Tuesday: Peter’s Sermon
The charge of drunkenness gave Peter the opportunity to explain what was happening. In his speech, the apostle first pointed to Scripture (Acts 2:16-21), describing the outpouring of the Spirit as the fulfillment of prophecy.
Compare Acts 2:17 with Joel 2:28. How did Peter understand the time of fulfillment of Joel’s prophecy?
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Joel’s prophecy was about the future age of salvation (Joel 2:32), which would be characterized by several signs in the natural world and a lavish outpouring of the Spirit (Joel 2:28-31). By interpreting the Pentecost event in light of such prophecy, Peter intended to stress the historical relevance of that moment. But there is an important difference in the way he quotes Joel. Instead of Joel’s introductory “afterward” (Joel 2:28), which pointed quite generally to the future, Peter said “in the last days” (Acts 2:17), indicating that the final act in the great drama of salvation had just begun. This is not, of course, a full description of last-day events but an evidence of the high sense of urgency that distinguished the early church. They did not know when the end would come but were convinced it would not take long.
Read Acts 2:22-32. What was the main point in Peter’s presentation of the gospel?
After highlighting the prophetic significance of Pentecost, Peter turned to the recent events of Jesus’ life, death, and resurrection. It is the resurrection, however, that received greater emphasis, as it represented the decisive factor in the gospel story. For Peter, the resurrection was the ultimate vindication of Jesus (Acts 2:22, Acts 2:27), and he quoted Scripture to help make his point about the meaning of the resurrection.
Because Jesus was the Messiah, He could not be detained by death. So for Peter and for all the writers of the New Testament, the resurrection of Jesus had become powerful evidence, not only of Jesus as the Messiah but for the whole Christian message of salvation.
| With death all around us, always threatening us or our loved ones, why is the resurrection of Jesus such an important truth? |
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I enjoyed today's lesson, Jesus resurrection was a significance that our lives will be free if we abide by God's commandments.
Jesus was "a Man attested by God to you by miracles, wonders, and signs which God did through Him" and the disciples were also" Acts 2:22 And miraculous signs will follow to those believing these things: in My name they will cast out demons; they will speak new tongues;" proved to be His disciples by miracles.
Do we still need miracles to prove who are truly God's followers?
I believe that because we have the complete Word of God we no longer need miracles to prove who are from God. Although there still some miracles their function is no longer to point out who are God's disciples.
I'm sure that is possible, although it may have more to do with the fact that it would not have the same impact in our culture today.
There are Christians who believe that the Holy Spirit and related supernatural events were only given to the first disciples to launch the Christian church and were later withdrawn never to be given again. Obviously, that is the extreme version of the concept and one we as Adventists clearly reject.
Peter's sermon was very powerful because Peter allowed the Holy Spirit to use him which is very significant for us in the sense that whenever we get the opportunity to preach we should allow the spirit to use us so that the message would be touching to souls that are listening because at the end we saw the impart of Peter's message: baptising 3000 new converts
Peter made use of the opportunity of being charged with drunkenness to witness to his accusers about what was happening, which brings to light his statement later on in 1 Pet 3:15 (NIV) which will do us well to adopt..."But in your hearts revere Christ as Lord. Always be prepared to give an answer to everyone who asks you to give the reason for the hope that you have. But do this with gentleness and respect".
Note that Peter did not use the confrontational approach of 'my belief against your belief' because he knew it will not be effective because of the prejudice of his hearers, Instead he referred their mind back to old testament scripture... to things of which they shared the same belief... of David, who was highly regarded by the Jews as one of the patriarchs of their nation then he shared the testimony of Christ resurrection.
Notice that Peter is under the influence of the Holy Spirit:
36 Therefore let all the house of Israel know assuredly that God has made this Jesus, whom you crucified, both Lord and Christ.”
37 Now when they heard this, they were cut to the heart, and said to Peter and the rest of the apostles, “Men and brethren, what shall we do?”
I hope some people discuss, in class, this confrontational approach of Peter where he accuses listeners of murdering the Son of God.
Some Christians who are competently trained in outreach are taught several methods used in scripture:
Confrontational, logical, invitational, relational, testimonial, service.
Thank you Jim for sharing the outreach methods used in scripture:
Confrontational, logical, invitational, relational, testimonial, service.
You put a perspective on the word, "confrontational" that was helpful in this context of Peter's sermon.
