Peter's Sermon at Pentecost Acts 2:14-36
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A WALK TO THE CROSS (And Beyond) “For ‘Whoever will call on the name of the Lord will be Peter’s Sermon At Pentecost saved.’ How then will they call on Him in whom they have Acts 2:14-36 not believed? How will they believe in Him whom they have Preaching has always been central to the church’s mission. not heard? And how will they hear without a preacher? It’s been the central focus of the Church from the time that it How will they preach unless they are sent?...So faith comes was birthed. The first event in church history, following the from hearing, and hearing by the word of Christ.” ~Romans 10:13-15a, 17 coming of the Holy Spirit, was Peter’s sermon. The book of Acts is largely a record of sermons that were preached. Preaching has rightly held the central place in the life of the true church throughout the ages. Acts 4:2...“They were teaching the people and proclaim- ing in Jesus the resurrection from the dead.” Here in Acts 2, Peter began his sermon, by first repudiating Acts 5:42...“Every day, in the temple and from house to the claim that was made by those who were hearing the house, they kept right on teaching and preaching Jesus Galileans’ proclaiming the glory of God...those who were as the Christ.” gathered together in the upper room. He rebukes those who were hearing the the glory of God being proclaimed in each Acts 6-7...records Stephen, the first martyr...bearing of their own language...by claiming that the Galileans were witness beginning with Genesis, and continuing through drunk. He mentioned that it was only 9:00 AM and that not Scripture, the works of God, before being stoned. even a drunkard would be inebriated that early in the day. After the first great persecution of the church broke out... This would be especially true on a festival day such as Acts 8:4...“Those who had been scattered went about Pentecost. preaching the Word.” But Peter, taking his stand with the eleven, raised his Acts 8 also records the preaching of Philip (vs. 5, 12), and voice and declared to them: “Men of Judea and all you Peter and John (vs. 25) to the Samaritans, and Philip to who live in Jerusalem, let this be known to you and give the Ethiopian eunuch (vs. 35). heed to my words. For these men are not drunk, as you After his conversion, Paul immediately began to proclaim suppose, for it is only the third hour of the day (vs. 14- Jesus in the synagogues, saying, “He is the Son of God” 15)... (Acts 9:20). I. THE PROPHECY CONCERNING CHRIST: (vs. 16- Acts records how the early church “continued to preach 21) the gospel” (Acts 14:7; 10:42; 13:5, 32; 14:15, 21; 15:35; But this is what was spoken of through the prophet 16:10; 17:3, 13; 20:25; 28:31). Joel (vs. 16)...What transpired on the Day of Pentecost Jesus instructed His disciples...“As you go, preach...” wasn’t that the apostles and those who were gathered in (Matthew 10:7), and at the end said, “Go into all the world the upper room were drunk...they were experiencing and preach...” (Mark 16:15). what was spoken of through the prophet Joel (Joel 2). And it shall be in the last days (vs. 17a)...The term the Obviously, not all the elements of Joel’s prophecy are last days is a common Old Testament expression revealed during the Church age. It isn’t until the Spirit is denoting the time when Messiah would come to set up poured out upon all mankind in His kingdom that what His kingdom. The fact that there would be two comings of is mentioned here will take place. Messiah, separated by a long intervening period, wasn’t And your sons and your daughters shall prophesy, and understood in the Old Testament. your young men shall see visions, and your old men The two comings, however, can be more clearly under- shall dream dreams; even on My bondslaves, both men stood from the two purposes for Messiah’s coming. and women, I will in those days pour forth of My Spirit On the one hand, the Old Testament teaches that and they shall prophesy. And I will grant wonders in Messiah would come as the Suffering Servant...to die the sky above and signs on the earth below, blood, and for the sins of the world (Isaiah 53). fire, and vapor of smoke. The sun will be turned into darkness and the moon into blood, before the great and On the other hand, it also teaches that Messiah would glorious day of the Lord shall come (vs. 17c-20)... come in glory to set up His kingdom (Isaiah 9:6). It’s only in those days...when His kingdom is finally The first coming of Christ ushered in what Scripture calls established ...that such extensive prophesying will take the last days. So far, the last days have lasted over two place...the bold forth-telling of the glorious works of God. thousand years. And during that time, God has... The wonders in the sky above and signs on the earth Established the Church. below that Joel mentions, are all associated with the Has graciously called Gentiles to salvation. glorious day of the Lord...and are yet to come. The And has chastened Israel for her unbelief. ultimate day of the Lord is linked elsewhere in Scripture with the events surrounding Christ’s second coming. The complete fulfillment of Joel’s prophecy awaits the For instance...the book of Revelation: second coming of Christ...the coming of His kingdom. On the Day of Pentecost, and indeed throughout the Associates blood with the time surrounding Christ’s church age, God has given both a preview and a sample second coming (Revelation 6:8; Revelation 8:7-8; Revelation 9:15; Revelation 14:20; Revelation 16:3). of the power that the Spirit will release when He comes and establishes His kingdom. Bur for now, believers in the Mentions fire...also associated with that time present age only have a foretaste of the ultimate kingdom (Revelation 8:5, 7, 8, 10). living that awaits. Mentions smoke at that time (Revelation 9:2-3, 17-18; God says, that I will pour forth of My Spirit on all Revelation 18:9, 18). mankind (vs. 17b)...In the Church age, God pours His In Matthew 24:29-30, the Lord Jesus Christ described the Spirit into believers. In His kingdom, He will pour forth changes that will occur in the sun, moon, and stars at His His Spirit on all mankind. second coming. “But immediately after the tribulation of those days the Miracles...Gk. dunamis, describes the powerful, super- sun will be darkened, and the moon will not give its light, natural nature of the works that only God can and does and the stars will fall from the sky, and the powers of the do. heavens will be shaken. And then the sign of the Son of Wonders...Gk. teras, describes the awe...the amazement Man will appear in the sky, and then all the tribes of the of one’s response when one witnesses the power of God at earth will mourn, and they will see the Son of Man work. coming on the clouds of the sky with power and great Signs...Gk. semeion, gives the intent that God’s glory.” miraculous works are used to point to spiritual truth. ~ Matthew 24:29-30 Which God performed through Him...Jesus didn’t do And it shall be that everyone who calls on the name of His miracles on His own. God was at work through Him. the Lord will be saved (vs. 21)...After quoting Joel’s chilling and terrifying description of the day of the Lord, “For the Father loves the Son, and shows Him all things Peter tells them how to avoid being caught in that time of that He Himself is doing; and the Father will show Him terror and devastation. He tells them that there is greater works than these, so that you will marvel.” salvation for those who turn to the Lord Jesus Christ. ~John 5:20 II. THE LIFE OF CHRIST: (vs. 22) “The testimony which I have is greater than the Men of Israel, listen to these words: Jesus the Naza- testimony of John; for the works which the Father has rene, a man attested to you by God with miracles and given Me to accomplish—the very works that I do— wonders and signs which God performed through Him testify about Me, that the Father has sent Me.” ~John 5:36 in your midst, just as you yourselves know (vs. 22)... As he did at the beginning of his sermon, Peter challenged In your midst, just as you yourselves know...They the men of Israel to listen to his words as he presented to couldn’t claim ignorance. Their rejection of Jesus wasn’t them the Gospel. He boldly proclaimed two truths: based on lack of information but on their hatred of Jesus and love of their sin. Notice...they didn’t deny the works That God had worked miracles through Jesus. that He did...they just rejected His claim of who He is. And that they had seen them. “If I do not do the works of My Father, do not believe A man attested to you by God...Attested, Gk.