Week 3 | Peter’s Sermon and the Growth of the Early Church

Big Idea: The church comes from humility and response to conviction.

Scripture: Acts 2:14-47

Intro:

Have you ever been accused of getting something wrong but you were pretty adamant that it was right?

What was your response when you found out that you were actually wrong? Did you double down or did you accept that you were wrong and move forward?

Tension:

Our mistakes are not just missteps but valuable opportunities for growth and self-reflection.

Every one of us has experienced moments where we were wrong, and it’s in those moments that our true priorities are revealed.

Do we focus on what others think of us, clinging to their opinions, or do we anchor ourselves in what God says about us, finding our identity and worth in Him? These crossroads define our character and shape our spiritual journey.

There's a temptation to become stubborn, digging into the mindset of "I’m right, no matter what anyone says." This is where pride rears its head, leading us down a dangerous path of self-justification.

But on the other side of this struggle lies a tremendous opportunity—an invitation to humility. It’s in these moments of failure or being proven wrong that we have a choice: to double down in pride or to humbly accept our mistake and learn from it.

True humility is not just acknowledging that we’re wrong but embracing the growth that comes from it, trusting God’s hand in shaping us through these experiences.

Throughout the Bible, God consistently praises humility while warning against pride. Scripture repeatedly tells us that He "opposes the proud but gives grace to the humble" (James 4:6).

This divine principle is woven throughout both the Old and New Testaments, showing how God values those who are willing to lower themselves in repentance and self-reflection.

In the passage we’re looking at today, we see a powerful example of this dynamic play out in Israel's response to the crucifixion of Jesus. Peter, in his Pentecost sermon, boldly confronts the people of Israel, exposing their wrongdoing in rejecting and crucifying the Messiah. But their response is what truly stands out.

Instead of continuing in their pride or defensiveness, they are "cut to the heart" and respond in humility, asking what they should do. This humility opens the door to repentance, forgiveness, and ultimately the birth of the Church.

Their willingness to admit their mistake, to accept the reality of what they had done, and to turn to God for grace, stands as a monumental example of the power of humility in action.

God’s grace flows abundantly toward those who are humble, those who acknowledge their need for Him and their own fallibility. So, as we reflect on this passage and its implications for our own lives, the challenge is clear: When we are confronted with our own mistakes, how will we respond? Will we cling to pride, or will we take the opportunity to grow in humility, trusting that God’s grace is more than sufficient for our failures?

Big Idea:

The church is born from humility and response to conviction.

Truth:

The ESV Study Bible Chapter 2

2:14–41 Peter Preaches at Pentecost. Peter’s sermon is the first in a series of speeches and discourses in Acts (see chart). As a sermon to Jews it consists primarily of scriptural proofs: vv. 14–21 interpret the miracle of tongues as a fulfillment of Joel 2:28–32; Acts 2:22–36 presents Christ as Messiah in fulfillment of Ps. 16:8–11 and Ps. 110:1; and Acts 2:37–41 concludes the sermon with a call to repentance and baptism. There also is an allusion to Ps. 132:10, which itself alludes to 2 Sam. 7:6–16.

Nations at Pentecost

c. A.D. 30

Pentecost attracted Jews from all over the world to Jerusalem to celebrate the annual festival. Those who heard the apostles’ message in their native languages at Pentecost came from various regions within the two great competing empires of the day—the Roman Empire and the Parthian Empire—with Jerusalem near the center.

Today, we’ll dive into a pivotal moment in Scripture, where Peter addresses the Jews gathered during a significant festival—Pentecost. This festival commemorated the moment when Israel, standing at the foot of Mount Sinai, was commissioned by God to be His chosen people.

At Sinai, God gave them the law, setting them apart from the rest of the world and establishing a covenant that shaped their identity as His holy nation. This was a defining moment in Israel’s history, marking their purpose and relationship with God.

Now, centuries later, in this festival’s context, something equally monumental is happening. God is once again commissioning His people, but this time the mission is different. Instead of merely giving them the law on tablets of stone, He is placing His law directly into their hearts, transforming them through the power of the Holy Spirit. This is no small change—it’s a profound shift in how God relates to His people and how they are called to engage with the world.

Peter’s message to the Jews gathered at Pentecost is charged with significance. He’s not just addressing their history or traditions but inviting them into something new and far greater.

God is now empowering His people to be His witnesses to the ends of the earth, not by their own strength, but through the indwelling power of the Holy Spirit.

The same Spirit that raised Christ from the dead is now living in them, enabling them to live out the mission that God has set before them.

This moment is not just a historical event—it’s the birth of the Church, the beginning of a new era where God’s people are not defined by adherence to the law but by their relationship with the living God through His Spirit. What happened on that day in Jerusalem reverberates throughout history, shaping the core of the Church and the lives of believers today.

