Peter Addresses the Crowd

How would you feel just before getting up to speak to a large group of people?

Who did Peter address and what warning did he give them? (v. 14)

Peter addressed all the men present at that time. His warning was to heed his words. Peter was about to speak to them concerning the absolutely horrific actions they had taken against the Son of God, and this outpouring of the Holy Spirit was evidence to them that the time had come!!

Think for a moment. It is only the third hour of the day (9 am). These men are not drunk, as you suppose, but rather filled with the Holy Spirit of God. How else do you explain the fact that you can understand them in your own language? How else do explain the sounds you just heard (rushing mighty winds but no storm)?

Why do you think Peter quoted from Joel 2? (vv. 17-21)

Joel prophesied that in the last days, God would pour out His Spirit upon on all flesh. Sons and daughters would prophesy, young men would see visions, and older men would dream dreams. He would even pour out His Spirit upon the servants of that day and they would prophesy as well.

Not only would there be the outpouring of His presence upon men, amazing miracles would be performed in the heavens and upon earth. The sun would go dark. The moon would be red.

One thing was for certain though, Christ was coming back. Whoever calls on the name of the Lord would be saved.

What did Peter say about Jesus of Nazareth? (vv. 22-25)

Jesus was attested by God to you

He was empowered to perform miracles, wonders, and signs.

God did this through Him.

God did this in your midst. You witnesses these miracles yourselves.

God knew what would happen

It was His determined purpose but it was also His foreknowledge.

You have taken him lawlessly, crucified Him, and put Him to death.

God has raised Him up.

Death could not keep Him.

How did Peter explain Christ’s work as Messiah? (vv. 25-35)

Peter explains that these verses from David were not of David. They were of Christ. It was a prophetic passage speaking of Jesus Himself. (Psalm 16:8-11)(v. 29-31)

This Messiah that David spoke of is the same Jesus whom God has raised from the dead. We are all witnesses of this.

He has now received the fullness of God’s promise unto Him. He is now at the right hand of God and He has poured out this same Spirit that He was filled with upon us. This is what you see here today.

David also said (v. 34-35)(Psalm 110:1)

How did the audience respond? What instructions did Peter give them? (vv. 37-41)

They were cut to the heart. The hammer of God fell upon them and crumbled their souls to pieces. Heavy conviction fell upon them and they knew in that moment what they had done. This led to their question of Peter, “Men and brethren, what shall we do?”

They wanted free of this guilt that now filled them. They wanted rid of the sin-stains that covered their hands. What can we do to make this right?

Peter then begins to explain what they must do:

Repent

Be baptized in the name of Jesus Christ

If you are willing to repent and be baptized, then you shall receive the gift of the Holy Spirit.

This “promise is to you and your children, and to all who are afar off, as many as the Lord our God will call.”

What events/people lead to you becoming a Christian?

What steps can we take that will aid us in being that person for someone else?