These verses are Luke's comments, based on eye-witness accounts, of Peter's evangelistic talk before the Pentecost crowds (Acts 2:14-39).  Those verses summarise the content of his message.  It was all about Jesus – the rejected King who was crucified but came back to life and holds the whole world to account.  The Holy Spirit empowered the apostle to speak the truth, and He convicted many who heard the message (John 16:8-9).  That inner conviction was so powerful that they felt ‘cut to the heart’ (Acts 2:37).  They suddenly knew that they had been so wrong in their assessment of Jesus and were desperate to get right with God.

Those present clearly remembered Peter repeatedly urging them to repent, commanding them to throw themselves upon God's mercy.  He pleaded with them to take action: to stop rebelling against God, and to be different from others around them who had demanded the death of Christ, and were heading for God's judgement.  By saying 'save yourselves' he was saying that God's salvation is available, but not automatically.  They had to accept that they needed to be saved, and choose to receive God's salvation.

The Holy Spirit used Peter's words to bring three thousand people to repentance on that day.  They admitted that they had got it wrong about Jesus, and they submitted to Him as God's appointed King.  Their baptism was a very public repentance and declaration of personal faith - as they chose to submit to this physical action.  It was God's way for them to say that they had changed sides and were not going back.  They now belonged to Jesus and were not ashamed of Him (Acts 2:36).

The gospel message is not one of a million spiritual options which might improve life: it is the only way to avoid eternal judgement.  Peter later said that there is no other way to get right with God (Acts 4:12).  The gospel message is not just information; it is packed with urgency to take action, and trust in Jesus alone for salvation (Acts 17:30).  That is still true.  Emergency services would be considered negligent if they ignored an obvious threat to life.  The church is negligent if God's people fail to warn a corrupt world of God's wrath, especially as Jesus has provided a saving remedy for sinful people.  True gospel urgency loves people for Christ's sake, tells them clearly what they need to know, and then encourages them to repent and commit themselves to the only Saviour of the world (Jude 1:23).  So, Christian: go out in the power of the Spirit.  Seek out the lost, love them, tell them clearly and encourage them to say 'yes' to Jesus (www.crosscheck.org.uk).