The Holy Spirit empowers us, just as He did those early followers, to go into the world, sharing the good news and living transformed lives that reflect the love and grace of Christ.

As we reflect on this moment, we can see that God’s plan has always been to reach the world, not just through a chosen nation, but through His people empowered by His Spirit. This recommissioning is still ongoing, and we, as the Church, continue to carry the torch, living out the mission of reaching others with the love and truth of Jesus Christ.

The same Holy Spirit that was poured out at Pentecost is alive and active in us today, equipping us to fulfill the calling that God has placed on our hearts.

Read Acts 2:14-47

Acts 2:14–47 (ESV)

But Peter, standing with the eleven, lifted up his voice and addressed them: “Men of Judea and all who dwell in Jerusalem, let this be known to you, and give ear to my words. For these people are not drunk, as you suppose, since it is only the third hour of the day. But this is what was uttered through the prophet Joel:

“ ‘And in the last days it shall be, God declares,

that I will pour out my Spirit on all flesh,

and your sons and your daughters shall prophesy,

and your young men shall see visions,

and your old men shall dream dreams;

even on my male servants and female servants

in those days I will pour out my Spirit, and they shall prophesy.

And I will show wonders in the heavens above

and signs on the earth below,

blood, and fire, and vapor of smoke;

the sun shall be turned to darkness

and the moon to blood,

before the day of the Lord comes, the great and magnificent day.

And it shall come to pass that everyone who calls upon the name of the Lord shall be saved.’

Peter first answered their charge that the men were drunk. No Jew would eat or drink anything before 9:00 A.M. on a Sabbath or feast day, and it was then the third hour, or 9:00 A.M.

Warren W. Wiersbe, Wiersbe’s Expository Outlines on the New Testament (Wheaton, IL: Victor Books, 1992), 281.

Peter begins his message by addressing a misunderstanding among the crowd. Some of the people present assume that the disciples are drunk, a conclusion that reflects their confusion about the strange and powerful things they’re witnessing.

Peter points out that this assumption doesn’t align with Jewish values—after all, it’s nine in the morning on the Sabbath, a sacred time of day when such behavior would be unthinkable. But more than correcting their misjudgment, Peter is revealing something deeper about their spiritual blindness.

What’s striking here is the crowd’s readiness to identify what they perceive as sinful or wrong in others, rather than seeing the miraculous work of God unfolding before their eyes.

This isn’t the first time we’ve seen this kind of response. The same attitude was present during Jesus’ ministry, where instead of recognizing Him as the Messiah, people often accused Him of wrongdoing or blasphemy. Now, they are making the same mistake with His disciples.

It’s as if they have spiritual blinders on, unable to perceive the divine work happening right in front of them. But God, through Peter, is about to open their eyes to the truth in a powerful way.

Peter’s message does more than clarify a misunderstanding; he’s introducing them to a new era, a time foretold by the prophets. He explains that they are witnessing the fulfillment of prophecy—the arrival of the last days, not in terms of impending doom, but in the sense that God’s Spirit is now being poured out on all people, not just a select few.

This marks the beginning of a new chapter in God’s redemptive plan, where the Holy Spirit empowers every believer, men and women alike, young and old, to carry out His mission.

What is happening here is nothing short of miraculous. The same Spirit that had been reserved for prophets, kings, and priests is now available to all who believe in Jesus.

This outpouring of the Holy Spirit is a direct result of Jesus’ life, death, resurrection, and ascension. It’s a visible sign that the long-awaited Messiah has come, and with Him, a new way of relating to God has been established. The Spirit's presence among all believers is evidence that the Kingdom of God is breaking into the world in a new and powerful way.

Peter’s bold declaration shifts the focus from their narrow judgments to the far greater reality of what God is doing. He’s not just correcting their assumptions about drunkenness; he’s unveiling the truth that they are living in the midst of the miraculous, the dawn of a new age. Through the Holy Spirit, God is now working in and through ordinary people to bring His message of salvation to the world, and this moment marks the beginning of a mission that would extend to every corner of the earth.

In this passage, we’re reminded of the danger of spiritual blindness and the importance of being open to what God is doing, even when it challenges our assumptions. The miraculous work of the Holy Spirit that began at Pentecost continues today, and we are called to recognize and participate in it, not with skepticism, but with faith and openness to the movement of God in our lives.

“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— this Jesus, delivered up according to the definite plan and foreknowledge of God, you crucified and killed by the hands of lawless men. God raised him up, loosing the pangs of death, because it was not possible for him to be held by it. For David says concerning him,

“ ‘I saw the Lord always before me,

for he is at my right hand that I may not be shaken;

therefore my heart was glad, and my tongue rejoiced;

my flesh also will dwell in hope.

