Cut To The Heart

Acts 2:29-37
Men and brethren, let me freely speak unto you of the patriarch David, that he is both dead and buried, and his sepulchre is with us unto this day.
Therefore being a prophet, and knowing that God had sworn with an oath to him, that of the fruit of his loins, according to the flesh, he would raise up Christ to sit on his throne;
He seeing this before spake of the resurrection of Christ, that his soul was not left in hell, neither his flesh did see corruption. This Jesus hath God raised up, whereof we all are witnesses.
Therefore being by the right hand of God exalted, and having received of the Father the promise of the Holy Ghost, he hath shed forth this, which ye now see and hear.
For David is not ascended into the heavens: but he saith himself, The Lord said unto my Lord, Sit thou on my right hand, Until I make thy foes thy footstool.
Therefore let all the house of Israel know assuredly, that God hath made the same Jesus, whom ye have crucified, both Lord and Christ.
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?
For the word of God is quick, and powerful, and sharper than any two-edged sword, piercing even to the dividing asunder of soul and spirit, and of the joints and marrow, and is a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart. Hebrews 4:12
Scripture is like that -- it "cuts to the heart" (verse 37). Many times we get caught up in the thought that we must have all the education, all the most impressive words or have a delivery that will shake the world. We think how we tell someone about Jesus is what matters. Often times I find myself thinking I'm the one who needs to speak fine and eloquent words to witness effectively, as if my words are the main factor in someone's decision to come to know Christ. Guess what -- my words and your words don't matter much. What matters is that we simply tell someone about Jesus.

If you look closely at what Peter is saying you will see, Peter has done a scholarly job of interpreting Scripture as well as prophesy relating to the Messiah. His words are convincing and convicting, so therefore it was Peter who led three thousand people to Christ that day, right? Wrong. Just the opposite is true. Peter was an uneducated common fisherman; he wasn't a scholar (like Paul); so where did he get the words? Answer: he was fully surrendered to the power of the Spirit. The Word was in him and the Spirit was upon him -- he was simply an instrument. In short he had been with Jesus.
2 Timothy 3:16 tells us that "All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness: That the man of God may be perfect, thoroughly furnished unto all good works.”

Do you think a person has to be a believer before Scripture can "cut them to the heart"? The Word of God speaks to everyone no matter who they are or what they profess to believe. Scripture cuts to the heart then begs to answer the next question: "Men and brethren, what shall we do?"
Look what Peter told them to do. “Repent and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins.” Simple plane and to the point.