What Peter Said - Sermon Notes

Bro Mike took us back to Acts this week, right to Peter's sermon in Acts 2.
What was preached on that day of Pentecost that resulted in 3,000 people being converted?
What kind of sermon cuts to the heart? Gifted speakers? Entertaining messages?

The answer: The message of God empowered by the Holy Spirit.

1. Peter used scripture as the basis for that first sermon of the Christian Church. He quoted Joel, chapter 2, about the Day of the Lord.

In the last days, God says,
And afterward I will pour out my Spirit on all people. Your sons and daughters will prophesy, your old men will dream dreams, your young men will see visions. Even on my servants, both men and women, I will pour out my Spirit in those days.

Someday we will stand before God, having respected God's Word or not. When we stand before a holy God we will need to have a Savior.

All of us must decide: (1) Does God speak? (2) Has God revealed Himself?

"In the last days, God says..." Either He said it or He didn't.

2. Peter unequivocally identified the historical Jesus as the Eternal Christ. "Jesus" was a popular name. Peter wanted to show his audience that the Jesus he is talking about is the Messiah they had long awaited. The Bible is very clear about the claims of this Jesus Peter is talking about.
Acts 2:22 - Jesus of Nazareth
Acts 2:23 - This man was handed over to you
Acts 2:32 - God raised this Jesus
Acts 2:36 - God has made this Jesus...both Lord and Christ

3. Peter called for God's chosen people to see Jesus as their long-anticipated Messiah.
Even God's own religion requires a Savior, a Messiah. We need to thank the Jews for passing on it! Peter is not saying the Jews are responsible for the death of Christ, he is just pointing out that the One who was crucified was the Messiah.

So What?

1. The Bible is the text of the Church
2. The Jesus of the gospel is the One to listen to concerning the heart of God.
3. Jesus is the Savior that God recognizes as qualified to take way our sin.

We have to get this right.