For you will not abandon my soul to Hades,

or let your Holy One see corruption.

You have made known to me the paths of life;

you will make me full of gladness with your presence.’

“Brothers, I may say to you with confidence about the patriarch David that he both died and was buried, and his tomb is with us to this day. Being therefore a prophet, and knowing that God had sworn with an oath to him that he would set one of his descendants on his throne, he foresaw and spoke about the resurrection of the Christ, that he was not abandoned to Hades, nor did his flesh see corruption. This Jesus God raised up, and of that we all are witnesses. Being therefore exalted at the right hand of God, and having received from the Father the promise of the Holy Spirit, he has poured out this that you yourselves are seeing and hearing. For David did not ascend into the heavens, but he himself says,

“ ‘The Lord said to my Lord,

“Sit at my right hand,

until I make your enemies your footstool.” ’

Let all the house of Israel therefore know for certain that God has made him both Lord and Christ, this Jesus whom you crucified.”

Now when they heard this they were cut to the heart, and said to Peter and the rest of the apostles, “Brothers, what shall we do?” 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. For the promise is for you and for your children and for all who are far off, everyone whom the Lord our God calls to himself.” And with many other words he bore witness and continued to exhort them, saying, “Save yourselves from this crooked generation.” So those who received his word were baptized, and there were added that day about three thousand souls.

Peter wastes no time getting to the heart of the matter as he speaks directly to the crowd, cutting straight to the core of their consciences. These are the very same Jews who, just months before, had cried out for the crucifixion of Jesus. Now, standing before them, Peter is making it unmistakably clear that the One they had rejected and killed is, in fact, the long-awaited Messiah. This truth is not just a theological point; it’s a life-altering revelation. Peter is not accusing them to shame them but to awaken them to the reality of what they have done and what it means for their lives moving forward.

What makes Peter’s message so powerful is that he doesn’t rely on emotional appeal or abstract ideas. He uses Scripture, the very Word of God that these Jews had been raised with and respected. He walks them through the prophecies and promises that pointed to the Messiah, showing them how Jesus fulfilled each one.

These were passages they knew well, and yet Peter reveals a deeper meaning they had missed. He shows them that Jesus’ death and resurrection were not accidents or the end of the story, but the fulfillment of God’s redemptive plan. This Messiah is not dead—He is alive, and that changes everything.

Peter’s message strikes the crowd like a lightning bolt, cutting them to the heart. It’s not just a historical fact that Jesus is alive; it’s deeply personal. His resurrection means that their rejection of Him can be forgiven, and that His offer of salvation is still open. The realization of their mistake, coupled with the revelation that God’s grace is still available, leads to an incredible response.

In a single moment, 3,000 people are moved to believe in Jesus as their Savior and are baptized. It’s an overwhelming act of faith and repentance.

This mass conversion isn’t just a number; it’s the beginning of something entirely new—the birth of the Church. These 3,000 people become the first congregation in recorded church history, a community bound together by their shared faith in the risen Christ. They move from being individuals lost in guilt and misunderstanding to being part of a family united in the grace of God.

What an astounding response to Peter’s message! It’s a testament not only to the power of the Holy Spirit working through Peter but also to the transformative power of the gospel itself. In a matter of moments, the very people who had once opposed Jesus are now embracing Him as their Lord and Savior. This marks the beginning of the global Church, a movement that would spread across nations and generations, with this very day being the foundation upon which it all begins.

And they devoted themselves to the apostles’ teaching and the fellowship, to the breaking of bread and the prayers. And awe came upon every soul, and many wonders and signs were being done through the apostles. And all who believed were together and had all things in common. And they were selling their possessions and belongings and distributing the proceeds to all, as any had need. And day by day, attending the temple together and breaking bread in their homes, they received their food with glad and generous hearts, praising God and having favor with all the people. And the Lord added to their number day by day those who were being saved.

Matthew Henry’s Concise Commentary on the Bible Chapter 2

In these verses we have the history of the truly primitive church, of the first days of it; its state of infancy indeed, but, like that, the state of its greatest innocence.

God’s means to propel the great reversal begun in Acts 2, the birth of the church, the body of Christ, until the time when the Lord returns.

Michael S. Heiser

What a beautiful and inspiring picture we see of the early Church in Acts. It’s a moment in history that captures the essence of what the Church was designed to be—full of generosity, joy, unity, and love.

There’s something about this description of the early believers that resonates deeply with all who follow Christ. It paints a picture of the kind of Christian community we all long for, where believers live in harmony, sharing everything, and caring for one another’s needs without hesitation. It feels almost like a return to the Garden of Eden, a glimpse of what human relationships were intended to look like before sin entered the world.

