Questions from Our Readers

These words are often quoted in prayer and sermons and can be found in 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?” It is the fruit upon the well-known sermon of Peter on Pentecost. The word “pricked” has also been translated as “cut.” The Greek word used here only occurs once in the New Testament, so there are no kindred texts with which to compare the meaning. However, in the Septuagint, (the Greek translation of the Old Testament) it is found in Genesis 34:7, where it refers to the grief of the sons of Jacob at the dishonor done to their sister Dinah. Perhaps this may be the reason why the Dutch Statenvertaling uses the word “verslagen,” that is “defeated, overcome, beat.” Think of a scene when someone hears terrible news and is as it were dumbfounded. It is a strong expression of a sharp, painful emotion caused by a sharp object.

First of all, it shows that Peter’s words reached the heart of the people. That is necessary in grace, namely that the heart, the core of the whole matter is addressed and dealt with. Secondly, this is also a divine wonder because, by nature, that heart is not receptive to the truths of the Word of God. At Pentecost the Holy Spirit caused the word Peter preached to be so effectual that the hard heart could not resist the powerful Word of God. The people were punctured, cut, pricked to the core of their existence. Grief and guilt now oppressed their soul.

Notice that this was different from what we read earlier in verse 12, where the Bible says that they were all amazed, and in doubt. The initial shock of the outpouring of the Holy Spirit upon the apostles and the signs of Pentecost caused some to say to one another: “what meaneth this?” It was no more than being perplexed, shocked, shaken up. In itself this is already a blessing, but let us be honest; is it not true that such impressions often wear off again? Rev. F. Bakker writes in one of his sermons about such impressions: “or you lose them altogether, or you will never lose them anymore.” Here, initially, though it certainly touched them, moved them and perplexed them, it did not lead any further than a question like: “where is this going, where is it heading?” Something happened, but they did not know what. Natural man does not know or understand the things of God. Notice also that they asked one another. If they had asked the Lord, it would have been a better sign.

Being pricked began with “now when they heard this…” Yes, faith cometh by hearing, and what they had heard was not much good about man, about themselves. If it had read: “and they picked up stones to stone them,” we should not have been surprised, but pricked in the heart is different. Pierced! If someone is pierced, cut to the heart, he is bound to die. The Pentecost blessing took place as it were upon a battlefield—a spiritual, holy battlefield. Here the Spirit came with the sword of the Spirit. Here the Spirit came to pierce to death the old man which has to die to self. It is indeed a battlefield in a spiritual sense. Three thousand people perished there. They had to fall under the righteous judgment of God over sin. Three thousand stood eye to eye with a lost case. What followed there was not: “and then there was grace” but: “something has to be done.” Something has to happen. Then the matter must be solved, not from man’s side but from God’s side because someone who is mortally wounded needs urgent help. There is help, laid upon One who is mighty to save. May the Lord work it more in our lukewarm, impression-less, and confusing times.

Send your questions to: Rev. H. Hofman, 2339 Deer Trail Dr. NE, Grand Rapids, MI 49505, or hofman@premieronline.net.

Deze tekst is geautomatiseerd gemaakt en kan nog fouten bevatten. Digibron werkt voortdurend aan correctie. Klik voor het origineel door naar de pdf. Voor opmerkingen, vragen, informatie: contact.

Op Digibron -en alle daarin opgenomen content- is het databankrecht van toepassing. Gebruiksvoorwaarden. Data protection law applies to Digibron and the content of this database. Terms of use.

Printen