In the world, confrontational means something else. Peter was speaking under the Holy Spirit, which makes it different.
You helped me to see this sermon of Peter's in a new light.
Thank you!
" The resurrection of Jesus had become powerful evidence, not only of Jesus as the Messiah but for the whole Christian message of salvation".
I love this statement it brought home the reality that the resurrection of Jesus is the crowing sign that the Messiah / Jesus came and now salvation is available to everyone who is willing to believe in him.
The plan of salvation is to save us from hell but what must we do to be saved? He has given us every thing we need to be saved if only we would commit ourselves to him and his words.
I prefer to look at it this way: the plan of salvation is to restore the relationship between ourselves and God.
As Paul says Rom 8:7 because the carnal mind is enmity against God,
and
Rom 8:38 For I am persuaded that neither death, nor life, nor angels, nor principalities, nor powers, nor things present, nor things to come,
Rom 8:39 nor height, nor depth, nor any other creature, shall be able to separate us from the love of God which is in Christ Jesus our Lord.
Peter was filled with the Holy Spirit, by whom he applied the prophecy in Joel, which the Holy Spirit had influenced Joel to write. Without this understanding, we would believe that Peter himself was capable of properly applying the prophecies. However, our faith in never to be in man, but the Lord who sends His Spirit to guide man into truth, as Jesus promised He would. Jesus also said the Spirit would speak whatever Jesus would give Him to speak(John 16:13-15). So is it Jesus Himself that guides the church, and His words that come to us through men filled with His Spirit. So we can be confident that it was Jesus who applied Joel to Pentecost, and to days yet to come.
Death could not hold Jesus because He Himself was sinless. Had He failed to remain without sin, His anointing would not have freed Him from the wages of sin. This is why His death is accepted of God as our propitiation. The Lamb was spotless.
Not sure why God would propitiate himself. The Gift was to us, to soften our wicked hearts. John 3:16.
For anyone who had lost a loved one the promise of eternal life gives hope in dark times. Even better we will see Christ face to face. We will walk with Him like Adam and Eve in the garden. His love for us is so great that He died to save us and has all power even over death. The same one who formed us in our mothers womb and rose from the grave will give us new life eternal.
Coming back to this part of the lesson...Peter's main point was the same as Jesus' main point in all His sermons and conversations, because it is Jesus speaking through the Spirit, through Peter, to those present that day, all of whom He had died to save. The main point? "Repent and believe the Gospel". Don't the results prove this?
If Christ “died to save all” then all must or will be saved for it is impossible for any of God’s purposes to be thwarted (Job 42:1,2; Isa 14:24,27; 46:10,11; 55:8,11)
Kenny that is a non sequitur.
I made breakfast for "all the family", this morning, but some family members didn't want orange juice, and others though that rolled-oats porridge with dates, raisins, and chopped dried apricots would take too long to eat. In the end, my wife and I ate what I had made (and enjoyed it) and the rest of the family chose other things. They have free choice and are old enough to make their own decisions. I am not going to force them to eat what I feely make available to them even if it is good for them.
That's the Gospel of Jesus Christ.
He came to give eternity but His own rejected Him.
They made a choice.
And so we are to also make choice.
I agree with Maurice, it is a gift for all mankind, we must accept it and accept Him to receive it.
It seems, brothers and sisters, that the dying part of your salvation plan is God’s and the saving part is up to us and optional. God’s salvation, ministered by the Spirit through the gospel of Jesus Christ, is not about offering or preparing a meal for living people, but about giving life, eternal life, to dead people, “dead in trespasses and sins”. “For just as the Father raises the dead and gives them life, even so the Son also gives life to whom He wishes. For not even the Father judges anyone, but He has given all judgment to the Son,”(Jn 5:21,22). “Truly, truly, I say to you, he who hears My word, and believes Him who sent Me, has eternal life, and does not come into judgment, but has passed out of death into life. Truly, truly, I say to you, an hour is coming and now is, when the dead will hear the voice of the Son of God, and those who hear will live... even so He gave to the Son also to have life in Himself... (Jn 5:24-27). The dead cannot hear or see except they be given life, as Lazarus experienced at his resurrection. Concerning choice, after saying that the Father is glorified in fruit bearing, Jesus says: “You did not choose Me but I chose you, and appointed you that you would go and bear fruit, and your fruit would remain...” (Jn 15:16). Read, study John chap 6 God’s salvation plan outlined.
