Sermon Tone Analysis

I. Peter uses the keys to the Kingdom…

A. The apostles in Jerusalem heard that Samaria had accepted the word of God (14).

This is more than a matter-of-fact statement; it seems to be almost a technical expression by which Luke signals an important new stage in the advance of the gospel.

1.

He has used it in reference to the Day of Pentecost when three thousand Jews ‘accepted his [Peter’s] message’ (2:41).

Acts 2:41 (ESV)

41 So those who received his word were baptized, and there were added that day about three thousand souls.

2.

He uses it here of the first Samaritans who ‘accepted the word of God’.

3.

And he will use it again after the conversion of Cornelius, when the apostles heard that ‘the Gentiles also had received the word of God’ (11:1).

Further, in all three developments Peter played a decisive role, using the keys of the kingdom (though Luke does not refer to this) to open it successively to Jews, Samaritans and Gentiles.[1]

Acts 11:1 (ESV)

11 Now the apostles and the brothers who were throughout Judea heard that the Gentiles also had received the word of God.

B. Remember the Lord’s command to the Apostles…

Acts 1:1–5 (ESV)

1 In the first book, O Theophilus, I have dealt with all that Jesus began to do and teach, 2 until the day when he was taken up, after he had given commands through the Holy Spirit to the apostles whom he had chosen.

3 He presented himself alive to them after his suffering by many proofs, appearing to them during forty days and speaking about the kingdom of God.

4 And while staying with them he ordered them not to depart from Jerusalem, but to wait for the promise of the Father, which, he said, “you heard from me; 5 for John baptized with water, but you will be baptized with the Holy Spirit not many days from now.”

Acts 1:8 (ESV)

8 But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you, and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the end of the earth.”

C. Peter was given the keys to the Kingdom by the Lord…

Matthew 16:19 (ESV)

19 I will give you the keys of the kingdom of heaven, and whatever you bind on earth shall be bound in heaven, and whatever you loose on earth shall be loosed in heaven.”

D. It was very appropriate that one of the Apostles sent was John…

Luke 9:51–54 (ESV)

51 When the days drew near for him to be taken up, he set his face to go to Jerusalem.

52 And he sent messengers ahead of him, who went and entered a village of the Samaritans, to make preparations for him.

53 But the people did not receive him, because his face was set toward Jerusalem.

54 And when his disciples James and John saw it, they said, “Lord, do you want us to tell fire to come down from heaven and consume them?”

II.

The Word and the Spirit are connected…

John 6:63 (ESV)

63 It is the Spirit who gives life; the flesh is no help at all.

The words that I have spoken to you are spirit and life.

A. God’s Word is Spirit and Life…

Hebrews 4:12 (ESV)

12 For the word of God is living and active, sharper than any two-edged sword, piercing to the division of soul and of spirit, of joints and of marrow, and discerning the thoughts and intentions of the heart.

B. The word is like a scalpel the Spirit uses to discern the thoughts and intentions of the hearts of men.

C. Paul uses similar language of the word and Spirit as well…

Ephesians 6:17 (ESV)

17 and take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God,

D. Paul also describes the Spirit as a seal to those who receive the Word.

Ephesians 1:13 (ESV)

13 In him you also, when you heard the word of truth, the gospel of your salvation, and believed in him, were sealed with the promised Holy Spirit,

[1] Stott, J. R. W. (1994).

The message of Acts: the Spirit, the church & the world (pp.

149–150).

Leicester, England; Downers Grove, IL: InterVarsity Press.