Spirit Empowered Proclamation (Acts 2)

We continue in the book of Acts for our Summer Reading Challenge of 2022. Today’s reflections from Acts chapter 2, address the coming of the Holy Spirit and what the Apostles proclaimed. 

• Acts 2 has three main movements: (1) The Holy Spirit comes at Pentecost (2:1-13); (2) Peter Proclaims Christ at Pentecost (2:14-41) and (3) the Fellowship of the Believers (2:42-47).
• Today’s episode focuses on the coming of the Holy Spirit, and Peter’s sermon to the gathered multinational crowd.

Part 1:  The Holy Spirit Comes!

• As I read through Acts chapter 2, I was struck by two observations:
  • First, reflecting on what the disciples expectation would have been of who the Holy Spirit is and what he would do:
    • Both Jesus and John the Baptist said that the disciples would be “baptized with the Holy Spirit” (Matt. 3:11; Acts 1:5).
    • We read in John 14-16 that the “Helper” or “Advocate” would be sent by Jesus and the Father to be with them forever — that He, that is the Spirit of Truth, would bear witness about Jesus (John 15:26) and glorify Jesus (John 16:14); that He will “convict the world concerning sin and righteousness and judgement” (16:8).
      • Interestingly enough, we see in Acts chapter 2 that, through the disciples “as the Spirt gave them utterance” (2:4), HE bore witness about Jesus and the “mighty works of God” (2:11) — with the end result that the audience was convicted – or “cut to the heart” (2:37).  But I am getting slightly ahead of myself.
  • My second observation, as we noticed in Acts chapter 1 — there is a clear purpose for the filling of the Holy Spirit — namely that they would be Jesus’ witnesses from Jerusalem to the end of the earth (1:8). 
    • We see a small picture of that in this passage of Acts 2 — People from something like 15 places, North, South, East and West of Jerusalem — all hearing the mighty works of God (2:11) proclaimed in their own native language! The Spirit filled them and gave them utterance to speak to the now assembled crowd in the native languages from the places which they came!
    • The PURPOSE was PROCLAMATION!  
      • And the proclamation did not stop with that marvelous moment where every person was hearing their own language spoken.
      • That leads us to Peter’s first sermon in the book of Acts. 

Part 2: Peter’s Proclamation of Christ at Pentecost!

• Peter’s sermon can be seen as having three main movements
  • 2:14-21: are explaining what the crowd just witnessed — in the outpouring of the Holy Spirit — as a fulfillment of Joel 2:28-32
  • 2:22-36: look at Christ as the fulfillment of Psalm 16:8-11 and Psalm 110:1
  • 2:37-41: concludes with the call to repentance and baptism
• There are so many wonderful things to meditate upon in the 47 verses of this chapter, but I was particularly struck by the repetition of the phrase “This Jesus” in Peter’s sermon.
  • First, Peter, in verses 22-24 points out to his audience that — as they know — Jesus of Nazareth was attested to them by GOD with might wonders… Peter says, “THIS JESUS [was] delivered up according to the definite plan and foreknowledge of God” — so Jesus being delivered up to death was according to God’s plan (see also Romans 3:25).  However, Peter goes further.  He says THIS JESUS who was attested by God and delivered up according to God’s plan — “YOU crucified and killed by the hands of lawless men – God raised him up!”
    • Consider for a moment — imagine if you had been in Jerusalem for any of the week leading up to Jesus’ death and resurrection.  You would have heard the rumors, maybe seen the crowds singing “Hosanna!” or perhaps you were part of them.  Maybe you were at the scene where Pilate offered to release Barabbas.  Then the news that this one who was called the King of Jews was put to death by crucifixion — another would be Messiah come and gone… but then all the city abuzz with some people claiming that he has been raised from the dead.  Now this strange and miraculous thing happens during the next major feast in Jerusalem… and now this man lays the blame of Jesus’ execution at your feet.
  • Second, in verses 32-33, Peter again repeats that “THIS JESUS God raised up, and of that we are all witnesses. [Furthermore] Being therefore exalted at the right hand of God, and having received from the Father the promise of the Holy Spirit, he has poured out this that you yourselves are seeing and hearing.”    
  • And Third, and finally, in verse 36, Peter says “Let all the house of Israel therefore know for certain that God has made Him both Lord and Christ, THIS JESUS whom you crucified.”
    • So, we see in this sermon four key things proclaimed:
      • (1) Jesus’ death and resurrection was according to the definite plan of God.
      • (2) As a result of the resurrection and exaltation of Jesus to the right hand of God, He has poured out the promised Holy Spirit
      • (3) According to Peter, with Jesus’ (1) death, (2) resurrection, (3) ascension, and (4) sending of the Holy Spirit — it can be known with certainty that God has declared in unmistakable terms that THIS JESUS is both Lord and Christ.
      • (4) Peter’s audience is guilty of playing an active part in the crucifixion of Jesus
• And what was the end result of this sermon?
  • They were cut to the heart!!! And the first altar call was initiated by the audience — “brothers, what shall we do” (2:37)?
  • Peter’s answer: “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” (2:38)!  And some 3000 souls were added to their number that day!

Conclusion:

• What about you, my friend?  Have you, like the crowd been aware of your transgression?  Sure, we were not there to cry out “Crucify Him!” at the instigation of the religious leaders —- BUT what is true is that we have all sinned and fallen short of the Glory of God (Romans 3:23); we all like sheep have gone astray — and the Lord has laid on HIM – that is Jesus – the iniquity of us all (Isaiah 53:6); while we were weak, sinning enemies of God – hostile in mind and doing evil deeds, while we were His enemy HE DIED FOR US (Romans 5:6, 8, 10; Colossians 1:21).
  • There is a line in the song “How Deep the Father’s Love for Us” (links in the description) that comes to my mind — “It was my sin that held Him there, until it was accomplished; as wounds which mar the Chosen One, bring many sons to glory”
  • Have you seen your sin upon the Savior’s shoulders as he bore the beating, the mocking, the shame, the cross?  Have you seen the punishment you deserved bore in His body on the tree?
  • Again, from another song, “Oh to see the pain written on your face, Bearing the awesome weight of sin, Every bitter thought, every evil deed, Crowning your blood stained brow!  This the power of the cross, Christ became sin for us, took the blame, bore the wrath — We stand forgiven at the cross … Oh to see my name written in the wounds, For through your suffering I am free — Death is crushed to death, life is mine to live, Won through your selfless love”
• Oh come this day!  Consider the love of the Savior!  Have you responded to this Gospel – the Gospel proclaimed by the Apostles and the church throughout the ages?  Have you believed this word, repenting and being baptized? 

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LINKS:

“How Deep the Father’s Love for Us” by Selah (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1vmY2ztb5xc) 

“The Power of the Cross” by Keith & Kristyn Getty (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6wcULqyoINg) 

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