Back to the Roots

Once again, it’s Peter who takes the lead and speaks up

Here he addresses, specifically, the men of Judea and Jerusalem

He addressed them with authority, underlying word is clear that it was a forceful

Since he was speaking to an audience in Jerusalem, not a big deal

Later he opens it up to all Israel

Peter turns to prophetic Psalms to explain the events of the day

He begins with Joel, written 6th - 9th century BC

Words directed towards Jerusalem and Judah—maybe the reason Peter directed his opening towards Judea and Jerusalem

Peter has not had the time to prepare a sermon…read the texts…pour over commentaries…consult the scholars...

He stands and speaks extemporaneously

A fulfilling of Jesus’ promise to them that they would be given words to speak when needed, a function of the Holy Spirit

God Declares

Vv 17-18

In the last days

The events of Pentecost demonstrate to the Jewish audience that the promises made to them are fulfilled in Jesus, who is the true Messiah, and that the time of the last days has begun

Faithlife Study Bible

Some thoughts on those Last Days, from John Piper, keeping the realities of the Lord’s return in perspective

It is not complete at this time…but the irrevocable process has begun

Messiah has come

The Spirit has been poured out

I will pour out my Spirit

The Sprit had always been here—last week’s message

…but not like this

Manifestations of the Spirit’s Presence

There will be prophecy

Prophecy will dominantly be forth-telling, not foretelling (an exception or two in Acts)

There will be dreams and visions

We will see some of this throughout Acts; we may be seeing some of this in some well-documented events among Muslims who have turned to Christ

Even servants will prophecy—leveling of the field

There will be no class distinction: not just an upper class thing

When Paul discussed the fruits of the Spirit or the Gifts of the Spirit, there was no qualification except salvation through faith in Jesus Christ

We must note that Joel’s writing was in the time frame of a recent plague of locusts on the land

We must also note that when Joel says Lord, it’s LORD, Yahweh Himself

…a commercial for knowing what it is you’re reading when you see LORD, Lord, God...

OT: elohim, God; adonai, lord; Yahweh, the LORD

NT: theos, God; kurios, lord/Lord

It will only be later in the sermon that Peter provides the transition to Jesus as Lord, the one by whom salvation must be sought—setting up the understanding that Jesus is God

All that said, Peter is speaking with the authority of the Holy Spirit when he relates Joel’s words to the events of Pentecost

God Projects

Vv. 19-20

He will show wonders in the heavens

…signs on the earth below

All this, in original context would have called to mind the plagues of Egypt to initiate the deliverance of the nation from bondage,

In its textual context here, the immediate understanding likely would include the tongues of fire and the speaking/hearing in their own language of previous message.

May also include the events during the crucifixion—scholars disagree

More will come as we navigate the narrative of this book

Blood, fire, smoke vapor

Sun darkened

Moon turns to blood, we’ll find this same imagery in Rev. 6 12

Revelation 6:12 ESV

When he opened the sixth seal, I looked, and behold, there was a great earthquake, and the sun became black as sackcloth, the full moon became like blood,

Before the “great and magnificent day”

All these would have evoked memories of their history during the Exodus and may look forward as spoken by Amos in Amos 5 18

Amos 5:18 ESV

Woe to you who desire the day of the Lord! Why would you have the day of the Lord? It is darkness, and not light,

All this evokes images of end times

All this message was spoken before the widespread word of “Great Tribulation” before the thought of “the rapture” before writings about the “man of lawlessness” or Antichrist.

God Promises

V. 21

Everyone who calls on the name of the Lord shall be saved

Also in Rom 10 13

Romans 10:13 ESV

For “everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved.”

This is a verse that can be ripped from context—either one—and used quite safely

In its original context, as used by Joel, It spoke of calling on God in that time

The nation was in rebellion of one sort or another and repentance was necessary

In the context of Peter’s use, he will shortly lay out the reality of Jesus being Messiah, Son of God, Son of Man, the sacrifice that accomplished our salvation—a term we’ll come to understand as vicarious atonement—something done by someone else to put us at-one with God

WITFM

NOTE: the book of Acts is a book of action—so when the action stops for a sermon, it’s wise for us to pay attention (about 15 or so overall)

Pick up on the volume of OT quotations within this message;

Lesson: the OT is NOT out of date

…not irrelevant

We may need to be careful how we apply it…but it’s applicable

We are surely in the last days—so what’s taking so long?

Look first at God’s patience 2 Pet 3 9

2 Peter 3:9 ESV

The Lord is not slow to fulfill his promise as some count slowness, but is patient toward you, not wishing that any should perish, but that all should reach repentance.

We must live in a constant state of readiness for the Lord’s return

Whatever our eschatology, be ready

There is no wiggle room in Christ physical return

There is no wiggle room in the coming judgment

Believers will be judged for our works

Non-believers will be judged for their non-belief—period

They stand condemned already

But the good news, the Gospel, is that

Everyone who calls upon the name of the Lord shall be saved

There is within this an element of volition—God calls, the Holy Spirit draws

But we must respond and call upon the name of the Lord

Conviction from reading Spurgeon—can’t be shy about presenting the Gospel

As much as we’d like, we can’t wish people into Heaven

To speak lies is to condemn them to Hell.

Transition to the Lord’s Supper