What Do These Things Mean?

And Peter said to them, “Repent and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins, and you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit. Acts 2:38

Acts 2:14–41 – The Story of the Church: Living Into This Drama in the 21st Century
Fourth Sunday in Lent – March 14, 2021 (am)

4 But Peter, standing with the eleven, lifted up his voice and addressed them…. With these words, Luke continued his narrative of the [pouring] out of God’s Spirit on the day of Pentecost (1) in Acts 2. Before we move into [Peter’s address], however, we need to pause a reflect a bit on Peter himself, even though he’s not all that unfamiliar to us among Jesus’ disciples.

The last couple of months in Peter’s life had known some unique challenges. As we know, he wasn’t unfamiliar with the embarrassment of speaking too soon on some matters (Mar.8:32-33), or without sufficient forethought (Luk.9:32-36). We also know he was well-meaning and passionate about standing with Jesus in any trial (Luk.22:33). But he just didn’t understand his own vulnerability and weakness (Luk.22:31-32, 34). So, Peter did, in fact, deny that he knew Jesus that night—in fact, three times before morning (Luk.22:54-62). And when it suddenly dawned on him what he’d done, Luke records that 22:62 … he went out and wept bitterly. Then he’s not reported as being present at all as Jesus was crucified and buried. What torment of soul he must’ve been feeling!

But on the morning of the resurrection as the women returned from the tomb and reported to the eleven and all the rest that it was empty, while the others battled disbelief (Luk.24:11), Peter rose and ran to the tomb to see for himself, and he marveled at what had happened! (Luk.24:12) Later that [same] day (Luk.24:13), after Jesus appeared and talked with the two men on the road to Emmaus (Luk.24:13-31), and after they had returned to Jerusalem to report these things to the eleven (Luk.24:33), they heard this amazing statement from them: 34 … the Lord has risen indeed, and has appeared to Simon! Paul seems to know about this otherwise unknown meeting as well (1Co.15:5). But nothing more is recorded about it in Scripture (Stein 613-614).

However, we do know of another meeting the risen Jesus had with Peter. It was up in Galilee. John records it in the final paragraphs of his Gospel (Joh.21:15-19). Peter and the others had returned to fishing (Joh.21:3). Jesus was on the shore and initially the disciples didn’t recognize Him (Joh.21:4). But then John did! And he told Peter, who jumped in the water and swam ashore! (Joh.21:7) While they were sitting there before a charcoal fire (Joh.21:9; cf. Joh.18:18), right after breakfast (Joh.21:15), Jesus gave Peter three opportunities to reaffirm his love (Joh.21:15-17), right in the presence of the [other] disciples (cf. Carson 675), reinstating him but also insinuating that this would cost him his life! (Joh.21:18-19)

This is the same Peter who stepped up to [address] the 120 in the upper room (1:15, 13), then lifted up his voice (14) here in our text to preach to the masses in the streets of Jerusalem about this miraculous event that was happening right before their eyes and [ears]! Let’s listen in and hear what he has to say. There are three parts to this passage.

Peter’s Proclamation regarding God’s Spirit 14-21

Peter called out to the men of Judea and all who live in Jerusalem to give ear to [his] words (14). He began simply by declaring a fact that any reasonable person could’ve easily discerned on his own: 15 … these people are not drunk…; it is only [9:00 in the morning]! From there, he launched into a pretty lengthy address, although Luke’s summary here is nowhere near as long (cf. 40). But he dove into the deep end of the theological pool pretty quickly once he got started!

Peter went straight into OT prophecy about the day of the Lord (20), saying, 16 … this is what was uttered through the prophet Joel. Then he quoted Joel 2:28-32 (17-21). At first hearing it can be hard to know why Peter picked up this passage, but the connections are quite profound. The context of [this] prophecy is Joel’s [call of Judah] to true repentance after they have been subjected to an invasion of locusts, which was just a harbinger of worse things to come [when] “the day of the Lord” arrives. Yet the Lord promises to take pity on his people and to restore the land to its former prosperity (Marshall B&C 533). And it’s at this point that this prophecy comes, the [pouring] out of [God’s] Spirit on all flesh (28/17), not just Israel, and even on [His] servants (29/18).

Peter changes Joel’s word afterward (28) to the last days (17). And with that we see that the giving of the Holy Spirit confirms that we’re now in the last days, just as we saw in our study of 1&2Th. Joel was talking about a future time. Peter helps us see that it’s actually the [end times], the beginning of the delivery of the ultimate blessings and cursings that will come on the final day of the Lord.

