Peter addresses the crowd

Peter addresses the crowd  

The Passage: Acts 2:14-39

Structure:

A. 2:14-21, I will pour out my Spirit

  B. 2:22-24, Jesus which you crucified – God raised Him up,

    C. 2:25-28, Prophecy of David

      D. 2:29-31, Descendant of the throne

        E. 2:32, God raised this Jesus

      D’. 2:33, Exalted to the right hand of God

    C’. 2:34-35, Prophecy of David

  B’. 2:36, God has made Him both Lord and Messiah, Jesus which you crucified

A’. 2:37-39, you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit

  

Historical and geographical context: This is the second part of the larger story (ch. 2).  We need not need to discuss context at length. Just a short reminder – everything happened in Jerusalem, but NOT at the Temple.

Theology:

The role of St. Peter – Note that St. Peter being reinstalled into the ministry (John 21) after his denial plays a very active role at the starting point of the church development. He “speaks” in an official capacity more than anybody. His address toward 120 led to the election and ordination of St. Matthias. He speaks to the crowds at the Day of Pentecost. He shares the Gospel in a such a way that the sick is restored (ch. 3). He defends the faith in resurrected Jesus in front of the Great Gathering (Sanhedrin). Not surprisingly, people sometimes see him as the head of the church. Yet, we need to remember that it is Jesus who is the head of the body, which is the Church (Col. 1:18) and he had to be corrected by St. Paul on a number of issues (cp. Gal. 2:11-16). Also, what Jesus promised to St. Peter (Matt. 16:19) is given to the apostles (Jn. 20:22-23).         

Usage of the Scripture in Peter’s sermon. The sermon as we have it is not everything what St. Peter said (cp. 2:40). Out of what we have about a half is dedicated to the Scriptural passages. He simply states the facts of Scriptures from Joel (2:28-32a) and Psalms (16:8-11; 110:1) and lets the Holy Spirit do the job of convincing the hears of men (AC V).   

Presence of the Son (Second person of the Trinity) in the OT history. Seeing how St. Peter build his sermon, note that he takes the words of king David as speaking about Theophany of the Son (esp. v.25 – Ps. 16:8). Jesus is the incarnation of the Son who is the creator (Col. 1:15-16) and the God who speaks and acts within the period of OT history.    

The mystery of salvation – on one hand we are promised that “everyone who calls on the name of the LORD shall be saved” (v. 21). On the other we know that people come to church, get baptized, even confirmed, and yet fall away. What we need to say is that God in Christ has reconciled world to Himself (2 Cor. 5:19; Col. 1:20). Salvation is available for everyone regardless of nationality, sex, or social status. It is complete by the Cross and there is nothing people can add to it. But they can reject the message, neglect the means of grace, and – as a result of continual push back of the Lord’s pursuits – fall away.       

Other themes:

Gift of the Spirit vs. gifts of the Spirit vs. fruit of the Spirit. What St. Peter talks at the end of his sermon if salvation – it is THE gift of the Spirit. Them in 1 Cor. 12 and 14 St. Paul talks about the gifts of the Spirit: languages, prophecy, management etc. These are the gifts and talents that vary from person to person. (1 Cor. 12:12-14) and are given for building of the body – the church. A Christian – the one who received the gift (salvation) should diligently exercise his gifts for the benefit of the church to produce the fruit (Gal. 5:22-24). Notice that St. Paul does not talk about many fruits, but the fruit – our “behavioral” representation of the work of the Holy Spirit in a believer.