Acts 2:12-16

What Peter Preached on Pentecost

Lesson Thesis: As Peter used “the keys of the kingdom” that first morning in Jerusalem, the message he preached must be understood and preached everywhere if souls are to know how to enter the kingdom of God.

Lesson Purpose: to strengthen the faith of young Christian

INTRO:

I.       Acts 2:42 – They continued stedfastly in the apostles’ doctrine... – the only doctrine authorized by God – What the apostles preached must be preached everywhere always

II.      Acts 2:14 – Peter, standing up with the eleven, lifted up his voice...

          A.    Mat. 16:19 – I will give unto thee the keys of the kingdom of heaven...

          B.    The message Peter preached must be understood and preached everywhere if souls are to know how to enter the kingdom of God. His words are outlined in 4 points and a conclusion...

                  1.    Prophecy is Fulfilled

                  2.    Jesus Worked Miracles that Confirm Him as that Fulfillment

                  3.    You Are Personally Responsibility for His Death

                  4.    The Scriptures, Which You Trust, Confirm the Truth of His Message

DISCUSSION:

I.       16-21 – Prophecy is fulfilled

          A.    “Prophecy” defined

                  1.    Easton – miracle of knowledge, a declaration or description or representation of something future, beyond the power of human sagacity to foresee, discern, or conjecture

                  2.    Liddel & Scott – one who speaks for another; an interpreter of the will of God

II.      22 – The Miracles of Jesus

          A.    Some examples

                  1.    Healing the sick or crippled

                          a.    Man born blind – John 9

                          b.    Impotent man at the pool of Bethesda – John 5

                          c.    A deaf mute – Mark 7

                  2.    Power over the forces of nature

                          a.    Calmed the sea & wind – Mark 4

                          b.    Walked on water – Matthew 14

                  3.    Raised dead

                          a.    Lazarus – John 11

                          b.    A widow’s son at Nain – Luke 7

                          c.    Jairus’ daughter – Luke 8

          B.    Their significance

                  1.    Believe me for the very works’ sake – John 14:11

                  2.    When Christ cometh, will he do more miracles than these? – John 7:31

                  3.    No man can do these miracles that thou doest, except God be with him – John 3

                  4.    ...confirming the word with signs following – Mark 16:20

                  5.    God also bearing them witness, both with signs and wonders, and with divers miracles, and gifts of the Holy Ghost – Heb 2:4

III.     23-24 – The crucifixion of Jesus – & the hearers’ responsibility for it

          A.    Roman form of Execution

                  1.    They didn’t invent it

                  2.    A “T”, not an “X” or a “stake”

                          a.    Previous cultures used other configurations

                          b.    Romans knew that the “T” delayed death, prolonging the pain

          B.    “Crucify him”

                  1.    Not the people’s choice of methods, but the form of execution in local use

                  2.    Their leaders had provoked them to call for it

          C.    Modern Jews have denied that Jews were responsible for Jesus’ death

                  1.    Baptists have “absolved” them of the responsibility on basis of Acts 2:23a

                  2.    But 23b records Peter’s different view – ye have taken, and by wicked hands have crucified and slain

                  3.    The 4 gospels all record the Priests’ leadership in calling for His death

                          a.    Matthew (27:18) & Mark (15:10) – Envy

                          b.    Mark 3:6 – And the Pharisees went forth, and straightway took counsel with the Herodians against him, how they might destroy him.

                          c.    Mark 11:18 – And the scribes and chief priests heard it, and sought how they might destroy him: for they feared him, because all the people was astonished at his doctrine.

                          d.    Mark 14:1 – After two days was the feast of the passover, and of unleavened bread: and the chief priests and the scribes sought how they might take him by craft, and put him to death.

                          e.    Pilate wanted to spare Him, but they strongly opposed the effort

                  4.    They were guilty & they needed to understand & admit that in order to be saved

IV.     25-35 – History has been pointing to this [i.e. David’s actions and words]

          A.    Moses wrote it 500 years before David – Gen 3:15

          B.    But Moses spoke of God telling Adam & Eve 2,500 years even before that

V.      36 – Conclusion & personal pertinent application

          A.    The logical conclusion is that God hath made that same Jesus, whom ye have crucified, both Lord and Christ

                  1.    Master & anointed One

                  2.    The implication is that you are obligated to hear & heed Him

CONCLUSION:

I.       Their conviction & his remedy

          A.    Verse 37

          B.    Verse 38-40

II.      Their response & the Lord’s Providence

          A.    Immediate

                  1.    40 – They obeyed even to baptism

                  2.    He saved them as He promised

          B.    Continuing

                  1.    42 – They continued steadfastly...

                  2.    43-47 – He added to the church daily...