Some Do, Some Don't

It jumped out at me this week as I was reading. After Peter's Pentecost sermon . . .

Acts 2:37 - "Now when they heard this they were cut to the heart, and said to Peter and the rest of the apostles, "Brothers, what shall we do?" "

But then after Stephen's very similar sermon . . .

Acts 7:54 - "Now when they heard these things they were enraged, and they ground their teeth at him."

Just like today. Some hear the message, repent, and are baptized, as after Peter's sermon, and some hear the message, become enraged, and reject both the Word and the messenger who brings it. But the result is not up to us; that is the work of the Holy Spirit. It is for us to simply preach the Word. Always. Sometimes it will bring us the joy of baptism and new life, and sometimes it will bring stones hurled at us - both physical and verbal. When it does, may we be like Stephen, who was like Christ, and pray: Father, forgive them.