Peter's First Sermon

Acts 2:12-39

Josephus, the Jewish historian, informs us that the normal population of Jerusalem was roughly 150,000.  However, at this particular time in Acts 2 with the celebratory Feasts of Weeks and the Passover day to follow, there were roughly 1 million people in Jerusalem.  It is at this time that the Church begins its work in the world.  As the noise of something miraculous begins to filter into the streets and countryside, people gather into the temple to witness the events for themselves.  The text of Acts 2:12 says that some people were perplexed, while other were amazed, and some had already passed judgment on the event.  Realizing that this miracle of speaking in tongues had caused such commotion, Peter like Jesus, stands up and addresses the captive crowd.  If we read the Gospel accounts, we find that Jesus did not waste a miraculous event  – it always had a purpose of explaining the Gospel message to the person or the crowd.

Essentially, Acts 2 provides us with Peter’s first sermon.  His theme: Jesus is the Messiah; a theme that would be part of most other sermons and speeches in the book of Acts.  Peter refutes the charges that the Apostles were drunk and then he continues to demonstrate the purpose of this miraculous event.  Peter shows that Jesus is the Messiah with five proofs.

The first proof is Jesus miracles during his earthly ministry (v.22).  God authenticated Jesus through miracles and signs.  He turned water into wine, calmed the winds and waves, cast out demons, healed the sick and lame, raised the dead, and more.  The second proof is an Old Testament prediction of the resurrection (vs. 23-31).  Peter informs us that the perfect life of the Christ would allow for such a resurrection to take place.  Then, Peter further explains that the reference to the “Holy One” in the Psalms passages is not a reference to David but to the Messiah thereby predicting the resurrection of the Messiah.  A third proof is found in vs. 32 where the Apostles say that they were eyewitnesses to His resurrection.   A fourth proof is Peter’s appeal (v.33) to the supernatural events of Pentecost that were sent by Christ.  In this verse, Peter says that that “He (Christ) poured out what you now see and hear.”  The fifth and last proof that Peter gives for his claim of Jesus as the Messiah is the ascension of Christ.  Peter says that David did not ascend to heaven, rather Jesus did (cf. Acts 1:9-11).  Peter closes out this five-point sermon with the simple conclusion that Jesus is the Christ (or Messiah), the very one that you (the crowd) has crucified.

Because of Peter’s persuasive, Spirit-empowered message, many people were convicted and needed to be instructed on what they needed to do to make things right.  Peter tells them to repent of their actions, meaning a change of mind concerning who the Messiah was.  Up to this point in time, the Jewish mind thought Jesus was some kind of false Messiah and the True One had not come yet.  However, Peter convinces them otherwise, and so they change their thinking (now having all the right information) putting their faith and trust in the real Messiah.  Next, they are ready to publicly show others this new life they have received through water baptism.  Now, the Holy Spirit that came on Pentecost, dwells in the hearts of each believer when they believe in the real Messiah – Jesus Christ.  But wait!  Don’t miss verse 39 that says that this promise of salvation is offered to all people.  And so the witness of the Church begins at Pentecost and is still penetrating the hearts of people today.