“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?” ~ Acts 2:37 

As Peter preached to a crowd of thousands on the Day of Pentecost, he not only preached the Gospel message, but he pointedly reminded those people that they were the very ones who had cried out for Jesus to be crucified! It was more than just “for all have sinned and come short of the glory of God.” Peter added their guilt for the very deed of Christ’s death. 

As he preached those dire words, we read that they were “pricked in their heart”. The words stung them deeply. They felt the sharp pain of conviction at their guilt. Their response to this “pricking” was a cry for help. “Men and brethren, what shall we do?” Peter explained how to be saved and that very day 3000 people responded to the “pricking” of the Holy Spirit and were saved! 

In Acts 7, another preacher named Stephen, preached a similar message with the exact same message with the same conclusion of “…of whom ye have now been the betrayers and murderers.” And again, this crowd was “cut to the heart”. But instead of repentance they responded by gnashing on Stephen with their teeth, expelling him from their council, and murdering him! 

It is the Holy Spirit’s ministry to convict us of our wrongs. It our choice as to how we will respond to that conviction. To those who respond with humility and repentance there is mercy. To those who respond in pride and stubbornness, there is no hope. 

May we always be sensitive to the “pricking” of the Holy Spirit and may we always be both wise and humble to respond with repentance! 

Pastor Bish