The Holy Spirit has fallen at Pentecost upon the believers and most are bewildered and some are mocking what they have seen as they appear to be intoxicated. Peter now boldly stands up to give the first gospel message of this new covenant. It will set the tone for all that follows and at the end 3,000 new converts will be added.

1 – Peter stands with the other disciples (vs. 14)

Peter had denied the Lord. He had fallen but now he was back. This shows that we can be restored to usefulness for God. There has been a lot of noise and everyone’s attention has been drawn to the prophesying. Now it is time for the 12 apostles as God has something clear and distinct to say to all Jewish people who have gathered from the nations. Peter is the one who speaks first. It is likely that the others also spoke. Peter now gives his gospel message based on quotations from the Old Testament. We need to remember that there was no New Testament at this time.

2 – The experience of Pentecost (vs. 15-21)

Though Peter was filled with the Holy Ghost, and had spoken with tongues, he did not set aside the Scriptures. He will now explain from the Scriptures how this Pentecost experience is a fulfilment.

• Refuting the mockers (vs. 15-16) – With a degree of good humours Peter dismisses the idea that the people are drunk. In a culture where the first meal is not taken until ten o’clock, nine o’clock in the morning is too early in the day to find people drunk! See Isaiah 5:11.
• Outpouring of the Holy Spirit (vs. 17-18) – The central scripture for Peter’s message is taken from Joel 2:28-32. In the final dispensation of God’s kingdom on earth there will be an outpouring out of the Holy Spirit. This is in contrast with the mere drops of all preceding time. It will be upon all flesh. It will not be confined to the seed of Abraham. It will be without distinction of sex, age or rank.
• Signs and wonders (vs. 19-20) – The signs and wonders are evidence of the coming end days when no one will escape judgment, except those who believe and trust in the Lord. Judgment is coming to Israel soon and in the future and the signs and wonders are a warming of judgment and a call to repent.
• Salvation and purpose of Spirit and signs (vs. 21) – The universe will reveal what a shambles sinful humans make of things by their constant assault on God’s moral order. From this the human race should know that judgment must come at the day of the Lord (See Isaiah 13:6, 9; Ezekiel 30:3; Zephaniah 1:14-15). The hope held out by Joel is thus vitally significant. And everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved. A new order has arrived.

3 – The Life and death of Jesus Christ (vs. 22-28)

If you get your mind off yourself you can get your mind on fire for the Lord. We need to deny ourselves. Watch out for too many words like “I” and “me”. Are you on fire for God? Are you saved, satisfied and selfless?

• A Man of Signs (vs. 22) – They knew where Jesus had been born in Israel but there was signs He was no mere man. He had fed the 5,000 with a few scraps of food. He had healed those who were sick. He had raised Lazarus from the dead.
• Crucified (vs. 23) – Despite the signs, Jesus was persecuted and put to death on a cross. The religious leaders and crowd had been just as guilty of killing God’s messenger.
• Resurrected (vs. 24) – Despite being crucified, Jesus was resurrected from the dead. He had said He would and He did! Peter had only got the message himself after the resurrection. See John 20:3-9.
• David’s Messianic Prophecy (vs. 25-28) – Peter now appeals to David as a witness for the prosecution. David was a great hero of the Jewish faith. He quotes from Psalm 16:8-11. David speaks prophetically about the Messiah not being left alone by God. The Father was faithful to His word and Jesus came back to resurrection life – not resuscitated to live and die again. If God did not forsake His Son then He will not forsake his sons and daughters in Christ.

4 – King David’s prophecy interpreted (vs. 29-35)

• Prophecy not about David (vs. 29, 34) – David is dead and the prophecy cannot be about himself.
• Prophecy is about the resurrection of Christ (vs. 30-35) – See also Psalm 110:1 and Mark 12:35-37. God had promised to resurrect Jesus and He kept His Word. Peter had seen it for himself and so had the other standing beside him. It was a fact beyond dispute. It might be disputed by people today but Peter tells those present that he is a witness to it. His testimony as a witness is credible and is backed up by several other witnesses. Jesus is the author of this outpouring of the Holy Spirit.

5 – Call to believe (vs. 36)

The evidence has been laid out to the people and the call from Peter is to accept Jesus as their Lord and Messiah!

Categories: Acts