Acts - Explaining the Pentecost

Teacher

Acts 2:14–21 – Peter’s Sermon: Explaining Pentecost

Lesson 6

This passage contains the first apostolic sermon in the Book of Acts (Acts 2:14–42). Acts is, in many ways, a record of preaching. Some quick examples:

Acts 3:20 – "That He may send the Christ… even Jesus."

Acts 4:2 – The apostles were "proclaiming in Jesus the resurrection of the dead."

Acts 8:5 – "Philip… proclaimed the Christ."

Acts 8:25 – Peter and John "preaching the gospel in many Samaritan villages."

Acts 8:35 – Philip "told him the good news about Jesus."

Acts 8:40 – Philip "preached the gospel in all the towns."

Acts 9:20 – Saul "began to preach… that Jesus is the Son of God."

Acts 9:27 – Saul "preached fearlessly in the name of Jesus."

Preaching in Acts

The Greek verb kērussō means "to proclaim" or "herald." From this verb comes the noun kērygma, which refers to the content of apostolic preaching. The kērygma in the New Testament generally includes five core elements:

Jesus fulfilled Old Testament prophecy.

Jesus was God in human flesh.

The message centers on His life, death, and resurrection.

His second coming is proclaimed.

Salvation is found in Him alone; rejection leads to judgment.

But apostolic preaching wasn't only kērygma (proclamation); it was also didachē (teaching). It combined proclamation and explanation. The apostles reasoned, persuaded, and appealed to Scripture—preaching with both passion and logic.

Peter’s Sermon Structure (vv. 14–36)

Introduction

Proclamation

Appeal

Result

You can also think of it in four movements: — Explaining Pentecost — Exalting Christ — Exhorting the People — Examining the Effects

Verse 14 – Peter Stands and Speaks

Peter, standing with the Eleven, lifts his voice. The Holy Spirit has set the stage. Confusion has drawn the crowd. Now the boldness of Peter, formerly a coward before a servant girl, is evident.

— A preacher must stand with conviction. — The Holy Spirit has prepared the crowd; Peter now feeds them with the Word.

Verse 15 – Not Drunk, But Empowered

Peter corrects the crowd’s assumption: “These men are not drunk—it’s only the third hour of the day” (9:00 AM). In Jewish culture, no one ate or drank before the third hour, especially on a feast day. Peter begins his defense by anchoring it in the Old Testament.

Verses 16–21 – Joel’s Prophecy and the Last Days

Peter quotes Joel 2:28–32 to explain what they are witnessing. This is a prophetic fulfillment:

"In the last days" – Peter uses this phrase to describe the new era inaugurated by Christ's resurrection and the giving of the Holy Spirit. The prophets did not foresee the Church Age as we now know it. — For example, Isaiah 9 speaks of a child being born and a government being established—but skips over the entire Church Age in between.

Paul calls the Church a mystery (Ephesians 3)—something hidden from Old Testament saints and revealed now by the Spirit.

Verse 19 – Signs of Christ’s Return

Peter describes apocalyptic signs associated with Christ’s second coming:

Revelation 6:8 – The fourth seal: death by sword, famine, plague, and beasts

Revelation 8:7 – Fire mixed with blood

Revelation 14:20 – Blood five feet deep over 200 miles

Revelation 16:3 – The sea turns to blood like that of a dead man

These signs—blood, fire, smoke—align with what Joel predicted and Peter quotes. Matthew 24:29 also connects Jesus’ return with celestial disturbances.

Student

Acts 2:14–21 – Peter’s Sermon: Explaining Pentecost

Lesson 6

Verses 14–15 – Not Drunk, But Spirit-Filled

Peter begins his sermon by defending the disciples. He explains they are not drunk—after all, it’s only 9:00 in the morning. (Sadly, in today’s world, that’s no guarantee!)

Verses 16–21 – Fulfillment of Joel’s Prophecy

Peter explains that what they are witnessing is a fulfillment of Joel 2:28–32:

[28] "And afterward, I will pour out My Spirit on all people. Your sons and daughters will prophesy, your old men will dream dreams, your young men will see visions.

[29] Even on My servants, both men and women, I will pour out My Spirit in those days.

[30] I will show wonders in the heavens and on the earth, blood and fire and billows of smoke.

[31] The sun will be turned to darkness and the moon to blood before the coming of the great and dreadful day of the Lord.

[32] And everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved. For on Mount Zion and in Jerusalem there will be deliverance, as the Lord has said— among the survivors whom the Lord calls."

Interpretation: Fulfillment, Not Just Illustration

Since the discovery of the Dead Sea Scrolls, scholars have understood this kind of explanation as a pesher—an interpretive method that emphasizes fulfillment without needing to explain every detail. Peter’s message is simple:

“What you see here is what Joel said would happen.”

He stresses his point by repeatedly saying, “God says...”

Peter is declaring: — This is the fulfillment of prophecy. — We are living in the last days of God’s redemptive plan. — The Spirit has come just as foretold, and salvation is now available to all who call on the Lord.