“But Peter, standing with the eleven, lifted up his voice and addressed them: ‘Men of Judea and all who dwell in Jerusalem, let this be known to you, and give ear to my words.’” Acts 2:14
Background and introduction
The Apostle Peter is a great example of someone who is empowered by the Holy Spirit. Having been a coward, Peter, full of the Spirit, was transformed into a courageous man who gave some of the most memorable sermons in Acts. Peter had previously been an uneducated fisherman who internally battled his own doubt and failures (Matt. 14:22–33; 16:22–23; 26:69–75). In Acts, however, we see a new man who unflinchingly confronted a group of Jews, directly accusing them of crucifying the Son of God, their Messiah (Acts 2:36). The Holy Spirit granted Peter the words to speak powerfully yet eloquently, piercing the hearts of the hearers, so they were convinced of their need to believe in Christ and be baptized.
Observation
This section comprises Peter’s response to those who had just witnessed the believers speaking in other tongues when the Holy Spirit came upon the believers gathered for Pentecost. The astonished observers asked, “What does this mean?” (Acts 2:12). Peter explained how receiving the Holy Spirit points to and proves Jesus as Lord and Christ.
Read
- Where, and with whom, did Peter stand?
- Messianic passages are those that point to the coming of a Messiah. Use the cross-reference listed in your Bible to determine which messianic passage Peter said was fulfilled through the presence of the wind, tongues of flame, and various spoken tongues that occur at Pentecost. In Acts 2:17–18, who was affected by the Spirit being poured out?
- What wonders does God perform in the last days? Some commentators have noted that Peter was not just referencing the wonders of Pentecost, but also those depicted by the crucifixion and in the book of Revelation.
- To whom does the presence of the Holy Spirit point?
- Whose plan was it that Jesus be crucified? Who crucified and killed Jesus? Who raised Jesus up from death?
- What messianic prophecy of David did Peter connect to Christ’s resurrection? See the cross-reference for Acts 2:25–28. In Acts 2:29–35, Peter made this connection real by comparing David’s status to Jesus’. Where is David now? Where is Jesus now?
- What verb was used in Acts 2:17, 18, and 33 for how God sends forth his Spirit? What does this imply about who God is?
- What final messianic psalm did Peter use to declare Jesus as Lord? See the cross-reference for Acts 2:34–35.
- Who did mighty works, signs, and wonders through Jesus? Who promised David that he would set one of his descendants on his throne? Who promised the Holy Spirit and poured out the Holy Spirit? Who has made Jesus both Lord and Christ?
- How did Peter’s audience respond to his message?
- What did Peter call them to do, and what did Peter promise them?
Interpretation
Peter addressed his sermon to an audience who had just witnessed the miraculous sights and sounds that occurred when the Holy Spirit was poured out on the believers gathered for Pentecost. He used this opportunity to point to Jesus as Lord and Christ because it fulfilled the promise that God would send the Holy Spirit after Jesus’ resurrection. Peter focused on the fact that these miraculous signs were evidence of a good God who has a plan for his people and draws them to repentance.
- Acts 2:17–21, if compared with Joel 2:28–32, uses a few words that are slightly different. Instead of beginning the citation with “and it shall come to pass afterward,” it begins with “and in the last days it shall be,” thereby implying the last days had begun. Describe the actions that initiated these last days (see Acts 2:23–24, 32–33.) The view that we are in the last days is shared by the apostles throughout the New Testament (1 Cor. 10:11; Heb. 1:1–2; 1 Pet. 1:20; 1 John 2:18). How does living in the last days affect how we live?
- While God planned and knew that Jesus would die and be raised, Peter attested that the Jews had crucified and killed Jesus by the hands of lawless men. How does God’s plan and foreknowledge work together with people’s actions?
- Peter said this message is for “everyone whom the Lord our God calls to himself.” Who works salvation in the believer? According to this text, what role does the believer have in his or her salvation?
Application
In his sermon, Peter declared they are all witnesses to God raising up Jesus and fulfilling his promise to send the Holy Spirit (Acts 2:32–33). Peter also showed that through the fulfillment of these three messianic texts, “all the house of Israel know[s] for certain that God has made [Jesus] both Lord and Christ” (v. 36).
- Do you know for certain that Jesus is both your Lord and Christ? (If you have any questions about what this means, or how it applies to your life, please talk to a church leader after a Sunday service. We would love to talk with you more about it.)
- After his sermon, Peter continued to bear witness to Christ and implore the people to repent. Is any part of you resisting this message? How is God calling you to respond right now?
- After receiving the Holy Spirit, Peter’s life was changed, and he boldly preached the gospel to all who listened. Do you share the gospel with those who will listen? If not, what prevents you from doing so? Practice and see what things get in the way and then how you’ll get around them. Who will you share this Good News with next—a friend, coworker, or neighbor?
This inductive study is adapted from the Acts Study Guide.
