The 1st Message of Peter
Acts 2:14 – 41
Acts consists of 28 chapters. I recently read the 1st half (Chapter 1 ~ 14).
In Acts chapter 1 ~ 14,
There are several messages by Peter, Paul, and Stephen. An interesting fact I see is that they preached in front of Jews who put Jesus to death. How real and how confronting!
There were opposing people who were jealous, threated, wanted to kill, Jailed, persecuted, stirred up the crowd, poisoned minds, and stoned them.
But the power of God protected them and supported their mission. For example, whenever they were jailed, God miraculously rescued them.
Now I chose Acts 2:14 – 41 as the first post based on the book of Acts in Comnc.org website. The title of the message is the 1st Message of Peter.
Peter actually met Jesus face-to-face. He had real life experience to follow Jesus and witnessed His life filled with miracles, wonders, and signs. He loved Jesus who came to serve and give life for many. He saw the crucifixion of Jesus. He met Jesus after He was risen. He saw Jesus was ascended to the heaven. Now he was standing in front of Jews, the very people, who put his beloved Master to death not long ago.
Let us learn his evangelical message that saved 3,000 people.
In Acts 2:1-13, the Holy Spirit came down to the believers and they started to declare the wonders of God in variety of different languages.
- The Pentecost Prophesized by Joel (14 – 21)
Peter stood up to speak (14). He mentioned that this supernatural event was prophesized in Joel 2:28 – 32.
- The Main Message (22 – 36)
Now, let’s take a look at the main part of the message.
- Jesus of Nazareth (22)
Peter started with reminding them of Jesus of Nazareth, who was a man
accredited by God to them
by miracles, wonders and signs
As shown in the 4 books of Gospel (Matthew, Mark, Luke, John), Jesus came to the world according to the written promises in the Old Testament and His life was filled with miracles, wonders and signs.
- Crucifixion (23)
Peter mentioned about God’s deliberate plan and pointed out that they crucified Him:
- Jesus was handed over to them by God’s deliberate plan and foreknowledge.
- They, with the help of wicked men, put Him to death by nailing Him to the cross.
- Resurrection (24 – 32)
In v24, Peter mentioned about the Resurrection.
24 But God raised him from the dead, freeing him from the agony of death, because it was impossible for death to keep its hold on him.
In v25 – 28, He quoted Psalm 16:8 – 11 in regarding to the Resurrection.
25 David said about him:
‘ “I saw the Lord always before me.
Because he is at my right hand,
I will not be shaken.
26 Therefore my heart is glad and my tongue rejoices;
my body also will rest in hope,
27 because you will not abandon me to the realm of the dead,
you will not let your holy one see decay.
28 You have made known to me the paths of life;
you will fill me with joy in your presence.”
In v29 – 32, Peter explained what he quoted previously (v25 – 28).
29 ‘Fellow Israelites, I can tell you confidently that the patriarch David died and was buried, and his tomb is here to this day. 30 But he was a prophet and knew that God had promised him on oath that he would place one of his descendants on his throne. 31 Seeing what was to come, he spoke of the resurrection of the Messiah, that he was not abandoned to the realm of the dead, nor did his body see decay. 32 God has raised this Jesus to life, and we are all witnesses of it.
- Ascension (33 – 35)
v33 – 35 is Ascension of Jesus to the right hand of God. Peter quoted Psalm 110:1.
33 Exalted to the right hand of God, he has received from the Father the promised Holy Spirit and has poured out what you now see and hear. 34 For David did not ascend to heaven, and yet he said,
‘ “The Lord said to my Lord:
‘Sit at my right hand
35 until I make your enemies
a footstool for your feet.’ ”
- Conclusion (36)
Climax of his message is v36:
36 ‘Therefore let all Israel be assured of this: God has made this Jesus, whom you crucified, both Lord and Messiah.’
- A Call to Repentance (37 – 41)
What is response of the audience? See v37.
After listening to his message, people were cut to the heart and asked Peter and the other apostles, “Brothers, what shall we do?” (37)
What direction did Peter give them? See v38 and 39:
38 Peter replied, ‘Repent and be baptised, every one of you, in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins. And you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit. 39 The promise is for you and your children and for all who are far off—for all whom the Lord our God will call.’
40 With many other words he warned them; and he pleaded with them, ‘Save yourselves from this corrupt generation.’
As a result, 3,000 people joined the believers (41).
This time, we just briefly investigated the contents and structure of the message. Let us take this message as a reference when we write evangelical messages that can change 3 * 10n people, where n >= 0.
Finally, at this moment, let us think of ‘the Cross’, which implies the simple and powerful messages. Let us list a few:
- God loves us (John 3:16)
- Jesus dies for our sins (Isaiah 53:5 – 7, 1 Corinthians 15:3)
- The consequence of Sin is death (Romans 6:23)
- God made Jesus to be sin for us, so that in Him we might become the righteousness of God (2 Corinthians 5:21)
- Those who belong to Christ Jesus crucified the flesh with its passions and desires (Galatians 5:24)
- If we sin, we are crucifying the Son of God (Hebrews 6:4 – 6).
[Reference]
The Holy Bible: New International Version (Anglicised Edition, 2011). (2011). (Revised and updated edition., Ac 2:36). London: Hodder & Stoughton.