The Holy Spirit is the unique blessing that will come in the last days on all who hear and respond to God’s beautiful call to [repentance] a few verses earlier in Joel 2. We sing it: 12 “Yet even now,” declares the Lord, “return to me with all your heart, with fasting, with weeping, and with mourning; 13 and rend your hearts and not your garments.” Return to the Lord your God, for he is gracious and merciful, slow to anger, and abounding in steadfast love; and he relents over disaster.

The visions and dreams of the young and old (28/17) are Joel’s descriptions of the presence and supernatural activity of God’s Spirit when He comes upon God’s people. And the wonders in the heavens above and the signs on the earth below, blood, and fire, and vapor of smoke (30/19), including the sun [turning] to darkness and the moon to blood (31/20) are the biblically established signs of a world coming to an end, making way for a whole new world, a new heavens and new earth. Jesus Himself used that language (Mat.24:19).

But the real call of this passage, the focal point, the central intent in Joel’s day and in Peter’s, comes in v.21/32. 21 And it shall come to pass that everyone who calls upon the name of the Lord shall be saved. This is what Peter is getting at in his sermon. This is what the [pouring] out of [God’s] Spirit will accomplish in the last days (17). The citation of [Joel’s] prophecy thus serves initially to explain the phenomenon of Spirit-possession and speaking in tongues, but the passage moves on to announce the closely related proclamation of salvation for those who call upon the Lord. This second theme becomes… the dominant one in Peter’s speech with his identification of the risen and exalted Jesus as the Lord and Messiah through whom salvation is offered to his audience (Marshall B&C 533) who are filling the streets of Jerusalem on this day! And this is where he goes next in His [address] to them.

Peter’s Proclamation regarding God’s Son 22-36

22 Men of Israel, hear these words: Jesus of Nazareth, a man attested to you by God with mighty works and wonders and signs that God did through him in your midst, as you yourselves know—23 this Jesus, delivered up according to the definite plan and foreknowledge of God, for God’s own purpose, you crucified and killed by the hands of lawless men. Like the nations who tormented Israel as God’s assigned discipline, yet did so for their own evil purposes and therefore earned God’s judgment, you are also working against God’s purpose and plan. You’re crooked! (40)

But in the end your evil plan can’t work in any case! 24 God raised him up, loosing the pangs of death, because it was not possible for him to be held by it. And Psa.16 proves it! (25) This poem (25-28; Psa.16:8-11) could sound like David was speaking of himself, that he would not die. But Peter’s argument here brilliantly exposes that misperception. His hearers wouldn’t have thought David spoke in error, even though his grave was within walking distance (cf. 29). But what, then, did David mean? Peter tells them: David was speaking as a prophet (30-31) in Psa.16, talking about the Messiah, the promised One Who would sit on his throne (30) forever!

It was Jesus’ body that would not be abandoned to Hades, nor his flesh see corruption! (31) [David] foresaw and spoke of the resurrection of the Christ (31) in Psa.16! 32 This Jesus God raised up, and of that we all are witnesses. Peter preached this in the crowed streets of Jerusalem seven weeks after Jesus’ crucifixion in that same city! Without a real resurrection, that can’t happen, and gain this response!

David also prophesied the [ascension] according to Peter (just ten days ago!), citing Psa.110:1 (34-35). That’s when Jesus received the Holy Spirit to [pour] out this day (33).

The sum total of all of this according to Peter is clear, irrefutable confirmation from God of Who Jesus is. 36 Let all the house of Israel therefore know for certain that God has made him both Lord and Christ, this Jesus whom you crucified.

Peter’s Proclamation regarding God’s Salvation 37-41

When [the people] heard this they were cut to the heart! (37) They just wanted to know what to do! (37). 38 And Peter [told them], “Repent and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins, and you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit promised through Joel, Isaiah (32:15; 44:3), Ezekiel (36:26; 39:29), Zechariah (12:10), even Jeremiah (31:31-34). It couldn’t be more clear, right. But this is a pretty controversial verse!

