PETER'S SERMON AND CALL TO REPENTANCE
We trust today’s message encouraged and guided you in your journey of following Jesus. These notes are meant to help you remember and reflect on the message, help you go deeper into study on the subject, or be used for a sermon group discussion.
Sermon Title: PETER’S SERMON AND CALL TO REPENTANCE
Main Scripture: Acts 2:22-41
If you’re going through this discussion with a community group this week, consider reading the provided scripture to catch everyone up!
Summary:
If I were to evaluate Peter’s sermon at Bible College I would see a classic three-point sermon. 1) You killed the long-awaited Messiah but God brought Him back to life. 2) Repent and be baptized. 3) Receive from Jesus forgiveness and the gift of the Holy Spirit.
I never noticed until this past week how much convincing proof Peter hit the crowd with, in this sermon. There’s no doubt this is an example of the Spirit working through his servant.
Notes:
Scripture: Acts 2:22-41
Acts 2:22-24 Peter preaches that they killed the long-awaited Messiah but God raised him back to life.
Peter came out swinging! First sermon to the same group of people who would have joined in the chants to crucify Jesus and he says, along with “lawless Gentiles, you nailed him to a cross and killed him!” If you ever thought I was bold, that’s bold! HA!
V. 22 Peter appeals to God’s public endorsement of Jesus. Peter gives us strong evidence that Jesus was the Messiah. God publicly endorses Jesus by doing powerful miracles, wonders, and signs through Him. Jesus had the authority and power of God and he is the prophesied Messiah of the Old Testament. “You well know.” The reputation of Jesus has spread so Peter doesn’t have to explain more.
V. 24 This entire verse is powerful and worth reading again…
Acts 2:25-31 Peter appeals to King David’s prophecy to show Jesus is alive.
Peter appeals to King David’s prophetic psalm (Psalm 16:8-11). This is clever for a few reasons: 1) The Jews revered King David. 2) God made a covenant with David that his line would sit on the throne forever. 3) Jesus was born from the line of David and now sits on the throne! Jesus is the fulfillment of the Davidic covenant.
This has to be the Holy Spirit helping and guiding Peter’s words. Keep this in mind. It takes me 8-12 hours, sometimes more, every week, to prepare a sermon. This was a spontaneous explanation immediately following the outpouring of the Holy Spirit. Peter did not have time to prepare such a wise word.
Jesus said in Luke 12:11-12, “And when you are brought to trial in the synagogues and before rulers and authorities, don’t worry about how to defend yourself or what to say, for the Holy Spirit will teach you at that time what needs to be said.” Peter was familiar with this scripture. The Holy Spirit brings out what was stored in the front of his mind to use.
Acts 2:32-36 Jesus is exalted and pouring out the Holy Spirit.
Peter appeals to the apostles as being first-hand eyewitnesses to the resurrection.
Peter appeals to the miraculous sign, the outpouring of the Spirit and speaking in different tongues, that grabbed the crowd's attention in the first place.
Peter connects the dots that Jesus is alive and seated at the right hand of God where He pours out the Holy Spirit upon His church.
Before we read on…Consider all the evidence that Peter has on the table: 1) The miracle of Galileeans speaking in different tongues or languages that belong to the crowd (which propelled Peter into this sermon). 2) The prophecy of Joel being fulfilled. 3) God’s public endorsement of Jesus with powerful miracles, wonders, and signs. 4) King David’s prophecy and the prophecy fulfilled. 5) The apostles first-hand eye-witness of Jesus’ resurrection.
Meanwhile, the Holy Spirit is working in and through this entire moment…
Acts 2:37-41 Peter’s sermon pierces their hearts and leads thousands into repentance and salvation.
Peter’s words pierced their hearts or “cut to the heart.”
Peter’s words pierced their hearts because the Holy Spirit was convicting them. They felt guilt and sorrow for what they did. “They believe that Jesus is the Christ, and their hearts are broken at the thought that they have murdered him. Convicted by the Holy Spirit of their sins, they are ready to receive salvation.” -FullLife Bible Commentary, pg. 547
Conviction comes before salvation. The Holy Spirit will do this convincing in people’s hearts. He will convince them of the horrors of sin and convince them of the need for righteousness before God (John 16:8).
Deeply troubled they ask, "Brothers, what shall we do?" They realized they had killed the long-awaited Messiah! But Peter offers a pardon and forgiveness!
Peter tells them to do two things and the first is to repent.
Repentance “means more than being sorry for one’s sins. It requires a renewing of one’s mind with an accompanying change in attitude toward sin and self. People who truly repent abhor sin (Ps. 51). They humble themselves, recognize their dependence on Christ, and realize they have no good thing in themselves enabling them to stand before the Holy God.” -Horton, Stanley. ACTS, pg 543.
The basic meaning of "to repent" here involves both a change of mind and a change of life. Repentance calls for remorse in the heart and the forsaking of the old life of sin to live a life of obedience to God.
Secondly, Peter tells them to be baptized in the name of Jesus Christ.
