The first Christian sermon Part 1

Acts 2:14-21

We saw that Luke, having written the account of Jesus' ministry on earth, continues the account of Christ's ministry in the book of Acts, only this time it is through the apostles with the Spirit's help. But what shape does this ministry take? The answer to this determines what Christ's ministry is like even today.

Some think that the ministry is primarily one of miracles, and it is true that at least 20 miracles are described in Acts, not counting the clusters of miracles happening from time to time. However, it is the preaching that defines the ministry, with there being as many sermons as there are miracles. And this is where attention is focused in Acts. Over a quarter of Acts is the actual contents of sermons, and Luke's summary statements are all about the preaching and progress of the word. For example, Acts 6:7, Acts 12:24, Acts 19:20.

We must be part of churches patterned after Acts, that focus on the exposition of the word and proclaiming that the promised day has come, when everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved.

Peter quoted from Joel 2, where the main point is not that many people are going to prophesy and see visions. But Peter was announcing that the day had come where anyone who calls on the Name of the Lord will be saved. The signs and wonders of Pentecost are not to be the focus. Pentecost being a harvest festival, points to the harvest of souls that had begun, and as in the Incarnation, God had Himself come, but this time in the person of the Holy Spirit.

THE PREACHER (Acts 2:14)

The Christian gospel was first articulated by blundering, inarticulate Peter, showing that if the Lord could use him, He can use anyone to proclaim His glories. In Olivet, it was Peter who cut off the soldiers ear, and was rebuked. At the last supper, Peter had vowed never to leave the Lord and that he would go with him to the death. On the mount of transfiguration, it was Peter who blabbered about building three booths. And shortly after Peter had arrived at the wonderful statement "You are the Christ the Son of the living God," when the Lord spoke of His impending death, Peter objected and got rebuked very sternly with the words, "Get behind me, Satan!"

Now this Peter speaks at Pentecost, because a miraculous change has happened. Moreover, Peter, along with the other disciples has also had more teaching from the risen Lord. Peter's sermon is impromptu, accurate, eloquent, passionate, bold, precise, and deep.

We have the same Spirit, and so this can give us encouragement. If Peter can do it, anyone can do it. But we are not apostles nor are we called to pioneer work among the gentiles as he was. But we are also called to be witnesses. In and of ourselves, we are not adequate to do the work we are asked to do. But it is God conducting His mission through us. We go out in the power of God. God is the great missionary in Acts and He is the great missionary today.

THE PROBLEM (Acts 2:15)

Peter was reacting to the accusation that they were drunk (Acts 2:13). The pious and religious Jews had heard the mighty wind and the sound of the Galilean disciples declaring the glories of God in different dialects and languages. Even if those who mocked had not heard their own specific dialect spoken, they saw others like themselves testifying to what was happening, and yet they mocked and explained it away. This attitude was not for want of evidence; that something significant was happening was obvious. It was not for want of piety or spirituality either. Once again we see that the heart of the human problem is the problem of the heart. This problem knows no discrimination among people types.

Acts does not journal the progress of the miraculous. The miraculous did not bring about progress but only bewilderment and mocking. When the Lord has regenerated the heart, then miracles demonstrate (to the believer) that God is at work, which must be spiritually discerned. And this is why Abraham answered as he did in the account of Lazarus and the rich man. When the rich man wanted someone from the dead to go to his family on earth and warn them, Abraham said: ‘If they do not hear Moses and the prophets, neither will they be persuaded though one rise from the dead.’ (Luke 16:31). What brings about progress is the empowered preaching of the word of God. "For it is the God who commanded light to shine out of darkness, who has shone in our hearts to give the light of the knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Jesus Christ. (2 Cor 4:6). All the power to save someone is in the message. All of us has the Spirit that enables us to proclaim that message.

THE PROMISE (Acts 2:16-21)

This is a complicated and controversial section, where Peter gives the real reason for the phenomenon they were experiencing. It was the fulfilment of a promise in Joel, which is a book in the Old Testament that tells about a moment in the history of the Israelites, where they experienced a locust-induced famine and much hardship. Joel tells them that it was God's judgement on them, and he tells them to come back to God and repent. In his words: Blow the trumpet in Zion; consecrate a fast; call a solemn assembly; gather the people. Consecrate the congregation; assemble the elders; gather the children, even nursing infants. Let the bridegroom leave his room, and the bride her chamber. (Joel 2:15-16). A few verses later, we read of a change happening. "Then the Lord became jealous for his land and had pity on his people." (Joel 2:18)

Further down in Joel 2:28-32, we read the part of the prophecy that Peter quotes on the day of Pentecost, where the Lord promises to restore the people not just physically but spiritually too. In the Old Testament the prophets were the most spiritually empowered through whom the word of God moved forward. And God was going to empower His people like that. And not just some of them, but everyone, young and old, men and women, and even slaves, would be spiritually empowered.

This was not a promise that everyone in the New-Testament church would be prophets, for never was there a moment when everyone in the church was a prophet. (1 Cor 12:29).

If Paul can talk about our body as a temple, without us being a building, and if Peter can talk about us being the royal priesthood, then Joel can describe us Christians on whom the Spirit would be poured out as prophets, dreamers and visionaries. After all, it would be the Christians who would take the word of God to the ends of the earth. The Lord will progress His word by taking control of the mouths of His people and helping them to speak. The Lord will gather in His harvest.

Judgement is coming. But everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved. And we are the ones to take that message.