We will be looking through two sermons presented by Peter in the book of Acts. I want us to start with the second one which Luke records in Acts 3:11-26 on page 1695.
Background: This sermon comes after chapter 2 so the thoughts of that chapter can be carried into this one. This section is tied to Peter and John healing a cripple at the gate of the temple called the Beautiful gate. Within these verses Peter shows that Jesus, and his name, have the power; they do not.
While the beggar held on to Peter and John, all the people were astonished and came running to them in the place called Solomon's Colonnade.
12 When Peter saw this, he said to them: "Men of Israel, why does this surprise you? Why do you stare at us as if by our own power or godliness we had made this man walk?This becomes the jump off to get to the gospel message. In order to communicate the gospel he starts by referring to the truth that Jesus’ coming and power were foretold.
13
The God of Abraham, Isaac and Jacob, the God of our fathers, has glorified his servant Jesus.Then he tells them the bad news:
You handed him over to be killed, and you disowned him before Pilate, though he had decided to let him go.
14 You disowned the Holy and Righteous One and asked that a murderer be released to you. 15 You killed the author of life,Then comes the "but" and the good news:
but God raised him from the dead.
Then Peter shows the evidence:
We are witnesses of this.
16 By faith in the name of Jesus, this man whom you see and know was made strong. It is Jesus' name and the faith that comes through him that has given this complete healing to him, as you can all see.Peter then moves from the healing of one person to salvation for the group:
Verses 17-18 say their previous actions were done in ignorance, but that God knew, and foretold, what was coming. He then calls them to action.
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Repent, then, and turn to God, so that your sins may be wiped out, that times of refreshing may come from the Lord, 20 and that he may send the Christ, who has been appointed for you--even Jesus.Peter uses verse 21 to address what needs to happen before the return of Jesus:
21 He must remain in heaven until the time comes for God to restore everything, as he promised long ago through his holy prophets. 22 For Moses said, `The Lord your God will raise up for you a prophet like me from among your own people; you must listen to everything he tells you. 23 Anyone who does not listen to him will be completely cut off from among his people.'He then reminds his audience that they had the information about the coming Messiah, and that they should be the first to respond to His message.
AC 3:24 "Indeed, all the prophets from Samuel on, as many as have spoken, have foretold these days. 25 And you are heirs of the prophets and of the covenant God made with your fathers. He said to Abraham, `Through your offspring all peoples on earth will be blessed.' 26 When God raised up his servant, he sent him first to you to bless you by turning each of you from your wicked ways."This sermon by Peter is more addressed to the specific group but it does have application for us today. The pattern of thought used in this sermon is similar to the one in chapter two, but the one is chapter two is more pronounced and easier to identify. Let’s look at the sermon in chapter two to see how the Holy Spirit speaks through Peter to an audience that has been looking for God for a long time.
The sermon presented by Peter in Acts 2 provides us with a path for leading the people in our lives who want to know Jesus to understanding what God says about accepting salvation and the changes that salvation makes in our relationships.
AC 2:14
Then Peter stood up with the Eleven (Judas has hung himself and Matthias has joined the Apostles), raised his voice (after the Holy Spirit enabled them to communicate with a very diverse crowd –Acts 2:5-12) and addressed the crowd:How does the Holy Spirit organize his thoughts, and is this helpful to us when we want to speak to others who want to know God and His word?
"Fellow Jews and all of you who live in Jerusalem, let me explain this to you; listen carefully to what I say.
15 These men are not drunk, as you suppose. It's only nine in the morning! 16 No, this is what was spoken by the prophet Joel:Peter starts by showing that Jesus’ making a difference for all people was foretold.
That is the main point in verse 21: And everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved.' Salvation is now open to everyone.
Verse 22 connects the foretelling with God providing evidence.
AC 2:22 "Men of Israel, listen to this: Jesus of Nazareth was a man accredited by God to you by miracles, wonders and signs, which God did among you through him, as you yourselves know.Not only was the coming of Jesus foretold there was multiple items of evidence for His humanity and divinity. People today can connect to the evidence within the scriptures, their own experience, or scientific truths to help them trust in Jesus’ ability to provide salvation. What passages do you use? What experiences do you share? What forms of evidence do you have ready?
Along with Jesus’ coming being foretold, and the evidence that exists, the Holy Spirit has Peter acknowledge the "bad news."
23 This man was handed over to you by God's set purpose and foreknowledge(it was not an accident!); and you, with the help of wicked men, put him to death by nailing him to the cross.Then the "good news."
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But God raised him from the dead, freeing him from the agony of death, because it was impossible for death to keep its hold on him. 25 David said about him – (Then Peter in verses 25-28 shows that His resurrection was also foretold.)Verses 30-31 tell us that David was a prophet and seeing what was ahead, he spoke of the resurrection of the Christ, that he was not abandoned to the grave, nor did his body see decay.
Then comes the personal experience of the crowd in verse 32 -
32 God has raised this Jesus to life, and we are all witnesses of the fact.After a few more passages from the OT Peter says:
AC 2:36 "Therefore let all Israel be assured of this: God has made this Jesus, whom you crucified, both Lord and Christ."With the evidence being examined those who were ready internalize the truth and in verse 37 they ask:
AC 2:37 When the people heard this, they were cut to the heart and said to Peter and the other apostles, "Brothers, what shall we do?"This is when we ask people "What is your response to the action and love of Jesus?" Once they are ready for action then we can show people what God wants them to do to accept salvation.
AC 2:38 Peter replied, "Repent and be baptized, every one of you, in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins. And you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit. 39 The promise is for you and your children and for all who are far off--for all whom the Lord our God will call."This is the pattern for accepting salvation and those who want to be right with God and have confidence about their salvation need to hear and obey this passage. Turning from our old life and way of thinking, trusting in God’s grace, and surrendering our lives to him in baptism changes our connection to God and others. Verse 40 says that Peter pleaded with them to make this step and the change of relationship with God and others is seen in verse 41.
AC 2:40 With many other words he warned them; and he pleaded with them, "Save yourselves from this corrupt generation." 41 Those who accepted his message were baptized, and about three thousand were added to their number that day.What they did once they were called out of the world is seen in verses 42-47 fellowship, ministry, evangelism, discipleship, and worship!
If you are here because you want to have assurance of your eternal salvation then this is a very relevant passage. If you are here to advance the reign and rule of God in your life and help add people to the kingdom; then this is a very relevant passage. When we are helping those who are looking we can use a similar path. We can show that Jesus’ life, death, burial, and resurrection were all foretold. We can consider the experiential, scriptural, and scientific evidence to build confidence. We also need to share the bad news that people are lost without repentance and immersion and we share the good news that God will wash away our sins, fill us with the Holy Spirit, and provide us with purpose and people who have accepted the challenge to serve Jesus as our Lord and Christ.
Are you looking to be right with God? Then repent and be immersed for the forgiveness of your sins. If you have taken that step then who do you know is looking to be right with God? How are you connecting to others in this congregation who have committed to knowing God and surrendering to His leadership? Who can you encourage this week?
Leading others to Christ, and helping those in the kingdom, is part of being in the kingdom. May God bless your conversations this week as you strive to enlarge His Kingdom.
Next week we look at three short sermons in Acts that help us speak to those who oppose us and the message.