Persons who repent should also "be baptized" in water. Faith is the means by which God grants forgiveness. The ordinance of baptism itself is ineffective in washing away sin…. Repentance results in the forgiveness of sins; baptism takes place because sins have been forgiven. The New Testament does not teach that a physical act such as baptism produces a spiritual change. John the Baptist refused to baptize people until they showed that they were repentant (Matt. 3:8; Luke 3:8). Jesus taught that repentance precedes forgiveness of sins (Luke 24:47). In the Great Commission the disciples were told to make disciples of people before baptizing them (Matt. 28:18-19). And now in his sermon, Peter puts repentance before baptism. Repentance and faith must come before water baptism. -FullLife Bible Commentary pages 547-548
Water can never wash away our sins; on the other hand, people who have sincerely repented of their sins must not disregard water baptism. Jesus and Peter call not only for repentance but also for baptism. From the beginning of the church's mission in Acts, baptism has its place in the preaching of the gospel and fulfills the Great Commission. -FullLife Bible Commentary pg. 548
This needs to be clarified because there are denominations that base their beliefs on this one scripture. Once you repent and believe in Jesus Christ you are saved and washed by the Holy Spirit. Water baptism isn’t necessary for salvation (thief on the cross) but it is still necessary to the Great Commission.
Matthew 28:18-20, Jesus came and told his disciples, “I have been given all authority in heaven and on earth. 19 Therefore, go and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit. 20 Teach these new disciples to obey all the commands I have given you. And be sure of this: I am with you always, even to the end of the age.”
Baptized in the name of Jesus Christ?
There are debates around this phrase and this entire verse. First of all, do we baptize people in the name of Jesus because Peter said it here or do we baptize in the name of the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit because Jesus said that? Jesus’ words are the greatest authority and he said the latter. But it’s not about the words, it’s the baptism and authority of it that is important. It’s not John the Baptist’s baptism, it’s baptism in Christ, in His name, His authority.
Jesus said to baptize “In the name.” Here in Acts 2 and in Matthew 28 means in the authority or “into the Name” GK: eis to onoma, meaning “into the worship and service”) of the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit.
In other words, it’s about the authority of Jesus Christ given us that we baptize.
We’re baptizing in the authority of Christ, ALL the names of the Godhead! Jesus Christ is implied and saying the Son is sufficient!
The result of this, Peter says, “then you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit.”
This is key. The first church expected new converts to receive the gift of the Holy Spirit after repentance and salvation. This means this baptism in the Spirit experience has been so far removed that we don’t expect it anymore. It’s no longer part of the language of the gospel like it was for the church on this day.
Peter continued preaching… “Save yourselves from this crooked generation!”
He wasn’t saying we can save ourselves. This was more like, you can escape this by repenting of sin and putting your faith and life in Jesus. He’s imploring and urging them to turn away from the wickedness of the world and turn to God.
Those who believed…
Not all believed but those who did numbered about 3000 in all! The first harvest of souls in the new covenant with Christ.
Takeaways: What’s your next step?
Believe in Jesus and Repent? Be water baptized? Receive with the gift and power of the Holy Spirit? Sharing the good news and making disciples? If you’ve been asking what your next step is now you know!The Mission of Pentecost
Believe and Repent. Believe Jesus is the Lord and Savior of the world, who came to save you from your sins and give you eternal life. What do we need to believe? How amazing is the grace of God? Reflect for a moment with me on the significance of the message of the cross, the guilty spared but the innocent son of God crucified. Those who crucified Jesus are being shown mercy and grace. We Repent. Acknowledge you have sinned, confess your sin to God, make a decision to turn away from that life, and turn to God for forgiveness and new life.
a. Romans 10:9-10;13 If you openly declare that Jesus is Lord and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved. 10 For it is by believing in your heart that you are made right with God, and it is by openly declaring your faith that you are saved. 11 As the Scriptures tell us, “Anyone who trusts in him will never be disgraced.” 12 Jew and Gentile are the same in this respect. They have the same Lord, who gives generously to all who call on him. 13 For “Everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved.”
Be baptized in water. Publicly declare your faith in Jesus and commitment to follow Him.
Receive the gift of the Holy Spirit to equip you with power for witnessing. The Holy Spirit gives us the courage to share the ministry and message of the gospel.
Share the good news and make disciples.
a. Look for the opportunities that God has created and follow the Spirit’s leading to share the good news. Or, obey the command to Go into the world and create opportunities knowing the Holy Spirit will help you.
b. We do what we can and let God do the rest.
c. Romans 10:13-15;17 For “Everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved.” 14 But how can they call on him to save them unless they believe in him? And how can they believe in him if they have never heard about him? And how can they hear about him unless someone tells them? 15 And how will anyone go and tell them without being sent? That is why the Scriptures say, “How beautiful are the feet of messengers who bring good news!” 17 So faith comes from hearing, that is, hearing the Good News about Christ.
In the time of the first church people wanted to know, “What must I do to be saved?” Today people are asking, “What can I do and still be saved?”
Discussion:
What did God use in this sermon to speak to your heart or situation?
What part of the scripture stuck out to you and why?
In what ways did the message today change your view or understanding of salvation and water baptism?
What did Peter mean by saying, “Save yourself from this crooked generation”?
What is your next step, according to Pastor Ryan’s takeaways?
Share how the Holy Spirit has been leading you to share the Gospel and minister to others.
What other notes did you highlight or write down that you would like to share?
The most important decision you will ever make!
Are you ready to experience salvation and be transformed? We encourage you to process this decision with a strong believer and when you’re ready say a simple prayer like this from your heart: Dear God, I acknowledge and admit I have sinned. I see my need for Jesus Christ. I believe in Jesus as my Lord and Savior. I believe I am forgiven and cleansed of my sin by His death. I also believe I have eternal life because of His resurrection from the dead. I repent, I turn away from my old ways and I choose to live my life to worship you and follow Jesus, Amen!
We would love to know if you made the decision to accept this wonderful gift from God. Let us know here.
Pray Together
We hope you found this AFTER THE SERMON discussion helpful for your walk with Jesus. We pray you can find ways to apply it this week!