 Explained