Pentecostal Preaching (Acts 2:14-36)
Refutation and Quotation (#1) (verses 14-21)
In six weeks, Peter had gone from cowardly denying Christ to serving as the frontman for Christ’s disciples. The resurrection of Jesus and the coming of the Holy Spirit had transformed him, and he was now “declaring” the word of God as a man filled with the Spirit. His declaration is no longer in tongues, but direct and plain speech addressed to the crowd. As we read through Acts, we see a pattern of the outward signs and wonders being superseded by the preached word, which is the predominant means that God uses to advance His Kingdom. Correcting the crowd, Peter assures them that the men were not drunk, but that what they were witnessing was the fulfillment of the prophecy made through Joel (Joel 2:28-32)—the last days have begun and the age of God’s salvation has been inaugurated. The distribution of the Holy Spirit that was promised through the prophecy is now available to the young and old, men and women, all mankind. Everyone who now calls on the Name of the Lord (the Name of this Jesus whom they crucified!) will be saved!
– Why is it encouraging to people like us to see Peter standing and declaring the Word of the Lord in Acts 2? What does it reveal about the kinds of people God is willing to use to extend His kingdom? What does it reveal about the relationship between the ministry of the Holy Spirit and courage in the believer?
Proclamation, Quotation (#2), and Exposition (verses 22-32)
Peter’s interpretation of the Old Testament in Christological terms shows us that the New Testament is the best lens through which to see Christ in the Old Testament. Peter makes clear that Jesus did not die by chance, nor did wicked humans alter the plan of God, but rather the sinful acts that would lead to the ultimate crime of crucifying Christ were all a part of God’s predetermined plan (v23). But death was unable to hold Jesus in its grasp, since both the power of God and the Scriptures made it an impossibility. Based on Psalm 16 which Peter quotes, in unwavering certainty Christ bowed His head in death, confident that He would not be shaken, abandoned, or corrupted ((v24-28). By raising Jesus from the dead God destroyed death and reversed its effect not just on Jesus, but on all who belong to Him (2 Tim 1:10; 1 Cor 15:21-22).
– What is the relationship between Jesus’ resurrection and our own salvation? Why does the resurrection give us assurance and hope?
Exhortation (verses 33-36)
The resurrection of Christ is crucial, but of equal importance is the ascension. The fact that Jesus is exalted to the right hand of God, the place of honor and singular glory, explains what they have just experienced, the pouring out of the Holy Spirit. Also, the Spirit in collaboration with the Old Testament Scriptures give assurance that Jesus really has ascended to a place of total authority as the Christ. Now that He is exalted as Lord, the way that Jesus guarantees the final defeat of all His enemies is by sending His agent, the Holy Spirit, to represent Him and accomplish His will on earth as it is heaven. Even those who were present had participated in crucifying Jesus, and though they were at the time numbered among His “enemies” (v35), they could avoid being made a footstool now by calling on the name of the Lord.
– How should your life be daily affected by the fact that Jesus has been exalted to the right hand of God, possessing all authority as Lord? How should this truth affect the way we view our sin, trials, the world, etc.?