Kenny, I don't know if you are reading "outside"(of scripture) materials, but I would suggest finding this answer in scripture alone. God will force or save no one against their choice. Otherwise Jesus would only need to die, then make the new earth since all would be saved already. Study the history since Jesus' death and realize there are still 2 sides and the "wrong" side is the largest group on this world, and always has been.
Jesus said: "Many are called, but few are chosen", and "Narrow is the way...that leads to life, and few will find it". Etc.
Think on these things.
Your reference from John 5 is concerning the literal resurrection of the just/saved, not the saving of all sinners. You are adding to Jesus' words, which the bible faithfully warns us not to do.
Find this answer from scripture alone. Your view is exposed as false by too many passages in scripture.
Kenny, John 3:14-18; 8:24. Many more like them in scripture.
Yes Kenny Christ died to save all, when you stop there with the assumption that therefore all will be saved, you are taking the Bible out of context. All will be saved that come to God through Christ. Hebrews 7:25. Repent and be baptized in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins. Which is available to you, your children, and all. Acts 2:38-39. If, yes if only you will believe in Jesus as your Saviour. Acts 16:31. Since you believe Peter says: DO something about your belief. 1 Peter 3:8-22. But do it with peace. James 3:18. Christ lead the women at the well to the ‘Living Water’. He did not put a funnel in her mouth and poor Living Water down. No, she thirsted and drank it of her own will. John 4:13-15. Then what did she do? She went and told the whole village all about Him. Many accepted. John 4:39.
Happy Sabbath brother
Robert, where are there “outside” materials in my post? You must have read someone else’s post! Let us read Jn 5:21-29.
V 21 Jesus says that the Father raises the dead and gives them life and that he, in the same way gives life to whom he wishes.
v24 He says: “He who hears My word, and believes Him who sent Me, has eternal life, and does not come into judgment, but has passed out of death into life.” What is passing from death into life through believing the word of Christ Jesus? Is that literal physical resurrection or spiritual resurrection?
v25 “… I say to you, an hour is coming and now is [ same phrase of Jn 4:23 identifying Jesus’ new covenant Spirit ministry], when the dead will hear the voice of the son of God, and those who hear [who have ears to hear] will live.” v24 is the Salvation principle or decree. V25 describes the execution of the principle. Only those who hear, who have ears to hear are raised in this resurrection (Jn 8:43,47; 10:3,16,26-30).
v26,27 The Son has life in Himself to resurrect His people, to execute judgment. Since He suffered death for His enslaved, imprisoned people, He executes justice in freeing His people from death.
v28,29 Now here is the general resurrection in the end when all in the tombs hear Christ’s voice and they rise, either to life or judgment. (1 Cor 15:20-23)
How can you say that Jn 5 tells only of literal resurrection? Are you subtracting from the word of God?
Kenny, I am not sure exactly what you are saying here. Are you saying that we are predestined to be saved or lost? Or are you saying that in the end everyone is saved irrespective of the decisions they make in life?
It seems to me that John 5 is saying that in the end everyone is resurrected either to eternal life or to the judgment. We face the consequences of the decisions we have made in response to God's offer to all. The emphasis of John 5 is that those who hear God's voice and respond are those who are raised to life. Those who have rejected that offer face the consequences of judgment.
Kenny, “those who have done good, to the resurrection of life. and those who have done evil, to the resurrection of condemnation.” If, you were not caught up in the air, as only the righteous will, not the wicked(those whose who do not turn to God through Jesus Christ), you will be on the outside of the Holy City when Christ resurrects the wicked to see what they missed. Then they with the devil and his angels will be consumed in the lake of fire that cleanses the earth. Those who have chosen to turn to God through Jesus Christ will be safe in side the Holy City by choice. Those who have chosen to be in the lake of fire by not choosing to be resurrected to eternal life are not saved, it was their choosing. I see you have read John 5, but go back and re-read. John 5:29. Acts 24:15-16. 1 Thessalonians 5:14. Hebrews 7:25. Revelation 21:5-8. Then re-read John 3:5. When I study I ask the Holy Spirit to give me understanding of truth, He brings me understanding in context too. I have chosen to be on the inside, sounds like you have too.
God bless you.
Kenny, your conclusion echo those who have received their interpretations of scripture from sources outside of scriptures. Also, I said "if". Only you know where you got your ideas from. In essence, I am saying your interpretation is different than mine from the same passage of scripture.