Do you see it? It makes it sound like you don’t just need to repent but also to be baptized in order to be [forgiven] of your sins and receive the Holy Spirit. But [baptism] isn’t included with [repentance] for the forgiveness of sins anywhere else in Luke or Acts (cf. Luk.224:47; Act.3:19; 5:31). Some say the little Greek word εἰς, translated for, could also mean on the ground/basis of, not just for the purpose of—repent and be baptized… on the basis of the forgiveness of your sins—but that’s not its most common meaning. So, it seems best just to recognize those other passages where [repentance] and forgiveness are linked with no mention of [baptism] and recognize that the dominant idea in [this verse] seems to be repentance, with the other elements following. Repentance leads to baptism, the forgiveness of sins, and the gift of the Spirit (Polhill NAC 117). The good part is that [baptism] is grouped along with these other. It’s important!

In any case, 39 … [this] promise is for [young] and [old] and [Jew] and [Gentile], everyone whom the Lord our God calls to himself (39). And [He called] about three thousand [people] that day! (41)

Conclusion

This was an amazing day!It’s so helpful to hear Peter’s deep, rich, profound, penetrating preaching of these truths about God’s Spirit, God’s Son, and God’s [salvation]. And it’s almost overwhelming to think of the results—three thousand conversions in one day! That’s the power of God! !

Two Take-Aways

• And He’s still alive and well today doing the same saving work. Have you received it? Have (each of) you come to know for certain that God has made him both Lord and Christ, this Jesus [who was] crucified? (36) Have you [repented] for the forgiveness of your sins, and [received] the gift of the Holy Spirit and [been] baptized in the name of Jesus Christ? (38) If not, why not? And why not today? All Peter preached here is really true!

• But the power of God is also displayed in the life of Peter as His instrument of proclamation for this once-in-all-world-history event! I don’t want to draw attention away from the fulfillment of God’s promise and the three thousand who [received] it that day through the ministry of the 120. But I do want us to see what God did through Peter as an encouragement to each of us who have trusted Christ, but fail and falter and far too often find our foot in our spiritual mouth. The same Savior who covered Peter’s sins covers ours! The same [salvation] that reconciled Peter to the true and living God reconciles us as well! The same Spirit Who entered Peter’s heart—giving him, understanding, courage, words, power (1:8)—enters ours! The Holy Spirit is our inheritance in Christ! And I can think of no better example than Peter of the difference the Holy Spirit can make in one person’s life! Peter was a fisherman! And he was ready to return to that work, seemingly due to his failure, denying Christ, something he thought he’d never do! But Jesus met Peter, right there on the seashore where he’d first been called (Luk.5:1-11), where Jesus first said to him: Do not be afraid; from now on you will be catching men (Luk.5:10). He’d reaffirmed his love for Jesus there, three times, at the Master’s bidding. Now the most recent words he’d heard were: You will receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you, and you will be my [witness]—one among many, but one! This is the difference the Holy Spirit can make in one person’s life. And we receive Him by faith in Christ.

Unbelievers, confused and troubled and broken believers, even you faithful followers, our call is all the same today: walk in the repentance and faith Peter preached in Jerusalem on this day, and know the joy, the courage, the power, the presence of God that is yours in the Holy Spirit.

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Resources

Bruce, F. F. The Book of Acts, Revised. The New International Commentary on the New Testament. Grand Rapids: Eerdmans, 1988.

Carson, D. A. The Gospel According to John. The Pillar New Testament Commentary. Grand Rapids: Eerdmans, 1991.

Gempf, Conrad. “Acts,” in New Bible Commentary 21st Century Edition, edited by D. A. Carson, R. T. France, J. A. Motyer, and G. J. Wenham, 1066-114. Leicester, Eng.: InterVarsity, 1994.

Longenecker, Richard N. “Acts,” in Expositor’s Bible Commentary, volume 10, edited by Tremper Longman III and David E. Garland, 665-1102. Grand Rapids: Zondervan, 2007.

Marshall, I. Howard. “Acts,” in Commentary on the New Testament Use of the Old Testament, edited by G. K. Beale and D. A. Carson, 513-606. Grand Rapids: Baker Academic, 2007.

_____. Acts. Volume 5, Tyndale New Testament Commentaries. Downers Grove: InterVarsity, 1980.

Polhill, John B. Acts. Volume 26, The New American Commentary. Nashville: Broadman & Holman, 1992.

_____. Study notes on Acts. In ESV Study Bible. Wheaton: Crossway, 2008.

Stein, Robert H. Luke. Volume 24, The New American Commentary. Nashville: Broadman & Holman, 1992.

Stott, John. The Message of Acts. The Bible Speaks Today. Leicester, Eng.: InterVarsity, 1990.

Next Sunday: And What Happened Next? Acts 2:42–47