But just like the perfection of the Garden was quickly marred by sin, this ideal state of the Church didn’t last long either. It wasn’t long before the effects of sin and selfishness began to creep back in, corrupting what God had set in motion. The early Church, for all its beauty, was still made up of imperfect people—people prone to pride, division, and self-interest. The generous, joyful, and unified community began to face challenges, not just from outside persecution but from within, as human nature reasserted itself.

Even though the Church, at its best, reflects God’s heart with generosity, love, and service, we are reminded that it is still vulnerable to the same pitfalls that plague humanity—pride, selfishness, and division.

At its worst, the Church can reflect the very opposite of what Christ calls it to be. It can become a place where people look out for themselves, where power struggles and personal agendas replace humility and sacrificial love. And yet, despite these failures, the vision of the early Church in Acts remains a source of hope and inspiration.

When I look at this first Church, I can’t help but feel a deep sense of hope.

The Acts 2 church represents all that the Church can be when it fully embraces the power of the Holy Spirit and lives out the gospel in its truest form. It shows us a community where love for God and one another takes precedence over everything else, where believers live selflessly and sacrificially, and where the joy of the Lord overflows into acts of generosity and compassion.

This snapshot of the early Church reminds us that the ideal is not unreachable. Yes, we are flawed and sinful, but the same Spirit that empowered those first believers is still working in the Church today.

Acts 2 gives us a vision of what the Church can be, not by our own strength, but by the grace and power of God working through us. It is a reminder that, though we fall short, the Church has always had the potential to be a reflection of heaven on earth, a community where the love of Christ reigns supreme.

So, while we acknowledge the reality of sin and brokenness within the Church, we also hold fast to this vision of what the Church was meant to be. It’s a vision worth striving for, a picture of the kingdom of God breaking into the world.

It gives us hope that, by the grace of God, we can still reflect that generosity, joy, and unity, and that the Church, at its best, is still a place where the Spirit of God transforms lives and brings people together in love.

Application

Humility in Relationships and Mistakes

As a teenager in 2024, you are likely navigating relationships with friends, family, and peers, all while growing in your own identity. It's common to encounter moments where you’re wrong, whether it's in school, friendships, or even in your understanding of yourself.

Just like Peter addressed the crowd at Pentecost, calling them to recognize their past mistakes, we are also called to respond with humility when we’re wrong.

In today’s world, where social media and public opinion often shape how we see ourselves, it can be easy to get defensive or stubborn when confronted with our mistakes.

But Peter’s example shows us a better way—responding to conviction with humility.

God honors humility, and when we are willing to admit we’ve messed up, we open the door to growth, healing, and restored relationships.

Takeaway: The next time you make a mistake or are in conflict with someone, choose humility. Apologize when you’re wrong, and seek to grow rather than defending your pride. In doing so, you reflect the heart of Christ and allow God’s grace to shape you into a better person.

Embrace Your Role in the Church

The Acts 2 church shows us what is possible when the Holy Spirit empowers believers to live in unity, generosity, and love.

In 2024, as a teen, you might feel like your role in the Church or your youth group isn’t that important or significant. But the truth is, God is calling you, just like He called the early believers, to be part of His mission.

The Holy Spirit is still active today, and just like the young people in Acts 2, you are empowered to contribute to the Church.

Whether it’s through serving others, sharing the love of Christ with your friends, or simply being a kind, generous person in a world that often prioritizes selfishness, you have a role to play in building the Church.

Takeaway: Get involved in your local church or youth group. Ask God to show you how you can serve and share His love in practical ways. Whether it’s volunteering, helping others, or inviting a friend to church, you are part of God’s plan to continue the work that started in Acts 2. Don’t underestimate your influence—you can make a difference!

Landing

As we wrap up, the story of the Acts 2 church and Peter’s powerful message leaves us with a clear challenge: How will we respond when God convicts us, and what will we do with that conviction?

The early believers were "cut to the heart" by the truth of who Jesus was and how they had misunderstood Him. Instead of clinging to pride or past mistakes, they responded in humility, seeking forgiveness and embracing the grace offered to them through Jesus Christ.

We are no different today. God is constantly inviting us into deeper relationships with Him and others by responding to His Spirit’s conviction. Whether it’s admitting when we’ve been wrong or stepping into the calling God has placed on our lives, the choice is ours. We can either double down on pride, or we can humble ourselves, grow, and allow God to transform us.

The Acts 2 church shows us what’s possible when we respond in humility and allow the Holy Spirit to lead us. A community of love, generosity, and unity is still within our reach today. But it starts with each of us—one humble response at a time.

So, how will you respond today? Will you allow God’s conviction to shape you? Will you choose humility and take the next step He’s calling you to? Let’s embrace the example of the early Church, allowing the Holy Spirit to transform our hearts and empower us to be part of something greater—God’s ongoing mission in the world.

Pray