We will immerse ourselves in Acts 2 this week in our daily Bible reading. Acts 2 is viewed by many as the “hub” of the Bible. Everything before the chapter points to it, and everything after points back to it.
So often, this chapter is only used to emphasize the necessity of baptism (Acts 2:38). While baptism is necessary to gain salvation, there is more going on in the chapter than teaching about baptism. This chapter contains a powerful sermon from Peter that changed the world and ushered in the church of our Lord.
Peter’s Sermon
- This chapter begins with the Holy Spirit’s power being poured out from heaven upon the apostles (Acts 2:1-4). This enabled them to speak in foreign languages they had never formally been taught. They miraculously began speaking actual languages (Acts 2:5-13).
- Peter preached to the crowd a powerful sermon about Jesus. He explained to those who had witnessed the miracle that the prophecy of Joel had come to pass (Acts 2:14-21). They were in the “last days.” The day of salvation from the Messiah had arrived and they needed to call upon Him to be saved (Acts 2:21; Isaiah 2:1-3).
- Jesus was the Lord that they needed to call upon. He proved to be the Lord by working miracles among them (Acts 2:22), and He was raised from the dead (Acts 2:23-31). Jesus’ resurrection was foretold by David (Psalm 16) and witnessed by many (Acts 2:32).
- Jesus had ascended into heaven and been exalted to the right hand of God (Acts 2:33-35). This was another fulfillment of prophecy (Psalm 110).
- This confirmed that Jesus was the Lord and Christ (Acts 2:36).
How did the crowd respond?
- Those who heard Peter’s sermon asked, “What should we do?” They wanted to gain forgiveness from God for killing His Son (Acts 2:37). They were pricked by the preaching and wanted to turn their lives over to Jesus through the Scriptures. That is what God wants gospel preaching to do! Gospel preaching is supposed to convict the hearers and motivate people to offer lives of faithful service to the Lord.
- Peter responded to their question by urging them to repent and be baptized for the forgiveness of sins (Acts 2:38). He doesn’t prescribe a “sinner’s prayer” or “faith only” salvation. Neither one of those doctrines is found being promoted in the gospel.
- Three thousand people turned from their sins and were immersed in the waters of baptism (Acts 2:41).
Conclusion:
Do you need to call upon the name of the Lord through faith, repentance, and baptism?