FNC notes - 2/11/11 - Peter preaches
PETER PREACHES
acts 2:14-41
REVIEW
Recall last week that at Pentecost, the Holy Spirit came upon the disciples and they began to praise God in different languages - some of the visitors in Jerusalem understood these praises and 2 conclusions were drawn:
1. some asked ,”what does this mean”?
- positive
2. some said, “these men are full of new wine”.
- negative.
either way, the disciples lifestyle was causing a noticeable aroma to all those around (2 Cor. 2:16) - and that’s part of the equation. The Christian’s prayer, visible love, and visible holiness cause curiosity, and, as we will see tonight, God’s word
and the Holy Spirit does the rest.
THE TEXT
v14 - connect
observation 1 - connecting with the listener is huge - this could be through an ideal witnessing situation (aka open door), or just a normal conversation (James 1:19) with a new friend or ongoing friendship.
v15 - connect and correct
observation 1 - you have to know the truth to be able to correct a misunderstanding or lie - must be done with tact and in love !
Ephesians 4:15 - “Rather, speaking the truth in love, we are to grow up in every way into him who is the head, into Christ…”
v16 - connect and proclaim
v17-v21 = Joel’s prophecy in Joel 2:28-32
observation 1 - if applicable, use the scriptures as a connecting point as often as possible - always use the scriptures in terms of the gospel.
observation 2 - this is likely one aspect of all that Jesus opened their minds to concerning Himself in the OT - see Luke 24:44-45
”Then he said to them, ‘These are my words that I spoke to you while I was still with you, that everything written about me in the Law of Moses and the Prophets and the Psalms must be fulfilled.’ Then he opened their minds to understand the Scriptures…”
observation 3 - since the incarnation, crucifixion, resurrection, and ascension had all taken place - the “last days” season had begun - partially fulfilled at pentecost, completely fulfilled at the 2nd coming.
v22 - connect people to the gospel of Jesus Christ!
observation 1 - Since many of the people would have known or even seen the miracles of Jesus, Peter connects them to Jesus. Sometimes it’s good to show people what they might already know about God as opposed to don’t know about Him.
v23 - God’s plan for salvation and redemption began way back in Gen. 3 and culminated in Acts 1.
v24 - since sin leads to death and Jesus did not sin, He could not stay dead!
v25-28 - David’s prophecy in
Ps. 16:8-11
observation 1 - this verifies that Jesus could not stay dead in His sinless state
observation 2 - v28 is particularly beautiful!
v29 - “brothers” - still connected to his audience
v30-35 - he explains Ps. 16:8-11 to them
observation 1 - this whole resurrection thing would have been news to the people - great news!
a. The concept of a literal resurrection apart from judgment day was foreign to Jews…and the early church was Jewish.
b. Despite regularly citing the Hebrew Scriptures elsewhere as being fulfilled in numerous aspects of Jesus’ life and death, they do nothing of the kind in the resurrection narratives, so one can hardly accusing them of inventing stories based on earlier prophecies.
c. see Job 19:26; Ps 16:10; 49:15; Isa 26:19; Da 12:2 -> all are in context of a future judgment - so the people would have been unaware of what happened after death - the rez was a revolutionary event.
v36 - No sugarcoating here - Peter clearly shows the need for a Savior - all of our sins crucified Jesus - we are all guilty.
v37 - He presented the truth and the Holy Spirit did the rest - he doesn’t even give an “altar call”!
observation 1 - only the Holy Spirit can convict someone of their sin - no person can and it is not according to our timing.
observation 2 - they are prompted to action - what must we “do”?
v38 - Peter’s answer - Repent.
observation 1 - both J the B and Jesus started their respective ministries with this command.
observation 2 - the essence of the word is seen throughout the OT and NT - Job, Balaam, Ahab, David, Asa, Hezekiah, etc. - it means to turn away from the world and turn towards Jesus.
observation 3 - although not necessary for salvation, baptism, was to show their repentance symbolically.
observation 4 - repentance leads to the gift of the Holy Spirit
v39 - the scope of the gospel
v40 - the exhortation continues
v41 - the reception of the gospel
applications -
1. connect with people
2. connect with and correct people in love
3. connect people with the gospel
4. be repentant, share repentance, and stay repentant
