What Shall We Do?
A Sermon on Acts 2:37-40
Originally preached Jan. 15, 1961
Scripture
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? 38Then Peter said unto them, Repent, and be baptized every one of you in the name of …
Sermon Description
The great need for every person living on earth is not for the world to be made a better place, but for their souls to be saved from eternal destruction. In this sermon on Acts 2:37–40 titled “What Shall We Do?” Dr. Martyn Lloyd-Jones says this is why the gospel is first and foremost a call to personal salvation and repentance. When the apostles and Jesus Christ preached, they did not do so before nations and governments, but before individual people. They spoke of the judgment that each person must endure in the final days because of their sins, and the only way to escape this judgment was repentance and faith in Jesus Christ. This is not to deny the importance of working to make the world a better place through charity and the like, but it does mean that the primary application of the gospel is to individual salvation. While some may claim that this concern with personal salvation is narrow-sighted and selfish, the Bible presents the greatest need for all is salvation. Salvation is purposefully a matter of individuals, not nations and countries. The church and Christians must be focused in their proclamation of the gospel so that it does not become another message of social reform, but it is the power of salvation to all who believe.
Sermon Breakdown
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Dr. Lloyd-Jones begins by introducing the passage from Acts 2:37-40 which contains the questions "Men and brethren, what shall we do?" and "Save yourselves from this untoward generation."
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He then provides context for the passage, reminding the listeners that Peter was preaching to the crowd that had recently called for Jesus' crucifixion. Upon realizing their sin, they asked what they must do.
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Peter responds that they must repent, be baptized in Jesus' name, and receive the Holy Spirit. Dr. Lloyd-Jones emphasizes that this response is intensely personal, focusing on individual repentance and salvation.
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Dr. Lloyd-Jones then addresses the common objection that a focus on personal salvation is selfish given the state of the world. He argues that concern for one's own soul is not selfish, just as concern for one's own health and happiness is not selfish. The soul is the greatest and most eternal part of a person.
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Furthermore, God will hold each person individually accountable for the state of their soul. Each person will face judgment alone and be responsible for their own soul.
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Additionally, one's own soul is the only thing that can be put right in this world. The world is doomed to judgment but individuals can be saved. It is foolish to spend one's life trying to save the world but losing one's own soul.
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In light of these reasons, the logical reaction is to ask "What must I do?" like the people in Acts. The only answer, like Peter gave, is to repent, believe in Jesus, be baptized, and receive the Holy Spirit. This will save one's soul from the doom of the world.
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Dr. Lloyd-Jones concludes by pleading with listeners to think again about their souls, repent of neglecting them, and believe in Christ to be saved. Then they can work to better the world, but salvation must come first.
Sermon Q&A
Martyn Lloyd-Jones on Personal Salvation Questions and Answers
What is the main argument against personal salvation that Lloyd-Jones addresses?
Dr. Lloyd-Jones addresses the argument that being concerned about personal salvation is selfish, especially in a world facing potential catastrophe. As he puts it: "There are many who would say that to react in that way and to be concerned about our souls and their salvation, about our own deliverance, is just to be unutterably selfish." Critics claim that Christians should be more concerned about saving the whole world rather than focusing on individual salvation.
Why does Lloyd-Jones believe personal salvation should come first?
Lloyd-Jones argues that personal salvation must come first because: "The evangelical preaching of this gospel does not tell people to be only concerned about their souls and their personal salvation. But what it does do is to tell them to be first of all concerned about this." He uses Jesus' words "seek ye first the kingdom of God and his righteousness" to support this priority. Lloyd-Jones believes that true concern for others only emerges after one's own soul is saved.
What historical examples does Lloyd-Jones use to show that personal salvation leads to social good?
Lloyd-Jones points to historical examples where personal salvation led to social reform: "The greatest blessings we are all enjoying tonight have come ultimately through the medium of the Christian church and through Christian leaders." He specifically mentions Lord Shaftsbury, who after his conversion initiated factory acts to improve working conditions, and Samuel Wilberfoss (Wilberforce), who became passionate about abolishing slavery after his personal salvation. He also notes that education and hospitals came "in the wake of mighty religious movements."
According to Lloyd-Jones, why is the soul more important than the body?
Dr. Lloyd-Jones teaches that the soul is more important than the body because: "It is the soul that differentiates men from all the animals. It is the soul in men that is that part of that image that God has put upon him." He also emphasizes that while the body is temporary ("a sort of tent"), the soul is eternal: "The body is going to die and disintegrate... But when the tent has gone, I'm gone, my soul goes on. It's the imperishable thing."
What does Lloyd-Jones say about individual accountability before God?
Lloyd-Jones emphasizes that we will each be individually accountable to God: "God will hold us individually responsible for our souls." He quotes scripture that "we must all appear before the judgment seat of Christ" and that "every one of us shall give an account of himself to God." He uses the image of a turnstile to illustrate that we face God one by one, not in crowds: "We came through a turnstile into this world... You'll go out of it through a turnstile, the turnstile of death."
Why does Lloyd-Jones believe the world cannot be saved or reformed?
Lloyd-Jones firmly believes that "the world cannot be put right. I'm going further. The world never will be put right." He argues this is the Christian position, while "it is the non-Christians who believe the world can be put right." He states that despite centuries of trying, the world seems to be getting worse, not better. He bases this on biblical teaching that "the world is under condemnation" and "under the wrath of God," and that Christ will return to judge it.
What is the two-step solution Lloyd-Jones offers for personal salvation?
Following Peter's sermon in Acts 2, Lloyd-Jones presents a two-step solution: "Repent and be baptized, every one of you, in the name of Jesus Christ." He explains that repentance means "thinking again," "changing your mind," and acknowledging one's folly and sin before God. Baptism represents leaving the world and giving oneself completely to Christ. Through these steps, one receives "the gift of the Holy Ghost" and is "delivered from this untoward generation."
How does Lloyd-Jones respond to the idea that focusing on personal salvation is selfish?
Lloyd-Jones points out the inconsistency in this argument by noting that people are naturally concerned about their physical health, wealth, and happiness without being called selfish. He asks: "Why should it be such a terrible thing for a man to be concerned about his own soul and his soul salvation?" He argues that since the soul is the most valuable part of us, it would be illogical not to prioritize its well-being. Furthermore, he explains that those who experience personal salvation become genuinely concerned for others: "The only people who do become really concerned about others are those who've got this new life."
Other Sermons
Dr. Martyn Lloyd-Jones
Dr. Martyn Lloyd-Jones (1899-1981) was a Welsh evangelical minister who preached and taught in the Reformed tradition. His principal ministry was at Westminster Chapel, in central London, from 1939-1968, where he delivered multi-year expositions on books of the bible such as Romans, Ephesians and the Gospel of John. In addition to the MLJ Trust’s collection of 1,600 of these sermons in audio format, most of these great sermon series are available in book form (including a 14 volume collection of the Romans sermons), as are other series such as "Spiritual Depression", "Studies in the Sermon on the Mount" and "Great Biblical Doctrines". He is considered by many evangelical leaders today to be an authority on biblical truth and the sufficiency of Scripture.